This month at Jai Yoga, love is in the air! We want to encourage you to give yourself a little extra love this month. As you may already know, loving the self is an important part of loving others.

We have workshops and special events to help you cultivate both love for the self and love for others going on this month…keep reading to learn more!

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In this newsletter:

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

NEWS

PRACTICE

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

MEDITATION, DHARMA, YOGA – EVERY MONDAY NIGHT 7:15-8:30 PM $Donation of choice

Together, we will look closely at how meditation, the dharma and our yoga practice can be at the very center of our everyday life. While we will learn from each other, the group is not meant to be instructional. Donations will benefit the Jai Yoga Scholarship Fund. No need to register! Feel free to drop-in!

LAUGHTER YOGA CLUB! – FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6 5:45-6:30 PM $1 suggested donation

Laugh to get your heart pumping and the positive energy flowing! This is an excellent way to support the community and yourself in an ongoing way. Come laugh with us! Offered the first Friday of every month. Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sVT=51

YOGA NIDRA – SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14 2-4 PM $20

Yoga Nidra is a powerful yet simple technique of guided relaxation; the perfect antidote for a busy and fragmented life. As you are guided to move your awareness throughout your body, you will experience deeper and deeper states of relaxation, resulting in a sense of peace, harmony and balance. Deep healing is possible with the practice of “yogic sleep,” a true gift to the body, mind and spirit. No experience is needed. Offered the first Saturday of every month! Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sVT=56

LOVE AND LAUGHTER: A WORKSHOP FOR COUPLES – SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14 3:30-6 PM $45/couple

Valentine’s Day is a time for celebrating the love you have for those around you and often for your significant other. Come join us for an entertaining afternoon of laughter yoga exercises specifically to help couples find joy together and to be able to bring some breath and laughter into their relationships. Laughter has the ability to unite us in our daily lives. You will walk away with some tools to bring laughter into your life as a couple and to face life in its wonders and challenges. Click here to register for this event: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sVT=51

RESTORATIVE YOGA – SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28 2-4 PM $20

Restorative yoga uses blankets, blocks, cushions, ties and the wall to support the body in a complete letting go. Releases tension, calms the nervous system, removes the toxic leftovers from stress and floods the body with happiness and bliss. A gentle and slow-paced class. Totally relaxing, no experience necessary. Offered the last Saturday of every month! Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sVT=39

To register, try our online registration system, available up to one hour before the start of an event! Follow the links above or visit http://www.jaiyogahome.com/classes/special-classes-events/ for a complete listing and more links to more workshops!

Or, register by phone at least 24 hours in advance. Just give us a call: 207.725.7874. Leave a message with your NAME, PHONE and which WORKSHOP you want to attend and we’ll return your call ASAP.

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NEWS

WINTER 2009 STUDIO OFFICE HOURS

Jai Yoga will hold regular office hours on MONDAYS 1:30-5 PM; THURSDAYS 12:30-3:30 PM and FRIDAYS 1:30-4 PM. At those times, messages can be left for specific teachers, questions can be answered and ideas will be heard! These are also excellent times to shop in our retail store! Please get in touch with us if you have any comments, questions, concerns or praise. Stop by the studio or give us a call at 207.725.7874. We look forward to hearing from you!

DON’T LET ANYTHING STOP YOU FROM COMING TO YOGA CLASS!!

Jai Yoga offers partial and full scholarships, work-study programs and accepts time dollars (MerryMeeting Community Shares Program) as payment for classes! If you, or someone you know, are experiencing financial hardship all the more reason to get to a yoga class. Our community is here to support everyone’s well-being! Please call 207.725.7874 today to discuss with Jen opportunities to enjoy the practice of yoga. Yoga is good for all of us!!!

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PRACTICE

To cultivate your inner love and light, take a few minutes for this simple meditation.

