This morning's class completed our November theme of hope and included EBR2 focusing on the here and now as well as the Moon Salutation/Chandra Namaskar and Eagle/Garudasana. Apologies for my disappearance during the Cat/Cow sequence. I gather that people could still hear my voice but not the picture for a short while. They say you learn from mistakes and I certainly try to (I have plenty of opportunities after all and this whole year has been one long learning curve as I've struggled to adapt to new ways of doing things I took for granted before). I can't blame the internet as it was all my fault! I plugged my phone into the power but it was the wrong lead! Note to self - allow more time to set up next week and check everything. I hope it didn't interrupt the flow too much. So as we celebrate the penultimate full moon of the very strange and unexpected year that has been 2020 I encourage you to set an intention. It can be small or big but make it achievable. For me, it is to further establish this yoga community and set it on its way into the new year. I've got lots of plans for January which I'll be sharing with you soon. For the moment my project is to produce the Body and Soul annual Advent Calendar. This year it will be very special featuring my own videos for the first time. Last year's calendar is still accessible on my website and you're welcome to use it any time you want. I'll be following a similar format for 2020 with short (five to ten minute) videos for you to explore day by day. Your challenge is to do them all and note down the secret word. Email your answers to me on Christmas Day for a bonus gift. This week's quotation is: "Everything that is done in the world is done by hope." Martin Luther (1483-1546), German Professor Your task is to take on a project: Having hope means embarking on a process and believing it will bear fruit, even if it's not right away. This week, take on a small project - either something you've been putting off or a fun DIY activity - and see it through to the end. Doing so will allow you to experience three aspects of hope: attitude, aspiration and action. Every time you see the fruits of your labour, let it inspire you to keep striving. Taken from Every Day Matters 2020 Diary by Dani DiPirro Moon Reflection I use the Moon Journal 2020 for lunar references. The journal is produced annually by Ingvild Skodvin Prestegard, a fellow Dru teacher located in Bergen, Norway. She has a Facebook community of her own and I often share her short videos and reflections on the Body and Soul Facebook page. We are now in the season of Samhain when the mother becomes the crone. This is a time for death, endings and hibernation. Samhain marks the halfway point between Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice and is celebrated at the end of October (Halloween). Meditation for the Full Moon (30th November) As the full moon shines I become aware of the beginning of my dreams forming deep within me. I listen to my soul and nurture my dreams, my inner self. Another year is almost over and I have gained much experience, which will nourish my dreams. Affirmation: I listen to my soul. Taken from Moon Journal 2020 (A Lunar Meditation Companion) by Ingvild Skodvin Prestegard Wishing you all a peaceful and productive festive season as we move into Advent. Look out for your advent calendar in your inbox tomorrow (join my mailing list if you're not already on it!). Om Shanti Mary
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NOVEMBER THEME: HOPE Sunday 22nd November 2020 Stretch and Flow Yoga This morning’s class celebrated male energy in honour of International Men’s Day which was actually last week although it doesn’t get the same attention as Women’s Day in the spring. We focused on the strong powerhouse chakra at our solar plexus, Manipura Chakra with Surya Namaskar, Salute to the Sun. Before that we tested our balance with Tree Pose / Vrikshasana – flowing and the Bikram version of a standing lotus for those who wanted to try it. Join me on Tuesday in Raphael Park’s bandstand for a 1-1 session (the morning is booked but there are still afternoon slots available). Check availability online: https://cal.smoothbook.co/5f1b819caa85381e17743f2c#/class and email [email protected] to confirm. Zoom option for those who prefer to be indoors. This week's zoom classes: Tuesday Backcare Focused Yoga 7-8.15pm Wednesday Wellness Yoga 10.00 to 11.15am Thursday Movement & Mindfulness 11.30am to 12.45 Thursday Yin & Restorative Yoga 7.00 to 8.15pm Our quote for today: “From a small seed a mighty trunk may grow”. Aeschylus (525 – 456BCE), Greek Poet Our Task for this week: Plant a small seed of hope: Hope isn’t just about thoughts or words. It’s also about action! This week, plant the seed of something that will bloom in the future. Identify one improvement you’d like to make in your life (anything from getting a promotion to buying your own place) and set it in motion. For example, talk to your boss about plans for the business or start some research on your preferred neighbourhood to see if it suits you. Taken from Every Day Matters 2020 Diary by Dani DiPirro This morning's class was a Diwali celebration with colour changing candles and a light and hope theme. Unfortunately, I couldn't share sweets but maybe we can do that next year when face to face classes are allowed again. Well, we can certainly hope!
