This is the month to honor our mothers, the pillars of tenderness, nurturing and unconditional love. We have a special event this Mother’s Day to show our beloved mothers just how much we care!

And, of course, we’re offering many other events to treat yourself with the tenderness and love of a mother. Read below to learn more.

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In this newsletter:

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS, CLASSES AND EVENTS
NEWS
PRACTICE

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS, CLASSES AND EVENTS

MEDITATION, DHARMA, YOGA - EVERY MONDAY NIGHT 7:15-8:15PM
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. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=43

YOGA NIDRA - SATURDAY MAY 10 2-4PM $20
Experience 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. This class filled up quickly last time, so register early! To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=55

MOTHER’S DAY YOGA - SUNDAY MAY 11 10-11:30AM $20
Moms and their kids ages 10 and up are invited to come to a special yoga class honoring our wonderful mothers! To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=60

BASICS SERIES - TUESDAYS 5:30-7PM MAY 13-JULY 1 OR THURSDAYS 4-5:30PM MAY 15-JULY 3 $88 for 8 weeks
Learn the fundamentals of safe yoga practice: postures, alignment, breathing techniques and relaxation. Learn to modify postures to suit your individual needs. The pace of the class is slow and steady. We provide you with handouts to illustrate the poses so that you can practice at home and simple, fun homework assignments to help you integrate what you are learning into your daily life. You will have fun in our basics class and leave feeling relaxed and energized.Our basics classes have been filling up, so please call us to register in advance.

RESTORATIVE WORKSHOP - SATURDAY MAY 24 2-4 PM $20
Totally relaxing! This gentle, slow-paced class is a perfect way to release tension, calm the nervous system, remove toxic leftovers from stress and flood the body with happiness and bliss. These workshops have been filling up! Be sure to register early. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=39

To register, try our new online registration system. Follow the links above or visit http://www.jaiyogahome.com/classes/special-classes-events/ for a complete listing and more links to more workshops!

For help or to learn more, 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

YOGA AND HEALING FUNDRAISER THANK YOU
Thank you Jai Yoga for your amazing Generosity! You helped to raise $835 for the Seth Kroeck Family. What a wonderful community we live in! Thank you!

MEET OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF ONLINE
We now have teacher and staff bio pages on the website! Get to know our dedicated group and their inspirations on the yogic path. Say “hello” in class as well! View the teacher and staff pages here: http://www.jaiyogahome.com/about-jai-yoga/jai-teachers-and-staff/

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PRACTICE

Eat Mindfully

The month of May is the perfect time to “stop and smell the flowers”…beautiful blossoms are popping up everywhere. This adage is applicable in every season, every day and moment, whether blossoms are abundant or not, because it reminds us to pause, find joy and rejuvenate along our way.

One area of daily life where we can make space for such ritual and mindfulness is with our meals. We can turn our attention not only to what we are eating, but how we are eating. Taking the time to pause for a meal, eat slowly and chew our food thoroughly is a great gift to ourselves.

When we eat this way, we are able to truly taste and enjoy our food. We also give our bodies the chance to begin the digestive and nourishment processes without the stops, starts and misfired signals an interrupted, multi-tasking meal can cause (i.e. heartburn and indigestion).

When we eat just the right amount mindfully, our bodies can properly break down food and use proteins, enzymes, etc where they are needed most. This process is how our bodies create its tissues, muscles, bones, organs and skin. We truly do become what we eat.

At your next meal, consider slowing down. Offer a moment of gratitude before beginning to eat and chew thoughtfully, enjoying the tastes and sensations. Allow your body to tell you how much is enough instead of your plate.

Bon Appétit

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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

Spring is in the air! This is a great time of year to renew our yoga practice and our healing energy. As we observe the natural world waking and regenerating, we can cultivate our own awareness, relationships and promote healing for people and the earth.

We are offering workshops and classes to support this practice. We would also like to invite you to cultivate healing within our community with a special fundraising event for farmer Seth Kroeck of Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick. Read more about this event in the “News” section of this newsletter.