1 – Sit in a comfortable position with a long spine and eyes gently closed; sit on either a floor cushion or a chair

2 – As you breath naturally, bring your awareness to the heart, visualizing or feeling there a soft, warm light

3 – As you inhale, feel or visualize the light growing brighter, warmer. As you exhale, feel or visualize the light expanding and softening the heart

4 – As you continue inhaling and exhaling naturally, let your awareness stay with the brightening and expanding light. Each inhale brightens the light and each exhale lets it expand into and soften more of the body, then the room and beyond

5 – When you feel complete, before opening your eyes, take a few moments to savor the connection between your own heart and the hearts of others

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Love and Light,

Jen and the Jai Yoga Family

Jai Yoga
#314 Fort Andross
14 Maine Street
Brunswick ME 04011
207.725.7874
info@jaiyogahome.com
www.jaiyogahome.com

Welcome to 2009! This January, we have a brand new schedule and a lot of special classes and events to help you grow your practice and stay inspired during the transition into a New Year!

Our annual 7 Days for $7 event is going on now! It’s not too late to register! This is a great opportunity to try something new or to dive deep into something you love. Happy New Year!

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In this newsletter:

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
NEWS
PRACTICE

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

7 DAYS FOR $7 – JANUARY 1-7, 2009
Pay only $7 and attend as many or as few classes as you like the first week of 2009 at Jai Yoga. Take this opportunity to try a new class or meet a new teacher. Attend a bunch of classes to INVIGORATE yourself! See how we can all BENEFIT from a little more yoga in our lives! To sign-up online now, click here: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-7&sTG=10&sDate=1/1/2009

LAUGHTER YOGA CLUB! – FRIDAY JANUARY 2 5:45-6:30 PM $1 suggested donation
Laugh to get your heart pumping and the positive energy flowing! This is an excellent way to support the community and yourself in an ongoing way. Come laugh with us! Offered the first Friday of every month. Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sVT=51

LAUGH YOUR WAY TO YOUR RESOLUTIONS – SATURDAY JANUARY 3 2-4 PM $20
Come enjoy this playful workshop in which we will use laughter as a tool to gain perspective on our lives and look at what is most needed for ourselves in the coming year. We will not only identify our hopes and goals, but work through a series of action steps that will allow us to effect lasting change in our lives. Through practicing laughter yoga, meditation and facilitated discussion, you will walk away with a bounce in your step and some practical actions to make your new year’s wishes come true. Click here to register for this event: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sVT=51

MEDITATION, DHARMA, YOGA – EVERY MONDAY NIGHT 7:15-8:30 PM $Donation of choice
Together, we will look closely at how meditation, the dharma and our yoga practice can be at the very center of our everyday life. While we will learn from each other, the group is not meant to be instructional. Donations will benefit the Jai Yoga Scholarship Fund. No need to register! Feel free to drop-in!

BASICS YOGA SERIES FOR NEW BEGINNERS – TUESDAYS 5:30-7 PM JANUARY 6-FEBRUARY 24 -and- FRIDAYS 4-5:30 PM JANUARY 9-FEBRUARY 27 -and- SATURDAYS 12-1:30 PM JANUARY 10-FEBRUARY 28 8 classes $88
The basics class is a great way to learn or review essential alignment, philosophy and breathing techniques. Classes are ongoing, running in 8 weeks cycles. Pre-registration is highly recommended. To reserve your space in these classes, please use our online registration system. Select the basics class you wish to attend from this list: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-7&sTG=10&sDate=1/6/2009

YOGA NIDRA – SATURDAY JANUARY 10 2-4 PM $20
Yoga Nidra is a powerful yet simple technique of guided relaxation; the perfect antidote for a busy and fragmented life. As you are guided to move your awareness throughout your body, you will experience deeper and deeper states of relaxation, resulting in a sense of peace, harmony and balance. Deep healing is possible with the practice of “yogic sleep,” a true gift to the body, mind and spirit. No experience is needed. Offered the first Saturday of every month! Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sVT=55

BABY & ME YOGA – TUESDAYS JANUARY 13-MARCH 3 10-11 AM $90 8 weeks
Yoga practice with baby! New Moms or Dads and babies 4 weeks through active crawling. Learn postures and breath that you can practice with your baby. Poses focus on creating and restoring strength and flexibility for mom/dad, parent-child bonds, baby massage and baby yoga postures to aid digestion and development. Time to connect with other parents in our community. This class tends to fill quickly, please reserve early! Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sVT=41

