May in Montclair 2016

NOTE:  Friday is a moon day so take the day of rest. Saturday is Led Ashtanga with the traditional vinyasa count.  See you then!

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I always enjoyed May in Montclair and this time it has come around quickly.  So much going on we loose site of the time.  Now is always a good time to start your practice, get back into your practice or what?  Did you say “add a new pose?” There is a lot happening in the Mysore room these days and the energy of the  practitioners is focused and strong.  We still have fun, there are still some laughs but everyone has something that they long for and something that they are hanging onto.  It’s a process of letting go just enough to let other things in.    I always like to remind students that this is their time on the mat and that they are allowed to focus on only their practice.  No worries about what to do later, groceries, health issues, finances or planning that vacation.  With a practice we become clearer so that we can come to our life with right mindset to address what comes our way.

We have new classes at night now, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 6 pm, 3 different teachers teaching the Ashtanga method.  The only way to get started or to begin again is to lay out your mat.  This month we are also excited about our guest teacher David Robson coming to AYM for a weekend full of workshop sessions, May 13th to the 15th.

Lastly we will be saying goodbye to two of our dedicated practitioners at AYM.  Clarence Taylor who has was literally the first person to register for a monthly pass  in December of 2008 is moving to Syracuse this June to be closer to family (winters in Florida of course).   Casey O’Conner will be moving to Boston to settle and we are very happy for him however he will be missed greatly in our AYM family.  Looking ahead we are planning a gathering to give our best wishes this month to both of these fine people.

Namaste,
Deb

Yoga this weekend?

It’s a holiday weekend and we are in full swing with classes at Ashtanga Yoga Montclair (AYM) with our regular schedule.  Friday is a great day at AYM with two led classes with Deb and an Iyengar inspired class with C-Ray that follows. It’s a full morning and we hope you will join us as usual or come back and share your energy with us.  We are a growing community at AYM and our teachers will meet you where you are in your practice.  If you are new, we look forward to helping you get started on your yoga journey.

Saturday and Sunday we have Mysore Sessions open from 8 am to 10 am and Monday is a regular schedule with doors opening at 5:30 am.  Please email ashtangayogamontclair@gmail.com if you are a beginner and have questions.  Drop ins with a practice are welcome anytime.

12376095_10153825058675477_2434106368618309121_nFriday Led Ashtanga starts with Chant at 5:45 am and 7:30 am.  Please arrive 5 to 10 minutes early to settle in.  

Photo by Priti Collection
Photo by Priti Collection

Christopher or C-Ray teaches at 10 am Wed and Friday mornings.  Teaching for over 3 decades, C-Ray brings a wealth of knowledge and experience.  Classes may include breath work and philosophy as well.  Great for all levels and open to all class packages. Join us!

Sweet 16!

3E1B4059If I have not said it already, Happy New Year and everyone seems to be saying Happy Sweet 16!  Makes it fun and gives a different spin on the year.  It can be sweet, innocent and FUN.  We have a ton of great workshops lined up for 2016 and I am personally very excited to host such awesome and inspiring individuals starting with Day Christensen in April.  Some of you have met certain teachers and some are new to our lineup.  I am always very excited for these authorized and certified teachers to meet the dedicated group of Ashtangis at AYM.  Practice makes practice and all are welcome at these events.

Recently back from India are myself, Deb, Michelle Pitzer and Nancy Witters.  Michelle & I were practicing in Mysore with Sharath where we were inspired and challenged.  It was my third trip and starting to feel like home and showing Michelle around for her first trip was a rewarding experience.  From cultural to the dress and the animals and the scootering it was eye opening and enlightening at the same time.   Nancy Witters was in Pune which is the home of Iyengar yoga.  She was practicing and studying with her teachers there at the institute and this was her second trip.  Never long enough and planning to return for all of us.  In the meantime, we all are back at the AYM studio and look forward to sharing the knowledge that is becoming deeply rooted in our bones.

Nancy teaches every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6:30 pm.  You are welcome to come on board with a package or drop in is always welcome.

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Lastly, I want to sincerely thanks everyone for the support of the subs and the programs and AYM.  The Shala is a place that is there for you and we hope that you will make it your home for practicing and coming together.  I had a recent awareness  that what we do every day is so much more rewarding, fun and warm when we come together.  Also I am in awe of this beautiful diverse group of people and know that you inspire me!

Namaste from the bottom of my heart!

Deb

 

Teen Yoga & Mindfulness at AYM

TEEN YOGA & MINDFULNESS

“LOG OUT & TUNE IN”

MONDAYS 4:30-5:30pm @ AYM

Starting September 28th

Special New Student Rate $108/10 classes

*For more info call 973 985 1503 or email ashtangayogamontclair@gmail.com

Teacher: Julie Camp

INCREASE CONCENTRATION   *   BOOST SELF-ESTEEM   *    

RELIEVE STRESS   *       CLEAR YOUR MIND

LEARN TOOLS TO RELAX   *   IMPROVE POSTURE, BALANCE, &

FLEXIBILITY  *    EQUALIZE ENERGY LEVELS

* FIND VALIDATION & PEACE FROM WITHIN

This class is designed to be stimulating, creative, and playful. Poses will be both challenging and achievable to help teenagers overcome their fears, strengthen their focus and build their self confidence. Teens will have the opportunity to engage in healthy ways to experiment, take risks, and explore their bodies. Classes will focus on the teachings of yoga that promote gratitude, compassion, acceptance, intuition, and presence. Savasana, guided breathing, and meditation practices at the end of each class will help teens relax, unwind and develop a peaceful oasis from within.