After the usual stretches, we lit up our imaginary sky with fireworks during activations. Then EBR1 to get the energy flowing through our joints one by one and Bouncing Heels, one of the movements I shared in the bandstand this week to remove fear and increase confidence. Well done everyone for standing strong and fast in the Warriors (Virabhadrasana 1,2 and 3). Join me in the bandstand this Tuesday for an "On Demand 1-1" to check your warrior alignment (or go over any sequence or asana of your choice). A Handout with body preps and alignment cues can be downloaded from: warrior_tutorials.docx Today's quote is from Desmond Tutu "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness". Your task is to create light in darkness We talk of "finding" hope as if it's an external concept, but what if we could create hope ourselves? This week, identify someone who is struggling - someone you know or someone online going through a difficulty - and offer words of hope. This might be a kind phrase, such as "I'm thinking of you" or "I'm sending positive thoughts to you". Even a small light can brighten the darkness. Taken from Every Day Matters 2020 Diary by Dani DiPirro If you can't join me in the bandstand on Tuesday there are still plenty of other options this week: Tuesday evening: Backcare Focussed Yoga - is great for everyone whether or not you have back issues. There's a new zoom class starting on Wednesday morning - Wellness Yoga. I'll be on my patio at 10am (weather permitting) for the live session with a fun focus. The usual two classes on Thursday - Movement & Mindfulness at lunchtime, Yin & Restorative Yoga in the evening - are available for booking. And why not finish the week with the Book Club - free and open to everyone. Have a wonderful week and enjoy the rest of this Diwali weekend if you're celebrating. Happy Diwali everyone! NOVEMBER THEME: HOPE
Sunday 8th November Remembrance Sunday - Stretch and Flow Yoga Last Sunday we remembered the two world wars, and all those who've suffered and sacrificed in the many smaller wars and battles since. We practised EBR3 with the Archer sequence to send our intentions into the future and Flowing Tree before two minutes silence at 11am. It seemed appropriate to dedicate this special class to Harry Matthews who sadly died last December aged 90. Many of you will remember him outside the Tesco Community Room playing his records, raising money for charity and sometimes, I admit, trying my patience! In past years he would let me know when to stop for the two minute silence and, as an old soldier himself who served in the immediate post war years in Egypt (as did my dad) he represented the generation whose normal lives were changed so much by that period in our history. At 11.00am we stopped for two minutes silence and reflection before ending the class with Dru Deep Relaxation / Savasana. Our quote for today: "Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." Anne Frank (1929 to 1945) German diarist Our Task for this week: Create light in the darkness. Poem for Remembrance Sunday Why are they selling poppies, mummy? Selling poppies in town today. The poppies, child, are flowers of love, for the men who marched away. But why have they chosen a poppy, mummy? Why not a beautiful rose? Because, my child, men fought and died in the field where the poppies grow. Why are poppies so red? Red is the colour of blood, my child, the blood that our soldiers shed. But why mummy are you crying so? Your tears are giving me pain. My tears are fears for you, my child, for the world is forgetting again. Unknown source Tomorrow (Sunday 15th November) we’ll be celebrating Diwali, known sometimes as the Festival of Light. Hoping to spread light and love with you at 10am. |
MARY GRIFFITHSI qualified to teach in 2015 but my yoga journey started much earlier, way back in the 1970s. Here I share my experiences and passion about everything yoga. Archives
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