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September 2009

Change is in the air. Our new schedule begins September 8th and we have many new class and workshop offerings to help you transition back to school or work. Sometimes a change in routine is a great opportunity to try something new, or a time to take comfort in the familiar. You decide! Keep reading to find out more about our special offerings, both fresh and familiar.

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in this issue

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
STUDIO NEWS
PRACTICE

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

LAUGHTER YOGA CLUB! – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4 5:45-6:30 PM $1 suggested donation
Every first Friday this Fall! Join Katie for an evening of fun and laughter…the yogic way! 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! No need to register, just show up!

BABY & ME YOGA SERIES – TUESDAYS SEPTEMBER 8-29 10:30-11:30 AM $50 4 weeks or $16 drop-in
Offered monthly this Fall! 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 register early! Limited to 12 participants.

YOGA BASICS SERIES – TUESDAYS SEPTEMBER 8-OCTOBER 27 5:30-7 PM -AND- WEDNESDAYS SEPTEMBER 9-OCTOBER 28 2-3:30 PM $90 8 weeks or $16 drop-in
In our Yoga Basics Class you will learn the fundamentals of safe yoga practice: postures, alignment, breathing techniques and relaxation. Our teachers will help you 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.

PRENATAL YOGA SERIES – THURSDAYS SEPTEMBER 10-OCTOBER 29 4-5:15 PM $90 8 weeks or $16 drop-in
This class is for women at any stage of pregnancy. We practice gentle postures, breath work, vocal toning and meditation to cultivate strength, flexibility and tone in your 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 NIDRA – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12 2-4 PM $20
Every second or third Saturday this Fall! 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.

INTRO TO SVAROOPA® STYLE YOGA SERIES – MONDAYS SEPTEMBER 14-OCTOBER 12 7:30-9 PM $65 5 weeks
Svaroopa® Style Yoga is a deep but blissful practice using poses in a whole new way. Start in Shavasana, end in Shavasana! Our focus on awareness creates a “core opening,” releasing tensions deep in the muscles attached to the spine. Create an easy feeling of well being. No experience is necessary!

YOGA FOR THE DESK-BOUND – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18 1-3 PM $22
Attention Office Forces, Computer Geniuses, and Administration Angels!
You have special needs! Come learn how to support yourself throughout your desk-bound day. Jessica, Jai Yoga’s own Marketing Angel (thus often desk- bound) and inspired yoga teacher, will teach you how to free your neck and shoulders, stretch and strengthen wrists, lower back, hips and spine. Learn how to become a happier and more productive desk-bound yogi. Bring your boss too! Note: We can offer a discount to your group of 5 or more from one office when you sign up together. Please call us for details! 207.725.7874.

YOGA AND THE BREATH – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19 2-4 PM $22
Elizabeth Barrett Browning said, “He lives most life, who breathes most air.” Come learn why the breath is often referred to as the most important and most powerful part of yoga practice. In this workshop you will learn how your breath affects your energy, your awareness, your well-being and of course, your yoga practice. Jessica will teach you 3 classic yoga breathing practices. You’ll also learn how to harness this powerful breath as you move through poses with newfound grace and ease.
All levels, no experience needed, but folks familiar with some yoga practice will benefit most.

RESTORATIVE YOGA – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26 2-4 PM $20
Every last Saturday this Fall! 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.

YOGA BOOT CAMP WEEK
MONDAY-FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 2 6:15-7:15 AM $60/week or $16/drop-in
Commit time this Fall to change your routine and to change your body. Drop a dress size, feel incredible, be beautiful. Join us for an intense and exciting program! Get ready to drop those extra pounds and to re-energize your life! Let go of your inner intellectual and just sweat, breathe, hold and move. Your body will thank you for it. Ending each session in savasana (corpse pose) is the best part. Basic knowledge of yoga is needed to participate. Please be hydrated for each class.

To register, try our online registration system, available up to one hour before the start of an event! Follow the links on our website! 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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STUDIO NEWS

FALL 2009 SCHEDULE STARTS TODAY!
The Fall 2009 schedule begins in September and runs through December 31. If you haven’t yet received your copy in the mail, you can pick one up at the studio or visit our website.

CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY
There will be no regular classes September 1-7 for the Labor Day Holiday. However,
Laughter Yoga club will still meet on September 4!

FALL 2009 OFFICE HOURS
Jai Yoga will hold regular office hours on MONDAYS 1-3 PM; TUESDAYS 1-3 PM; THURSDAYS 1-4; and FRIDAYS 1-4 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.

JAI YOGA WELCOMES HOA TRAN!
Jai Yoga welcomes Hoa Tran! In addition to teaching special classes at Jai, Hoa will teach the following weekly classes: Monday Gentle; Friday Moderate; and Sunday Stage 2/3. Be sure to say hello!

NEW EXCHANGE RATES
With the new schedule, Jai Yoga is implementing a new exchange rate for weekly class cards and drop-ins. The following rates become effective September 1st: $16 drop-in, 4 classes $56, 8 classes $96, 20 classes $220 and monthly unlimited $130. For more information on rates, class cards and policies, visit www.jaiyogahome.com.
Note: the rate change does not affect unused classes on current cards. Special offer available until September 5th: Purchase a 4, 8 or 20 class card, valid for 100 days from the first day of use, at the old rate using our online system.

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

TRANSITION WITH STRENGTH AND AWARENESS – LOW LUNGE/HIGH LUNGE

Change happens. Sometimes we’re expecting it, as with the change of the seasons. And sometimes we’re not, as with a flat tire on our way to work. Either way, change can happen quickly, throwing us off balance.

Autumn is a time when change, both big and small, is happening all around us. In the natural world we can see the daylight hours lessen, the leaves change color, the temperature drop. In our lives, our schedule may change, clothing choices, food choices, responsibilities.

All of these things impact our mood and physical bodies. Bringing awareness to your personal transition can help you ease stress and cultivate a strong mind and body.
You can also recognize times when you may need to give yourself a little extra attention, whether it be more rest, relaxation or time outside.

Try this yoga practice to help you cultivate strength and awareness during transitions. Practicing steadiness and strength to stay balanced as you transition on the mat will help you do the same off the mat as well.

1 – Come into low lunge from either table top position or adho mukha svanasana (downward facing dog pose). The front knee is lined up over the ankle and the top of the back foot is on the floor. Hands can either reach up overhead or rest just above the knee on the front leg. Either way, keep the arms lengthened and strong

2 – Breathe here in low lunge for 5-10 breaths. Feel both feet pressing into the support of the floor, the tailbone dropping and the spine lengthening as you gently tone your low belly and your hips open

3 – To transition, keep the length of the spine and the tone of the low belly as you tuck the toes of your back foot. As you inhale, press through the heel of the back foot, straightening the leg as you rise up to high lunge

4 – Breathe here in high lunge for 5-10 breaths. Reach through the back heel, feeling the whole leg strong and lifting toward the ceiling. Use the strength of both legs to work toward squaring the hips forward

5 – To transition back to low lunge, keeping the front leg strong, lift your back heel to come high onto the ball of the foot and slowly bend the knee as you lower down

6 – Transition between low lunge and high lunge with the breath 2-5 times on each side. Afterwards, go into balasana (child’s pose) to feel the effects of your practice

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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