December 2009

Jaya Yoga Center
1626 8th Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11215
718-788-8788
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December Focus of the Month

Aparigraha / Ankle to Knee

On many bike rides through Ditmas Park I come across a mid-1990's white hatchback with several bumper stickers on it. One reads "the best things in life aren't things." Each time I see it, two things happen: 1, it takes me by surprise and 2, I repeat it once or twice to myself as I pedal down the road. I think it takes me by surprise because the sticker helps me realize I am somewhere in the middle of forgetting this simple and obvious truth. I repeat it because now that I am reminded of the truth, I do not want to forget it. This month we will focus on one of the Yamas from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, aparigraha which is translated as greedlessness or non-covetousness. There is a direct relationship between aparigraha and the nimaya of santosha (contentment). If we obtain only what we really need and do not have a lot of excess lying around, a certain balance may emerge in our lives creating evenness in our interactions with the world around us. To know that we have enough, that we are enough. We do not need more than what we already have and we do not need to have what another has.

Physically, we have a tough act to follow because scorpion was a lot of fun. This month we will dig into the hips with ankle to knee aka double pigeon. Dwi Pada Rajakapotasana is helpful for sciatic discomfort as well as opening the hips. The pose is also a nice antidote to stress (which sometimes creeps in during the holiday season). The focus is internal, offering us time to look inside for that inner light as we approach the solstice. Coupled with the philosophical focus this should be a wonderful month for your practice.

KIRTAN
8 - 9:30 pm
Come and be lead through beautiful Sanskrit chants to uplift the spirit. Offered by donation. Please join us for these special evenings of music and devotion.

Friday, December 4, Ambik
Friday, December 11, Devadas
Friday, January 8 Nina and Devadas
Friday, January 22 Nina and Devadas

Deep Rest
Next class Sunday, December 6, 7:45 - 9:10 pm
with Kyle Shepard
Restorative, a.k.a. Deep Relaxation, focuses on how the yin (receptive) qualities of the poses can be tapped to induce deeper states of rest and relaxation. This class has one sole aim: deep mindful rest. You will be exposed to a combination of restorative yoga poses for an extended period of time (using props to provide physical support). Breath observation and guided meditation exercises are also included. Taken as a whole, these techniques are used to usher your mind, body, and spirit into a state of deep internal awareness where you may let go of your body's hardened and habitual daily reactions (samskaras). This is a great class if you wish to reduce stress in your daily life.
$15 to drop in or use your class card
Please note: This class will meet every other week.
Next classes: December 6, 20; January 3, 17, 31

Men's Yoga Class
Taught by Michael Gates
Sunday evenings from 7:45 - 9:10 pm
Next classes: December 13 and 27

MEDITATION
Tuesday 8:45 - 9:15, Wednesday 8:30 - 9:15 and Thursday 8:45 - 9:15
Bring your meditation practice to Jaya. Come sit (or lie down) with us for these free sessions. If you do not already have a meditation practice and want to come, here are some simple guidelines: find a comfortable seat (yes, you can lie down), bring your attention to your breath and keep it there. When your attention wanders to thinking or anything else (sounds, sights, feelings...), bring your attention back to the breath. Come and give it a try. Always Free!!

BEGINNERS ONLY
6-Week Beginners' Series
with Ramit Kreitner
Sundays, December 6 - January 10, 2 - 3:15 pm
This class is tailored to the newcomer to yoga. You will be eased into the practice by the skillful attention of your teacher. You will learn basic body awareness exercises; basic yoga poses (asanas) that stretch, lengthen, and strengthen your body; and a handful of techniques to help reduce stress in your daily life. At the end of your six classes, you will be ready to join any of our basic level classes.
If you miss one class, you can attend a make-up class on Thursdays at 7:45 pm.
$90 for the series or $20 to drop in
Contact namaste@jayayogacenter.com to preregister.
Next Beginner Series: January 2010!!

Advance Your Practice
with Carla Stangenberg
Saturday January 2, 2010, 5:45 - 8:15 pm
This time around we will focus on relationship to gravity in inversions, arm balances and hip openers!! We will also explore the crown chakra. The 2 1/2 hour format gives us a bit more time to dig deep and expand wide. This workshop is for the curious, enthusiastic practitioner of asana!!

All You Need Is Love Yoga
with Kenzie Pause
January 15, 2010, 8 pm
The music of The Beatles has spanned decades and generations. The beautiful practice of yoga has spanned over 5,000 years, evolving into many forms and styles over time. While The Beatles may be young in comparison, Kenzie says combining the two seemed like a natural addition to her yoga practice. She created All You Need Is Love to put two of her favorite things together: yoga and The Beatles. The class takes you on a physical, mental, and sometimes even emotional journey through energizing asanas (poses), revitalizing pranayama (breathing exercises), and into a soothing yoga nidra (deep relaxation), accompanied by the music of one of the greatest bands ever.
$15 (class cards can not be used for this event)
Pre-register on line for this event!