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In this newsletter:

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS, CLASSES AND EVENTS
NEWS
PRACTICE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS, CLASSES AND EVENTS

THE YOGA OF HEALING: FUNDRAISER AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR FARMER SETH KROECK AND FAMILY OF CRYSTAL SPRING FARM - APRIL 6 1-3:30 PM $DONATIONS
As part of a fundraising effort for Seth and his family and in partnership with the Brunswick/Topsham Land Trust, Frontier Café and El Camino Restaurant, join four great Jai Teachers: Kara, Melinda, Sue and Jen in an in depth practice of yoga for healing. The practice will include postures, breathing exercises, meditation and yoga nidra. Seth is in the midst of a serious health challenge and is not able to run the organic farm this season. This means he and his family are without an income. Seth and his family are an integral part of our community and their work has fed many families with wholesome local food. The course is by donation, with all proceeds going directly to Seth and his Family. This practice is open to all, no prior yoga experience is necessary. We do encourage you to sign up by April 3rd as space is limited. To register, click here: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=61

MEDITATION, DHARMA, YOGA - EVERY MONDAY NIGHT 7:15-8:15 PM
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. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=43

PRENATAL YOGA - MONDAYS APRIL 7-MAY 26 4-5:15 PM 8 classes $90
Enjoy the community of other expectant Moms while learning to use meditation and breath to create calm and confidence as you prepare for the labor of childbirth and to guide you into parenting. Develop the strength, flexibility and tone your body needs to support you and your baby through this amazing experience. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=13

BABY & ME YOGA - WEDNESDAYS APRIL 9-MAY 28 10-11 AM 8 classes $90
New moms or dads and babies 4 weeks through 18 months. 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. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=41

YOGA NIDRA - SATURDAY APRIL 12 2-4 PM $20
Now offered monthly! Experience 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. This class filled up quickly last time, so register early! To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=55

FAMILY YOGA - SATURDAY APRIL 19 2-3 PM $15+
A practice the whole family can enjoy together. We’ll work together in partner postures, build bridges out of bodies and tell stories through movement. Learn to bring yoga into your home. Kids and adults of all ages are welcome. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=53

RESTORATIVE WORKSHOP - SATURDAY APRIL 26 2-4 PM $20
Totally relaxing! This gentle, slow-paced class is a perfect way to release tension, calm the nervous system, remove toxic leftovers from stress and flood the body with happiness and bliss. These workshops have been filling up! Be sure to register early. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=39

To register, try our new online registration system. Follow the links above or visit http://www.jaiyogahome.com/classes/special-classes-events/ for a complete listing and more links to more workshops!

For help or to learn more, 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

HELP WANTED!
We have several opportunities to become more involved with our studio and community! Interested applicants can send a letter of interest, resume and references to: Attn Jen Nadeau, Jai Yoga, 14 Maine Street Box 11, Brunswick ME 04011

CLEANING ANGEL
Clean our space every other week in exchange for classes. You earn two free classes for each cleaning, which takes place on Sundays.

STUDIO ASSISTANTS
Help sign students into classes. This requires you to arrive 20 minutes prior to a class and stay for about 5-10 minutes after class. For every two classes you assist, you get one free class! We especially need someone to assist with the Tuesday 5:30PM class and with the Sunday 11AM class. You should be familiar with computers and data entry and enjoy
greeting and welcoming people to the studio!

YOGA TEACHERS
Applicants should have 200-Hour Certification or be working toward it with a completion by the end of 2008. We are specifically looking for teachers with experience teaching classes in a heated room and Kripalu Certified teachers, but we honor and welcome all traditions and styles. We have immediate openings for off-site corporate classes and subbing opportunities. We will have more opportunities for classes in the studio by July.

Benefits for teachers include: Free open classes, discounts on workshops, 50% family discount on classes, peer support and teacher practices, scholarship assistance for continuing education, opportunities to teach more yoga: private scheduling, corporate classes, support and marketing for new program creation, qualified subs to cover your classes, discount membership to KYTA, 50% reimbursement for CPR training, enrichment and continuing education classes just for Jai Yoga teachers.
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PRACTICE

Earth Salutations (Prithvi Namaskar)

To celebrate the arrival of spring and Earth Day on April 22, try 3-5 cycles of this series.

