Attending to your inner fire

January 2022

A Happy New Year to you. Although the skies and have been grey and we’ve had our fair share of rain, I hope you’ve managed to get out in nature over the Christmas holidays.Being outdoors gets us out of our heads and into our bodies. Part of the yoga tradition is to work with the five elements, known as the ‘mahābhūtas’. The five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) are the building blocks of our material world. Some spiritual disciplines seek to ‘transcend’ or rise above the material world. Other traditions, such as Saiva Tantra, encourages us to become grounded in the world through our senses, rather than living in a mental world of our own making, which is not a true reflection of reality and where experience can appear dull and lifeless. It is through the element of earth that we ground ourselves. This element is associated with the sense of smell. Through the element of water we find flow, fluidity and creativity. This element is associated with the sense of taste. The element of fire provides warmth and light and is associated with the sense of sight. We can see the element of fire as an inner fire that warms and sustains us. Fire also has the power to transform, cleanse and purify. ‘Tap’ the Sanskrit word for ‘to heat intensively’ is the root of the word ‘tapas’ which can be translated as self-discipline. The fire that brings us to the yoga mat each week! Fire is also the light that provides vision, direction and clarity. We can use the light of the mind’s awareness to set our intentions as we decide where to focus our energy. This is a useful element to contemplate as we move into New Year, perhaps feeling the urge to set intentions for the coming year. Where will you direct your ‘fire’ during 2022?

Making room for emptiness

November 2021 How are you? In contrast to the lockdown months, I’m finding life more hectic than ever – the roads and streets are busy and our family diary is full of activities and events. While I wouldn’t want to return to lockdown times, I do miss the stillness and silence. In our culture we seem to value ‘doing’ over not-doing (or ‘just being’). Often our ‘doing’ is habit or routine, carried out without reflection, almost as if we’re half asleep. When we manage to strip away our habits of moving, breathing and thinking – ‘going through the motions’ – we can be awake to the present moment. As we ‘empty out’ we notice what arises (sensations, thoughts and emotions). We watch these things arise and we watch them disperse, like ripples on a pond, returning to stillness. A goal of the yoga tradition is to experience emptiness. When you hear the word ‘emptiness’ it may conjure up thoughts of something bleak, desolate, lonely and lifeless. But in yoga, emptiness equates to openness, potential, receptivity. And emptiness (pure consciousness) is something far from lifeless – it’s a totally alive, vibrant stillness that’s full of energy. When we make room for emptiness we can notice what arises from the stillness at the centre of all our ‘doing’. In the words of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, we can ‘rest in our essence nature.’ As the Christmas frenzy starts to build, you’re welcome to join me for a rest from all your habitual ‘doing’. Sometimes in class we move, sometimes we’re still. We’re always shifting sensation, thoughts, emotions, energy (which are all different aspects of the same thing) to shake off those habits that get us stuck, weigh us down and cloud our perception of the world around us.

‘Practice yoga …all is coming’

September 2021 What happens when we practice yoga? We start to notice how we are – not just physically, but also energetically, mentally and emotionally. Because we’re all unique, we each engage differently with a physical sensation or an instruction/suggestion. We all experience life through the lens of our own conditioning. Our habits affect the way we move, the way we think, how we interpret how we feel. But despite our differences, when we practice yoga we all drop into a shared experience of letting go. There is nothing to fix. The goal is not to somehow craft a ‘new you’, but to strip away – layer by layer – our habits, the weight of our identity, our sense of being separate from the world around us. In the words of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, we ‘still the fluctuations of the heart-mind’ and ‘rest in our essence nature’. These moments of connection can be fleeting. Other outcomes of our practice are more constant – maintaining a functional range of movement, calming the nervous system, releasing feel-good endorphins, improving circulation and releasing toxins. Yoga is best approached with ‘a beginner’s mind’…empty of expectation, as if we were coming to the mat for the first time. As we surrender to the experience our inner landscape begins to open up. “Practice yoga…all is coming.” Pattabhi Jois

Growing your network

June 2021 

How is your year unfolding? Do you feel that you have a good network in place to provide you with support when you need it?

We are all interconnected – this is something that has come into sharp focus for me during the pandemic. Over the last year I’ve expanded the web of people who support me, either directly or indirectly. I’ve been to see my osteopath, I’ve had Cranio Sacral treatments and massages. I’ve joined online courses, read books, listened to inspiring teachers on podcasts and had great conversations on walks with friends.

In my last newsletter I talked about invisible hands supporting me when I surrender into my yoga practice. In addition to this, there are actual real-life hands in place! I’m grateful for all my guides and fellow travellers, who support me so I’m able to support others.

It’s all out there if you choose to look. Have you considered reaching out and expanding your web of support?

Being with not knowing

May 2021

How have you found the easing of lockdown?

One constant in this pandemic is that everyone’s experience has been different.

We’ve all experienced upheaval over the last year or so – at work, in the patterns of our daily lives or through the effects of Covid directly on ourselves, our friends and family.

