Once a week, change your body; twice a week, change your mind; daily, change your life!
Dear Yoga Friends,
After 25 years of teaching yoga it's really interesting to see the same patterns emerge amongst those of us who love to practice yoga regularly. With time, and a sense of curiosity, it seems almost inevitable people are drawn more and more to the yoga mat.
Typically we first come to yoga and notice subtle changes in the body, a bit stronger and steadier overall. Maybe a bit softer in areas as we realise on the yoga mat we might have a tendency to clench our jaw at times, or the shoulders hunch up slightly, maybe we carry the remnants of a frown as we puzzle our way through life! Usually participants report sleeping really well on yoga night, or feeling more relaxed in general overall in the body. Typically after a few weeks of this we realise we would extend these benefits for longer during the week if we could attend a second class. After 6 months of regular practice 80% of yogis are practicing twice a week. With the second class comes new revelations.
With time and patience we begin to notice the patterns of the thinking mind. Our tendency to worry, or plan. Our tendency to ruminate or catastrophize. We notice those thinking patterns and learn to choose a different thought for the mind - usually our yoga training helps us connect with the grounded feeling of being in a strong, calm, body or we learn to tune into the smooth rhythm of the breath. Invariably this leads us to be curious about discovering more!
In our longer, quieter workshops in the tranquil space of Mutton Lane Yoga Studio, or on our 5-night retreats in Portugal, we take the time out for ourselves to discover a deeper stillness, a deeper wisdom. We notice sooner when the mind inevitably wanders, the 'coming back' happens with greater ease as sensations in the body and the breath are now more familiar to us. We learn more about who we are, we make peace with who we are.
Do yoga once a week, change your body. Do yoga twice a week, change your mind. Do yoga daily, change your life!
We have just a few last deep dives into mini-retreats in Mutton Lane before the end of the year; Wednesdays 6th November and 4th December. Mini-retreats involve a little academic learning as I introduce you to some interesting snippets of psychology or neuroscience or buddhism to help deepen our understanding of the human condition. On Saturday morning workshops we move at a slow pace through yoga, meditation and relaxation practices. All workshops emphasize a quietening of the nervous system and a curious open mind for a refreshing approach with lasting benefits. Bookings are on Eventbrite for Mutton Lane events please, I'm here for any questions at all.
We have one last retreat in Solar Aluvra Health Hotel in the Algarve, sunrise meditations, twice daily yoga, ocean swims and island excursions all combine with incredible, healthy delicious food. More information here or enquire directly with the hotel.
Yoga classes in the community have a handful of spaces in each class, please enquire. We have a one-week break coming up for mid-term and we're back early November for a six week run to take us to Christmas.
Morning classes in Ballyroan Community Centre:
Each class has just a few spaces: Monday noon, Tuesday 10.45am and Thursday 9.30am. Classes are ongoing in Ballyroan Community Centre and will continue busy now for a while. We will break for the October Bank Holiday / Halloween week, 28th-31st. More information here.
Evening classes in The Park Community Centre:
Monday's class is full, Thursday has spaces.
Mondays 7.45-8.45pm. Thursdays 6.45-7.45pm. We will break for the October Bank Holiday / Halloween week, 28th-31st. More information here.
Our Mini-retreats in Mutton Lane are two and a half hour immersions in a purpose built outdoor / indoor yoga studio surrounded by trees. Sessions include yoga, mindfulness, an education piece with discussion, tea/coffee and a deep guided relaxation. Each session is different. Tickets on Eventbrite. Price €45 per session. It's also fine to book directly with me, €40 via Revolut or cash; please just let me know so I can keep a space for you. Wednesdays 6th November and December 4th are currently on sale, thanks so much to everyone booking.
Yoga workshops and full moon workshops run in Mutton Lane all year round, please book early. Last few spaces on Saturday November 2nd and Wednesdays 6th (10am) and 13th (7pm).
Winter is the most gorgeous time of the year to experience the Algarve. Some of you have already booked for November, thank you, treasured repeat guests. Yoga retreats in Portugal are in Solar Alvura Health Hotel in the Algarve and run almost all year round.
You can see all of this at a glance on my website, sylviayoga.com. Most classes are booked directly with me and most events are booked through Eventbrite - just drop me a quick text or Whatsapp (0876822362) if you need any help in booking, I can hold a space for you.
If you didn't catch it live on air the radio show I co-hosted with Dr. Orsmond is now available as a Podcast on Mixcloud here. Thanks for all the wonderful feedback, it's great to hear the information has made an impact on decisions around medication.
I'm here for any questions at all. Thanks so much to Trish doing a wonderful job, as always, of teaching the community centre classes this week and I'll look forward very much to seeing you all back on the mat in November.
Kindest regards,
Sylvia.