As with any vinyasa series, we integrate movement with our breath. Depending on your level of energy, each posture can be spaced with half a breath or held for a few breaths before transitioning. Let your own breath rhythm guide your movement and awareness.

1 - Begin in child’s pose (balasana). Take time to connect to your yogic breath.

2 - On an inhale, lift your hips away from your heels, coming into table pose with a neutral spine

3 - Tuck your toes, exhale pulling the belly in, lift the hips to downward facing dog (adho mukha svanasana)

4 - With a strong core, inhale and move your torso forward into plank pose

5 - Exhale, lowering down through chaturanga dandasana, keeping the elbows in at the side body

6 - Squeeze your lower belly and inhale, opening your heart into cobra (bhujangasana) or upward facing dog (urdhva mukha svanasana)

7 - On an exhale, lift the tailbone and drop the heels, coming back to downward facing dog

8 - On an inhale, lower the knees to the mat, coming back into table pose

9 - As you exhale, lower the hips over the heels into child’s pose

10 - Rest in corpse pose (savasana)

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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

We’re sending our eNews for March out a little early because we have some fun workshops at the very beginning of the month that we don’t want you to miss.

With the daylight hours growing and the natural world awakening, think about growing and awakening your yoga practice too! We have a great variety of workshops and classes to support you.

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In this newsletter:

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
NEWS
PRACTICE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

MEDITATION, DHARMA, YOGA - EVERY MONDAY NIGHT 7:15-8:15 PM
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.

COUPLES WORKSHOP FOR BIRTH PREPARATION - SATURDAY MARCH 1 1-4 PM $60/couple
Develop skills to birth with confidence, peace and joy! This class is especially helpful for the support person. Learn to use voice tone, focal points, and touch to take joy in the birthing experience. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=45

YOGA FOR TODDLERS - SUNDAY MARCH 2 1-2 PM $15
Come play with your little one! This one hour class is designed to make movement fun and to experiment with some simple, silly postures for your 2-4 year old. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=58

FAMILY YOGA - SUNDAY MARCH 2 2:30-3:30 PM $15+
A practice the whole family can enjoy together. We’ll work together in partner postures, build bridges out of bodies and tell stories through movement. Learn to bring yoga into your home. Kids and adults of all ages are welcome. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=53

BOOK DISCUSSION AND PRACTICE: HOW YOGA WORKS - THURSDAYS MARCH 6-27 7:30-9 PM 4 classes for $40 plus cost of book
In this 4-week series, we will enjoy lively discussion about the story by Geshe Michael Roach (which is based on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) and practice the yoga & meditation techniques covered in the book together. No experience necessary. The book is available at Gulf of Maine Books. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=42

YOGA NIDRA - SATURDAY MARCH 8 2-4 PM $20
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. This class filled up quickly last time, so register early! To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=55

BASICS YOGA SERIES FOR NEW BEGINNERS - SESSIONS BEGIN TUESDAY MARCH 11 and THURSDAY MARCH 13
If you are brand new to yoga we highly recommend that you take the entire 8 weeks series, starting with the first class. You may also drop in to a single class provided there is space available. The basics class is a great way to review essential alignment, philosophy and breathing techniques. Tuesday classes are held 5:30-7 pm and Thursday classes are held 4-5:30 pm. To register for this series, please give us a call at 207.725.7874.

KUNDALINI YOGA FOR THE SPINE - SATURDAY MARCH 15 2-4 PM $20
Through different movements and breath work we will revitalize the spine as well as the muscles along the sides of the spine. We will discuss Spinal Biomechanics (structure and function) and how yoga can help with different types of back pain. We will also do a meditation to stimulate the chakra system. All levels are welcome. Mats, bolsters, and eye pillows will be provided. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=57

RESTORATIVE WORKSHOP - SATURDAY MARCH 29 2-4 PM $20
Totally relaxing! This gentle, slow-paced class is a perfect way to release tension, calm the nervous system, remove toxic leftovers from stress and flood the body with happiness and bliss. These workshops have been filling up! Be sure to register early. To register, click this link: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=39

To register, try our new online registration system. Follow the links above or visit http://www.jaiyogahome.com/classes/special-classes-events/ for a complete listing and more links to more workshops!

