Class Times
General Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Classes. Investment £8 drop in or £35 for a block of 5 consecutive classes.:
York Sundays 10.30 - 12 noon York Yoga Studio, 112 Acomb Road, YO24 4EY
East Yorkshire Wednesday Wellness Group From 11am - 4pm (Yoga at 11.30am followed by a shared veggie lunch, chance to hang out together in Sangat, walks around the lake if weather permits) Anam Cara Holistic Health Centre, Ash Lane, Melbourne, YO42 4SW
See below for directions.
Private individual or group sessions available on request. The investment for these is usually £45 per hour plus expenses. For lectures, one-off workshops and classes (which may be on topics such as Couples, Children's/ Family Yoga, Sexuality and Spirituality, Keeping Healthy Whilst Working in a Healing Capacity, Women's Workshops, Clearing the Chakras, the Moon Centres, the Ten Bodies...) I am happy to travel.
I am also available for Skype and telephone sessions.
Weekly Sadhana
At the moment this is on Tuesdays from 5am-7.30am at Anam Cara Holistic Health Centre, Ash Lane, Melbourne, East Yorkshire, YO42 4SW). The dates and venue may change so please contact me before turning up. You are welcome to stay on for a shared breakfast afterwards.
Sadhana prepares our psyches to excel in the new environments of the Aquarian Age and coming decades. The Aquarian Sadhana attunes your gunas, your chakras, and your mind to the change of the Age. We will need intuition, stamina, both physical and mental, self-awareness, and a new depth of spiritual experience that can hold our identity in the face of global changes, relentless competition, information overload, and ecological and environmental challenges.The Aquarian Sadhana is practiced by Kundalini Yoga communities across the world. Doing sadhana in a group develops group consciousness. A group sadhana practice amplifies the impact of the meditation. Yogi Bhajan said that group meditation not only adds to individual effort, but multiplies it.
Sadhana can be done as a group or individually. The ideal is to join in a group practice AND cultivate your individual practice as well.
Bi-monthly Meditation/ Kirtan Evening (Free)
Held on the last Thursday of every other month. Meeting at my home near Pocklington (YO42) for a shared supper preceded by around 30-60mins of chanted meditation. If you are a musician (of any sort) feel free to bring along instruments and ideas for our future gatherings. I think it will be great to get some musicians (old, young, professional, amateur, talented, just making a noise...) together to accompany the chanted meditations with live music. Let us all get a chance to experience how this can really help raise our Kundalini energy!
We are having a short break for the Summer but will start again in the Autumn. Let me know if you are interested and I can add you to our email list so that you will be kept up to date.
Just give me a ring to let me know you are coming and bring something to share for supper. There is no other charge.
York Sundays 10.30 - 12 noon York Yoga Studio, 112 Acomb Road, YO24 4EY
East Yorkshire Wednesday Wellness Group From 11am - 4pm (Yoga at 11.30am followed by a shared veggie lunch, chance to hang out together in Sangat, walks around the lake if weather permits) Anam Cara Holistic Health Centre, Ash Lane, Melbourne, YO42 4SW
See below for directions.
Private individual or group sessions available on request. The investment for these is usually £45 per hour plus expenses. For lectures, one-off workshops and classes (which may be on topics such as Couples, Children's/ Family Yoga, Sexuality and Spirituality, Keeping Healthy Whilst Working in a Healing Capacity, Women's Workshops, Clearing the Chakras, the Moon Centres, the Ten Bodies...) I am happy to travel.
I am also available for Skype and telephone sessions.
Weekly Sadhana
At the moment this is on Tuesdays from 5am-7.30am at Anam Cara Holistic Health Centre, Ash Lane, Melbourne, East Yorkshire, YO42 4SW). The dates and venue may change so please contact me before turning up. You are welcome to stay on for a shared breakfast afterwards.
Sadhana prepares our psyches to excel in the new environments of the Aquarian Age and coming decades. The Aquarian Sadhana attunes your gunas, your chakras, and your mind to the change of the Age. We will need intuition, stamina, both physical and mental, self-awareness, and a new depth of spiritual experience that can hold our identity in the face of global changes, relentless competition, information overload, and ecological and environmental challenges.The Aquarian Sadhana is practiced by Kundalini Yoga communities across the world. Doing sadhana in a group develops group consciousness. A group sadhana practice amplifies the impact of the meditation. Yogi Bhajan said that group meditation not only adds to individual effort, but multiplies it.
