Bliss Yoga Norwich September 2011

September 2011

Hello fellow Yogi's

What a wonderful summer break I have shared with family and friends. I do hope you have had a wonderful break too.

Most of the summer I have been living outside, well spending many days in my lovely little camper van anyway. This has given me the opportunity to really live with nature and the elements. When there is no television, computers or mobile phones it really gives you the opportunity to enjoy the stillness. I have been watching the flow of nature. How blissful to watch the rhythm of the waves, the rise and fall of the tide, the rythm of each day. I have been observing what I enjoy most about my practice and the peace and stillness that comes with that.

The breath is fundamental to a Yoga practice. The breath is the flow of life. Breath is our life force, Prana rides on the breath, Prana is the energy that sustains us on a cellular level. This term we will be looking at how we can open ourselves to the flow of life. We will be focusing on Vinyassa, moving with the breath and how by using repetition we can quite the mind...

I am so excited to be sharing Yoga with you all again.

There are some exciting events coming up:

Thank you Mother India - Yoga Gives Back - Charity Class

10th September, Chapelfield Gardens 10am

Yoga Gives Back is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds in order to alleviate poverty in India. Through micro financing, Yoga Gives Back began supporting micro credit programs who lend small loans to women who are otherwise excluded from the conventional banking and financial systems. In 2010, exploring a way to get direct help to the poorest, YGB developed "Sister Aid" programs to fund education, vocational training on a personal basis, and micro credit programs. If this speaks out to you, you can support it by coming along to this class Fore more information about Yoga gives back check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/YogaGivesBack I will bring some spare mats but please feel free to bring your own. We will meet at the band stand. Yoga in the Park will last about an hour and a half. There will be a picnic in the park after so please bring a plate of veggie food to share.
Please feel free to bring along family and friends, my husband and 2 year old daughter will be coming along

Birth Preparation Workshop

8th October 1:30 - 4:30, St Mary Magdelane Church Hall, Silver Road

I am running a birth preparation workshop on Saturday 8th October at Mary Magdalene Church Hall. This is for you and your birthing partner to help your partner feel more involved and useful during the birth,or of course you can come on your own. We will go over things learnt in class. We will discuss and learn breathing techniques, birthing positions, visualisation and relaxation techniques to help you on your babies birthing day. Cost: £35 per couple Time:1:30pm-4:30pm Venue: St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, Silver Road Please let me know if you are interested as soon as possible so I can reserve you a place.

Workshop with Lisa Sanfillippo - November 19th
Yoga and music event for all the family. Anusara teacher Lisa Sanfillippo and musician Jason Kalidas are coming to Norwich so put the date in your diary. More details to follow soon.

Synerprotein Are feeling a little run down at the moment? I used an amazing drink during pregnancy and still use now so I thought I would share it with you all. The drink is called Synerprotein. It is a fabulous drink that is designed to give you a powerhouse of nutrition and energy providing a high quality non-genetically modified soya protein supplement which is dairy free, wheat free, yeast free, gluten free and virtually fat free. It is balanced protein supplement providing essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and a great vanilla flavor. It also provides 3g of fiber per serving. SynerProTein also contains the exclusive SynerPro Concentrate, which provides a rich and wholesome base of fruits and cruciferous vegetables with antioxidant benefits. This product is only available to healcare providers including Nutritionists, I can provide this for you for the cost of £15 for a massive 448g pot which lasts for ages. I found it amazing during pregnancy as it gives both you and your baby essential vitamins and minerals and it provides a slow release energy that stops you craving sweet stuff (and therefore filling yourself with empty calories and extra weight that should be avoided during pregnancy). Its also a quick filler if you're busy and miss (or perhaps cannot face due to morning sickness) a meal. It is amazing as a new mum as suddenly you find that you are so absorbed in your new little wonder that you have managed to forget lunch. It is so important that you look after yourself so that you can look after your baby and I found this really helped me to stay nourished. I still use it as I am always zooming around and have it in addition to breakfast and it really gives me the energy I need as a busy mum. Please let me know if you are interested and I will place an order for you.

