February 2010

Jaya Yoga Center
1626 8th Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11215
718-788-8788
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February Focus of the Month
Kapalabhati / Saucha
The Sanskrit word saucha is often translated as purity and cleanliness. Saucha provides our philosophical focus for the month. The first of the niyamas in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali lets us know of the vital importance of purity. We purify the body and mind by what we do with them and by the direction we point them in. The asana practice is a natural cleanser and a daily antidote to toxic buildup in the body.

In the wake of a healthy body, the mind becomes clear, including the more subtle aspects of our being, the nadis and koshas, which also become more finely attuned. As a result, a less attached, deeper person emerges. With purification comes health from the inside out. We are not here practicing yoga just to become good at tasks, the asanas; the view of yoga is holistic. As we contemplate saucha our view of this practice will undoubtedly grow.

Kapalabhati, a.k.a. skull shining breath, is our physical focus for the month. Kapalabhati goes hand in hand with saucha, in that it is a deep purifier of the lungs and a pranayama that balances out the nadis. Kapalabhati can be practiced with kumbhaka (retention), between alternate nostrils, and even in asanas themselves. This pranayama is warming to the body and helpful in deflecting illness. This practice can help us get through the heart of the winter, enhancing our prana in the process.

Every week for the month of February!
Deep Rest
with Kyle Shepard
Sunday, 7:45 - 9:10 pm
2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28
Restorative, a.k.a. deep relaxation, focuses on how the yin (receptive) qualities of the poses can be tapped to induce deeper states of rest and relaxation. This class has one sole aim: deep mindful rest. This is a great class if you wish to reduce stress in your daily life. This class has recently been dubbed the "Rolls Royce of relaxation!"
$15 to drop in, or use your class card

FREE KIDS' CLASS
with Kenzie Pause
February 10
3:30 - 4:15 pm
Please join us for this free Kids' Class. All kids ages 4 to 8 are welcome. Your child will learn to practice asana, learn the names of the poses in Sanskrit, sing songs, and have a great time for sure. No experience needed.
Sign up here.

KIRTAN
Fridays, 8 - 9:30 pm
February 12, Nina and Devadas
February 26, Nina
Come and be lead through beautiful Sanskrit chants to uplift the spirit. Offered by donation. Please join us for these special evenings of music and devotion.

Partner Yoga and Thai Massage Class
with Ramit Kreitner and Kenzie Pause
Saturday, February 13, 6 - 8 pm
Connect with a loved one (partner, friend, parent, child) this Valentine's Day weekend with this special partner yoga and Thai massage class. The partner yoga will be followed by a yoga massage sequence, during which both participants will get the opportunity to give and receive massage. Ramit and Kenzie are excited to share this unique amalgamation for a special class experience. Class will be followed with champagne and truffles! All levels welcome. No previous experience necessary.
$60 per couple
Space is limited. Register here.

BEGINNERS ONLY!
FREE INTRODUCTION TO YOGA CLASS
with Carla Stangenberg
Monday, February 15, 4:45 - 5:50 pm
Please bring yourself and a friend to Jaya Yoga Center for a free introduction to asana (posture) practice, meditation, and even a little philosophy. We are equipped with all the props you will need during your class, free for you to borrow. Everyone is welcome! No reservations needed — just show up!

Jaya Book Club / Study Group
Friday, February 19, 8 pm
The book we are studying is the first volume of Eknath Easwaran's three-volume set The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living: The End of Sorrow. Please make sure you get this book, not just his translation of the Gita; this one has commentary that ends up being a big part of the discussion. Chapters 3-4 will be the subject of our second meeting. Please come if you're interested; don't worry if you did not come last time.

Actions do not cling to Me because I am not attached to their results. He who understands this and practices it lives in freedom. —Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, Verse 14, translated by Eknath Easwaran

Kids' Classes
6-week series
with Kenzie Pause
February 24 - March 31, 3:30 - 4:15 pm
Children ages 4 to 8 are welcome at this series of classes. Your child will be introduced to the practice of asana, learning the names of the poses in Sanskrit, singing songs, and having a great time! No experience needed.
$90 for the series, or $17 to drop in
Register here.

BEGINNERS ONLY!
6-Week Beginners' Series
Sundays, February 28 - April 4, 2 - 3:15 pm
This class is tailored to the newcomer to yoga. You will be eased into the practice by the skillful attention of your teacher. You will learn basic body awareness exercises; basic yoga poses (asanas) that stretch, lengthen, and strengthen your body; and a handful of techniques to help reduce stress in your daily life. At the end of your six classes, you will be ready to join any of our Basic-level classes.
If you miss one class, you can attend a make-up class on Thursdays at 7:45 pm.
$90 for the series, or $17 to drop in
Contact namaste@jayayogacenter.com to pre-register.