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July 4th Weekend & Retreat

We have a moon day on July 1st.  Is is a regular schedule for the 4th of July with a Mysore Session from 8 am to 10 am.  Come early and get your practice in before the festivities for the 4th of July.  Happy Independence Day!

We are excited about the group going on the retreat to Vermont on July 9th.  We have availability for those that would like to join us.  At AYM, Tim Foster will be taking care of the Mysore session on Thursday and the Led Ashtanga classes on Friday so please come and support our program.  Those practicing with us at AYM are in good hands for sure as Tim is a long time practitioner and excellent teacher.

We end July with a workshop weekend with Ken The Rolfer.  It’s all about anatomy and asana.  You are sure to take away valuable information that will benefit you and your practice.  We hope you will come to all sessions for the wealth of knowledge awaiting you.  Ken is a longtime practitioner and friend and we welcome his  teachings.

Be sure to take a look at the new Iyengar classes on the schedule with Nancy Witters.  She has been making pilgrimages to India to study with Geeta Iyengar at the Iyengar Institute in Pune as she is a dedicated teacher of the system.  Her program is a welcome addition to AYM along with C-Ray’s Iyengar Inspired classes on Friday mornings.    

New Classes at AYM starting June 2nd

We are pleased to announce that Nancy Witters will be teaching an Iyengar class every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.   Iyengar is a tradition based on proper alignment in each pose. This class is designed for those wishing to learn the basics of the Iyengar method. This concentration allows the practitioner to build strength and increase flexibility and calm the busy mind. The use of props is encouraged (blocks, blankets, etc.) to safely gain a deeper understanding of the poses and to create greater mind/body awareness.  More about Nancy is noted below and we welcome her and her students to AYM.

About Nancy Witters10866203_10203550345534590_1813266887679850322_o

Nancy is a fully certified Iyengar yoga teacher with a teaching style that is clear, detailed, and warm hearted. She has been profoundly inspired by the genius of the Iyengar method, finding that alignment and precision in practice creates self discipline and freedom in life. Nancy hopes to motivate her students to find the wonder, joy, and power of their own practice. Nancy recently returned from her first trip to India where she had the privilege of studying with Geeta Iyengar. Joan White and Theresa Rowland are Nancy’s primary teachers and she is deeply grateful for their continued support as well as the loving encouragement of her family and friends.

“ Yoga allows you to rediscover a sense of wholeness in your life…Yoga allows you to find a new kind of freedom that you may not have known even existed.”
–B.K.S. Iyengar

 

Memorial Day Weekend Already?

  • Ready or not here we come!  Summertime!  Weekends heading to  the beach, the ocean and whatever else makes you smile in the summer.  It get’s steamy in the Shala this time of year so be sure to have a hand towel and it is necessary to have a rug or towel over your sticky mat especially if you can see pools of water on your mat.
  • We are open for practice this weekend as usual, however note the holiday time for Memorial Day, Monday the 25th of May we will start the Mysore session at 8 am.
  • Don’t forget that Alan is teaching the Sunday led class at 9:30 am.   This class is by donation so you can drop in and if you are a monthly, just come.
  • Lastly, we are gearing up for our Vermont weekend in July.   Deb will be teaching with Kiki Flynn.  This is a rare opportunity to have a senior teacher join us so we hope you will come with us.   She has so much experience to share with us.  We have space available.  It is going to be wonderful to be in nature and Vermont is extra special in the summer months and we will get to be with horses!

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This weekend at AYM-5/15

Led Ashtanga with Deb

Every Friday we come together as a group to be led through the primary series with the traditional vinyasa count.  Students of all levels who are practicing regularly enjoy the benefit of the group energy and feel inspired to practice and to grow in the practice.  We have two groups to allow everyone an opportunity to practice.  For the Led Friday Class, chant is at 5;45 am and 7:30 am so please be 5 minutes early to settle in.    For this class you are encouraged to go up to the asana or pose to where you are practicing in your Mysore practice.  If you are dropping in, no worries, just have fun and BREATHE.

 

Friday with C-Ray, Iyengar Inspired

This Friday, May 15th, we will be “Walking the DOG” .  Focus will be on Adho Mukha Svanasana.  Figure we will be going up and down and across the floor.  Interesting . . . come play, I  mean practice with us!  C-Ray’s classes will inspire you and keep you guessing and practicing and breathing.

 

Sunday’s !!

Alan Buxbaum will be leading a guided Ashtanga class every Sunday at 9:30 am.  I am sincerely very happy to be able to have an opportunity to work with Alan on the practice and sharing it with others.  He is a guided teacher and has made sincere efforts in the practice that have shown how the practice takes root.

Monday, May 18th is a Moon day

We will not have Mysore session today.  Today is also the 6th anniversary of Guruji’s passing .    I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet him.  Picture below is from 2005 at the Puck Building in NYC after Led Primary with Pattabhi Jois.

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