For help or to learn more, 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 NOW ACCEPTS CREDIT/DEBIT CARD PAYMENTS AND OFFERS ONLINE ENROLLMENT!
Reserve your spot in workshops and pay for classes, all online! Visit our website (http://www.jaiyogahome.com) to check the schedule for classes and workshops. Click on any of the links indicating online enrollment and you will be directed to our online system. Follow the steps and you’re done!

NEW CLASS PACKAGE POLICY
As of January 1st, all new class packages (4, 8 or 20 class cards) will be valid for 100 days!! (Up from 90 days) Your 100 days begins on the first day of use. We will no longer be able to grant extensions for cards older than 100 days, emergencies, illness and travel being exceptions as long as we receive your request for an extension before the 100 day expiration. For more information, give us a call at 207.725.7874.

JAI YOGA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In November 2007, Jai Yoga began a scholarship fund for yogis in need. Donations from the Monday night Meditation, Dharma, Yoga group benefit this fund. If you would like to make a donation or apply for assistance, please call 207.725.7874.

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PRACTICE

Spring is on the way! During this time of awakening in the natural world, life can begin to speed up a bit. This breathing exercise will help to calm the nervous system and keep you relaxed and steady, in and out, during a time of change.

Humming Bee Breath (Bhramari Pranayama)

Find a comfortable seated or kneeling position in which you can relax and lengthen through the spine

Inhale deeply through both nostrils for a count of four (no forcing allowed, go at your own pace)

As you exhale for a count of six (no forcing), create a low, steady humming sound in the back of the throat

(You will feel slight vibrations as the air touches the back of the throat, similar to the “mmm” part of “Om”)

Think of happy, resting bees while making these breaths

Practice for about five minutes

Notes: As with any pranayama exercise, if light-headedness should occur, return to normal breathing. As you practice, you will be able to increase the lengths of your breaths and possibly create the sound on both the inhales and exhales.

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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

Are you craving some warm weather? If so, consider Belize! It’s not too late to join the yoga retreat next month! See details below.

And here at home, we have lots of classes and workshops to keep you content until Spring. Try our new online enrollment and payment system! Now it can be a little easier to make it to class!

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In this newsletter:

COME TO BELIZE!
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
NEWS
PRACTICE
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COME TO BELIZE!

It is not too late to join our trip to Belize! March 8-15, 2008. Join Jen Nadeau of Jai Yoga and Pam Jackson of WholeHeart Yoga in Portland for 8 days/7 nights on the lovely little island of Caye Caulker. Call us right away if you would like more information about tropical breezes or relaxing and energizing yoga! Prices range from $1650-$2350 depending on your choice of accommodation. 207.725.7874.
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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

MEDITATION, DHARMA, YOGA - EVERY MONDAY NIGHT 7:15-8:15pm
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.

LAUGHTER YOGA! - FRIDAY FEBRUARY 8 7-8pm FREE or $5 donation goes to a local charity
We had so much fun in January we had to do it again! Absolutely no experience necessary. Open to all ages. Laughter IS the best medicine! Bring your friends, your kids, bring your enemies and COME LAUGH! In January we donationed $43 to Midcoast Hunger Prevention.

YOGA NIDRA - SATURDAY FEBRUARY 9 2-4pm $20
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. No experience necessary.

VALENTINE’S PARTNER YOGA - SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16 2-5pm $60/couple
Practice yoga with a friend or sweetheart. Learn to assist each other in creating more ease and more depth in classic yoga postures. By practicing poses together, we build communication skills while learning to give and receive support. No prior experience necessary.

RESTORATIVE WORKSHOP - SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23 2-4 PM $20
Totally relaxing! This gentle, slow-paced class is a perfect way to release tension, calm the nervous system, remove toxic leftovers from stress and flood the body with happiness and bliss. These workshops have been filling up! Be sure to register early.

To register, or to learn more, just give us a call: 207.725.7874. Leave a message with your NAME, PHONE and which WORKSHOP you want to attend. We’ll contact you to confirm. Easy Or, try our new online registration system. Visit the workshop page on our website and click on the link for the workshop you want to attend. Even easier!

