February 2023 at Oyster Bay Yoga

Focus

Dear Oyster Bay Yogis,

Happy February! After the resolutions start to fade away, now we can really settle into 2023, and FOCUS. This time of year, in the thick of winter, is a wonderful time for more contemplative practices, like meditation. Yoga can really help us feel more focused. Each time you arrive on your mat, and bring your whole attention into the present moment, you become more skilful at focusing. As you become more skillful, you can distinguish what needs to stay in your mind, and what can be set aside. This is the foundation of meditation - we’ll try to move into more meditative states on our mat this month.

Namaste,

Amy

Pose of the Month

Astavakrasana: Eight Angle Pose

This month we breakdown Astavakrasana, or Eight Angle Pose. Click to watch the video!

Sutra of the Month

In these series of sutras, Patanjali explains how best to steady the mind. Finding this state of consciousness can happen when we are engrossed with an object of interest by showing dedication and devotion. Practicing yoga does not solve our problems, but it can calm the mind enough to focus on a solution. Our thoughts move in our mind like waves and our consciousness is the ocean. When we learn to still and silence the thoughts, we are better able to focus. Learning from teachers who are free from desires and attachments, we can we understand ways to bring our consciousness, or citta, to a state of desirelessness. By doing so, we can make our minds pure. Citta has four levels: the unconscious (dreamless sleep: nidra), the subconscious (dream-filled: svapna), the conscious (waking: jagrata) and the superconscious (individual soul merged with Universal Soul: turya). The transitions between these states are sacred portals full of wisdom. We are invited to meditate on the knowledge that arises from dreams and deep sleep and attune to the subtler states of our consciousness. In our practice of yoga we’re always working to move toward clarity and away from confusion. Toward releasing and away from grasping. Toward ease and away from fear. But it isn’t easy. And the path isn’t without its complications.

Oil of the Month

Our February OOTM is:

Lavender

“Lavender is perhaps the most well-known of the essential oils and for good reason. Lavender essential oil is renowned for its many beneficial properties, including promoting calm, relaxation, and being a nervous tension reliever. It can also be added to a carrier oil to help reduce the appearance of scars and wrinkles and help soothe alterations in skin integrity, such as during sun exposure or a minor cooking burn.” -Plant Therapy

Click here to learn more about Lavender

This month, enjoy 20% off your purchase of Lavender essential oil.

Monthly Challenge Winner

Our Monthly Challenge Winner for January 2023 is:

Jean Rogers

Congratulations Jean! You attended 26 classes in the month of January, and you’ll get your next month of membership for free! Great job! Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our community.

Who will be our February winner?

February Sale

Have you been eyeing a new piece of jewelry? We have lots of necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings all on sale this month at the studio! Take 20% off all of our jewelry for the month of February. Treat yourself or that special someone to 18kt gold plate pieces with symbols of the sacred yogic traditions.

Events

 

Pajama Yoga

Friday, February 3rd

6:30pm-7:30pm

with Diana Singh

Kids ages 4-10 can come dressed in their PJ's for a fun yoga class with stretching, games and stories to help them get ready for bed.

Milk & cookies provided!

$20 per child

SOLD OUT!

Full Moon Movement, Meditation & Gong Bath

Sunday, February 5th

2:30-3:45pm

with Martha Flanagan

Full Moon Gong Meditations allow us to honor the cyclical nature of the moon together. During the class there will be a seated meditation, incorporating mantra, pranayama and mudra, gentle movement to prepare the mind and body for the healing vibrations of the Gong.

$25 to drop-in / FREE for members

Yoga Nidra: Deep Dive into the Love

Friday, February 10th

7:00-8:30pm

with Nancy Rich

DEEP DIVE INTO THE LOVE of a heart-expanding evening of community, love & Yoga Nidra. The session is artfully designed to increase our capability of giving and receiving love. Yoga Nidra connects us to the light of love that holds us safely so that we may shine our brightest. Being heart-centered, open and present can improve our ability to be there for others. May the love and inner happiness gained through our practice radiate out. The tired world needs us.

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! 
Experience the peace and joy that you are.

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 levels

$45 per person (10% off for members)

Please dress in comfortable layers and bring a bed pillow.

Yin Yoga

Sunday, February 12th

2:45-4:00pm

with Martha Flanagan

Are you moving too fast?
Doing too many things at one time?
Too much "mind chatter" or just want to slow down?
Yin yoga can provide an antidote for this.


This class will guide you through a series of poses that are primarily done sitting and lying down. The poses are held for 2-5 minutes at a time to allow connective tissues (fascia, ligaments) to soften, lengthen and lubricate. A yin yoga practice compliments a yang practice and allows for a more balanced approach to life.

$25 to drop-in/FREE for members

Friday Night Flow: L-O-V-E

Friday, February 17th

5:30pm-6:30pm

with Anne Davidson

Want to move and groove with us on your yoga mat? Open your heart in a fun all levels yoga flow class with Anne while moving to the sweet tunes surrounding the theme of love! Expect heart opening poses and songs that inspire you to feel the love.

$15 to drop-in/FREE for members

Focus on Yourself: A Supported Prop Class

Sunday, February 19th

2:30-3:45pm

with Sydney Matuszak

Add some more self-love to your practice with this supported prop class! 

Do you find yourself seeing other students using props and wondering how to add props to your practice? What purpose does that serve and why do they use them?

There are a variety of uses for the different props you see in the studio, all to help aid your asana practice. So let’s warm up with some sun salutations and dive into breaking down some popular poses together with props! Asking questions is always encouraged. And in typical supported class, we’ll end in a long restorative savasana (15 minutes) to seal our time together. 

Anticipated props: Blocks, blankets, strap, bolster. 

$25 to drop-in/FREE for members

Yin Yoga

Friday, February 24th

7:00-8:15pm

with Martha Flanagan

Are you moving too fast?
Doing too many things at one time?
Too much "mind chatter" or just want to slow down?
Yin yoga can provide an antidote for this.


This class will guide you through a series of poses that are primarily done sitting and lying down. The poses are held for 2-5 minutes at a time to allow connective tissues (fascia, ligaments) to soften, lengthen and lubricate. A yin yoga practice compliments a yang practice and allows for a more balanced approach to life.

$25 to drop-in / FREE for members

Yoga Book Club

Friday, March 24th

7:00-9:00pm

with Peggy Adair

Save the date!

Join us for a one hour all levels flow yoga class followed by an hour discussion about our Book Club pick,

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

BYO snacks & drinks to enjoy during the book discussion.

Upcoming Events & Schedule Updates

EVENTS

SCHEDULE UPDATES

  • Sunday 8am Express Flow 2 is switching to Sunday 10:30-11:30am Flow 2 with Anna Khrikheli starting 2/5

Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter. I look forward to seeing you soon. Until then, stay well.

Amy