Recent events

Welcome to the December newsletter.  Looking back over 2007, we have held regular workshops, some led by local teachers and some by teachers from further afield.  These have been generally well attended and. much appreciated.  Each workshop is different and deepens our understanding of different postures.  The Yoga Days in particular are an opportunity to take time out to reflect on our practice.

·         Liz Knowles taught at the Post Office in September and, as usual, her class was very calm and quiet.  We started the class by taking our backs to the floor to orientate and enhance awareness of the back body.  Here and then in Utkatasana and other poses, the skin and surface flesh of the back pelvis was taken towards the back of the legs.  Just one example of a well-maintained theme.

·         Rita Gardner was at the same venue in October.  Rita’s class was noted for her infectious enthusiasm and dynamic style.  Even if over 60 (or feeling it!), we were given encouragement and specific techniques to work our joints thoroughly.

·         On 3 November Richard Agar-Ward was at Shirley Centre for our Yoga Day and AGM.  Richard was very good at explaining the essential spirit of Yoga as taught by Mr Iyengar; the emotional truths embodied in asana practice and the meaning of meditation in action.  He helped us understand how a pose could be enlightened by a single sustained thought as opposed to the over-busy thinking of many internal prompts.  There was practical detail as well, of course.  Richard’s demonstration of how to move the front inner groin towards the back inner groin in Uttanasana was especially vivid!  It was great to have Richard’s links with Birmingham refreshed.

Forthcoming events

A note on pricing

We need to increase the cost of Saturday mornings a little so will be charging £6 for members and £8 for non-members, apologies if you caught the premature introduction of this in October!  Also the membership is a little increased to £15 to fully cover the cost of our newsletters and magazines.  

And finally…

The Committee wishes all members and their families a Happy Christmas and New Year…enjoy your own yoga practice if your regular class shuts down for a while!

Committee

Brian Jack                   Chair               01789 205322

Graham Schofield       Treasurer         0121 472 8299

Mary Thomas              Hon Sec          0121 449 7190

Heidi Strong               Mem Sec         01564 777389

Bert Priest                   IT                    01562 631415

Prabhakara                  IYA Rep         0121-449 5279