Dear Yogis,

NEXT FRIDAY, the 9th February at 5.30, not today, my newest venture is opening… My LITTLE GALLERY OF SMALL THINGS. I have been showing you the style of work I will be exhibiting, and now you can come see.

It will be a friendly get together of my yoga family friends, students, clients (yes, you can bring a friend or two and I hope you will).

This opening will give me a chance to get familiar with our new EFTPOS SQUARE (challenging), and all the little things one has to do at an opening, chatting, handing out champers, making sure everyone is heard, explaining the work… all those things.

I had a disturbance this morning when my vac decided not to work, luckily my first appointment guest for the day planned to deliver a cleaner to the op-shop after coming to me, so it landed very serendipitously here instead.  What a fabulous gift and perfect timing –  everything should be so easy! I can now cross this off my “What God can Do” list and give thanks.

ADAPTATION?  I am also adding two YIN YOGA CLASSES to our weekly offering to make up for Windarring classes which have unexpectedly consolidated due to the NDIS reducing funding.  This happened last time I worked with Windarring so “the more things change the more they stay the same as they say”.  We yoga teachers just go with the flow.  If you want to join me..  TUESDAY 10.30 and WEDNESDAY 2.15

One of my art clients (also a boxer) when asked if she would consider doing yoga,  replied gaily that she thought yoga was “the most boring thing you could do”.  This gorgeous young mum is racing around all day, eyes bleary with lack of sleep and punishing schedule and doing boxing to relax.  I suppose she feels better when the pummelling stops, but nothings has changed for her really.  Every day is the same except she gets more tired.  She can’t tell how “over-tired” she is becoming, or what negative adaptations her brain is making to allow her just to stand up!

If only she would try Yin, but I guess she would only come if I offered HotYoga, which I don’t think is actually yoga – it an exercise regime, so I won’t be going there.

The purpose of The Functional Approach to yoga YIN YOGA,  is to harmonize the flow of Chi, the pure, universal energy, in the body.  This balanced state is experienced physically through a sense of ease and comfort; mentally, as quiet and calm; emotionally, as a feeling of peace and contentment. Many clients would not know what to do with time in the day that is not packed full.  Another NOW client of mine who also chose this frantic way of life recently had a massive stroke in response to his lifestyle of course.  NOW he is doing yoga, and lots less of everything else because he has no choice.  When i first asked him to join us he thought yoga was “nuts”, probably thought I was too.  Now yoga is saving him.  I see so many changes every week, not just in his body, but also in his mind, his philosophies, his responses… everything is changing.

I learned Yin from Paul Grilley.  He has been teaching yin for I would think 30 years or so – as I remind you all from time to time as I encourage you to read his book..  He reminds us that to achieve this flow of energy and balance requires a practice that healthfully, gently, and scientifically stresses the 24 target areas of the body using tension, contraction, and compression. In my classes I may not speak about what we are doing (we just do it) however in class we stretch through the 7 archetypal pose families and their purposes, the 24 target areas of the body (14 skeletal fragments and 10 muscle groups), and gain an understanding of skeletal variation, tension, compression (remember this mantra from teacher training???), and other knowledge I believe essential for any effective YIN yoga practice. Adaptation is essential.  Please join me – You can start with Restorative if you are unsure or are in recovery from surgery etc, and then move into Yin when you are ready.

If, as a teacher, if you would like to learn the FUNDAMENTALS AND PHILOSOPHY OF YIN, then let me know, and as soon as my mind is over the challenges I have at the moment, I will instigate a zoom teacher training class.  Next term perhaps?  

YOGA CLASSES AND STUDIO TIMES…..  

TAROT AND GITA READINGS – BY APPOINTMENT. Email me:  yogafirst2@bigpond.com

ZOOM GITA :  Monday  evenings at 6.30pm.    Although there is no charge, if you can, I would appreciate a small donation (or a big one!).  To donate go to the web site www.yogabeautiful.com.au and click on PAY VIA PAY PAL

Windarring Yoga –  Tues. 1pm a joint class –  Kyneton and Gisborne combined.

STUDIO YOGA WOODEND: Monday Hatha 1pm (full) Mon. 2.15, Wednesday Restorative 1pm YIN YOGA Tuesday 10.30 and Wednesday 2.15

NEXT STUDIO TEACHER TRAINING Sunday 25th February at 2.30

LITTLE STUDIO/GALLERY:  Opening PREVIEW Friday the 9th February at 5.30 – all my students (and friends) welcome.  I will have my newest series showing there in the original with prints and cards.  Especially a series on waxed tea bags of the Dalai Lama. The large paintings of Collette, Krishna and Ganesha will both be finished and available at this time also.

THE YOGA LUNCHEON: Saturday 27th February,  at The Full Moon Saloon. Woodend at 12noon.

SEE YOU IN THE STUDIO and in the gallery.

NAMASTE – JAHNE