Sadhana can be done as a group or individually. The ideal is to join in a group practice AND cultivate your individual practice as well.
Bi-monthly Meditation/ Kirtan Evening (Free)
Held on the last Thursday of every other month. Meeting at my home near Pocklington (YO42) for a shared supper preceded by around 30-60mins of chanted meditation. If you are a musician (of any sort) feel free to bring along instruments and ideas for our future gatherings. I think it will be great to get some musicians (old, young, professional, amateur, talented, just making a noise...) together to accompany the chanted meditations with live music. Let us all get a chance to experience how this can really help raise our Kundalini energy!
We are having a short break for the Summer but will start again in the Autumn. Let me know if you are interested and I can add you to our email list so that you will be kept up to date.
Just give me a ring to let me know you are coming and bring something to share for supper. There is no other charge.
York Yoga Studio, York
Anam Cara Holistic Health Centre, Ash Lane, Melbourne, East Yorkshire, YO42 4SW
What to Expect from a Class
Tuning In
Whenever we practice, at home or in a class, we tune in by chanting "Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo", connecting us to the purity of the infinite teacher living within each of us.
Pranayama - Breath work
Breath is life energy itself. When we learn to breathe consciously we can calm our minds and master all aspects of our lives.
Kriya
A kriya is an exact, dynamic combination of postures (asana) breathing and sound - a complete system that balances body, mind and soul and increases mental clarity and physical vitality. It is important to always practice these in the order given by Yogi Bhajan and never to take an exercise to stand alone just because we resonated with that one. This is because the exercises build the different systems (i.e. nerves, glands, circulation) of the body in specific ways that it is not always possible for us to be aware of.
Relaxation (Savasana)
Time to allow the mind and body to integrate the effects of the pranayama and kriya. This is not "down time" and can be considered the most important and often the most challenging part of the class. Most of us are used to keeping ourselves busy most of the time and can find relaxation quite challenging. The aim is to stay awake and alert and yet completely relaxed (not asleep!). Practising in a group with a teacher present can be an excellent way to improve these skills which will then serve you well when you are going about your regular life.
Meditation
Meditation brings awareness and control of our thoughts. Using mantra (sacred sound currents repeated aloud or silently) and mudra (sacred gestures that set our nervous system and so on into a particular pattern) we can clear negative patterns and connect with our higher consciousness.
Whenever we practice, at home or in a class, we tune in by chanting "Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo", connecting us to the purity of the infinite teacher living within each of us.
Pranayama - Breath work
Breath is life energy itself. When we learn to breathe consciously we can calm our minds and master all aspects of our lives.
Kriya
A kriya is an exact, dynamic combination of postures (asana) breathing and sound - a complete system that balances body, mind and soul and increases mental clarity and physical vitality. It is important to always practice these in the order given by Yogi Bhajan and never to take an exercise to stand alone just because we resonated with that one. This is because the exercises build the different systems (i.e. nerves, glands, circulation) of the body in specific ways that it is not always possible for us to be aware of.
Relaxation (Savasana)
Time to allow the mind and body to integrate the effects of the pranayama and kriya. This is not "down time" and can be considered the most important and often the most challenging part of the class. Most of us are used to keeping ourselves busy most of the time and can find relaxation quite challenging. The aim is to stay awake and alert and yet completely relaxed (not asleep!). Practising in a group with a teacher present can be an excellent way to improve these skills which will then serve you well when you are going about your regular life.
Meditation
Meditation brings awareness and control of our thoughts. Using mantra (sacred sound currents repeated aloud or silently) and mudra (sacred gestures that set our nervous system and so on into a particular pattern) we can clear negative patterns and connect with our higher consciousness.
Preparing for a Class
Below is information you may find helpful. Investment is £8 drop in or £35 for 5 consecutive classes in advance.
Please arrive 15 mins early to allow for registering and setting up.
Parking for the York Yoga Studio is on the road but is free and usually there is plenty of space.
What do you need to bring, etc.??
· Yoga is practiced bare foot wearing loose comfortable clothing made of natural fabric. Many people choose white cotton but this is not essential.
· Long hair should be tied up out of the way or covered with a scarf or turban (again white is preferable for your energy).
· Have a bottle of water with you and drink plenty during and after the class.
· Bring a natural fibre yoga mat or something soft to exercise on (a sheepskin is ideal – I have a few spares if you need one but not enough for everyone).
· Bring a blanket (of natural fabric), shawl, warm clothes to cover your self with during deep relaxation.
