April 2010

Welcome to Spring! Our Spring 2010 schedule begins today! If you haven’t received a copy in the mail or picked one up at the studio yet, you can always visit us online! Follow any of the links below to see what’s new at Jai Yoga.

Spring’s all about making a fresh start and stretching into your most vibrant and full self…just like yoga! We hope to see you at the studio soon…transformation awaits!

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in this issue

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

NEW WEEKLY CLASSES

STUDIO NEWS

PRACTICE

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

YOGA & SOUND: A SPECIAL KRIPALU YOGA CLASS WITH LIVE ClASSICAL GUITAR – SATURDAY APRIL 3 2-4 PM $22
Deepen your experience on the mat through a gentle to moderate flow of postures accompanied by acoustic classical guitar. Music takes us beyond barriers of language, verbal postural correction, inner monologue and monkey mind. The percussive ebbs of guitar directly meet the body’s own strings – sinews, tendons, nerves – often making it possible to let go of the mind a little more quickly so the body can feel its way into a posture.

PRENATAL YOGA SERIES – THURSDAYS APRIL 8-JUNE 10 4-5:15 PM $99 10 classes, $75 classes or $16/drop-in
Expectant mothers at any stage of pregnancy will learn and practice yoga poses, breathing and meditation techniques to assist in a healthy pregnancy and an active birth. This class cultivates strength, flexibility and tone in the body that is now a home for two. 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.

YOGA FOR RUNNERS – SUNDAYS APRIL 11-MAY 2 1-2:30 PM $50 4 weeks or $16 drop-in
This class is designed to help correct the imbalances exacerbated by running. We will work on creating suppleness of muscles and an increased range of motion within the joints leading to a faster recovery from hard workouts as well as increased strength and resiliency of the body. We will also work on connecting breath with movement which is key in bringing ease and focus to one’s runs. For runners of all levels who want to increase their flexibility, core strength and balance. No prior yoga experience is needed.

YOGA NIDRA – SATURDAY APRIL 10 2-4 PM $22
Every second Saturday this Spring! 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.

KUNDALINI CLEANSE FOR OPTIMUM HEALTH – SATURDAY APRIL 17 2-4 PM $22
Every third Saturday this Spring! A Kundalini Yoga workshop class designed to cleanse and strengthen a particular system of the body. Kundalini Yoga is a spirited practice which pairs kriyas (cleansing physical practices) with asanas, breathing exercises, mantra and chanting. Kundalini Yoga leaves you feeling strong and clear, busting through the ego to gain access to your true self. In Kundalini, you learn how strong you really are in body, mind and spirit.

BABY & ME YOGA SERIES – TUESDAYS April 20-MAY 25 10:30-11:30 AM $50 4 weeks, $60 6 weeks or $16 drop-in
This class is for moms or dads and babies at least 4 weeks until they are active crawlers. 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, reservations are recommended, but drop ins are welcome provided space is available. Limited to 12 participants.

RESTORATIVE YOGA – SATURDAY APRIL 24 2-4 PM $22
Every last Saturday this Spring! 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.

To register, visit www.JaiYogaHome.com to try our online registration system, available up to one hour before the start of an event! 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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NEW WEEKLY CLASSES ADDED TO OUR OPEN CLASS SCHEDULE

NEW SCHEDULE STARTS TODAY!
The Spring schedule begins today, April 1, 2010. Pick up a copy at the studio or visit us online to check it out!

NEW WEEKLY CLASSES!
We have added new classes to our weekly open class schedule!

Moms & Kids Yoga – Tuesdays 11 AM-12 PM

Yoga Movement Therapy – Fridays 4-5:30 PM

YogaDance – Sundays 5:30-6:15 PM

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STUDIO NEWS

BECOME OUR FAN ON FACEBOOK!
You can now find us on Facebook! As a fan of Jai Yoga, you will receive the latest news and updates. We plan to post special events and schedule updates, as well as host discussions and some fun online activities. We look forward to hearing from and staying in touch with you! Click the link at www.JaiYogaHome.com to find us.

SPRING 2010 OFFICE HOURS
Jai Yoga will hold regular office hours on MONDAYS, THURSDAYS and FRIDAYS from 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.

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 opportunities to enjoy the practice of yoga. Yoga is good for all of us!!

THE JAI YOGA SCHOLARSHIP FUND NEEDS CONTRIBUTIONS!
We’ve been helping so many people practice yoga that our scholarship fund is running low. Donations are very much appreciated and are welcome at any time for any amount. Please give us a call at 207.725.7874 or email us at info@jaiyogahome.com if you are interested in making a contribution!

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PRACTICE

VILOMA PRANAYAMA

Sometimes with the rush of Spring and newness everywhere we look, it can seem as if it all happens overnight. Anyone who has ever accomplished a long-term goal knows this is not usually the case!

Rather, change/progress/growth happens in stages. We can use our breath to explore and examine these stages, learning to appreciate the space in between each new phase, all while bringing a sense of ease and lightness to the body and strengthening our respiratory system for the summer activities ahead.

1 – Find a comfortable and relaxed sitting or lying position on the floor. Close your eyes and begin to connect to your breath, noticing its natural rhythm and quality

2 – Exhale completely. Inhale for a few seconds or about 1/3 of your lung capacity, then pause and hold the breath for a few seconds

3 – Inhale again for a few more seconds or until your lungs are about 2/3 full, then pause. After a few seconds, complete your inhale

4 – Exhale slowly, smoothly and completely, then repeat the process for each subsequent inhalation

5 – Practice this technique with absolutely no straining for 3-5 minutes to begin, gradually working your way up to 8-12 minutes, then return to your natural breath as you rest in savasana (corpse pose)

As you practice, you can increase the amount of pauses in each breath to 5 or 6. You can practice either staggering inhales or exhales, but practice only one technique each day – do not follow one with the other. Working with the inhale will be rejuvenating while working with the exhale will be detoxifying.

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Namaste,

Jen and the Jai Yoga Family

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