Hi !
Welcome to the March newsletter. At last, the snow seems to have finally melted, the sun is shining and spring is definitely in the air!
This month we're continuing the Indian theme with tales of practising with Nancy Gilgoff in Goa, as well as a closer-to-home review of Sarah's Ashtanga Clinic at the BNHC. We also have details of masterclasses run by Manju Jois, who will be returning to Brighton in September, and a teacher training course offered by Brian Cooper later in the year. Although these are several months away, both are likely to be very popular so book your places early to avoid disappointment.
We hope you're enjoying the newsletter, but we need more content. Have you recently attended a workshop you'd like to tell us about? Or have any interesting Ashtanga stories to tell? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at news@ashtangabrighton.com
Happy Mother's Day, Happy Easter and happy practising!
-
In This Issue:
News In Brief- Forthcoming Workshops
- Workshop Reviews
- Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
- Off The Mat
- Jargon Corner - Bandhas
News in Brief
The BNHC will be closed for Easter from Friday 2nd April to Monday 5th April inclusive. It will also be closed on Bank Holiday Mondays, 3rd May and 31st May.
Forthcoming Workshops
Ashtanga Clinic with Sarah Miles, BNHC, Brighton, last Sun of every month (Mar 28th, Apr 25th). Click here for more info.- Manju Jois Masterclasses, including self-practice, led classes, pranayama, chanting & philosophy, BNHC, Brighton (Sep 24th-26th). Click here for more info.
- Union Yoga Teacher Training with Brian Cooper, BNHC, Brighton (Sep 2010-Sep 2011). Click here for more info.
Workshop Reviews
Two-week Yoga Retreat at Purple Valley, Goa, with Nancy Gilgoff
Jan 2010
January’s Big Freeze couldn’t have made for a better time to escape to India – and as soon as Josetta and I got off the plane in Mumbai, we were giggling with mad exhilaration at suddenly being dropped into the warm bath of the Indian climate. The following two weeks left me feeling completely warmed up, inside and out. It was great to feel that inner warmth that you so rarely get to experience during the UK winter – bones and muscles thoroughly thawed out, the yoga-inspired love and openness flowing at full strength.
It would be almost impossible not to feel blissed out at a place like Purple Valley. It’s a peaceful tropical garden, filled with flowers and birds, with every kind of lounging opportunity you could imagine awaiting your idling pleasure: hammocks, swing seats, silken bolsters and cushions. My favourite time of day was always first thing in the morning. I’d wake up to a mad cacophony of birds – all going crazy with excitement at the approach of the day. I’d then slip out into the garden, joining the other yogis padding up to the bamboo shelter for pre-practice coffee.
The yoga was incredible too. As always, Nancy was an inspiration, allowing each student to find their own way, removing obstacles, never pushing anyone to do more than they wanted – but, equally, never holding anyone back from exploring further. To me, she’s the very embodiment of a true yogi. I feel so lucky to be able to spend time with someone who can show us the great joy, peace and wisdom that’s waiting for us if we continue to practice with dedication and love.
- Louise Jolly
Sarah Miles' Ashtanga Clinic
Feb 2010
When I booked onto Sarah's Ashtanga Clinic I didn't really know what to expect. Knowing there would only be a maximum of 4 students in the session, I had visions of it taking the form of a mini workshop, with each of us working on particular asanas. I assumed I'd need to have some idea of the aspects of my practice I wanted to work on, but soon discovered there was no need, as Sarah seems to know my body better than I know it myself and knew exactly what to assist me with in the clinic.
The session started with some relaxation, as we waited for all the students to arrive. I was actually the third and final one to get there, as the fourth student didn't make it. Sarah reminded us to keep a steady flow of breath throughout our practice and not to over exert ourselves, as it was a Moon Day! We then chanted the opening mantra together before starting the practice. From here on we each continued with our own practice, as in a self-practice class, but this was very different to the morning classes I'm used to. Rather than Sarah simply giving adjustments, she would get more involved with our practice, giving technical advice and correcting our alignment and positioning throughout.
For me, the majority of this was spent developing my bandhas and core strength and learning how to start jumping through and jumping back in the vinyasas. Sarah worked quite intensely with each of us during the Surya Namaskaras and I felt like she changed these for me quite dramatically. There were also other adjustments she suggested to my practice, such as changing the position of my hands, correcting some of my breathing and giving me variations to some of the asanas to help develop my bandhas. By the end I felt like I had a whole new practice and wondered how I would remember everything I'd learned. But the great thing about doing this clinic with Sarah is that she's my usual teacher anyway and I know she won't forget what she's taught me.
I found it difficult to keep the practice as flowing as it is normally, due to the additional teaching and focusing on certain elements, and with the next intermediate posture introduced at the end, I found myself exhausted for the rest of the day! To begin with it was also hard not to feel like Sarah was picking holes in everything I did and to feel like I was doing everything 'wrong'. I've only been practising 9 months and still consider myself a relative beginner, so I wondered how someone with many years of practice would find it. But, as I reminded myself, our practice is never complete and there is always more to work on, particularly when it comes to bandhas and the breath.
The clinic has changed my practice in many ways and I feel more in touch with it than ever before. I would recommend Sarah's clinics to anyone who wants a more in-depth, personalised practice session, or who wants to develop any aspect of their practice, no matter what level of experience you have.
- Hannah Moss
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: 1:12
abhyasa vairagyabhyam tannirodhah
A focused mind is the result of disciplined practice and lack of attachment to material objects.
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