May 2009 Newsletter

Is Yoga your weekly treat or a way of life?



When I first started to practice yoga I could not wait for my weekly sessions. It was a refreshing change to the office environment that I worked in at the time. It helped break up my day and made me feel that there was more to my life than work, eat, sleep. It made me feel wonderful and I soon started more than one class a week.

Hatha Yoga is the physical form of classical yoga. This yoga emphasises methods of doing yoga poses (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama) for physical health and well-being. It is a practical science that unites body, mind, breath and spirit to create balance and well-being. Hatha Yoga consists of held and moving postures, combined with tuning in to the breath. The alignment of the muscular and skeletal structures is an important focus of the asanas.

I soon started to feel both the physical and mental benefits of yoga. Some of the benefits of a regular practise are:

Builds strength, stamina and endurance
Improves balance, coordination and posture
Improves muscle tone and flexibility
Strengthens the immune system
Improves memory and concentration
Calms the mind, reduces tension and releases stress

Regular practice will help you control your emotions and thus lead a more fulfilling and satisfying life.


There are many different types of Yoga including

Karma yoga - in its simplest form, the action as well as the result of the action. Doing a task and not expecting any reward. Selfless service or the Yoga of Action.

Bhakti Yoga - the Yoga of Devotion. Usually shown by decorating an image with flowers, candles; Singing and prayer or mantra. It is said that Bhakti softens the heart and removes jealousy, hatred, lust, anger, egoism, pride and arrogance. It infuses joy, divine ecstasy, bliss, peace and knowledge. All cares, worries and anxieties, fears, mental torments and tribulations entirely vanish.

Raja Yoga - of which Asana is a part of. Yoga of the Eight Limbs. Which I will talk more about next newsletter.

Jnana yoga - Jnana is sanskrit for knowledge. Properly understanding the body and the soul.

It doesn't matter whether yoga is your weekly treat, perhaps an escape from the kids. Time for yourself. Perhaps a way to de-stress; a break from work at lunchtime or maybe for you just a physical work out. Maybe all of the above :0) It really doesn't matter, the point is that you practice yoga in whatever form you choose. What I do know is that the benefits are many an obviously the more you practice the greater the effect. Happy practicing.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

As of June 1 the class price will be £7 drop in. £35 for a 6 class pass - thats buy 5 classes and get one for FREE!!

Tuesday 26 May is the last Tuesday lunchtime class at The Complimentary Health Care Clinic. If you fancy a lunch time yoga class you can still come on Wednesday 12:30-1:30.

March 2009 Newsletter

The snowdrops are in full bloom and so are the crocus'. The cheeky daffodils are peeking through so it won't be long before they are in full bloom too. Do you feel that Spring is here? Well, it is certainly on its way and we have had some lovely sunny days. I even ate my lunch on my patio yesterday and soaked up the warm rays of the sun. Spring is definitely a time for optimism. We are leaving behind the grey days (mostly) and looking forward to picnics in the park and barbeque's.

The end of the month brings the Spring equinox (equal night) so we can look forward to longer days to come. Now is the time of newness and growth and as nature starts to sprout the seeds that have been gestating over the winter months perhaps it is time to think about what you want to sprout in your life and start to take action towards that now.

As the seasons change, so does life. Things do not stand still for long. I have been gently reminded of this recently after being extremely settled although not being in Norwich for long I have been asked to move house (nothing sinister, the house owners are returning from overseas). My initial reaction was shock then anger at the inconvenience and extra cost that I am about to incur. But what can I do? This is only upsetting myself and does not resolve the situation. So, the solution. Embrace change, something that a lot of us find difficult to do as we like to wrap ourselves in cotton wool and be protected by our bubble. This change of attitude has been wonderful. Now I see the change as exciting adventure that I am about to embark on and something positive. So I pose you the question, should you have a little moan that things sometimes don't happen the way you want them to or embrace the change? Whatever the situation, be it big or small, try and change your perspective and see see how that changes your life.

