New workshops – first date of 2011 imminent

Our first workshop on 2011 is set for Sunday 6th Feb in Western LC (more details on the website). Usual 3 months Iyengar experience required (or 6 months of any other style) – but that’s it. And let me know if you need a lift from town.

Dates to follow imminently for the workshops thru the rest of the year.

People often delay their first workshop – I’m not sure if its because they feel they aren’t good enough yet; or that everybody’s going to be some serious yoga-head; or they think they won’t last the pace;or they should wait until they start their own practice firstI don’t think its because I’m particularly scary. If this strikes any resonance with you, please be brave and come while the chance is there: these workshops are for you. I’ve been to workshops which have been proper scary: with serious teachers and elitist students. We’ve made every provision to make sure these are friendly, positive, inviting spaces for normal (well, sort of normal people of a wide range of abilities and commitment. Its a time and space for you to explore your own practice: remember you don’t have to be good enough to go, you go to get good enough in time.

On a more pragmatic note, if you are postponing coming to your first workshop, you may miss the boat. Although we have 4 planned for this year, we need to ensure the events well supported to guarantee that they run – so please don’t delay (and tell all your yoga-pals too!).

Throughout February, there’s a 10 minute yoga challenge – 10 min practice every day for a month. Starts tuesday – join us. More to follow on this tomorrow.

Thank you to all who supported our workshops in 2010. We had 5 in the end and I thoroughly enjoyed assisting at all of them: as a teacher you never get the perspective of watching a more experienced teacher run a class and (more importantly) observe and adjustment a roomful of students – you’re either teaching the class or in it. So a real privilege there – my teaching ability has been enhanced by the experience: thank you and thanks to Chris Robins.

Peace out all

h

Future Workshop Dates Announced!!

Dates are organised for the rest of 2010. Please put them in your diary (they are all Sundays at the Western Leisure Centre 11.30 – 2.30)

Next workshop is April 25th

then 20th June

and Sept 19th

Cost is £14 for the session, or £10 if you pay 1 month ahead of time.

Same setup as before: we’re priviliged to have Chris Robins leading (and I’ll be there to support). You need to have 3 months Iyengar experience, or 6+months at any other style. If you’re lacking transport, we will arrange to pick you up outside park place (probably about 10.30).

We’re redesigning the website at the minute, and will add the dates to the new news page as soon as it’s ready.

Workshop approaches

Greetings from my first mobile posting. The new Blackberry is proving to be very practical and straightforward to use. If it goes well with wordpress, please expect to see more posts on the hoof.

So the workshop is nearly here – how exciting is that? We still have places left, so do get in touch if you’d like to attend. It’s going to be an excellent morning and I’m really looking forward to working with Chris. I know he’ll be a bit embarrassed by this, but he really is a local legend.

Try and get there for 10:45 if possible. You may also have difficulty with a satnav or google maps: it’s a new centre that’s been open a year; maps frequently show (I know this is an issue with google) the old entrance. This was on a different street and no longer exists. So aim for Cerau lane on the Cowbridge Rd West end and turn in there (just at the police station) and you’ see the big white building tucked in there on left.

It’s a shiny new leisure centre, and we’re in the dance studio – clean wooden floors, lots of natural light and plenty of yoga equipment!

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Hwyl fawr,
hibernopithecus

Breakfast Club rests for autumn and winter

I think this has come to a natural end for this year. The last sunday in September was glorious, sunny and hot. The first sunday in October was a bit water-logged.

Let’s get back to it in spring. Give me a shout in spring if I’m not quick enough for you…

Sunday Breakfast Club runs into October

Last Sunday was the best yet. Was positively hot in the sun! Imagine that: end of September and we’re getting a summer. Magic. But then, you have to get up and out early after a Saturday night to get these rewards.

I’m definitely up for giving it a go this Sunday (4th) and maybe a week or 2 yet, but I reckon it’s got 3 Sundays left in it, tops.

You are all welcome at the usual spot! Namaste

The Breakfast Club continues for now

Morning all!

We’ve been having excellent Sunday morning sessions throughout Sept. The weather has been it’s usual array of changes, but there hasn’t been much rain (and last week was decidedly hot in the sun).

We are continuing for now, but bear in mind that the season is almost over and our outdoor yoga won’t last much longer. In the meantime, you are welcome to join us this Sunday (20th) opposite Cardiff’s town hall – out there on the grass. About 10am or shortly after.

Everyone welcome. All styles. All levels. No teaching, just practice – although, if you’re stuck for ideas on what to practice, you can take your inspiration from those around you.

Hope to see you tomorrow. Namaste

Sunday 6th Sept – Breakfast Club

Hope to see you  all there: 10am -11.15 (ish). Opposite the City Hall in Cardiff. On the  grass, by the tree.

So, if you’ve  been meaning to come along and haven’t made it yet – clear the decks for Sunday morning because time is running out…

Sunday 30th

Excellent morning as ever. Three  of us on the lawn: thanks to H and B for making the effort. I’m loving starting off a bit sleepy and doing some yoga and wakening up outdoors.

The  weather was a  bit ‘south wales’ on it. But we still got 30min practice in  (including some inversions) before we were rained off and  had to retire to Borders for an early coffee and a handful of magazines.

Excellent. Same again next Sunday – 10am in Cardiff, on the lawn, opposite the city hall.

Breakfast club today and next Sunday

Excellent session this morning.  Sunshine and wind and dramatic skies and some yoga. And dry. A great way to start the day: started off sleepy and finished awake and alert and ready for the day.

City hall Cardiff

I think we’ll make it a 10am meeting from next week onward. Just to give us a chance to gather our thoughts and get down to the town hall. Saying that, the breakfast club is a great way to waken up!!

See you all next Sunday: 23rd August. 10am til 11.30 or so - usual spot…right there, beside the tree

Namaste

Yoga in the Park – Sunday16thAugust

See you in Cardiff in the usual place: on the grass opposite the town hall. 9-ish til 10.30 and a coffee after – Borders perhaps. No teaching, just practice. We can talk as much yoga as you like after.

If you’re just starting off in your personal practice and are not sure what to do, try using the 10min yoga plans to help, or think about the poses you’ve done in class and the order. If you want to check out a book: try Mira Mehta’s ‘How to Use Yoga’ (entry level) or ‘Yoga: The Iyengar Way’ (beginners ++). I’ve also discovered an excellent box set of ‘Yoga Action Cards’ by Judy Smith (Borders were selling them £4). Or speak to me and I’ll put something together for you…I’ll do it once or twice to get you off and running.

Whatever way you do it, it helps to write a plan. Keep it simple: a list of names, or stick figures. And remember your own practice isn’t necessarily about getting it right: it’s about exploration.

See you Sunday. Fingers crossed, we’ll get the weather. Namaste.