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Class Descriptions Summer 2009

                             

YOGAPOLITAN  A  class dedicated to the student with a busy schedule/ those needing time from the work world, shopping or a break from the children.  Yogapolitan meets Monday thru Thursday at noon for about an hour.  The pace of the class will vary from day to day with time for rest at the end of each session.  This class is for the moderate beginner thru advanced student.

ASHTANGA QUEST  More than the predictable vinyasa flow class, this class will excite the student with a challenging mix of poses from the 1st thru 4th Ashtanga series.  Enjoy this energetic class with modificaiton or rest when necessary.  By moving frequently thru this specialized class, the student will develop strength and confidence to further is personal exploration of Ashtanga yoga.  This class gives us a chance to explore esoteric poses.  For FIT beginners thru advanced practictioners.  All levels welcome but come expecting a serious workout!

BEYONDtheBASICS A class perfect for someone who is returning to yoga, is short on time or has just finished the basic series.  In this class the student should be familiar with sun salutations and standing poses of Ashtanga yoga.  The first 1/2 hour will be the same in each class so students can continue to refine the fundamental poses,  During this portion of the class there will be more adjustments so the student can develop muscle memory to achieve the proper alignment.  The remainder if the class will be spent learning and practicing other sseated asana, the closing asana or vinyasa sequencing.  This class is a preparation for the Primary series practice and the Vinyasa classes.

ASHTANGA  The full or intermediate series of Ashtanga yoga.  This is a guided class.  Knowledge of Sun Salutations A & B and standing postures is assumed,  Some knowledge of the seated postures and the closing is assumed.  The class flows with the breath from posture to posture through the entire series.  The focus is to keep moving with the breath, bandhas and drishti.  There are many posutes in the series who full expression requires years of effort for most students.  The practioner learns to explore his body from the inside where the movements are manifested.  This practice is a moving mediation. (99% practice 1% theory)

ORGANIC VINYASA  Here you will find intelligent yoga sequencing, A great workout and an energizing break for your day with dynamic and unique movement.  Organic Vinyasa follows the breath and teachers connection to each class with the weaving of postures together.  Never the same class, since there is no systematized method of teaching, prepare for the element of surprise as the postures range from challenging and powerful to subtle and poetic.  Intermediate thru Advanced

MYSORE CLASS  Instead of an instructor-led class, students practice at their own pace and level, receiving individual attention and adjustments from the instructor.  The only requirements are a strong foundation and consistent class attendance.  The Mysore format accommodates students of all levels (except complete beginners).  Ashtanga is intended to be an individual, meditative practice, best achieved in this supportive setting.  Questions or concerns contact:  Megan Nigro  megnigro@gmail.com  617 997 3697

OPEN STUDIO  Do the practice of your choice, for the length of time you choose/no instruction. 

 

 

Summer 2009

  RAVEN YOGA SHALA******IT’S SUMMER!
 
                                          

                                                                     
It’s hot… it’s raining… it’s cool… it’s summer in Juneau!  Wait 15 minutes and it will probably change.   Years ago, so as not to seem ungrateful to the Universe, I picked one season to complain about - winter of course!
Summer is my favorite season (maybe being from Florida has something to do with that?.  (Ninety degrees and ninety percent humidity.) On my early morning or dusky treks down the Lemon Creek Trail I am in wonder of the forest floor, its radiant greens dazzle my eyes and when all is so quiet I hear the fern fronds pushing through the damp earth looking for the opportunty to unfurl their glory and partake in this jubilant palette nature has so artistically mixed.  I certainly see the Devils club leaves spread out as an open palm anxious to be read as I pass by.  Sweet scents of violets waft in the breezes in such  contrast to the pungent and proud pre-historic skunk cabbages.  Ravens patiently guide me down the trail eager to see if my hand slides into the FM black bag I carry to throw an occasional treat: so patient yet so eager, these two things…they glide in with deft agillity and glide away proudly with a scrap of bread or maybe even slice of apple, not just anything for these scavengers though.   Our gardens are blooming, the butterflies have arrived and we can do yoga outside if we want to.  Freedom is a wonderful thing.

Now that we are physically liberated from our indoor winter confinement, this is also a good time to liberate our minds from the confinement of old or restrictive thoughts or ideas.  Yoga teaches that kaivalya (freedom) comes from letting go of our preconceived notions of how things should be and opening to the truth of what is. 
So this summer, I invite you to really practice present-moment awareness and use some of the off-the-mat practices of yoga to help support the quest for freedom.
This is also a great time to relax and get grounded….check the new summer schedule and ..”do your practice, all is coming.”


The Manju Jois Workshop to which we were all looking forward, may be rescheduled at a later date this fall or next spring.  Manju’s schedule is as always full and his family duties at this time are certainly a priority.  We send him blessings, prayers of peace, love and success. 
 
Have a look at our new Summer 2009 Schedule.  We have a few changes here and there with a great addition for those of you longing for an early morning practice.  Megan Nigro will be in Juneau through this summer teaching a Mysore class., which is the traditional teaching method of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois for over 65 years at his school in Mysore, India. This unique style is the essence of the Ashtanga Yoga approach.
Postures in the Ashtanga series are learned one-by-one, thus easily memorized, with students practicing at a pace measured by their own breath-rhythm. The teacher provides individual instruction and assistance, tailoring the practice to specific needs of each student. With guidance and hands-on adjustments from the teacher, students receive the attention necessary to learn, work, and progress at an individual pace and ability. Working at the appropriate level, one-to-one with a teacher, is essential in developing a safe and fulfilling practice.
Mysore classes cultivate the true spirit of yoga in your practice, combining students of mixed levels together in order for everyone to benefit from the group energy. This environment is unique to Ashtanga yoga and allows for a deep meditative state, regardless of one’s ability or experience. The Mysore approach prevents stagnancy within the consistent sequence of Ashtanga, thus the constantly evolving experience keeps students dynamic within their practice.
Schedule for Mysore class is 6:30-8:30am Monday thru Friday
                      Open Studio  7:30-9:00am Sunday
Contact Megan Nigro for questions or concerns.  menigro@gmail.com  617 997 3697
Jodee’s  Tuesday night Beyond the Basics class will continue to evolve adding new postures and some vinyasa movement/flow yoga. 
I am making only a slight change to the Sunday class, Led Primary 10:15 - 11:45 am  
 
                                                          Be a Yogi, BE ON TIME!
 
 
I know you are out in the Wild on the weekends and with the long summer days you are probably out there after work as well..send us some new photos of those “Wild Yoga Asana”..and many thanks for theadventurous photos you have generously seny to “Into the Woods.”  
 
    Full Moon June 7              New Moon June 22         ”When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon,
                 my soul expands in the wonder of the Creator.”  Ghandi

 
 
                            May the long time sun shine upon you…