Much love to you all and I look forward to seeing you all soon xxx

Hari Om

Summer Update

Hello lovely people

What a lovely end to the summer term I have had. The Yoga for the Seasons workshop with Rachel Zinman was truely amazing. It was so lovely for me to practice an ISHTA class and spend some wonderful time with my teacher. Thank you to those that joined us for the workshop and Kirtan. Each one of you made it a very special event and what a wonderful shared lunch we had, thank you. I have invited Rachel to join us again next year and she has accepted so watch this space for further information.

Classes return at the end of August.

Catton - August 31
Pregnancy Yoga - August 24
Baby Yoga - August 25
Inner Space - September 5

This year I am running a charity event for Yoga Gives Back. Yoga Gives Back is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds in order to alleviate poverty in India. Through micro financing, Yoga Gives Back began supporting micro credit programs who lend small loans to women who are otherwise excluded from the conventional banking and financial systems.

In 2010, exploring a way to get direct help to the poorest, YGB developed "Sister Aid" programs to fund education, vocational training on a personal basis, and micro credit programs. Please check out the Youtube channel for further information. http://www.youtube.com/user/YogaGivesBack

If this speaks out to you, you can support it by coming along to this class that will be taught by Jessica at Chapel Field Gardens on 10 September. Class will be by donation and all monies will be going to this charity.


The next Baby Yoga course commences August 25. If your baby is 6 weeks to aproximately 10 months (crawling) then you can come along and learn rhymes and songs, gently yoga moves for both you and your baby. Helps with baby's digestion, sleep, co-ordination and development. Helps mother get back in touch with both breath and body. Have fun with your baby and get fit too!! Classes are held at the Baptist Church Hall on the corner of Mousehold Avenue and Silver Road 1:30pm to 2:45pm. Please email Jessica to book your space.

I am also hosting a workshop with Lisa Sanfillippo and Jason Kalidas in November. Lisa is an Anusara teacher from London, Jason is an amazing musician. Full details to follow shortly.

Have a lovely summer, may the sun shine brightly.

Much love

Jessica

Bliss Yoga Norwich Summer Newsletter

Hello friends and Yogi’s

Summer is here! What fabulous weather we have been having. Glorious sunny days. My garden has certainly been noticing the sun and my water butts are nearing empty. The blooms seem to have come and gone so early this year. Aylah has certainly been enjoying the warm weather as we have been able to have ‘splashy fun’ in the paddling pool.

I am so excited to be sharing Rachels Zinmans teachings with you this summer. I trained with Rachel in Byron Bay Australia when I lived there in 2006. I have invited Rachel to join us in Norwich and share with us ‘Yoga for the Seasons’

Yoga for the Seasons Workshop 22-24 July 2011

In Yoga and according to Ayurveda each season is influenced by a specific element. Summer is the heat of fire. Winter is the cool of earth and the movement of air predominantly influences Autumn and Spring. It’s important to be able to adjust your practice to the changing seasons and remain balanced throughout the year. In this workshop we will explore specific sequences for each season incorporating the science of ayurveda and specific Hatha Yoga and Tantric practices such as asana, pranayama, mudra, mantra and meditation.

It would be lovely to see you there please click here for further details

Asquith’s Organic and Bamboo clothing...an exclusive 20% off – perfect for Summer

I recently purchased some clothing from Asquith’s clothing range and I absolutely love it and I am really happy to be able to share them with you.

Asquith offers the finest quality clothing, which is deliciously soft, Organic and ethically produced. For Yoga, Pilates or simply for living in...and they’re offering you an exclusive 20% off the Asquith range.

Classic, elegant and comfortable styles with a perfect, flattering fit made from softest Organic Cotton and Bamboo fabrics, Asquith London provides the perfect kit for summer Yoga and Pilates classes, travelling, holidays and retreats. Each garment is designed with both comfort and style in mind and is perfect for the hotter months!