To see a complete listing of upcoming workshops click here: http://www.jaiyogahome.com/classes/special-classes-events/
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NEWS

JAI YOGA NOW ACCEPTS CREDIT/DEBIT CARD PAYMENTS AND OFFERS ONLINE ENROLLMENT!
Reserve your spot in workshops and pay for classes, all online! Visit our website (http://www.jaiyogahome.com) to check the schedule for classes and workshops. Click on any of the links indicating online enrollment and you will be directed to our online system. Follow the steps and you’re done!

NEW CLASS PACKAGE POLICY
As of January 1st, all new class packages (4, 8 or 20 class cards) will be valid for 100 days!! (Up from 90 days) Your 100 days begins on the first day of use. We will no longer be able to grant extensions for cards older than 100 days, emergencies, illness and travel being exceptions as long as we receive your request for an extension before the 100 day expiration. For more information, give us a call at 207.725.7874.

JAI YOGA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In November 2007, Jai Yoga began a scholarship fund for yogis in need. Donations from the Monday night Meditation, Dharma, Yoga group benefit this fund. If you would like to make a donation or apply for assistance, please call 207.725.7874.
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PRACTICE

Can’t make it to Belize? Here’s a home practice that will generate warmth and bring the sun into your heart.

Sun Breaths

Begin at the top of your mat in Tadasana (Mountain Pose), making sure to find the four corners of the feet
On an inhale, sweep the arms up overhead, reaching through the fingertips and letting the shoulders drop
On an exhale, leading with the heart, swan dive down to Uttanasana (Forward Bend)
Inhale and open the heart as you lift half-way to a flat back
Exhale, fold back to Uttanasana
Inhale, sweep the arms to the side and back up overhead as you come to standing
Exhale back to Tadasana

Note: Remember to keep your weight balanced between the heels and the balls of the feet. Keep the legs and lower abdomen strong to protect your hamstrings as you lift and fold. This sequence is the first part of sun salutations.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

Welcome to 2008! This January, we have a new schedule and a lot of special classes and events to help you grow your practice and stay inspired during this 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 2008
Pay only $7 and attend as many or as few classes as you like the first week of 2008 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! Download a registation form by visiting http://www.JaiYogaHome.com

LAUGHTER YOGA! - FRIDAY JANUARY 4 7-8pm $5 donation goes to a local charity
You’ve heard that laughter is the best medicine, come laugh with us and find out why. You don’t have to have a sense of humor or think that anything we do is funny to laugh! You’ll love it! Come laugh!

INTRODUCTION to SVAROOPA® STYLE YOGA - SUNDAYS JANUARY 6-27 9-10:30am 4 classes $50 -or- THURSDAYS JANUARY 10-FEBRUARY 28 7:30-9pm 8 classes $90
Svaroopa is a blissful style of Hatha yoga that releases the spinal muscles providing a profound sense of peace and well-being. With a focus on alignment, props and holding, this gentle yoga refreshes, renews and refocuses both the body and the mind.

BASICS YOGA SERIES FOR NEW BEGINNERS - TUESDAYS 5:30-7pm JANUARY 8-FEBRUARY 26 -or- THURSDAYS 4-5:30pm 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.

YAMAS & NIYAMAS - SATURDAY JANUARY 12 1-5pm $40
The yamas and niyamas are the tools to living with intention, awareness and inner peace. As practical today as they were when they were first created over 5,000 years ago, the yamas and niyamas challenge and delight you with their simple and profound practice.

CREATING EASE AND COMFORT IN MEDITATION - MONDAY JANUARY 21 7:30-9pm $15
Finding a comfortable seat is key to quieting “mind chatter” so you can benefit from the peace and calm that meditation holds. Using Svaroopa® style yoga, our focus will be on poses for comfort in meditation.

RESTORATIVE WORKSHOP - SATURDAY JANUARY 26 2-4 PM $20
These workshops have been filling up! Be sure to register early. This is a perfect way to release tension, calm the nervous system, remove toxic leftovers from stress and flood the body with happiness and bliss.

