Wednesday

Bliss Yoga November Newsletter



Hello beautiful people!  :0) xx

Well I have really noticed the dark nights drawing in since the clocks went back.  Autumn is well and truly here.  The leaves are falling, my brown bin is full every week now and it can be all too easy to fall into a dark slump of misery.  I feel that warm clothing is key.  I suffer terribly in the cold so even now have several layers, scarves and thick sock.  Helps make me feel all warm and fuzzy.  Practicing Yoga also helps me feel all warm and fuzzy.  I came across this lovely quote and although I have shared in class would like to share it again as I feel it is very apt for this time of year:

"People are like stain-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their beauty is revealed only if there is a light within." Elizabeth Kubler-Ross.


Remember that your inner light is always there, sometime a little duller than at other times however we can use Yoga to help cultivate and radiate this light.

We have been having fun in class cultivating our inner radiance by practicing Kapalabhati (literal translation  - shining skull)  Kapalabhati is a kriya technique or cleansing technique so great for cleansing lungs and airways.  It is also a heating practice which is always great to do this time of year.  Backbends and dynamic poses like chair have also featured in the last few weeks to again help our inner radiance shine, opening and radiating forwards from our heart.

This week has been a blast and we have been having fun with sharing our practice with one another.  Our practice is usually a more individual internal experience, we do not worry about an others practice around us, we listen to our body and our breath.  However I took inspiration from watching my daughter (3) playing at a friends house.  Poor little friend was having great difficulty in sharing his toys as most 3 year olds do.  It brought such joy to my heart to see my little girl see the distress of the boy and offer him a toy, and then offer another little girl a toy.  This little girl then mimicked the behaviour and gave the little boy and Aylah a toy.  Such beautiful sharing and such a lovely act of kindness.  We can learn so much from children and as I was so inspired thought it time to practice some partner Yoga so that we too may share, share our practice with one another.  Listen not only to our own body but to one another, breathe our breath but also see if we could comfortably synchronise our breath with our partners. It was great to see you all sharing and supporting one another but to also feel the joy and hear your laughs.

Along the same theme of random acts of kindness, if you have not seen the movie ‘Pay it forward’ I would recommend as it is a lovely movie where a young boy has a plan to change the world.  He does this my completing 3 random acts of kindness.  When the recipients thank him he does not ask for any payment in return only that they then carry out a random act of kindness, that they ‘Pay it forward’. 
As I could easily see from watching Aylah and her friends.  A random act of kindness can bring a smile to someones face.....and score you good Karma points while you are at it :0)

Although I nearly walked out of a store last week because they were playing Christmas songs already! I do need to be planning for classes over the Christmas break. I will of course send a further reminder nearer to the time but here are the dates for your diary.

The last class in December for:
Catton is 12 December
Baby Yoga is 13 December
Inner Space 17 December
Pregnancy 19 December

Classes will return in January the week commencing 7th.

The annual Christmas dinner for Catton students will take place after class on Wednesday 5 December at the Woodman pub as usual.  Time to be confirmed.  Partners welcome.  Usual format of choosing and paying for your own meal and the opportunity to share in one anothers company.

Inner space students are welcome to join me at the Bicycle shop after class on 17 December for a hot drink and chat.

PREGNANCY YOGA COURSE
There are few spaces left of the next Pregnancy Yoga course starting November 28 6:30pm on Silver Road.  Learn breathing techniques, birthing positions, relaxation and visualisation techniques.  Strengthen your body and your mind to help you on your baby’s birthing day.  

BIRTH PREPARATION WORKSHOP
A wonderful opportunity for you and your birthing partner to learn together all the things covered in class and more including massage techniques and handy tips to help the woman feel supported during the birth of your baby.
Date: Saturday 24 November
Time: 1:30-4:40pm
Venue: Silver Road Baptist Church hall
Cost: £35 per couple including all handouts and refreshments.

BABY YOGA COURSE
Suitable from 6 weeks and after your postnatal check.  Learn songs and rhymes to gentle Yoga moves for both you and your baby. Helps improve baby’s sleep and eating patterns, improves muscle strength and co-ordination.  Get the opportunity to have a well deserved relax at the end of the class. Rest, relax restore, have fun with your baby and get fit too.
Cost £42 for 6 weeks including all equipment and refreshments
Next course commences Thursday 29 November
Time: 1:30-2:45pm
Venue: Silver Road Baptist Church

ACTIVE BABY YOGA
For babies 9 months +.  Get more active with your baby as your baby starts to get more active too.  We learn new songs using scarves, balls and noisy toys with fun Yoga moves integrated too.  Also includes a relaxation at the end of the class
Cost £42 for 6 weeks including all equipment and refreshments
Venue: Silver Road Baptist Church
Please register your interest to enable Jessica to plan for the next course.

Give a family member or friend the gift of Yoga for Christmas.  Vouchers available for all Yoga classes.  Contact Jessica to arrange your personally made gift card.

Keep warm and well, Why not try and Ayurvedic breakfast of Lemon, ginger and honey drink with a warm bowl of porridge and cinnamon. For a comprehensive Ayurvedic recepie click here 

Until next time I see you on the mat try a walk in the woods, appreciate the beautiful golden colours of autumn and a good jump skip and hop in the leaves and remember combat the dark nights and let your inner light shine brightly.

Hari Om

Much love Jessica xxx

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