· Please make sure you sign the register/ disclaimer and pay for the class before we start.
Taking Care of Yourself
Trust your own intuition about how far to push yourself physically. You should not strain your body, but you do need to work and break through some of your perceived boundaries. Also,
· The benefits attributed to yoga come from many centuries of yogic experience and should not be confused with medical advice. Inform the teacher of any medical condition after consulting your doctor;
· Do not eat anything substantial for 2-3 hours before class;
· Alcohol and non-medicinal drugs cannot be part of a yogic practice. Please do not come to a Kundalini Yoga class whilst under their influence.
· When menstruating or pregnant women should not do inverted postures, double leg lifts, Breath of Fire, or anything which strains the abdomen.
· Remember that yoga is not about competing with others.
Being Mindful of Others and Your Environment
· Please remove your shoes as soon as you enter the hall.
· Avoid wearing strong fragrances such as perfume, after shave, etc.
· Be sure to switch off mobile phones.
· Be conscious of the special energy in the room, and of the energy you bring to it.
· Be mindful of why you have come to practice yoga. While waiting for class to start, sit quietly and focus on your breathing rather than socialising - there is plenty of time to do that afterwards.
· Please do not talk during class - there is also plenty of time afterwards for having your questions answered.
Yoga has many different forms and all are beneficial and can be looked upon as different facets of a diamond. Kundalini yoga has been described as the diamond itself as it includes all the different aspects of yoga – dynamic postures, asanas, pranayama (breathing techniques), mantra, mudra and meditation. The Kundalini is a form of energy – the energy of consciousness and it represents the unfolding of our awareness. Each class is based around a specific sequence of exercises, relaxation and meditation known as a “Kriya”.
Wherever you are with your physical health and fitness you can always benefit from practicing these exercises to the degree that works for you. Yoga is not a performance and there is no need to do anything perfectly, only to get what you need out of each practice.
Please arrive 15 mins early to allow for registering and setting up.
Parking for the York Yoga Studio is on the road but is free and usually there is plenty of space.
What do you need to bring, etc.??
· Yoga is practiced bare foot wearing loose comfortable clothing made of natural fabric. Many people choose white cotton but this is not essential.
· Long hair should be tied up out of the way or covered with a scarf or turban (again white is preferable for your energy).
· Have a bottle of water with you and drink plenty during and after the class.
· Bring a natural fibre yoga mat or something soft to exercise on (a sheepskin is ideal – I have a few spares if you need one but not enough for everyone).
· Bring a blanket (of natural fabric), shawl, warm clothes to cover your self with during deep relaxation.
· Please make sure you sign the register/ disclaimer and pay for the class before we start.
Taking Care of Yourself
Trust your own intuition about how far to push yourself physically. You should not strain your body, but you do need to work and break through some of your perceived boundaries. Also,
· The benefits attributed to yoga come from many centuries of yogic experience and should not be confused with medical advice. Inform the teacher of any medical condition after consulting your doctor;
· Do not eat anything substantial for 2-3 hours before class;
· Alcohol and non-medicinal drugs cannot be part of a yogic practice. Please do not come to a Kundalini Yoga class whilst under their influence.
· When menstruating or pregnant women should not do inverted postures, double leg lifts, Breath of Fire, or anything which strains the abdomen.
· Remember that yoga is not about competing with others.
Being Mindful of Others and Your Environment
· Please remove your shoes as soon as you enter the hall.
· Avoid wearing strong fragrances such as perfume, after shave, etc.
· Be sure to switch off mobile phones.
· Be conscious of the special energy in the room, and of the energy you bring to it.
· Be mindful of why you have come to practice yoga. While waiting for class to start, sit quietly and focus on your breathing rather than socialising - there is plenty of time to do that afterwards.
· Please do not talk during class - there is also plenty of time afterwards for having your questions answered.
Yoga has many different forms and all are beneficial and can be looked upon as different facets of a diamond. Kundalini yoga has been described as the diamond itself as it includes all the different aspects of yoga – dynamic postures, asanas, pranayama (breathing techniques), mantra, mudra and meditation. The Kundalini is a form of energy – the energy of consciousness and it represents the unfolding of our awareness. Each class is based around a specific sequence of exercises, relaxation and meditation known as a “Kriya”.
Wherever you are with your physical health and fitness you can always benefit from practicing these exercises to the degree that works for you. Yoga is not a performance and there is no need to do anything perfectly, only to get what you need out of each practice.