To register, or to learn more, just give us a call: 207.725.7874. Leave a message with your NAME, PHONE and which WORKSHOP you want to attend. We’ll contact you to confirm. Easy

To see a complete listing of upcoming workshops click here: http://www.jaiyogahome.com/classes/special-classes-events/
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NEWS

NEW CLASS PACKAGE POLICY
As of January 1st, all new class packages (4, 8 or 20 class cards) will be valid for 100 days!! (Up from 90 days) Your 100 days begins on the first day of use. We will no longer be able to grant extensions for cards older than 100 days, emergencies, illness and travel being exceptions as long as we receive your request for an extension before the 100 day expiration. For more information, give us a call at 207.725.7874.

JAI YOGA WELCOMES SUE KELLY
Sue Kelly is a professional yoga teacher and licensed massage therapist who offers a therapeutic approach in her yoga classes. She has been studying yoga for close to 20 years and teaching yoga in the greater Brunswick area for the last ten. Meet Sue on Fridays at 10:30 AM for Yin Yoga or at 12 PM for a Moderate class.

JAI YOGA SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In November 2007, Jai Yoga began a scholarship fund for yogis in need. If you would like to make a donation or apply for assistance, please call 207.725.7874.
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PRACTICE

With a New Year means a new perspective. What better way than to turn things upside down? This pose will help you put your feet up, literally, after a busy season, relieving mild aches and pains, and to start 2008 off with a calm mind and a fresh outlook.

Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)

Unroll your mat with a short end against the wall
Sit with your left shoulder a few inches away from the wall
Slowly lower down onto your right side so that your buttox is close to the wall
Gently roll onto your back, hugging the knees in. Your bottom is close to the wall and your feet can rest flat on the wall.
Slowly walk the feet up the wall until the legs are straight
Breathe here for 5-15 minutes. Relax
To come out, hug the knees into the chest and gently roll to the side. Take a few breaths here before sitting up.

Tips: Use a bolster or folded blankets for extra lower back support. Depending on your height and flexibility, your sit-bones may or may not touch the wall. Experiment with supports and distance from the wall to be comfortable. You can also try this with your legs in lotus position, a wide straddle or cobbler’s pose.

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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

Spring 2007 At JAI YOGA:

In this post:

Spring Fever-Letter & Practice Inspiration from Jen Nadeau, owner of Jai Yoga

Studio News- schedule changes and upcoming events!

SPRING FEVER

As I write this post, it is Snowing on this fine April morning. Which ruins my initiative to take a leisurely walk through the woods.  Yes, I typically like to walk thru woods while a quiet snow falls.  But at this date, my bones can’t seem to fight out the cold. It sinks in, and I really don’t like it. So I am opting to stay in this morning for an extra cup of warming tea and time reading by the fire.  I really want this weather (cold, damp) to be over.  I feel ready for spring, desparate even.  I was surprised to find myself even angry at the soft, fluffy, innocent snowflakes.  I don’t want snow! So I have chosen to hide from it. To let the snow block my original intent. If it is going to snow, I can’t go for a lovely wonderful walk through the spring woods.  The condition is not what I have chosen to enjoy.  So by default, am I choosing not to enjoy? And here comes my yoga practice like a lovely demonic angel to coax me on……

In our yoga practice, we learn to ride all the sensations of a pose. We learn to become fully aware of each thought, emotion, stretch, pain, release in every precious moment. Especially the unpleasant ones.  One reason to learn this from a yoga master’s point of view is to strengthen our container (our human body, mind,spirit) to withstand the full spectrum of human existence. The benefit is that we are then living our whole lives.  That sounds good. The other reason to practice this high level of awareness is reflected in the old saying: “What you resist persists”.  By turning our awareness on the very thing that we don’t want to be aware of, it no longer persists. In fact it dissolves, it changes, or at the very least your perception of it changes and the grip of unpleasantness dissolves.   And that fellow yogis, is what I call the releif from stress. AND THAT FEELS REALLY GOOD.  Yes stress is nothing more than the resistance of what is. Through our yoga we learn to dive into what is. And then BINGO, like magic the resistance fades, and so does stress. Ahhh.