Bamboo fabrics are not only kinder to the environment, they are also beautifully light and 'wick' moisture away from your skin so you can say goodbye to feeling clammy, and enjoy that Summer glow! And the organic cotton is super soft and breathable, and feels great next to your skin.

For your exclusive 20% off the Asquith range simply visit http://www.asquith-yoga-clothing.co.uk/ and type JESSICAM20 into the promotional code box when ordering. Offer available until July 31st
(Please note that the promotional code doesn’t work on sale items)

Home Hairdressing

My dear friend and Yogi has just started her home hairdressing business. Carrie has 15 years salon experience and the coveted Wella Master Colour Award. Carrie brings salon quality hairdressing to your home.

I have had the pleasure of a haircut, in my back garden no less, under the warm sun while our little girls played together in the garden. Whether you’re a busy mum or would just like the luxury of having a haircut at home please contact Carrie 0774 009 1749

Baby Yoga

The next Baby Yoga course commences 30 June 2011. This is a 5 week course due to summer holidays cost is £35. Learn songs and rhymes, gentle yoga moves for you and your baby. Rest, relax, restore, get fit and have fun with your baby. Please contact Jessica to reserve your space. jessica@blissyoganorwich.co.uk

Summer Holidays

This year I am taking holiday 1-18^th August. There will be no General Yoga or Baby Yoga classes during this time. However Kate my friend and fellow Pregnancy Yoga teacher is covering pregnancy classes on 3^rd and 10^th August.

Inner Space class resumes 22 August

Old Catton class resumes 24 August

Pregnancy Yoga course commences 24 August

Baby Yoga course commences 25 August

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Much love

Jess

Yoga for the Seasons Workshop

Yoga for the Seasons

WORKSHOP WITH RACHEL ZINMAN

July 22-24 2011

This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your Yoga practice learning about one of the aspects of ISHTA – Ayurveda (the science of life) and how it influences your practice.

In Yoga and according to Ayurveda each season is influenced by a specific element. Summer is the heat of fire. Winter is the cool of earth and the movement of air predominantly influences Autumn and Spring. It’s important to be able to adjust your practice to the changing seasons and remain balanced throughout the year. In this workshop we will explore specific sequences for each season incorporating the science of ayurveda and specific Hatha yoga and Tantric practices such as asana, pranayama, mudra, mantra and meditation.

Session 1 - Friday 6:30pm-9pm £25
• Ayurveda overview focusing on the 5 elements with an emphasis on air and space and grounding postures
• Vinyasa sequence for spring and autumn
Pranayama, mudras, and meditation for spring and autumn
Session 2 - Saturday 9am-12pm £25
• Understanding your Ayurvedic constitution and finding the balance through yoga practice - emphasis on summer and cooling postures
• Vinyasa sequence for summer Pranayama, mantra and meditation for summer
*Kirtan 1pm-2:30pm £10 *there will be a shared lunch from 12pm until 1pm please bring a vegetarian plate of food to share. All welcome.
Session 3 - Sunday 2pm-5pm £25
• Lifestyle approaches for all the seasons according to Ayurveda - emphasis on winter and invigorating postures
• Vinyasa sequence for winter Pranayama, mantra, mudra and meditation for winter
*All sessions include handout of sequences for each season

Each day can be visited separately but why not take this unusual opportunity to experience the full 3 day workshop. Each session is £25 or £65 for the full 3 days. Kirtan £10.

St Andrews Church Hall, Thunder Lane, Thorpe St Andrews

Contact Jessica for more information:

Tel: 07501 303 546

Jessica@blissyoganorwich.co.uk

Kirtan evening with Rachel Zinman and friends

Rachel is also an amazing Bhakti and is offering an opportunity to join her in an afternoon of music and chanting Saturday 1pm-2:30pm

Join Rachel and friends for an evening of Devotional Chanting.
Kirtan- call and response chanting and Bhajan -singing in unison are two of the main ways in Bhakti yoga to express devotion and love. Repeating the names of deities like Ram or Shiva serves as a reminder that the lover and the beloved are one.

For Rachel, mantras and a devotional practice means surrendering and accepting everything as it is and that singing in community supports everyone to feel uplifted and connected to their own beauty and strength.

