January newsletter ~ join me in 2020!
‘Be soft in your practice. Think of the method as a fine silvery stream, not a raging waterfall. Follow the stream, have faith in it’s course. It will go on it’s own way, meandering here, trickling there. It will find the grooves, the cracks the crevices. Just follow it. Never let it out of your sight. It will take you.’ Shang Yen.
Dear yoga friends,
If you are showing up on your yoga mat regularly to relax, move, and breathe, well done, you are on the course!
We first come to yoga inspired by a desire to improve body, mind, and well-being and we discover it works.
With time and effort we learn the skills to notice the breath which relaxes the breathing muscles, the whole body, and the mind. We learn to access this breath awareness at will in life, which becomes the gateway to accessing calm at will, and we begin to move through our lives with greater ease and grace. We find we are getting stronger with fewer niggles and aches. We move better, we sleep better, and we feel better.
As we go deeper into our yoga journey we learn how to meditate, in movement and in stillness. Our practice of breath connection becomes more compelling, more effortless, easier … we do it more. On and off the mat. In the quietness of the mediative mind we are strong enough and courageous enough to engage our enquiring mind. We learn to notice sensation and how the fluctuating thoughts have corresponding physical sensations which we can notice without judgement. This brings us freedom.
If you are showing up regularly on your mat you are going deeper! Like the stream, there is no hurry. The path to your greater happiness and freedom is always waiting there for you, always ready to welcome you. The important part is that you show yourself compassion when it’s not going well, and you forgive yourself, and you step back onto the course anew each time.
This year my focus is on continuing to re-acquaint you with the sensations in your inner body so you can let go of tension and experience being fully present. I am very excited to roll out exciting adventures for you to join me in so we can practice together!
Weekly classes in Dublin run as usual, Teacher Training with Yoga Hub is ongoing.
Monthly workshops will run all year - usually the second Saturday in the month - this year with a large dose of ADVENTURE thrown in.
January’s Advanced Yoga workshop on Saturday 18th is in The Park and open for booking: Strength, ease and mindfulness. We’ll be local for February, Saturday 15th will be in The Park.
In March we are taking our workshop on the road for a Mindfulness Event in the tiny village of Redcross, Co. Wicklow, to the beautiful Latin Quarter to immerse ourselves in other-worldly delights and comforts, as we take time and space to explore the quiet within. A half-day out of your life to explore and discover YOU. Please message for bookings as spaces are very limited.
In April, Friday 17th, 10am -5.30pm, we are going up-scale to the beautiful country house of Orlagh in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains. Co-hosted by Josie Sykes, this entire day is all for you to immerse yourself in yoga, mindfulness, mountain hikes and delicious healthy food. Please message to book as we have LIMITED spaces for this one, Josie and I sold out our last event in days.
My first Exotic Yoga Retreats event of the year is in June in Portugal. This event is NEARLY SOLD OUT and I am so excited to be welcoming dear friends who retreat with me to this one. The venue is really special, this whole week is about healthy indulgence. You will be treated to strong Vinyasa flow with Danielle daily on this retreat, I’ll be guiding you deeper into thoughtful alignment and a meditative journey deeper into your own personal mindfulness practice.
I’ll be back in touch before the summer to confirm we’ll be back in Marley Park this summer- wihoo! I can honestly say this class has made me change my mind completely about Irish summers and I fully intend to be fully present for all of July and August, with many of you joining me on our summer mornings in Dublin’s most beautiful outdoor space. We practice in the rain (and LOVE it!) We took off for a spontaneous dip in the Irish Sea after one of our classes last summer - YES to more of this!!
Online yoga classes and meditation practices for you to follow at home are available to you any time. Morning flow: Rise and Shine; Evening flow: Stretch and Release and guided meditation practices for day and night are all here. I've just combined all classes into one Zen Collection, all you need for your home yoga practice any time!
Huge thanks and kindest regards from my cosy kitchen with the fire lighting, the dogs snoring, the coffee strong. I’ve done my ten minutes of meditation, my gratitude journaling. The next priority for me today is to hug my loved ones with my full attention and deepest love when I see them.
A stream, not a raging waterfall.
Stay on your path yogis, be soft, it will take you.
I’m so grateful, and humbled, and excited, to be on the mat with you for another year,
Namaste,
Sylvia.