SO. To walk the talk. I will go out for that walk afterall. I will practice being with all of my discomfort, and anger from the cold. Hmmm, that’s appealing isn’t it?! But truly I know that my self knowlegde will grow so much from the experience. I know from my practice on the mat, that when I let my awareness turn directly on that cold and damp and my mind in it, that the resistance will dissolve.  I know that the power of my awareness has never let me down. It always works. Once you shine the light on the monster, you realize that it never was a monster. Along with my winter jacket, I put on my courage, because I need that if I’m bringing along the powerful tool of my awareness.  When you see me at the studio, just ask and I’ll let you know how my experience walking in the cold and damp April snow went! 

“Now yoga begins!”   ~the first sutra from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Namaste,

Jen

STUDIO NEWS:

One of our ongoing goals at Jai Yoga is to help you stay grounded in your practice on the yoga mat, and to challenge and inspire you to take that practice to your life off the mat.  We are in the process of strenghtening our “off the mat” offerings.  If you have requests or suggestions, please send them along. We want to serve you! info@jaiyogahome.com

Monday 7:30pm class is cancelled for the rest of this quarter.  No one has been coming, so we’ll try a different time/day in the future!   Would you like to request a time for a yoga class? Please email us! info@jaiyogahome.com

CRYSTAL JOURNEY CONCERT TICKETS NOW ON SALE!  FRIDAY MAY 11 7PM!  $20 ADVANCE $25 AT THE DOOR

LIVE CRYSTAL BOWL MUSIC WITH CRYSTAL JOURNEY AND YOGA CLASS: SAT MAY 12 10-11:30 AM $30

AT JAI YOGA NOW!

SOON AT BULL MOOSE MUSIC LOCATIONS TOO!($2 SERVICE CHARGE)

BEAUTIFUL YOGA COMMUNITY,

EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF PRACTICE IS VERY GOOD!

Swami Kripalu said this, and it is so true! How does one practice just a little bit? Practice is about awareness. It is a skill we develop on the yoga mat and enjoy in our lives off the mat. Here are some examples of how you can practice just a little bit everyday.

~Practice the same awareness in making dinner, as you would in warrrior pose. Breathing with every stir of the soup, noticing textures and smells, mindfully chopping vegetables, sending love into the dish…..

~Do on yoga pose everyday. Yes, just one. Try doing the same pose everyday for a week. Then try doing a different pose everyday for a week.

~For one day, try taking 3 breathing breaks. STOP what you are doing and just breathe, slow and deep for one minute.

~Practice a simple intention to bring awareness to  your daily living. Intentions to try on:

      For today I treat myself with great love and care.

      For today I see the light ineveryone I meet, regarless of circumstances.

      For today I will eat each meal and snack slowly with absolute awareness.

      Today, I practice contentment regardless of circumstances.

      Today I will not rush my life, and I will drive the speed limit.

~Come join us for a class! Our schedule is open and inviting for you to join us whenever you can.  The gift of yoga is that the benefits are immediate!

You’ll soon see for yourself that just a little bit of practice will keep you feeling grounded, positive, calm, peaceful.

Wishing you Joy and Inner Peace,

Jen

SWEET, MARVELOUS YOGA COMMUNITY,

THE ONLY THING I HAVE TO SAY IS:

YOGA IS AWESOME!

THAT’S WHAT OUR NAME MEANS, JAI! YOGA!
YOGA IS AWESOME!  WOW!  YOGA! WOW!

IF YOU’VE FORGOTTEN, THAT’S OKAY, COME ON BACK. YOU’LL REMEMBER IN NO TIME HOW AWESOME YOGA IS.  THE YOGA MAT ALWAYS WELCOMES US BACK WITH OPEN ARMS! ALWAYS.

IF YOU HAVEN’T HAD THE PLEASURE OF EXPERIENCING YOGA FOR YOURSELF YET, CONSIDER YOURSELF WARMLY INVITED.  WE HAVE BASICS CLASSES BEGINNING SEPT 5 5:30-7pm  AND
SEPT 11 9:30-11am AND SEPT 29 3:15-4:45pm. OR JUST COME WHEN YOU CAN, JUST AS YOU ARE. YOGA IS AWESOME!  WE LOVE YOU JUST AS YOU ARE! COME DO YOGA WITH US!

IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE MORE…HAVE WE GOT MORE! LOOK TO THE RIGHT & ON THE BACK. I AM ESPECIALLY PROUD OF OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AND OFFERINGS THIS FALL. AS A COMMUNITY WE ARE GROWING TOGETHER AND I AM SO HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF THE VERY BEST TEACHINGS YOGA HAS TO OFFER.

JAI DARLINGS! YOGA IS AWESOME! WE ARE ALL AWESOME! THE WORLD IS ONE FAMILY! ALL ONE! JAI JAI JAI! PLAY IN YOUR LIFE!
DO YOUR YOGA AND JUST BE! JAI JAI JAI JAI JAI JAI JAI JAI JAI!!!!! JAI!

YOUR COSMIC YOGA PLAYMATE,

JEN   
(Jai Yoga’s Mama)

Dear Yoga Lovers,

We welcome our 3rd year of yoga and community here in Brunswick, Maine.

I feel so grateful for the opportunity to do work that I love and to live within such a beautiful community. We learn from each other and grow together.  Thank you for your enthusiasm and support of our yoga offerings.

Spring has been a delight.  Nora,  Leo, Casey, Lily, Sage, Jacob and Evelyn are our newest regulars. They grace our studio Tuesday mornings with their easy, be here now, infantile flexibility during the Baby & Mom yoga class.  These yogis range in age from 4 to 24 weeks old.  We also welcomed a new student, Bob, who now proudly holds the title of our eldest yogi at 91 years.  These folks remind us that Yoga really is a lifelong practice. And to that I offer the following inspiration for your practice at this moment in your life, whatever end of the spectrum you  currently inhabit.

Remember that yoga is not a competition. None of us are as flexible as Nora, Kara’s 3 month old baby girl who helps her Mom lead the Mommy & Baby class. Nor should we wish to be, for I don’t know that we’d be able to walk, given her flexibility!  By the same token, Nora is not concerned that she can’t walk, she’s delighted to explore her feet above her head.  This yoga is a lifetime practice, and how wonderful to enjoy where we are, right now, along that path. We might grow bored of our toes if we didn’t eventually experience enough tension to be able to walk.  Living in an older body that experiences new challenges in a balancing tree pose is as delightful as living in a 3 month old body that finds relief from gas bubbles in baby pavana muktasana. Wherever you are, enjoy your yoga, enjoy your body, just as it is, right now.  This time is unique. This downward facing dog is different from one practiced 3 months ago, 3 years ago, 30 years from now.   Our bodies have been given to us as a gift of love in which to explore what it means to be alive.

    The miracle is not to walk on water.  
    The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.

        -Thick Nhat Hanh

Light and Love,    

Jen Nadeau, owner/director                   

Hello Dear Yoga Community!

Happy Spring!

The arrival of the spring equinox inspires doesn’t it?

As a focus in your yoga practice this week, consider BALANCE. The equinox means that we have equal time in daylight and darkness. Indeed we need both.
We need the rest and renewal inherent in nighttime, and we need the brilliance and warmth of daytime sun. How can you work with elements of light and dark, growth and rest, warmth and cold, in your own yoga practice?
In your life? Honor these rhythms, celebrate them. It is comforting to realize that we don’t always need to be hot,sun, light. It is stress reducing to honor the times that we need rest and introspection, especially
in the midst of a very busy day. Balance is a gift.

ANNOUNCEMENTS!

LOST AND FOUND
We will be donating unclaimed items to Goodwill on March 28. If you have lost a scarf, a waterbottle, a sweater, a watch, or other items, we may have it! Please call and describe the item you’ve lost and if we have it it will be happily returned to you!

CLEANING BARTER
We are looking for a special someone to clean our lovely studio. It needs to be cleaned weekly at the same time/day each week. The process takes between 2-3 hours and we offer 2 classes in exchange for each cleaning. If you or someone you know is interested please call Jen at 725-7874.

NAMASTE, JEN