Map to New Location

You are part of a community that is making a difference. Sometimes we don't acknowledge that the work we do on ourselves is the work that most directly changes the world. You, by opening and reading this newsletter, have proven that you are interested in what will make a real difference.

One of the great problems in the world today is the incredible lack of consciousness. Most of us realize that we are not present very much of the time. We are thinking about our past or our future. Thinking about what we do or don't have. Caught up in the battle to get ahead or just keep afloat. We are dealing with family or customer or money issues. We feel that we haven't made any progress. Worry that we won't get out of our assorted traps. We get concerned that our bodies or bank accounts won't hold up as we age.

So much of our present moment time can be eaten up with this endless mind chatter that we really and truly miss out on what life actual is. Now.

There is a great Yogic saying that Baron Baptiste quotes quite often. "You are either now here or nowhere". The only difference is a little space.

So that leads us to the initial question. Although we can consider that we are not our actual physical body as in "I am not my thoughts, but the thinker of my thoughts". We are in this particular body presently. This body is a tool or vessel that we care for, perform actions with, and receive the consequences from those actions good or bad. The body is very useful for coming into present moment awareness.

Consider how we relate what we feel into our physiology. The way our gut can turn or clench when we feel torn or stressed, we can actually feel a heart ache in our chest. Many of us walk around clenching or tightening certain areas of the body without even realizing it. This all stems from our current levels of unconsciousness.

Time must be taken to reclaim our bodies and therefore leave a space open for reclaiming the present moment. A physical practice such as Yoga (though any physical movement can do this with correct intentions) causes challenges and sensations (sometimes even pain) to come up for us. These are the doors that are unlocked leaving us to choose whether or not to open them. Yoga is particularly good at finding our weaknesses.

Saffron and I talk privately often about what we want to come through in our classes. We deliberate on how much we want to focus on our demonstrations. What Saffron or I demonstrate is only intended as an inspiration, to help you see what is possible. We are not guru's or sages, we are guides pointing out pitfalls and helpful clearings, offering encouragement. You are, however, left responsible for absorbing this. We each have our own personal journey. Our own practice in presence. Our ego's die slow and painful deaths.

Ultimately it doesn't matter what we do as much as who we are while we do it. What is this human being?

If we could leave every class with only one thing, one message or sensation, it would be the ability of each student to truly feel their own powerful presence. To walk out of a class room and really see the world as it is right now.

6:30 - 7:30 am classes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 8:00 - 9:30am on Saturday.

The next 4 week Beginner Series starts Wednesday October 5th 6:30 - 7:30pm.

Space is always open for drop in classes if you call before coming. Preference is given to those who have pre-registered.

If you have wanted to progress in the practice but just don't feel ready for Level 1 classes come to this class.

All Saturday 10 - 11 am classes are cancelled. Saturday 8:00 - 9:30am will continue as scheduled.

If you are a current student at Shavasana and you introduce a new student to class, we will give you a free class.

We strive to create an atmosphere that inspires and supports students. We hope to instill in our students a supportive and non-competitive environment. For that reason please wear clothing that allows you to practice freely and avoid any revealing or provocative tops.

Our centre is available to all shapes, ages, and sizes. Help us make others feel comfortable and at ease. Thank you for your support. See our website for more details or ask us.

If you know anyone who may benefit from this newsletter please forward this link to them.

Your help in growing our Yoga Centre will reward you with a greater community that supports growth!

The Yoga Journal really is an excellent resource for any practicing student or teacher.

Check out the page dedicated to postures for any questions you may have regarding them.

An excellent recent movie we saw that inspires thoughts about our consciousness. What the bleep do we know

Write us back with a quick sentence or two with what you enjoy about your practice here and it will go out in our emails and shortly on our website!

Energy, power, strength, dynamism, patience, knowledge....are just a few of many words coming to my mind when I think of the excellence of your teaching.

Thank you for having made a difference in my life, I value your teaching and philosophy tremendously. I look forward to many more years on the path at Shavasana.

Getting to know you both at the same time as deepening my Yoga practice over the last few years (since the beginning of Shavasana) could not be anything less than cherishable. Your unmatched teaching style, open minds and warm hearts have created a welcoming sanctuary for friendship and mind/body/spirit strengthening. The knowledge you share in the 'classroom of life' has seen me through all levels of Ashtanga Yoga as my soul works through endurance sport training, mental and physical injury and now pregnancy! Learning to embrace these daily phases of life and learning to LISTEN TO THE BODY as it is your greatest guider has been and continues to be a remarkable process.

I thank you graciously for all that you share with each passing day and I look forward to many more years of 'life conditioning/Ashtanga Yoga' at Shavasana.