Yoga for Men: Shoulder Openers Workshop
with Michael Gates
Saturday, March 6, 5:45 - 8:15 pm
Got tight shoulders from over activity or inactivity? Check this workshop out – it will give you some tools to work with to unlock the tight spots. The results of this workshop will vary, but you can expect more energy in your pursuit of physical activities, whether it be swimming, golf, weight training, etc., and less discomfort. You will gain knowledge of the anatomy of the shoulder girdle, yoga poses (asana), and a little meditation. All levels welcome!
$25 pre-registration / online price, or $30 if paid day of workshop
Register here.

Advance Your Practice Workshop
with Carla Stangenberg
Saturday March 13
5:45 - 8:15 pm
This is a workshop for the yoga practitioner who wants to get a little further. This time around will focus on hip openers and throw in a couple of arm balances for good measure.
$25 Register here.

Labor and Delivery Workshop for Couples
With Kelly Devi
Sunday, March 21
6 - 9 pm
This workshop will help you to connect with your innate maternal wisdom as you learn the techniques that facilitate natural childbirth. Partners will learn practical ways to provide support during the miraculous process of birth. This workshop is a part of the prenatal yoga class series package but can be attended separately.
$85 Register here.

Coming to Jaya
Abdi Asadi author of Shadows on the Path
March 28
8 pm
Abdi Assadi is coming Jaya to share his insights into the spiritual path with us. He will talk, lead meditation and sign books. Please save the date.

Sharon Returns
Meditation Workshop: Tools for Awakening Courage, Faith, and Compassion
Sharon Salzberg
Wednesday, May 5, 8pm
This evening focuses on the practical tools that help us go beyond our constricting habitual patterns, such as fear and denial. Awakening the inner capacities we all have, meditation allows us to transform our worldview from one of isolation and confusion to one of connection, clarity, and compassion.

Especially in times of uncertainty, meditation opens us to a power of faith and courage based on seeing things just as they are.

Suitable for both new and experienced meditators, the program will consist of guided meditations, talks, and time for questions and answers.

$25 Register here.

Drop into a Series in Progress
Prenatal Yoga
8-week series
With Kelly Devi
Saturdays, 2 - 3:30 pm
Celebrate your pregnancy through the peaceful and empowering practice of prenatal yoga. This class offers a peaceful environment in which to connect to your body and your baby throughout the journey of pregnancy. Classes are geared toward keeping you strong, toned, informed, relaxed, and focused as you prepare for labor and motherhood. Prenatal yoga can help to alleviate the common discomforts associated with pregnancy and offers a unique opportunity to network with other moms-to-be.
Drop in $17/class

6-Week Beginners' Series
with Carla Stangenberg and Sarah Selig
Sundays through February 21
2 - 3:15 pm
Drop in $17/class

UPDATES

Men's Class Update
The biweekly class will be replaced with a monthly workshop. If you are looking for a friendly easy way into the practice, please attend the Thursday evening Beginner/Basic 7:45 pm class (while not officially a men's class, it does seem that a lot of guys attend this class). The slow pace will make you feel comfortable and interested in learning more about the practice.

Monday 12 - 1:25 pm Intermediate
with Judy Atrubin
Judy takes the reins of the 12 pm intermediate class on Mondays. Judy is a wonderful teacher, full of insights from her amazing practice. Recently Judy competed teacher training with the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy program for which she received a scholarship. She has a lot of new tricks and information up her sleeve to share with you. Judy also teaches the Thursday 9:30 am Open-level class.

"Judy's classes are informative, appropriately challenging, and lots of fun!" —Carla Stangenberg, Jaya Director

A quick note about Intermediate classes at Jaya: Intermediate is the level between Basic and Open. If you have been practicing Basic for a while and wonder which class to take next, Intermediate level is for you. These classes will break down the more challenging asanas that appear in Open level. You can think of it as more workshop-oriented.

Affordable Acupuncture at Jaya
with Leah Sasha Schwartz, L.Ac.
Thursdays, 12 - 3 pm
A typical session involves a health history and wellness assessment. Specific acupuncture points are recommended to achieve the most fluidity and flow of internal energies or Qi (chee). Sterile hair-fine single-use needles are gently inserted and retained as you lie comfortably and rest. Ten to 30 minutes later, the needles are removed and you experience sensations of realignment with yourself.

If you would like an appointment, please email; we are taking appointments at half-hour intervals.

RETREAT
Jaya Yoga Tenth Anniversary Celebration Retreat in Guatemala
April 10 - 17, 2010
With Sarah Selig and Carla Stangenberg
We hope you will join us for this yoga retreat celebrating the tenth anniversary of Jaya Yoga Center. Lake Atitlan is 4,500 feet above sea level, a perfect place for reflection on your personal practice and the connection of all of us together in the wonderful Jaya community. Everyone is welcome – even those who do not currently practice at Jaya. We will have two daily yoga classes including asana, pranayama, meditation, and deep rest (not necessarily in that order). Each day there will be "open studio" where Carla and Sarah will be available for your practice questions. The beautiful setting, three meals each day, a sauna, and an excursion round out this experience. For more information, click here.

Thank you for your practice, patience, and good humor for the past year. We are looking forward to another great one together.
-Jaya News Department