Right now feels to me like a period of transition. Transitions can feel a bit uncomfortable, even if they’re positive, like walking in a new pair of shoes.

A yoga practice can support us through times of transition. While you’re on the mat you can slow down and listen – noticing how the last year has landed in the body. Connect with your breath. Start to release some of your patterns of holding tension in the body. Notice the support of the floor beneath you and allow yourself to let go of the pressure of being someone, going somewhere – even if it’s just for the next hour, or for the next five minutes.

One of the most challenging aspects of the pandemic has been that we have been forced to be with not knowing. This ‘not knowing’ threatens our comforting belief that we’re in control. And yet the truth is that control is an illusion…none of us know what the future holds. When we recognise that our efforts to control our lives in any meaningful way are fruitless, we can let go of the struggle. We stop swimming and discover that we can float. It is when I truly let go that I feel invisible hands supporting me.

But letting go is really hard for us humans! So we need to be kind to ourselves. When I find letting go difficult (which is most of the time), I say to myself, “how human of me”, I take a breath and I begin again. Luckily for us this process is not an intellectual exercise (as intellectual exercises tend to tie us up in knots). Moving and breathing differently is a doorway into letting go.

Spring & Summer 2021: classes and weekend yoga

Hello friends, I’m so happy that we’ll be back in studio in a few weeks. Zoom has been great, but I’ve missed being able to see you all as full, embodied people! I really enjoy the beautiful synchronicity of breath and movement when we’re practicing together in the same room. I’m thrilled to be back. Booking is now open for my studio classes and you can book your space here.

Weekly timetable from 18th May Tuesday 9.30 am – 11.00 am: The Space, Hangleton 11.30 am – 1.00 pm: The Space, Hangleton Wednesday 9.30 am – 11.00 am: Tree of Life, Portland Road, Hove Thursday 10.00 am to 11.15 am: Zoom class 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm: Tree of Life, Portland Road, Hove (also available on Zoom)

In addition to regular classes, I’m very pleased to be able to run three weekend yoga events over the Summer. These longer sessions include a mix of asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathwork), meditation, yoga nidra (deep relaxation or ‘yogic sleep’) and exploration of yoga philosophy.

Saturday afternoon yoga, 12th June 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm at Upper Beeding & Bramber Village Hall A lovely hall with plenty of space and parking. Only a 15 minute drive from Hove. Cost: £28 Sunday morning yoga, 13th June 10.00 am – 1.00 pm at Tree of Life, Portland Road, Hove Cost: £28

Sunday afternoon half day retreat – 11th July 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm at Yoga by Nature, Pickwell Estate, Bolney A three-hour yoga session followed by delicious tea and cake and a walk in the grounds of the Pickwell estate. A really stunning and luxurious venue that offers the opportunity to get away from it all…you can find out more here Cost: £50

If you’d like to join me at any of these events you can book your space here.

I’ve had a number of requests to continue with my Thursday morning Zoom class. Zoom has served us well and I know for some, practicing from home is really convenient and people have enjoyed having access to the class recording. So there is always the option to join me on Zoom, or sign up for the Zoom class and watch the recording at your leisure if that suits you best. So as we enter this new phase and move towards Summer, I look forward to seeing you either in person or on Zoom, Jo xx

December 2020: classes, workshops and a Yoga Nidra for…

I hope you’re doing OK.  For some, right now may feel like a bit of a struggle.  There’s not much sunlight around and perhaps your Christmas plans won’t be quite what you hoped for this year.

But we’ve come a long way and brighter times are in sight.  We’ve adapted, we’ve had to deal with change, which probably felt a bit uncomfortable at the time, but as a result maybe we’ve all grown a little…

During this unusual year I’m finding it essential to make time for the things that ground me and also give me a lift…getting into the great outdoors, connecting with others, nurturing seeds of ideas for the future and of course yoga!

Usually I take a break from teaching over Christmas, but this year I’ve had a few requests to run some extra Zoom classes to keep us all moving and connected. 😊

If you’d like to join me, here’s the schedule:

December classes

Last class at The Space: Tuesday, 22^nd December

Last class at Tree of Life: Wednesday, 23^rd December – you can also join this class on Zoom

Christmas Zoom class: Wednesday, 30^th December

The normal schedule resumes on Tuesday, 5^th January.

To book please visit: joshawyoga.com/classes

January yoga afternoon – Saturday, 9^th January

In the New Year I’ll be running a yoga afternoon on Saturday, 9^th January, 2pm to 5pm at Beeding and Bramber Village Hall.  It’s a lovely hall with plenty of space (social distancing will be a breeze!), plenty of parking and only a 15 minute drive from Hove.

During the afternoon we’ll be exploring how our practice – asana (postures), pranayama (breathwork), mantra (sound) and yoga nidra (yoga sleep) – can be a source of vitality for the whole body.  There are many unseen benefits – for our nervous system, respiratory system and digestive system to name a few.  The health of our internal systems underpins our sense of vitality.  As you’ll know if you’ve been coming to my classes, yoga is not just about stretching!

