Breathe Deep
Hello Oyster Bay Yogis,
Happy June! I mentioned to a few of you that as soon as we got the OK to safely remove our masks at the studio, we’d do a pranayama-themed month. And here we are! We are now operating as “mask optional” for those of you that are vaccinated. And this month we’ll explore more deeply one of the limbs of yoga that sometimes gets overshadowed by asana (postures): pranayama (breathwork)!
Prana = breath, vitality Yama = control, regulation.” Prana is the cosmic force without which nothing moves or functions.” -Swami Satchidananda. When we practice pranayama, or breath control, we practice channeling this energy to revitalize ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. Pranayama is also a gateway into deeper states of meditation and I look forward to hearing about your experiences with it this month! As with our asana practice, listen to your internal cues over any cue an instructor gives, and approach your pranayama practice mindfully and slowly.
We’ll discuss sutras 2.49-2.53 where Patanjali expands on the practice of pranayama in class this month, and Martha will be sharing her wisdom with us in a Pop-Up Pranayama class on Sunday 6/13 in Oyster Bay.
We have got two GREAT workshops for you this month as well. Yoga Nidra with Nancy on Friday 6/11 in Oyster Bay, and Transformational Breath with Rebecca Parker on Sunday 6/27 in Glen Cove. Scroll down for more info, and register early, they’re both sure to sell out.
In the remainder of our newsletter you’ll see our Pose of the Month, Sutra of the Month, Oil of the Month, and Monthly Challenge Winner for May. Plus a full listing of the upcoming events. I look forward to seeing you again at the studio very soon.
Be well,
Amy
Pose of the Month
Utthita Parsvakonasana:
Learn the technique of this posture, and make it your own. It’s a favorite of mine for opening the side body, and creating some space to breathe!
Sutra(s) of the Month
Sutras 2.49-2.52 give us a basic framework for understanding when and how we should begin a pranayama practice. We’ll dive deeper into this in our practices this month.
Oil of the Month
Our June OOTM is:
Worry Free Blend
“Worry Free Essential Oil Blend combines Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Ylang Ylang Complete, Australian Sandalwood, Peru Balsam, and Roman Chamomile to create a powerful relaxing blend. Reach for Worry Free when life's chaos, worry, and anxiety get to be too much, to help promote a tranquil state of mind. Especially great to use before bed to help calm a racing mind, Worry Free is a safe, natural way to ease into sleep or calm your mind.” -Plant Therapy
Click here to learn more about Worry Free
This month, enjoy 20% off your purchase of Worry Free Blend essential oil at the studios.
An Offering
Bonus Referral Rewards!
Did you know you can earn $ for every friend you refer to our studios? For a limited time, we’re increasing our referral rewards to $50. That means when you refer someone who signs up for auto-renew, or yearly membership at either or both studios, you get $50 toward your own membership dues. And, as an added bonus, this month we’re opening up the referral program to EVERYONE. If you’re not a member, and you refer someone who signs up for membership, you’ll get a $50 account credit to use toward ANY purchase at the studio. And if you ARE a member, and you’d like to receive your rewards as an account credit, rather than put it toward your membership dues, you can do that through 6/30/21!
Do you know someone who would LOVE the studio? Invite them to sign up for their 1st week of classes for $15 today!
Outdoor Yoga @ Mill Neck Manor
Come enjoy your practice outside on the beautiful grounds of Mill Neck Manor. Our weekly outdoor classes have begun:
Mondays at 10:30am: Gentle Flow with Diana Singh
Tuesdays at 9:15am: All Levels Flow with Ruth Tranter
Wednesdays at 6:00pm Sunset Flow with Sydney Matuszak
Classes are held in the “Sunken Garden,” just outside the historic manor house. Upon arrival at Mill Neck Manor, proceed to the security booth and let the attendant know you’re there for the yoga classes. From the security booth, drive up the long driveway to the fork, and take the left fork where you’ll see a parking lot. Once you park, walk toward the manor house and you’ll come upon the sunken garden.
Please BYO yoga mat and water. A towel is recommended as the grass can be dewey in the morning and evening.
$22 to drop-in / FREE for OBY & GCY members
10 class passes are also available
Monthly Challenge Winner
Our Monthly Challenge Winner for May 2021 is:
Jean Rogers!