All we are saying is give peace a chance.—John Lennon

Teacher Bio: Kelly Devi

Prenatal Yoga
With Kelly Devi
Saturdays from 2 - 3:30 pm
8-week series starts January 16, 2010
(you will have 10 weeks to take the 8 classes)
Celebrate your pregnancy through the peaceful and empowering practice of prenatal yoga.
This class offers a peaceful environment to connect to your body and your baby throughout the journey of pregnancy. Classes are geared toward keeping you strong, toned, informed, relaxed and focused as you prepare for labor and motherhood. Prenatal yoga can help to alleviate the common discomforts associated with pregnancy and offers a unique opportunity to meet other moms-to-be.
$120 for the series - register on line here.

Labor and Delivery Workshop for Couples
With Kelly Devi
Sunday March 21, 6-9 pm
This workshop helps you to connect with your innate maternal wisdom as you learn the techniques that facilitate natural childbirth. Partners will learn practical ways to provide support during the miraculous process of birth. This workshop is a part of the prenatal yoga class series package.
$85 for the workshop or the whole package - register on line here
Sign up for 8 weeks of prenatal yoga and the workshop for only $190.

SPECIAL OFFERING: AFFORDABLE Acupuncture at Jaya
Thursdays, from 12 - 3 pm

We are continuing to offer a special service this month: Only $40 / session

Acupuncture is a many-thousand-year-old healing modality of natural medicine. Originating in China, acupuncture utilizes our own internal energies of body, mind, and spirit. Acupuncture is used in two distinct ways: The first is preventative, as it enables us to remain our naturally healthy and vibrant selves. Treatments provide balance, harmony, and realignment, allowing us to adapt to external and internal stresses. Acupuncture is also a powerful medicine that aids us in remedying a wide range of ailments, from physical to psychic pain, digestive upsets, gynecological issues, headaches, and more.

Balancing the body, mind, and spirit is important at times of transition. Weather and seasonal fluctuations, regular travel, and environmental stress can all tax our sense of balance. Acupuncture is a safe, natural, drug-free way to maintain and achieve greater levels of health and wellness.

A typical session involves a health history and wellness assessment. Specific acupuncture points are recommended to achieve the most fluidity and flow of internal energies or Qi (chee). Sterile hair-fine single-use needles are gently inserted and retained as you lie comfortably and rest. Ten to thirty minutes later, the needles are removed and you experience sensations of realignment with yourself.

If you would like an appointment, please email namaste@jayayogacenter.com; we are taking appointments at half-hour intervals.

BIO:

Leah Sasha Schwartz, L.Ac., is a NY State licensed acupuncturist who practices Classical Chinese Medicine in the tradition of her teacher, Jeffrey C. Yuen, 88th generation master teacher of the Jade Purity Sect. In her practice, she focuses on women's wellness, natural care of children with essential oils, and general holistic treatments. She lives and loves in Brooklyn, attends Jaya Yoga, and has one amazing kitten, Cat Stevens.

Jaya Yoga Retreat in Guatemala
April 10 - 17, 2010
with Sarah Selig and Carla Stangenberg

We hope you will join us for this yoga retreat celebrating the 10th anniversary of Jaya Yoga Center. Lake Atitlan is 4,500 feet above sea level, a perfect place for reflection on your personal practice and the connection of all of us together in the wonderful Jaya community. Everyone is welcome — even those who do not currently practice at Jaya. We will have two daily yoga classes including asana, pranayama, meditation, and deep rest (not necessarily in that order). Each day there will be "open studio" where Carla and Sarah will be available for your practice questions. The beautiful setting, three meals each day, a sauna, and an excursion round out this experience.

For more information click here.

Jaya Community Speaks

Jaya Yogi Alyce Barr offers her inspiring yoga story to us this month, enjoy the gift! If the spirit moves you please feel free to share yours with us too!! Contact.

Yoga by the Numbers: 54, 33, 30, 4... by Alyce Barr

On July 27, I celebrated my 54th birthday. For seven years - since the day when my sister died at exactly this age, I wrestled with becoming and being fifty-four. As my birthday approached I considered various options: trying to forget about it, crawling under the covers with a compelling book, a travel adventure - and then just a day or two before, I decided to make myself a birthday party, an unscared unsuperstitious birthday party with friends and family and food. And three weeks later I bought myself a present, an on-sale thirty day unlimited class card at Jaya.

Continue reading here.

Get Inspired Class Card Sale

This one is for Alyce!

30 Day Unlimited pass $135
Offer good until December 15

Out Reach Dept.

Healing Yoga with Carly Sachs
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
5 week series
11 am- 12 pm

Jaya Yoga student Carly Sachs and Safe Horizon Brooklyn offer this class at Safe Horizon Brooklyn, 189 Montague Street, 6th fl
Healing Yoga for survivors of trauma including rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence, war, crime, disability, illness, and grief. Yoga can help reconnection with the body, bringing relaxation and healing to the body and the mind.
For more information, please contact Josie Torielli ~ 718.834.6688 x 21 or email josephine.torielli@safehorizon.org
FREE

BIO:

Carly Sachs is a Kripalu certified yoga teacher with a special certification in trauma sensitive yoga. She is the editor of the anthology, the why and later, a collection of poems women have written about rape and sexual assault. Please visit her website: www.thewhyandlater.com for more information about healing on and off the page and the yoga mat!

Gift Certificates are available for purchase on line as of now!!
You can now purchase gift certificates, workshops and class cards on line. Click Here!