Each time we come to the mat we notice where we’re at – physically, energetically, emotionally and mentally – and this is our starting point.  As we begin to tune in, we can notice that yoga brings about a shift in these states.  We become aware that we have the tools to change our experience of the present moment.

If you’d like to join me, you can book via my website.  Gift vouchers are also (please email me at joshawyoga@gmail.com).

A Yoga Nidra for a winter’s evening

If you’re interested in finding out more about Yoga Nidra, or trying it yourself at home, I’ve uploaded a new recording to my website.  I hope you enjoy it.

I hope you all have a restful Christmas break,

Stay well and warm and I hope to see you soon,

Namaste,

Jo x

Class Update Autumn 2020

Hello friends,

I hope you’re in good health and you’ve found ways to enjoy this unusual Summer.

2020 has asked us all to become more inventive and adaptable…little did we know a year ago that we’d be meeting on Zoom or in parks or gardens to practice yoga.  I’m very grateful that our yoga community has held together through the pandemic, at a time when we’ve needed our practice to ground us and keep us well.

Yoga class update

I have lots of news.  I’m pleased to say that I’ll be returning to teaching in studios in September.  My outdoor classes will continue until the end of the month (weather permitting) and my Thursday Zoom class will continue indefinitely.

Studio classes

Sadly, James and Sam Pickard will be closing The Healthy Living Company at the end of Summer.  I wish them luck for the future.

Happily, the studio on Northease Drive will be opening under new management and I will be running a class on Tuesday mornings, 9.30am to 11.00am (start date to be confirmed).

In addition, I’m very happy to say that I’ll be teaching at The Tree of Life Centre on Portland Road in Hove on Wednesday mornings, 9.30am – 11.00am and Thursday evenings, 7.30pm – 9.00pm.  The Tree of Life is a lovely venue – you can find out more at https://www.tolcentre.com/

Classes at Tree of Life will be starting on Wednesday, 9th September.

To ensure that classes are Covid compliant:

• Class sizes will be limited to 6 students
• Please bring along your own mat and blanket (and any other props you have)
• I’ll bring along some additional equipment and then take it home with me again so I can clean it regularly.

How studio classes will work

Please book your space via my website (joshawyoga.com).  Tree of Life classes can also be booked via the Tree of Life website https://www.tolcentre.com/.

You have the option to book blocks of Tree of Life studio classes:

• £12 drop in
• £55 for 5 classes (£11 a class)
• £100 for 10 classes (£10 a class)

Blocks of classes booked through the current system are for Tree of Life classes only.  However all payments come direct to me (rather than being held by the studio) and are valid for a year from the date of purchase.  I’ll update everyone on how payment for Hangleton classes will work in due course.

Anyone who is new to my classes is welcome to attend their first class for free and if you bring a friend, you and your friend receive a free class.  Please spread the word!

You can either contact me directly to claim this offer before you book a class via my website (and I will book spaces manually without payment) or I can refund payment to those claiming this offer after the class.

New Yoga Timetable from September

Monday or Tuesday in September (weather permitting)

9.30am – 10.45am: outdoor class (£8 – variable dates and venues) Book here

Tuesday (start date to be confirmed)

9.30am – 11.00am: Northease Drive, Hangleton

Wednesday (from Wednesday, 9th September) Book here

9.30am – 11.00am: Tree of Life Centre, Portland Road, Hove

Thursday

10.00am – 11.15am: Zoom Class (£8) Book here

(From Thursday, 10th September)

7.30pm – 9.00pm: Tree of Life Centre, Portland Road, Hove Book here

A yoga practice gives us an opportunity to step off the hamster wheel, to release tension in the body, to find freedom in the breath.  To sink beneath the distractions of our habitual thought patterns to a quieter place.  I hope you’ll be able to join me over the coming months.

Namaste,

Jo x

An update on plans for outdoor yoga classes

Hello friends,

I enjoyed teaching my first outdoor classes this week and happily the sun shone for us.

I plan to continue outdoor classes through the Summer (usually on a Monday or Tuesday, or both) depending on the weather and on family commitments.

Each Thursday I’ll have a look at the weather and add any new outdoor classes for the following week onto the website joshawyoga.com.

The venue will vary – next week we’ll be at Portslade Old Village Green (Locks Hill/South Street) on Monday and on Tuesday a student who lives in Portslade Old Village has kindly offered to host a class in her garden.  Anyone is welcome to book for either class.

If you have a good-sized garden and you’d like to host a class, please get in touch!

It’s so nice to finally see some of you in person.  And just to mention that my Thursday morning Zoom class continues every week, so even if it rains, we can practice together.  If you’re unable to join us live, you’re welcome to book and receive a recording of the class to watch at a time that works for you.

Namaste,

Jo xx