EXCITING NEW CLASSES
From March 26 I am starting a pregnancy yoga class
Where: St Mary Magdalen Church Hall, Silver Street
When: 7:00-8:15pm
Cost £42 for 6 classes
You may not be pregnant yourself, but please forward to anyone that you know is pregnant. Pregnancy yoga is hugely beneficial for both the mother and baby during pregnancy and birth.
** Numbers are limited so please call to book

I am also running a trial of 4 baby yoga classes. These classes are for babies from 6 weeks up until crawling age (approx 9 months). Classes include Yoga moves for babies and can assist in colic and help sleep; songs and postnatal yoga moves for mum. They are also a great way to meet other mums (or dads) and share experiences.
Where: St Mary Magdalen Church Hall, Silver Street
When: 11:00-12:30 (Including tea break)
Cost INTRODUCTORY OFFER :£25 for 4 classes
**Numbers are limited so please call to book


Contact Jessica
jessica@blissyoganorwich.co.uk
Mob: 07502 303 546

Current Class Schedule

February 2009 Newsletter

Hello Everyone

February, how exciting! The bulbs in my garden have started to peak through the soil just to tantilise me and let me know that spring is just around the corner. However snow is forecast and siberian winds are on their way, I am sure we are in for a bit of chilly weather before that happens though. Snow brings its own beauty though, appreciate that.



Last month I briefly spoke about Yoga being the art of being in the present. This month I would like to expand on that and talk about how we might achieve that.

How many times do you drive to work and wonder how you got there, not totally remembering your journey or have uttered the words "Sorry I was miles away"?. We spend so much time mulling about things that have happened in the past or worrying about the future that time literally slips by. We are so busy multi tasking that we are never actually fully aware of what we are doing. It makes sense that we just take time to do one thing at a time and be fully aware of the task in hand. So if you are driving to work, try turning off the radio. Listen to the sounds, notice your journey, try a different route and notice things along the way, feel the steering wheel in your hands.

Why negatively impact your wellbeing by physically doing one thing while your mind is doing another? No wonder we can feel exhausted all the time if you are constantly absent minded and ahead of yourself.

Next time you cook a meal focus of what you are doing, concentrate on peeling then slicing the carrot, notice the texture, colour and smell. You will be surprised at how much tastier your meal will be, and how much joy you can achieve from even the smallest of tasks. As you walk around your office notice how the sun shines in the window at different times of the day. I guess it boils down to the difference between living and existing.

So, in short take time to appreciate the little things.
Focus on one thing at a time and really notice what it is that you are doing.
Instead of one activity merging into the other take just a couple of seconds between each one to breathe and collect yourself.

Above all there is no point in worrying about things that have past and it is crazy to worry about things that may happen in the future. There is no point in worrying about things that you can do nothing about. Just take each moment as it happens.

I look forward to seeing you in class soon.

Monday 7:30-8:45 Inner Space
Tuesday 12:30-1:30 The Complementary Health Care Clinic
Wednesday 9:30-11:00 Old Catton Church Hall
Wednesday 12:30-1:30 The Complementary Health Care Clinic
Thursday 5:00-6:00 The Complementary Health Care Clinic

**IMPORTANT**
There are no classes 16th-19th February Inclusive (this includes UEA classes).

January 2009 Newsletter

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope you all feel refreshed and rested after the Christmas break. Rejoicing with friends and family, sharing laughter and love.

The start of a new year, a time for setting your intentions for the year to come. Your new years resolutions…. Coming to yoga class at least once a week – right? :0) Well, coming to a regular class can be a start to healthier, happier and more balanced you. Don’t worry if you have not been for a while, 2009 is a new year, a new start. If you introduce a friend during the month of January, you can get your class for FREE!!!

The art of yoga is to ‘BE HERE NOW’. To be in the moment, take time to pause and literally smell the roses. Well not this time of year perhaps but take the time to breathe, look at the sky, notice the changes in nature around you….smile. Showing love and affection to friends and family and taking time to appreciate what you have and who you are. I believe the first step is to be happy with what you are right now. To be honest 2009 can bring whatever you want it to bring, set your intentions and keep the momentum going. I keep hearing on the radio 2009 is going to be a bleak year, well it will be if you have that state of mind!! I believe 2009 will be a year of change and of new hope for the world.

Schedule

Classes for 2009 start on Wednesday 7^th January, the first being at Old Catton Church Hall 9:30am then our exciting new venue at 34 Exchange Street at 12:30pm. University classes do not commence until 20th January, I hope Santa brought you all that you wished for especially to all you students that had yoga mats on you Christmas list :0). For my full schedule click here.