Congratulations Jean! You attended 19 classes in the month of May, and you’ll get your next month of membership for free! Awesome job!
Who will be our June winner?
Yoga Nidra Workshop
Yoga nidra is the art of conscious relaxation. You will learn techniques which will allow you to reach new states of conscious awareness with acute perception of both your physical and subtle body. As you practice these techniques you will feel the flow of prana move through physical, emotional, and energetic blockages. The end result is the healing of the body and mind and the expansion of consciousness.
The sessions are done laying down or sitting and are appropriate for EVERYONE, regardless of physical limitations.
Yoga Nidra allows us to heal deeply held patterns of energy in our bodies, manifest health and wellness, and consciously create whatever it is that we want to create for ourselves in this lifetime!
Nourish yourself in the many additional benefits of Yoga Nidra:
✦ Improves functioning of the immune system
✦ Lowers blood pressure
✦ Pain & inflammation reduction
✦ Helps to stabilize blood sugar
✦ Calms & cools the nervous system, while improving & stabilizing mood
✦ It treats insomnia, psychological disorders, & psychosomatic diseases.
✦ Relaxes the mind, relieving stress & anxiety
✦ Helps in enhancing memory & increases capacity for learning
✦ Relieves muscular, emotional & mental tension
✦ Results in increased energy
$45 per person (10% off for OBY or GCY members)
Please dress in comfortable layers and bring your own yoga mat, bed pillow, and small blanket or towel.
Click here to register
Transformational Breath Workshop
As humans, we rarely make use of one of the simplest things on earth - the breath. Breathwork is an active meditation which allows breathers to release the chatter of the mind and to become present within the body releasing tension, fear, physical and emotional ailments. In this class Rebecca will hold space for the group to experience whatever comes up.
Breathwork opens up our channels to our inner-knowing, to receiving, and gives us access to perspectives that we were never aware of. The body's process for oxygenating and sustaining life in every cell of our bodies is so automatic that it can be deceptive, but it's one of the most powerful tools for healing, relaxation, and bridging the gap between your mind and body.
You will be guided through a simple rhythmic breath pattern and through that process you will have an opportunity to be in your body in a way like you have never experienced before. The benefits are life-changing, by connecting with your own body's healing power the results are quite instant.
Breathwork is a tool you can add to your "tool kit" and use on a daily basis, outside of class. Come open minded to try something new, and expect to leave feeling lighter and more in tune with your body and spirit.
To attend virtually: please have a space where you can lay flat, and you will not be disturbed.
Optional: Throw blanket, eye mask or eye pillow, and crystals you are working with.
Instructor: Rebecca Parker
Rebecca is originally from Long Island, NY. After struggling with depression, anxiety, and as a product of this various physical ailments she began searching for wholistic healing tools and found Breathwork and its profound affects. The breath allowed her to release stuck energy within the body, heal physical ailments, and process unprocessed emotion. In 2017 she began her company Creating Space (www.creatingspacewellness.com).
As a Breathwork facilitator, she is focused on creating a light-hearted, fun and supportive environment. She applauds her clients showing up for themselves and being open. Her goal is for her clients to leave feeling lighter, clearer and more connected to spirit. It is her belief that there is inner light and healing energy within within each of us.
$40 per person (10% off for OBY & GCY members)
Upcoming Events & Schedule Updates
Friday Night Flow: Friday 6/4 5:30pm with Anne Davidson (Glen Cove)
Pajama Yoga: Friday 6/4 & the 1st Friday of each month at 6:30pm with Diana Singh (Oyster Bay)
Yoga @ Village Square: Saturday 6/5 with Theresa Ruggles: FREE for all to attend (Glen Cove)
Yoga Nidra Workshop: Friday, 6/11 at 7:00pm with Nancy Rich $45 per person (Oyster Bay)
Pop-Up Pranayama Class: Sunday 6/13 2:45pm with Martha Flanagan (Oyster Bay)
Friday Night Flow: Friday 6/18 5:30pm with Anne Davidson (Oyster Bay)
Yin Yoga Friday 6/25 at 7:00pm with Martha Flanagan (Oyster Bay)
Transformational Breath Workshop: Sunday 6/27 at 4:30pm with Rebecca Parker (Glen Cove)
More new classes to come soon!
Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter. I look forward to seeing you soon. Until then, stay well.
Amy