Lots of exciting things are happening at Jai Yoga this week, month, season! First off, we have a new schedule starting today! If you haven’t received a postcard in the mail yet, you can check the new schedule on the website: http://www.jaiyogahome.com.
And with a new schedule means new special classes and workshops, including the addition of a weekly Laughter Yoga Club! More details about the club and much more below….
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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 7:15-8:15 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! – EVERY FRIDAY MORNING 7-7:45 AM $1 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 and a great way to approach the workday and the weekend. Come laugh with us! No need to register, just show up!
PRENATAL YOGA – THURSDAYS SEPTEMBER 4-OCTOBER 27 4-5:15 PM $90 8 WEEKS
Meet other expectant moms in this fun and relaxing class. Learn 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. This class if for women at any stage of pregnancy and can be started anytime. No yoga experience necessary! Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=54
INTRODUCTION TO SVAROOPA® STYLE YOGA – THURSDAYS 7:30-9 PM SEPTEMBER 4-OCTOBER 9 $75 6 WEEKS
Svaroopa® uses yoga poses in a whole new way. Support of your body in precise angles of alignment, with the use of props and a focus on awareness, helps to release the very deepest layers of tension stored in the mucles supporting your spine. The core opening resulting from our guided meditation, breathing techniques and precise alignments quiets the mind and releases tension throughout the body. This opening provides a feeling of well-being that extends throughout your body, your mind and your life. No experience is necessary. Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=40
RESTORATIVE YOGA – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6 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. Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=39
BABY & ME YOGA – TUESDAYS SEPTEMBER 9-OCTOBER 28 10-11 AM $90 8 WEEKS
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 register early! Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=41
BASICS YOGA SERIES FOR BEGINNERS – 3 SESSIONS STARTING IN SEPTEMBER! $88 8 WEEKS
TUESDAYS 5:30-7 PM SEPTEMBER 9-OCTOBER 28 -OR- FRIDAYS 3:30-5 PM SEPTEMBER 12-OCTOBER 31 -OR- SATURDAYS 12-1:30 PM SEPTEMBER 27-NOVEMBER 15
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. Our basics classes have been filling up, so register early by calling 207.725.7874.
YOGA NIDRA – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13 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. Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=55
YOGA FOR AUTUMN SEASON – FRIDAYS SEPTEMBER 19 and OCTOBER 3 5:30-7 PM $20/class or $35/series
Seasonal transitions happen in our bodies, minds and emotions as well as in the world around us. In these classes, you will practice traditional yoga asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing), and meditation supported by holistic forms of healing to help your body and awareness transition into Autumn. Prerequisite: Completion of Jai Basics course or 6 months of dedicated personal practice. Click here to register: http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=3175&stype=-8&sTG=11&sVT=72
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 24 hours in advance 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
CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY!
The studio will be closed September 1-3, 2008 for Labor Day.
WORKSHOP REGISTRATIONS
Rained out of kayaking? Don’t want to stay home? Remember that workshop going on at Jai Yoga? Oh yeah! Well, it’s not too late to register! Our online registration system will allow you to register for an event up to one hour before it starts! The system also provides up-to-date information about any changes or cancellations. Give it a try!
DON’T LET ANYTHING STOP YOU FROM COMING TO YOGA CLASS!!
Jai Yoga offers partial and full scholarships, workstudy 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 about opportunities to enjoy the practice of yoga. Yoga is good for all of us!!!
YOGA FOR PEACE
Will not happen in Brunswick this year. YFP has joined forces with Global Yoga Mala and the 2008 event is scheduled for Sept 20 or 21. Due to the date change, Jai Yoga will be unable to organize the event for this year. To learn more about the Global Yoga Mala for Peace and to see the list of participating cities, visit http://www.yoga-for-peace.org/
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PRACTICE
September means back to school, which for many translates to “back to desk.” Sitting at a desk for large periods of time can initiate fatigue in many areas of the body, but can be particularly troublesome for the lower back. Good posture and regular breaks go a long way toward prevention and the practice below will help strengthen and stretch the lower back as well as to relieve any stiffness that may arise.
Apasana (Knees-to-Chest Pose, variations)
1 – Get comfortable in corpse pose (savasana) and begin to deepen your breath for a couple minutes.
2 – Straighten and lengthen your left leg along the floor and pull the right knee gently in toward the chest with both hands (arms straight).
3 – As you exhale, draw the navel toward the spine, lengthening the lower back along the floor, and bend the elbows, pulling the knee in closer to the chest. Try to keep the extended leg active.
4 – With the inhale, let the belly soften and the knee move away from the chest (arms straighten).
5 – Repeat four times on both the left and right side.
6 – Draw both knees gently toward the chest, one knee in each hand, arms straight.
7 – On an exhale, bend the elbows, pulling both knees in closer toward the chest. Tuck the chin slightly and gently lengthen and press the lower back and sacrum toward the floor.
8 – With an inhale, let the belly soften and the knees move away from the chest.
9 – Repeat four times.
10 – Return to savasana for a couple more minutes.
Note: This practice is part of a viniyoga sequence for the lower back by Gary Kraftsow.
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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