Hi!
You may have noticed we didn't issue a newsletter in January, so a belated Happy New Year to you all! We hope you managed to enjoy the snow and didn't get too stuck in it. Many of us dream of being in warmer climes at this time of year, but some are lucky enough to actually get there. As if you weren't jealous enough already, this February newsletter seems to have turned into the India Issue and includes Sarah's experience of practising with Rolf in Goa, as well as a continuation of Jane's travels to Rajasthan.
We hope you find the newsletter an interesting read. It's a group effort and we'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Email us at news@ashtangabrighton.com
Happy reading!
News in Brief
We're pleased to have Sarah back at the shala in Brighton, even if her beautiful tan does make us green with envy! Don't forget about her Ashtanga Clinics being held on the last Sunday of each month, which provide an opportunity to work on your practice in detail in a small class of only 4 students. See the BNHC workshops page for more details.
In the last issue we told you about new start times for the morning self-practice classes. Well, as you've probably gathered, these haven't actually come into effect yet. But when things get a little busier, probably in the spring term, these new times will be put into place and there will be a maximum of 10 people per slot. There will be announcements about this nearer the time, but for now the classes will continue as usual.
Forthcoming Workshops
Ashtanga Clinic with Sarah Miles, BNHC, Brighton, last Sun of every month (Feb 28th, Mar 28th). Click here for more info.- Pranayama in Perspective with Philip Xerri, Yoga Akasha, East Grinstead, Feb 20th. Click here for more info.
- Ashtanga Intensive with Kino MacGregor, Union Yoga Centre, Edinburgh, Mar 5th-7th. Click here for more info.
Workshop Reviews
Rolf & Marci Naujokat in Goa
Oct-Dec 09
I recently returned from a trip to Goa where I had the pleasure of being able to practice under the tutelage of Rolf & Marci Naujokat and what a treat it was.
Initially I felt quite anxious as it had been some time since I had any input into my practice, having suffered for many years with torn ligaments and dislocating knees (very painful…I once turned the air blue in a workshop and had to be carried out…still swearing very badly!) and felt nervous about getting adjusted after many years recovering. However, I quickly discovered my fears to be unfounded.
Rolf & Marci have completely different styles of teaching that seem to complement each other beautifully and balance each other out. Having originally trained with Chuck Miller, Marci’s approach seems to be a blend of Iyengar and Astanga. She is happy to sacrifice the flow of Astanga to offer technique work. I love this, as I find it helps me to understand alignment and what muscle groups you should be using rather than muscling through. It also offers progression in specific and necessary areas within the body that helps to avoid injury.
Rolf’s style was much more traditional...a beautiful human being full of love and peace. On my first day in savasana my eyes filled with tears of joy having found someone so humble and trustworthy. I felt that they understood my body perfectly and offered me everything I had hoped for and more.
Everyone’s taste is different and everyone has varying styles in teaching, but I think when you enter a room as a student, it is important to be open and surrender to that teacher, otherwise why bother? If you don’t enjoy it then you don’t go back. I for one can’t wait to get back there!
- Sarah Miles (www.astangayogabrighton.co.uk)
From Rishikesh to Rajasthan
Nov 09
After a week’s stay in Rishikesh, we boarded an early morning train due to bring us to Jaipur (Rajasthan) by 8pm – but due to a train strike we reached our destination 10 hours later than planned. Thankfully, our hotel was a welcoming mini palace with big clean rooms, balconies, plant-lined terraces, huge beds, baths and lots of hot water.
The next day we did morning Yoga on the roof terrace, with hordes of fascinated monkeys watching us watching them. We then took a trip to the Amber Fort just outside town, riding into the fort on (apparently humanely treated) elephants, which helped us to bypass the very persistent vendors thrusting goods at us, naming temptingly low prices which turned out to be in euros – not rupees.
Amber Fort was the state capital for 200 years before Jaipur city was built. It’s truly stunning and amazingly well preserved after 400 years; an entire city of royal apartments, parade grounds, fortifications and temples. This time round I used the audio guide – well worth it for the history of the fort and its inhabitants in glorious Indian-style Bollywood with drama, music and chanting.
Each year I see signs of change and modernity everywhere, with more and more Westerners coming to learn from this culture. Yoga often brings us here initially, then India and her extraordinary peoples, culture and history captivate us and keep us coming back again and again. Jaipur is, incidentally, a great place to buy silks, textiles, jewellery, etc.
- Jane Sleven (www.yogatree.uk.com)
From Rajasthan to Agra
Nov 09
We stayed in a little gem of a hotel just a few minutes walk from the Taj Mahal, and with the main dome of the Taj clearly visible from the hotel rooftop restaurant. It literally takes your breath away. Walking in through one of the four main gates – there it is! A beautifully simple, classically designed dome of white marble, framed by four tall, slim pillars, sweeping lawns, somehow removed from the noise and dirt of Agra by its beauty and the relative silence away from the traffic. The Taj is full of architectural brilliance, surprises and photo-opportunities, which the locals will point out to you without much hassle.
Agra is a relatively easy city to get around, quite small, and you can skirt around the edges by rickshaw to visit Agra Fort. The Fort is surprisingly well preserved, awe-inspiringly huge, with a beautiful white marble mosque hidden away in the royal quarters, where you can instantly feel the soothing effect of centuries of prayers that have filled the air. We had a friendly rickshaw driver who took us to the “Baby Taj”. If you’re ever in Agra don’t miss this gorgeous little monument which in fact was the initial inspiration for the Taj Mahal, or indeed, Mehtab Bagh, which is a Mughal style garden that exists purely to view the beauty of the Taj; its formally laid out trees and bushes create frames of stunning views of the mystical dome from across the river Yamuna.
With my head, mind and heart full of the sights, sounds, images, colours, and people of India, I’m very thankful for Yoga, where I can lose myself in my practice and gradually begin to assimilate things...
- Jane Sleven (www.yogatree.uk.com)
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are considered one of the most influential texts on yogic philosophy. In each issue we'll reveal a sutra for your reflection.
This month's sutra: 1:20
sraddha virya smrti samadhiprajna purvaka itaresam
For the practice of yoga, the student needs certain qualities: faith in the teachings, the energy to persevere with study and practice, attentiveness in all actions, absorption, and inner wisdom.
Translation provided by Hilary Macrae
Hilary has taught yoga and trained yoga teachers for many years in the tradition of Sri Krishnamacharya and his son Desikachar.
She has an MA in Sanskrit Literature and teaches the philosophy of yoga and Vedic chant. She can be contacted for individual lessons on 01273 710505 or by email.
This newsletter is lovingly prepared by Ashtangis for Ashtangis. But we need your help! If you have any information about forthcoming workshops, a review or article you have written or anything you would like to see in the next issue, please