Rachel has produced three CD’s as part of her band The Subway Bhaktis. You can listen to samples at http://www.subwaybhaktis.com. To find out more about Rachel and her Bhakti yoga practice visit http://www.rachelzinmanyoga.com

Event Details:
Kirtan 1pm-2:30pm £10

*there will be a shared lunch from 12pm until 1pm please bring a vegetarian plate of food to share. All welcome.
Each day can be visited separately but why not take this unusual opportunity to experience the full 3 day workshop. Each session is £25 or £65 for the full 3 days. Kirtan £10.

St Andrews Church Hall, Thunder Lane, Thorpe St Andrews

Contact Jessica for more information:

Tel: 07501 303 546

Jessica@blissyoganorwich.co.uk

Rachels Bio:

Rachel has been practicing yoga for 26 years and has taught for 19. Prior to her initial yoga education Rachel trained as a professional dancer and choreographer in the USA and in Australia. Discovering yoga she originally trained in the Iyengar and Ashtanga methods and first began teaching in her role as Head of Dance at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium where she introduced yoga to the curriculum.

Her teaching style continues to reflect her deep engagement with the arts – dynamic and precise with an emphasis on mindfulness. While again living in New York from 2000–2004 Rachel met Yoga Works and ISHTA yoga founder Alan Finger teaching in his BeYoga studios for four years. There she co-created and coordinated the Be Yoga Teacher Training Program, becoming a senior facilitator and mentor.

Rachel returned to Australia to teach in the Yoga Arts Teacher Training, and since 2005 has created and facilitated her own teacher trainings and workshops in the ISHTA System in Australia, India, Bali, Japan, New York and in many major cities in Europe.

In 2006 she began practicing Bhakti Yoga and has incorporated Yantra, Mantra, Mudra and Tantric rituals into her workshops and trainings. Rachel’s deep personal experience and investigation of meditation allows her to be both intuitive and creative in her work and she feels grateful to be able to share her passion with others.

Rachel also co-created and produced a popular Australian Yoga Video series and a Kid's Yoga Video. She is an award-winning musician for her album of chanting and devotional song, Sita Ram, and is a published poet.

March 2011

Happy March!

Wow, new life is starting to appear in the garden. Snowdrops, crocus’ are out and even some of my daffodils are starting to bloom.

Sometimes I find that I am just unable to do my practice at home. My teacher always said that a walk in the outdoors can be your yoga practice for the day. Being in the moment is what it is all about. Observing the shimmering vibrancy of life around you.

When walking in the outdoors focus on the nature around you. Notice what is happening around you. Experience your walk in every sense, smell, sound, touch... Breathe. Check your posture when walking. Start in Tadassana, mountain pose. Working from your base; feet and knees hip distance apart. Keep your knees soft, neutral pelvis. Feel your spine long, relax your shoulders. Feel every step you make... Breathe. As you walk around and you observe things around you maybe take a moment to sit and really truly look at something like a flower. Being absorbed in a single object is called Dharana.

Every experience that comes your way is your Yoga, whether it is doing the most mundane of tasks, if you just take time to observe every moment, notice how you feel doing the task, what it really involves. So the next time you are doing the washing up, see and feel the bubbles on your hands... Breathe..... Try turning off the radio when you are driving and notice how much more you can experience the journey... Breathe.....

We have recently started Dharana practice in class. Candle Gazing. You can try this at home. The candle needs to be at the same height as your gaze when seated and about one metre from you. Take a few moments to get comfortable then look at the middle of the flame for about one minute without blinking. It is normal for your eyes to water and this can be really cleansing for your eyes. After a minute or when you sure this image has ‘burned’ into your minds eye then close your eyes and focus on the image in your mind until it fades. You can repeat this 3 or 4 times. You should find that as you practice your mind quietens. If thoughts occur, just acknowledge them and return back to your breath and the image of the flame. If you have time you can lie in Savasana (relaxation) for a few moments. Obviously candles can be dangerous to please practice with care. :0)

If you are relatively new to my classes...Welcome. If you have not been for a while why not set an intention to get back on the mat? Breath, Relax, Be.

