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Namaste Yogis and Yoginis
BRRRR! There has been a chill in the air this month – winter is certainly here and what a wonderful time it is. You can practice as many salutes as you like this month. Try lots of beautiful flowing yoga salutes without the concern of overheating, in fact, it's important to warm up even MORE during this season, would you believe?
It's also the time of year when the days get shorter, and we can truly experience night again. I love this time of year, for even though the long days of summer are beautiful, winter nights bring the stars, and early nightfall means its not too late to enjoy them! And I finally have a porch! I go out to look at the stars almost every night. I feel so grateful, and it's wonderful when gratitude spontaneously comes. It lifts your conscious and helps dissolve negativity. It reminds you how to live from a higher place. It gives you motivation to choose to focus on all the wonderful things we have to be grateful for more often. It makes you happy, frees your energy and most importantly – feels great!
It's not always easy to be grateful but it's amazingly powerful and very healing – as they said in the 80's, “Choose Life!”
:) Suzanne
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With Blessings,
Suzanne Gray | |
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RASAYANA CONCERT |
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WANT FREE YOGA?
HELP US TO HELP YOU! |
Rasayana will be playing devotional music here at the yoga centre on Saturday August 1st!
Even though I haven't seen Rasayana, the genuinely enthusiastic response from those who had was enough to convince me to invite them! It will be another fine night of music & chai.
We also plan to get a couple of more traditional Kirtan groups here later in the year so stay tuned to the noticeboard and this newsletter!
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During July we will be distributing surveys for our current students to fill in both online and in the print version at the end of class. These yoga surveys are designed to help us improve the centre and meet your needs to the best of our ability. Please take 15 minutes to fill one out and help shape the experience you have here at our centre. The first 25 surveys returned will get a free class as a thank you and ALL surveys will go into a draw to win a 4 pass of yoga. Ask your teacher for more information or keep an eye out online. Online subscribers will go into an extra draw, so there are two chances to win! | |
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CHANTING AND DEVOTIONAL MUSIC THIS MONTH
It was extremely heartening to see so many people at the recent Subway Bhaktis concert. As one student said, “What better thing to do on a cold winter's night!”
We had a wonderful community vibe at the event, and Rachel & Nyck (the Subway Bhaktis) sang their hearts out. We thank them for sharing their passion for Kirtan with us so generously. Some yogis were already familiar with chant as a devotional/yogic practice and some weren't, but new or familiar, I think we all had a wonderful time singing along. If you missed out or just want more, the Subway Bhaktis will be at Temple Byron (46 Melaleuca Rd, Byron) on Friday July 17th 6.30pm.
TIPS FOR A SAFE WINTER PRACTICE
Remember the muscles and joints can be a bit stiffer, less lubricated during winter; due to the cold, and the increased tendency to go into hibernation. Always warm up properly. This can mean more salutes, or coming in early to warm up the joints a little. or simply taking gentler options in your practice until your body starts to feel warm. As the yoga room pre class is a place to relax and let go, vigourous warm ups are not recommended, but you can easily do passive warm ups such as modified pidgeon for the back, gluts and hips, cross legs forward for hips, uttanasana or paschimottanasana for hamstrings, gomukhasana arms for the shoulders, or dog for the whole body. Remember not to overwork any of these poses, no strain at all and maintain a focus on a full easy breath, belly and throat relaxed. Ask your teachers for more guidance if you feel unsure about any of these poses.
CURIOUS ABOUT THE CHAKRAS? SIGN UP FOR THE WORKSHOP WITH JOHN OGILVIE
On Sunday 19 July we are delighted to host John Ogilvie from the Byron Yoga Centre - the longest running yoga centre in Byron Bay. John is a warm and dedicated teacher who brings to life the teachings of the yoga practice. This workshop will include asana, pranayama and meditation with a focus on the Chakras. Chakras are esoteric energy centres in the body which, when aligned bring about balance and healing in the body and in life. John will teach the theory of the Chakras, as well as demonstrate postures and breathing designed to bring balance and enhance the effects of the Chakras. This workshop is for anyone who wants to maximise the healing & energising benefits of their practice. 10am – 5.30pm (with lunch break) Only $115. Deposits are necessary for this event as spaces are strictly limited. Please book at the front desk or call the Centre.
TIMETABLE CHANGE - 19 JULY
Please note that there will only be a General Class at 8am on Sunday 19 July, and no beginners class due to the John Ogilvie workshop.
5 MINS WITH…JANE
What brought you to yoga?
Curiosity – I had heard about it and wanted to learn more. Later, I realised it was an inner calling.
What benefits do you love about yoga?
For me, yoga is an anchor – a place to return to no matter what life brings.
Was it helpful during pregnancy?
Definitely. I just kept coming to regular classes and my body felt strong. It helped me to carry the pregnancy easily, and it alleviated any symptoms I felt.
Does yoga help you be a better mum?
YES! It helps me come back to the bigger picture, which is really important with kids. Yoga gives me a reference point for peace & calm so I know when I am too far out of that and when I need to come back to that place.
What else is important to you?
Relationships. Nourishing time with others, and with nature. Self-love; if people love and accept themselves for who they are, there is no need to push out onto others or onto the environment. We realise we have all we need inside and feel abundant.
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GENEROUS GESTURES
Thanks for putting your spare change to good use this month into our charity jar! This month $60 went to the Wilderness Society. Other charities to benefit from your generosity this year include Rosies on the Street, Childfund, The Red Cross Victorian Fire Appeal, ACF & WorldVision.
LOST YOGA MATS
There’s a bucketful of lost/unclaimed mats in the shop, some of which have been there for a very long time. Unfortunately we can't hold on to mats indefinitely due to lack of space, so please check the basket if you have lost or left behind a mat! Unclaimed mats will be recycled & offered for sale 2nd hand!
DON’T MISS OUT! SUBSCRIBE ONLINE!
This year’s Springbrook Retreat filled up quickly. It's truly a wonderful weekend in a beautiful environment with delicious food, music and yoga. Make sure you don't miss out on future events like this one by signing up for our email newsletters! As well as getting notified first, there are also occasional specials for our online readers! During July, we are offering 10% off books to our online subscribers. Mention this article for your discount!
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