Saturday 10 January

10:30am-12:00pm 113-119 Ber Street (Rapid Defense) Come to my first Saturday class of 2009.

Drop in class cost remains the same at £6.50. If you buy 5 classes you now get one class FREE, the 6 class pass is £32 and is valid for all locations.

I would like to pass on a mantra from one of my teachers. A mantra is a sound vibration. This mantra is using Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. The different words are sounds that resonate with our being. This mantra helps root our goals into the unconscious part of our being where they can then manifest into realities. Sit in a meditative position and mentally picture your intentions. You than then mentally repeat this mantra “Om Trum Atma” (“Ohm Troom Aht-mah”)

May 2009 bring you much joy and peace.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Jessica

December 2008 Newsletter

Christmas is nearly upon us, the streets are full of shoppers doing last minute shopping - I must confess I haven't even started my gift shopping!! Only two weeks of yoga classes left for 2008. Last class is on Wednesday December 17th (UEA students Wednesday 1oth). Escape the mayhem and revitalise with a yoga class!!

Schedule
Monday 7:30-8:45pm Inner Space
Tuesday 12:30-1:30pm The Complementary Health Care Clinic
Wednesday 9:30-11:00am Old Catton Church Hall, 12:30-1:30 The Yoga Room
Thursday 5:00-6:00pm The Complementary Health Care Clinic

2009 Classes commence Wednesday January 7th



Over the last few weeks we have been practicing breath awareness and some simple pranayama techniques. However when we apply these techniques with sensitivity and awareness the effects on the mind, body and spirit are amplified. Having an understanding of the respiration process helps us to increase our sensitivity to breathing, not only on a physical level but on a more subtle level. Once we understand the subtleties of the respiration process we can start to understand the effects of pranayama:

• Lie in savasana and take a few moments to become comfortable ensuring your spine is straight and your body relaxed.
• Become aware of the area from your abdomen to your nose and feel this area as one unit.
• Bring the awareness to your nose and feel the breath in your nostrils.
• Feel the air and prana as it passes the tiny hairs in your nostils.
• Feel the air in the sinus cavity behind the nose, take a moment to smell the air as you inhale.
• Follow the path of air as it travels down the nasal passages to the larynx where the vocal chords are.
• Follow the tube like structure down the chest behind the breastbone where this then branches into two, one pipe on the left one on the right - the bronchi.
• The bronchi then split into smaller branches called bronchioles and clustered at the end are tiny air sacks called alveoli, intertwined with tiny blood vessels, this spongy tissue makes up the lungs.
• Visualise the air and prana passing from the nose to the lungs where it is then absorbed by the body. Feel the air and prana filling every cell of your body. Oxgen enriched blood is taken to the heart which is then pumped around the body. Carbon dioxide, the waste product of our breath is passed to the lungs and is exhaled. Take a moment to visualise this exchange.
• Become completely familiar with the flow of your breath and the respiration process.
• Feel the oxygen and prana reaching from the deepest of body organs to the extremeties of your body, right into the tips of your fingers and toes. There is no part of the body that does not recieve this vitalising flow.
• After a few moments bring your awareness back to your body, take a deep breath in and stretch your arms above your head, point your toes away from you stretching the whole of your body. Then take your time and slowly come up to a seated position.

You can do this technique at anytime whenever you have a few minutes to spare. You can even use this technique as a relaxation process before you go to bed.

The daily breathing process is automated and mecanical. Practicing the above technique helps us to become more aware of our breathing process in our every day life and helps us to breath more consciously and with better understanding. Happy breathing!!

I wish you all a very happy and peaceful time during the festive season!! I look forward to seeing you in the New Year

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

November 2008 Newsletter

During the past week I have been talking about prana, and how we can activate, circulate and control prana using Asana and Pranayama (breathing techniques). Here are a few details on how prana travels around the body and a technique for you to practice Ujjaii breath:


Beyond the physical breath (oxygen & carbon dioxide) is prana. Prana is the universal vital energy that rides on the breath – our subtle life force.


Prana travels in channels called Nadis, a network of energy channels in the subtle body that takes prana to every cell in the body.


