Newsletter - August 2020

Dear One,

How do you feel at the end of a class after savasana?

How did you feel before your practice or class?

So what has changed?

Nothing in the outside world has changed. But your attitude to it might have.

Asana from the Sanskrit translates as Attitude.

When your attitude changes your perception changes.

The good news is that although you can’t control the world, you can make simple, playful choices about what you focus on. A subtle shift in attention can change your day. The Ishaya monks put it very well:

“Attention is an endlessly powerful and creative force. Focus on the news and the troubles of the world, on what you’re fearful or anxious about, on thoughts about what is wrong or lacking, and those qualities will grow to dominate your day.

Focus on what you appreciate, what you’re grateful for, who and what you love, and those experiences will fill your day.”

Please teachers could you read and learn the 8 limbs of yoga in “Presence the truth of yoga” - pages 114-116. I have precised and made them easier to digest.

In “Light on Yoga” its pages 31-53.

To be an Ishaya your 1st vows are Yama & Niyama. So it was easy for John & myself to make them. Our Ishaya names are Parasakti & Shankara.

So good to see those that came to the day on Wednesday 15th July.

Our Saturday 9am – 11am Zoom class is going well, but it was good to be able to give hands on corrections, its so personal, direct and does not involve your intellect. It would take many words to describe the alignment of a posture whereas hands can mold the body in seconds. There was such wisdom in Mr Iyengars corrections, by releasing the over stretched areas and wakening up the sleepy or lazy ones, he brought the body/mind back into balance; it took away any strain out of the posture.

When you receive an adjustment how long can you hold it?

Our next weekend is 25-27 September is at Hawkwood in Stroud, a 19th-century Grade II listed building overlooking the Stroud Valley. It is set in 42 acres of beautiful gardens, woods and fields, with its own spring water, and is in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is a very special place; recuperating and uplifting. We do offer a full programme, so please feel free to attend all or any - or just rest, explore and absorb the incredible views from this fine country manor.

Next term we are back at Asthall Manor, Burford on Monday 7th September at 7.30pm & Beaconsfield Hall, Shipton-under-Wychwood on Wednesday 9th September at 9.45am. Please see our website for more details and also for the 2020/2021 dates of our yoga days “A Different Day in Yoga” held at Beaconsfield Hall.

There is a holiday class with me on 24th August at Enstone Parish Hall OX7 4AZ at 7.30pm – please contact Nikki Jackson (07816 786656) to book.

Teachers and trainee teachers, I am giving a talk on the skeletal body (with the help of Sam the skeleton) to the British Wheel TT students on Saturday 15th August, please email me for the link and please do watch it. I feel you would enjoy this further knowledge on the body.

Breath and practice well

Love

Ruth