Friday evening, December 21, from 6 to 8 pm

This free community event starts with Maureen Shortt, Yoga Director,leading a Svaroopa® yoga class for a slow, deep core releasing practice, from 6 to 7 pm.   Chanting and meditation follows immediately until 8pm.

The word solstice is made up of two Latin words "sol" meaning sun and "sistere" meaning stillness. Considered by the ancients as the time of year when the sun 'sat still' before it changed its path, as a yoga community, we celebrate it as the invitation to sit still within the inner truth of our own divinity.

Light refreshments will be served and familyand friends are welcome. The event is free and open to the community.  Free childcare in our Kids Room.  Donations will be sent to the Newtown, Connecticut Youth and Family Services.  Call The Solebury Club 215-794-3494 to register. 

  Partner Yoga Workshop

    with Lisa Manheim and Janet Stern

  Sunday, February 17th

  2:00 - 4:30pm

  Details to follow...

 Is your back sore?  Do you feel stiff and achy?

 Want to try yoga and need to take it slow?

NEW BEGINNER YOGA CLASSES

Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm

Check out the new class starting in January on Thursdays from 11:30-12:30!

This class is designed for people who are new to yoga, struggle with flexibility, or who want to get a good foundation for a yoga practice. This will focus on yoga basics like simple standing postures and modified sun salutes.  Also includes an introduction to breath practice, meditation, and, of course, relaxation.  Join Jessica Presti on the mat Tuesday nights for a early week energizer.  Platinum & Gold members no charge.  Otherwise check at the front desk for drop-in rate or purchase a book of classes at a reduced rate

Bhramara is a large black bumble bee. This pranayama is so called because during exhalation a humming sound like that of a bumble bee is made. Come to a comfortable sitting position and close your eyes. Inhale through the nose as if you are doing Ujjayi breath. As you exhale press the tongue up against the roof of the mouth and make an "Nnnnnnnnn" sound while exhaling through your nose. Make the "N" sound very nasal and try to get the roof of the mouth and the nasal passages subtly vibrating. Take a normal Ujjayi inhale and then repeat the "N" sound. You can perform Bhramari Pranayama just like this, or you can add Sanmukhi Mudra. A Mudra is a seal. Sanmukhi Mudra seals the the ears and eyes closed to draw the attention even more inwards. The ears are sealed with the thumb tips. The index fingers and the middle fingers gently close the eyes. The ring fingers tips are used to narrow the nasal passages and regulate the breath. The pinky fingers are placed on the upper lips to feel the flow of the breath. Adding the Mudra to this breath practice is a great way to block out external disturbances. In Light on Pranayama, Mr. Iyengar states that the humming sound induces sleep and is good for persons suffering from insomnia. I find it a very effective way to turn inward, particularly when my mind is racing and I find it difficult to sit still because my mind is racing. Try it and let me know what you think.   I'll see you in class!   Karin

 Our book of the month for December is written by Tara Brach.  Tara Brach is a leading western teacher of Buddhist meditation, emotional healing and spiritual awakening. She has practiced and taught meditation for over 35 years, with an emphasis on vipassana (mindfulness or insight) meditation. Tara is the senior teacher and founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. She has conducted workshops at Spirit Rock Center, Omega Institute, Kripalu, and other retreat centers nationwide. She lives in Great Falls, Virginia, with her husband (Jonathan Foust), mother and their three dogs.