One of the challenges of yoga is to harness this energy to fuel our physical, mental and spiritual development. Hatha (the physical from of yoga) was created to cultivate, circulate and control prana; Asana helps cultivate and circulate prana and strengthen the nadis and Pranayama controls and cultivates and purifies the nadis.


Of the 72,000 nadis there are 3 main nadis; ida, pingala and sushumna. All originate at the base of the spine and run to the crown of the head. Sushumna nadi is the main energy channel that runs in a straight line from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Ida and pingala spiral up from the base of the spine to the crown at the head crossing seven times throughout Sushumna. Where these 3 main nadis cross is where the chakras (wheels of energy) reside.




PRANAYAMA

Prana = energy, life force

Ayama = lengthen, extend

Ujjaii Pranayama = Victorious breath

Ujjaii is a full and complete breath and uses a gentle constriction of the back of the throat (glottis) to create a gentle echoing sound of the breath. The sound of the breath is used to focus and soothe the mind. Ujjaii breath is also used to give you strength in strenuous poses.

Method

Start by inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth making a “Haaaaa” sound as if you were misting up a mirror. Feel the gentle constriction of the throat. “Haaaaa” the length of the breath is also extended.

Now try and keep the “Haaaaa” sound as you gently bring your lips together. You should notice the sound of the breath, Ujjaii is sometimes referred to as ‘Ocean Breath’ as it relates to the gentle rolling of the waves. Repeat the exhale through the nostrils with the gentle constriction of the back of the throat until you are comfortable.

Using the same gentle constriction at the back of the throat inhale. Notice the sound and length of the breath.

The breath should not be forced or rasping, keep the breath slow and gentle. Keep practicing and if you can continue with Ujjaii throughout your Asana practice, but don’t worry if you forget or find it a little strange at first, it will come more naturally with time.


CLASS SCHEDULE:

Monday 7:30-8:45pm Inner Space

Tuesday 12:30-1:30 The Complementary Health Care Clinic

Wednesday 9:30-11:00 Old Catton Church Hall 12:30-1:30 The Yoga Room

Thurday 5:00-6:00pm The Complementary Health Care Clinic


http://www.blissyoganorwich.co.uk

October 2008 Newsletter

Hello Everyone

The Seasons are changing
Autumn has reached its peak now, the harvest is all gathered in. The days are getting shorter and Winter is almost upon us. We return once again to the reflective spiritual realms inside ourselves, for regeneration of the Spirit, rest, and contact with our inner wisdom....Review and assimilate what you have learned in the active phase of the year’s cycle. Prepare yourself for the new year ahead. Nurture your visions, dreams, ideas and direction, so that they may incubate in the dark winter months ready for when thhe active phase begins again. Glenny Kindred

I attended a wonderful workshop with Dina Cohen about the clocks turning back and the changing of seasons. I wanted to share the notion with you that Winter is not a bad thing. Animals hibernate, the leaves fall off the trees and the energy is drawn in to the core. It is time for us to slow down, after the activity of Summer, look within, and plant the seeds ready for regeneration in Spring.


New classes to Bliss Yoga Norwich
Exciting News!!! I am teaching in a new location in Norwich

The Complementary Health Care Clinic. It is located at 34 Exchange Street, Norwich on the upper floor. If you hold a multi class pass, you can also use it at one of my classes here.

Tuesday 12:30 - 1:30pm

Thursday 5:00 - 6:00pm


Saturday classes
My next Saturday class is 15 November 2008 10:30-12:00pm at the Yoga Room, 41a All Saints Green, Norwich. It would be wonderful to see you there.

A date for the diary
Only 7 weeks of Yoga left this year! Scary, I know! My last Yoga class of 2008 will be on 17 December. Yoga classes for 2009 start on 7 January. It seems a long way off at the moment so dont worry I will remind you again nearer the time.

The end of an era
The Yoga Room will not be opening in 2009. However, no need to panic! Wednesday lunchtime classes will continue in a new Location. We will be moving to and sharing the space at Rapid Defence 113 Ber Street (just around the corner from The Yoga Room) . Unfortunately the Friday evening class will not continue in 2009, so why not take the opportunity while you can to soak up Friday evening yoga - what a fabulous way to start the weekend!

Watch this space for further developments.