PRENATAL YOGA – THURSDAYS JANUARY 15-MARCH 5 4-5:15 PM $90 8 weeks
For women at any stage of pregnancy. Practice gentle postures, breath work, vocal toning and meditation to cultivate strength, flexibility and tone in your body. Meditation and breath create calm and confidence in preparation for labor, childbirth and parenting. Meet other expectant moms in this fun and relaxing class. No prior yoga experience is necessary. We do recommend that you check with your care provider before attending a yoga class. Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sVT=54

RESTORATIVE YOGA – SATURDAY JANUARY 31 2-4 PM $20
Restorative yoga uses blankets, blocks, cushions, ties and the wall to support the body in a complete letting go. Releases tension, calms the nervous system, removes the toxic leftovers from stress and floods the body with happiness and bliss. A gentle and slow-paced class. Totally relaxing, no experience necessary. Offered the last Saturday of every month! Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sVT=39

To register, try our online registration system, available up to one hour before the start of an event! Follow the links above or visit http://www.jaiyogahome.com/classes/special-classes-events/ for a complete listing and more links to more workshops!

Or, register by phone at least 24 hours in advance. Just give us a call: 207.725.7874. Leave a message with your NAME, PHONE and which WORKSHOP you want to attend and we’ll return your call ASAP.

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NEWS

JAI YOGA WELCOMES GABRIELLE COPELEY!
Gabrielle Copeley is a Kripalu-certified yoga teacher and a massage therapist. Through yoga and massage, Gabrielle has guided many students and clients down the path of healing. She approaches her yoga classes with both love and passion. Meet Gabrielle on WEDNESDAYS for Moderate Yoga at 8 AM and noon or on THURSDAYS at her 7:30 PM Gentle class. Visit Gabrielle’s staff page to learn more about her! http://www.jaiyogahome.com/gabrielle-copeley/

WINTER 2009 STUDIO OFFICE HOURS
Jai Yoga will hold regular office hours on MONDAYS 1:30-5 PM; TUESDAYS 1:30-3:30 PM; THURSDAYS 12:30-3:30 PM and FRIDAYS 1:30-4 PM. At those times, messages can be left for specific teachers, questions can be answered and ideas will be heard! These are also excellent times to shop in our retail store! Please get in touch with us if you have any comments, questions, concerns or praise. Stop by the studio or give us a call at 207.725.7874. We look forward to hearing from you!

DON’T LET ANYTHING STOP YOU FROM COMING TO YOGA CLASS!!
Jai Yoga offers partial and full scholarships, work-study programs and accepts time dollars (MerryMeeting Community Shares Program) as payment for classes! If you, or someone you know, are experiencing financial hardship all the more reason to get to a yoga class. Our community is here to support everyone’s well-being! Please call 207.725.7874 today to discuss with Jen opportunities to enjoy the practice of yoga. Yoga is good for all of us!!!

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PRACTICE

Wring Out the Old and Bring in the New!

Adding twists to your practice has many benefits…increased mobility and awareness, a longer, more supple spine and a detoxifying effect. Twists empty the abdominal organs of old blood and fluids, making space for freshly oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood to rush in when you unwind.

Make a fresh start for 2009; try this gentle reclining twist to help you let go of the old and replenish yourself with the new!

1 – Recline on your mat with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width distance apart

2 – Lift your hips off the mat slightly and shift them an inch or two toward the right

3 – Keeping your knees bent, on an exhale, lower them slowly toward the floor on the left

4 – Extend the arms straight out from the shoulder to make a “T”

5 – If comfortable for your neck, take the gaze over the right palm, otherwise, keep the neck straight

6 – Breathe deeply here for 5-10 breaths. Think about lengthening with each inhale and letting gravity do it’s work with each exhale.

7 – When you are ready to come out, on an inhale, first return your gaze to center and then activate the core to lift your knees back to starting position

8 – Repeat on the other side

Note: For further challenge, feel free to extend the legs straight out once you have come into the twist. The toes reach toward the hand. You should be able to keep both shoulder blades on the mat.

Happy New Year!

*This practice was inspired by Cyndi Lee’s article “Bringing Health Home” on www.yogajournal.com.

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Namaste,
Jen and the Jai Yoga Family

Jai Yoga
#314 Fort Andross
14 Maine Street
Brunswick ME 04011
207.725.7874
info@jaiyogahome.com
www.jaiyogahome.com