This is what we've been busy working on:   
 

• We're getting the centres ready by planning one way systems through the buildings, signage, stations for hand sanitising, markings for mat spacing and cleaning plans.  
• We've been developing video on demand options where we create a library of recordings for a small monthly subscription that enables those of you who have been affected financially to continue yoga for a small fee. It will also allow those of you who can't make the scheduled times - for whatever reason - to still continue with your regular teachers.
• We've been creating a new timetable with new and existing teachers by taking into consideration the survey, availability of the teachers and logistics in terms of cleaning (there will be 30 minute gaps between sessions). We hope you find the new schedule inspiring, too.  
• We understand that some of you will be hesitant to return to the centres in person. We therefore will include live streamed sessions as part of the regular schedule. These sessions will be included in the memberships and can be paid for by using a 5 or 10 class pass or drop in. These live streamed sessions still give you the feeling of being in a class and you will receive plenty of individual feedback - assuming your camera is set up so we can see you. 

 
We will soon send out a second survey with a suggested timetable for you to review and comment on. We'd like your input. Please remember that the survey is anonymous. If you want us to know your name, please put it into the comment box or write to us separately: [email protected]  
 
Finally, thank you all for your very encouraging comments and constructive feedback. Thank you all who have been supporting us through this very difficult time by taking part in our live streamed and recorded sessions. Thank you all who have shown kindness through your words and actions. They have been very much appreciated. 
 
Walk in beauty
Sandra

​Words and concepts that have been coming up over the last couple of week are: balance, paradox, juxtaposition, polar opposites, integration and abandonment. They are all qualities of the fourth chakra, the heart chakra, which is the middle point and the centre of the chakra system. Interestingly, on a physical level this chakra includes the heart and the lungs. According to Anodea Judith (Eastern Body, Western Mind), in the heart chakra we continue our individuation, i.e. our journey of finding ourselves and becoming who we are, by developing balance of the inner female and male, anima and animus. This is less about gender than about opposites forces that are residing in each of us. We all carry paradoxes: On the one hand we might want to really come out of the lock down, on the other hand, we might be scared of and tread it. Instead of needing to choose one over the other, Anodea Judith suggests that "the more we allow one kind of energy, the more the other can come through". It's not about either looking forward to OR being scared of it, it's about looking forward to AND being scared of it at the same time. Both are true and the work is to make room for the paradox, in that sense widening our identity and not abandoning parts of ourselves.
 
Thank you all who contributed to these reflections.
 
We hope that yoga enables you to expand and contain seemingly opposing aspects of yourself. Here is a free recording - thanks to Janet's generosity.  

​Gestalt therapy talks about the paradox of change, which at its core says that change only truly happens when we are fully invested in what is. The moment we push away our experiences and feelings and wish for things to be different, lasting transformation is elusive. This week I have witnessed beautiful examples in my clients and also in myself when there was a letting go and accepting of the moment, often a difficult reality, and how feelings and sensations organically shifted into the opposite direction.  
 
By allowing the dark, the light appears. By feeling the pain, excitement enters. By admitting the sadness, hope comes in. Sometimes, the sense is that when we do yoga, meditate or do other mindfulness practices, difficult feelings should not appear. Actually, all these tools help us to relate to what is happening differently, so that we can hang out in the present moment without running away or drowning in the experience. When we can be present with what is, shifts occur and lasting change surfaces - organically and sustainably. Whatever is arising is part of the process and it's pointing us in the direction of our next step. It's not something to get rid of, but something to pay attention to. It's about staying with the direct and immediate experience of what's going on.
 
In that way, we hope you will be able to use yoga as a practice for true transformation. Enjoy this free session from us. Thank you Kate F. for making this possible: 
 
Free Recording of Live Streamed Class 

​We hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe.  
 
I have done a lot of decluttering during the last four weeks. I'm a huge fan of Marie Kondo and just like she says: Once you declutter and tidy, you understand what is important in your life or what changes need to be made. After the clearing process, my triggers around not doing enough especially when it comes to owning and managing a studio have been staring into my face. There are also huge inadequacies around teaching and offering body psychotherapy. When I'm triggered or in psychotherapy terms when I'm in transference, it's like going down the rabbit hole. It has many complicated stages, thought processes, diversions, painful emotions, etc. Most of it is made up and old story. When reading Sharon Salzberg's Real Happiness, which is on the Forrest Yoga booklist, the following jumped out at me: the process is about starting again and again and again. The moment I want to go down the rabbit hole, it's about recognising it, being gentle with myself and then choosing not to go down there - again and again and again. Even though the rabbit hole might feel familiar, seemingly safe, diverting and somewhat comforting, it's not serving me. It has in the past, but not any longer. This is not about eliminating the rabbit hole either, it's about recognising earlier when I'm about to go down there.
 
I love the following paragraph out of Alice in Wonderland:
 
"... suddenly a white rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, "Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!" (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural);...."
 
It's about catching the rabbit with the waistcoat and the pink eyes earlier and understanding that something is not quite right; something got activated. It's about catching it earlier, looking at it, wondering about it and choosing not to go down the rabbit hole.
​
We hope that the yoga sessions we offer can support you to stay out of the rabbit hole.  
Here is the link to the free class. Thank you Brian for making this possible:  
 
Free Recording of Live Streamed Class 

To celebrate our 7th birthday in Huntingdon bring a friend for free in August 2018!
 
Come to class at Peterborough and Huntingdon in August and bring your friends for free! Visit as many times as you like and bring along anyone new to the Peterborough or Huntingdon centres, or who's not been to either centre in 2018.

Book yourself in online and email us if you wanted to reserve a space for your friend as well. Email Jenny on [email protected]. 24 hour notice of cancellation still applies.