NEWS

Classes:

General Yoga

Monday 7:30pm Innerspace, Maude Grey Court

Wednesday 9:30am, Old Catton Church Hall, Blacksmiths Way

Baby Yoga

Monday 10am, Thorpe End Village Hall, Plumstead Road

Pregnancy Yoga

Wednesday 7pm, St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, Silver Road

Easter Classes

There will be no classes from 18 April. Classes resume 04 May 2011.

Just a reminder that as of 04 May prices for General Yoga passes will be £36. This means that classes are only £6 each – bargain!! Your pass is valid for 8 weeks.

For class enquiries please contact Jessica on Jessica@blissyoganorwich.co.uk

PRANAYAMA – BREATH AWARENESS

Prana – vital life; life force

Yama – control

Many of you have been asking for directions on Pranayama. The most fundamental breathing technique to master is the full and complete breath. The best way to practice this is lying on your back in Savasana with one hand on your belly, one hand on your chest.

After spending a few moments observing your natural breath start to manipulate or control your breath by breathing into your belly, filling your belly and then drawing your breath into your chest. As you exhale relax your shoulders, chest and belly. As you inhale feel your belly and your chest push into the palms of your hands. As you exhale soften and relax your belly. Inhale, fill your belly then your chest watching the wave like motion of your belly and your chest. Exhale, relax your shoulders, chest, belly and even start drawing your belly button back towards your spine.

Practice for about 5 minutes to start with. Try and practice every day. You can bring this fundamental and most fulfilling breath into your daily life and whenever you remember, whenever you catch yourself practice the full and complete breath.

Hari Om Tat Sat

Jessica

blissyoganorwich

December 2010

Brrr! Hope you are all keeping warm and enjoying the flurry of snow that we are experiencing at the moment. My little girl Aylah is enjoying her first real experience of snow and is having the time of her life building snowmen and shrieking with delight at the white cold stuff that she finds it difficult to walk in...

Just a reminder that the Inner Space Christmas catch up is on December 06 after class at the Bicycle shop. The last class before the Christmas break will be on Monday 20 December. We will return Monday 10 January. Although I will be seeing some of you at the San Kalpha workshop on Sunday 9 January.

The Old Catton Christmas catch up is on 15 December at 12pm at the Woodman. The last class before the Christmas break will be on Wednesday 15 December. Classes resume on Wednesday 05 January.

I have a couple of spaces left for the San Kalpha workshop which will be a wonderful way to start the new year.

Bliss Yoga Norwich

is hosting

New Year's San Kalpha Workshop

09 January 2011

Setting the intention for lasting change

The New Year is traditionally a time for us to make resolutions for positive change. More often than not, however, those resolutions are set aside before long and we resume our old ways. Why is it so hard to change? Because we are governed by our unconscious mind. Only by overcoming the unconscious patterns that exert a dominant influence on our behaviour can lasting change occur.

In this special New Year’s workshop, Yoga Master Katrina Repka will teach you how to incorporate your best intentions through the yogic practice of San Kalpha. The workshop will begin with an overview of the chakra system and then, through the practice of asana, will explore the first and second chakras (where our deepest unconscious impressions are stored). The physical practice will be followed by seated pranayama and a powerful San Kalpha meditation to nourish and activate our best intentions in order to bring them to consciousness and make them real in our lives.

St Andrews Church Hall, Thunder Lane, Thorpe St Andrews

£35

Contact Jessica for more information:

Tel: 07501 303 546

Jessica@blissyoganorwich.co.uk

**SPECIAL OFFER**

Know a friend with a baby aged 6 weeks-crawling? Bliss Yoga Norwich is offering for a limited time only a special reduced price of £30 for a 6 week Baby Yoga course. Just mention 'happy baby' when booking the course.

Keep warm and remember to add warming spices to your meals to help balance the winter chill. Garlic and ginger are especially beneficial at this time of year.

Love and Light

Jess x