Dear Nilaya House friends,
Our Ashtanga Yoga daily practice challenge is on again this month. Aside from committing to 21 days of practice in the month, we’ve added in an additional two components of committing to sitting for 10 minutes a day and attending our weekly philosophy talks. For a serious student of yoga, yoga practice alone is not enough. Study alongside practice is important and in fact the two things work closely together. We study yoga philosophy to give us the context of “why” we are undertaking yoga practices, and it’s important to be regularly reminded of this “why” to give our practice purpose and perspective. However, yoga itself is experiential, which means the concepts we read about on a theoretical level during our study, are to be explored and “experienced” through our yoga practice. So for this month, even if you are not able to join the daily practice challenge, I encourage you to set your own challenge of adding a component of “study” to your yoga practice, through extra reading. listening to enlightening talks or attending our philosophy classes. Also feel free to borrow a book from the Nilaya House library – there are a few new ones I just brought back from India.
Yours in Yoga,
Nea.
SPECIAL EVENTS
DAILY PRACTICE CHALLENGE
Sign up for 21 days of Ashtanga Yoga practice in April PLUS meditation PLUS yoga philosophy. Open to NEW and existing Ashtanga yoga practitioners.
If you are new to Ashtanga Yoga, even a complete beginner, this is the perfect way to kickstart a consistent daily yoga practice and for existing practitioners a great way to re-energise and get back on track!
Throughout April, aim to practice six days a week, ensuring one day a week is taken as rest. Women also rest for three days during their cycle and full moon and new moon are taken as rest days.
ADD IN MEDITATION – For those looking to develop a regular meditation practice, sign up for the practice challenge PLUS 10-15mins of meditation a day.
Email [email protected] with inquiries.
ADD IN YOGA PHILOSOPHY – Throughout the month Nea will conduct YOGA PHILOSOPHY sessions on Friday morning after led class. Sign up for the daily practice challenge PLUS attending these yoga philosophy sessions to deepen your yoga practice beyond the yoga-asana. These talks will focus on the theme of INNER AND OUT HARMONY.
We’ll be looking at the FIVE YAMAS, FIVE NIYAMAS AND FIVE KLESHAS in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (Sadhana Pada).
You may attend any of the Ashtanga yoga classes running at AYD including morning and evening Mysore classes and evening (Monday & Wednesday 8pm, Tuesday & Thursday 5pm) and Friday led classes. No prior yoga experience is need to join the Mysore classes – just a commitment to daily practice.
KIRTAN & SATSANG
with Jules Febre – Jivamukti teacher visiting from NYC
FREE EVENT
Friday April 5
7:00-9:00pm
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
FOR THE JOY OF GOING SLOW
SOMATIC YIN YOGA WITH JADE WOOD
This luscious two-hour class is based on the principles of Somatic Yin Yoga – a combination of Awareness Through Movement and Feldenkrais and the deep stillness of Yin. Sink layer by layer into the ease of your being with slow and mindful movements that lead us into deeper contact with sensation. Releasing the need to ‘do’ or achieve, moving for the pleasure of it and settling our attention into what is present for us for each of us in this moment. This class is suitable for all.
About Jade
Jade is an international yoga teacher trainer and embodiment therapist who delights in sharing the slow arts. Her mission is to release yoga practice from the dogma of perfection and return the power to the individuals who practice. Her classes are slow, poetic, kind
and safe. www.jadewoodyoga.com
Wednesday April 3
7:00-9:00pm
AED200
Pre-booking is essential. Spaces are limited.
YOGA ANATOMY WORKSHOPS WITH STU GIRLING
Friday May 3 – Saturday May 4
International Yoga Anatomy teacher and founder of the popular website and youtube site Loveyogaanatomy.com Stu Girling is back in Dubai for a series of workshops in May. Suitable for students of all yoga styles, including teachers, these workshops are a great way to increase your knowledge and understanding of yoga anatomy, beyond
the theory.
Stu’s workshops packed with practical information, presented in an accessible and easy-to-understand way.
Friday May 3
11:00-2:00pm – Hips and Related Postures
3:00-6:00pm – Spine, SI Joint, Backbending & Twists
Saturday May 4
11:30-2:00pm – Arm Balances
2:30-5:30pm – Personal Training Skills for Yoga Teachers
Pricing – AED350 per workshop
or AED1250 for all four.
UPCOMING COURSES
CANCER-RECOVERY YOGA
Six-week Course with Lina Zoghaib
Sundays 6:30-7:30pm or Wednesdays 10:00-11:00am
Starts April 14
If you are recovering from cancer and seeking a supportive environment to experience the many benefits of yoga, join us for a six-week yoga and meditation course taught by a certified Yoga 4 Cancer teacher.
Each week classes will focus on specific postures and sequences addressing common side effects after treatment in order to:
– detoxify and strengthen the body
– utilise and activate the lymphatic system
– increase range of motion and flexibility
– strengthen the immune system
– manage weight gain and enhance body image to help manage pain, fear and anxiety
– create a sense of community and feel supported toward a healthy lifestyle.
AED375 for six weeks
KIDS YOGA COURSE WITH ZAINAB ALI
Six-week Course
Ages 5-8 years.
Tuesdays 4:00-5:00pm
(3:30-4:30pm in Ramadan)
Starts April 16
AED600
(Second Sibling AED400)
PRENATAL YOGA COURSE WITH BRITNI ALLEN
Suitable for pregnant women from the second trimester onwards, with or without yoga experience (with doctor’s clearance).
Six-week Course (one session per week)
Fridays 10:00-11:00am
Starts April 19
AED700
REST DAY SELF CARE
Make sure you take one rest day from your practice once a week. On this rest day a good thing to do for the body is an ABHYANGA MASSAGE. This is an Ayurvedic massage using warm medicinal oils and firm long strokes up the limbs. It promotes circulation, and relieves pain or tension. For regular yoga practitioners, this style of massage is advised as it is gentle yet effective and soothing on the nerves. We are lucky in Dubai to have access to authentic Ayurvedic clinics. One that you might like to try to Kottakkal Ayurveda in Al Karama.
