January 2010

Jaya Yoga Center
1626 8th Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11215
718-788-8788
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January Focus of the Month
Svadhyaya / Bird of Paradise
"I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments..." This quote came from a tremendously successful college football coach, announcing he is to retire from his post. While waiting for a flight at the airport, I observed this announcement over one of the many TV screens with news and other whatnot perpetually piped through the terminal.

It is perplexing that a man responsible for a winning football team would willfully ignore his health. Something does not seem right about an unhealthy man training young men in sports. He does not really seem like a good role model (on a subtle level)—but, of course, he won lots of games, not the Nobel Prize for Health and Well Being.

An absence of looking inward, placing more importance on the external than the internal, will plague us, no question. Our cutting corners and taking short cuts will catch up with us, so now we must look deeper with great interest and intensity. The beginning of the year is an excellent time to take on this task.

This year marks the tenth year of Jaya's opening. We want to start off in the right direction. With the yoga practice, we know the direction is inward. So for the first month of our tenth year we have chosen the niyama of Svadhyaya (self-study, scriptural study, recitation of sacred sounds, basic reflection) as our philosophical focus.

We can look to the first of the yoga sutras of Patanjali for the inspiration right off the bat—Chapter 1, Sutra 1, Atha Yoganushasanam—'now begins the study of yoga.' And here we go—now begins the day when we commit more deeply to the study of yoga, deeper than the skin of the asana practice, now we delve into the inner body with the same commitment we have to the outer body as we explore the layers of Svadhyaya instead of turning a blind eye to what is essential.

Last month, we opened our hips with ankle to knee; this month, we will utilize that opening with the one-legged balance of bird of paradise. This pose requires good balance on one foot, those open hips, and keen concentration. As always, your teachers will appropriately break this down into bite-size pieces for Basic-level students. Nothing to fear here, we are working with your best friend, your body.

New Year's Day Class Schedule
9:30 am, All Levels with Carla
11:00 am, Open with Kyle
6 pm, Intermediate with Kenzie

Advance Your Practice
with Carla Stangenberg
Saturday, January 2, 2010, 5:45 - 8:15 pm
This time around, we will focus on our relationship to gravity in inversions, arm balances, and hip openers! We will also explore the crown chakra. The two-and-a-half-hour format gives us a bit more time to dig deep and expand wide. This workshop is for the curious, enthusiastic practitioner of asana!
$25
Register on line now!!

Deep Rest
with Kyle Shepard
Sunday, 7:45 - 9:10 pm
January 3, 17, 31
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.

KIRTAN
Friday, 8 - 9:30 pm
January 8, Nina and Devadas
January 22, Nina and Devadas
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.

All You Need Is Love Yoga
with Kenzie Pause
Friday, January 15, 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) to revitalizing pranayama (breathing exercises) to 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 online!

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

Jaya Book Club / Study Group
Saturday, January 16, 5:45 pm
After deep consideration, consultation, and now consistency with the philosophical focus of the month, we have decided to take a more in-depth look at the Bhagavad Gita. This will help us understand a bit more of the wide and fascinating subject of yoga philosophy. Our guide will be the first volume of Eknath Easwaran's three-volume set The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living: The End of Sorrow. Chapters 1-3 will be the subject of our first meeting, set for Saturday, January 16, at 5:45 pm.

On this path, effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure. Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will yield protection from the greatest fear.—Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 40, translated by Eknath Easwaran

Teacher Bio: Kelly Devi

Prenatal Yoga
With Kelly Devi
Saturdays, 2 - 3:30 pm
8-week series starts January 16
(You will have ten weeks to take the eight classes.)
Celebrate your pregnancy through the peaceful and empowering practice of prenatal yoga.

This class offers a peaceful environment in which 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 network with other moms-to-be.
$120 for the series
Register online!

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 but can be attended separately.
$85 for the workshop or $190 for the whole package
Register online! (8 weeks of prenatal yoga and the workshop)

BEGINNERS ONLY!
FREE INTRODUCTION TO YOGA CLASS
with Carla Stangenberg
Monday, January 11, 4:45 - 5:50 pm
Please bring yourself and a friend to Jaya Yoga Center for a free introduction to asana (posture) practice, meditation, and even a little philosophy. We are equipped with all the props you will need during your class, free for you to borrow. Everyone is welcome! No reservations needed—just show up!

BEGINNERS ONLY
6-Week Beginners' Series
with Sarah Selig and Carla Stangenberg
Sundays, January 17, 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 $17 to drop in
Contact namaste@jayayogacenter.com to pre-register.

Schedule Changes

Monday, Intermediate, 12-1:25
with Judy Atrubin
Judy will be taking the reins for the midday intermediate class on Mondays. Judy is a wonderful teacher, full of insights from her amazing practice. Recently Judy competed teacher training with the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy program for which she received a scholarship. She has a lot of new tricks and information up her sleeve to share with you. Judy also teaches the Thursday 9:30 am Open-level class.

A quick note about intermediate classes at Jaya: intermediate is the level between basic and open. If you have been practicing basic for a while and wonder which class to take next intermediate level is for you. This is the class that will break down the more challenging asanas that appear in open level. You can think of it as more workshop oriented.

Sunday, Open Level, 6 pm
with Kyle Shepard
Kyle's classes fuse calming vinyasa sequences with intelligent alignment and for you anatomy buffs out there he really knows his stuff. Kyle also teaches the Deep Rest classes every other Sunday at 7:45 pm and the Friday 10:45 open level class.

MEDITATION
Tuesdays, 8:45 - 9:15 am; Wednesdays, 8:30 - 9:15 am; and Thursdays, 8:45 - 9:15 am
Bring your meditation practice to Jaya. Come sit (or lie down) with us for these free sessions. The space for your practice is given, not directions. 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...), there will be a moment when you realize that is the moment to bring your attention back to the breath. Come and give it a try. Always free!

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

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 preventive, 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 30 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.

Leah Sasha Schwartz, L.Ac., is a New York 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.