February 2024 at Oyster Bay Yoga

Love

Dear Oyster Bay Yogis,

Happy February! Take a deep breath and draw it into your heart. Hold it there for 10 seconds. Feel the energy of love within you, and as you exhale, relax. Can you do this each morning when you wake up? Can you do this each time you come to your practice this month? Can you do this each night before you go to bed? As you move your body on your mat, can you swap a thought of “I’m not good enough,” for an “I love me?” Can you retire feelings of unworthiness and bathe yourself in the bright green light emanating from your heart center instead? I love you for sticking with your practice, and taking care of yourself one breath at a time! Keep it up.

Namaste,

Amy

Pose of the Month

Fish Pose: Matsyasana

 
 

This month at the studio we breakdown
Fish Pose: Matsyasana.
Learn how best to practice this pose in any class all month long!

Sutra of the Month

 
 

Sutra 1.33 of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras emphasizes cultivating a compassionate and balanced mind. The sutra suggests that by practicing friendliness (maitri), compassion (karuna), joy (mudita), and equanimity (upeksanam) towards different experiences and beings, the fluctuations of the mind (citta) find tranquility. This state of serene acceptance allows one to navigate the dualities of pleasure and pain, virtue and vice (sukha duhkha punyapunya), fostering a sense of inner clarity and contentment. In essence, Sutra 1.33 encourages practitioners to develop a harmonious perspective, embracing the diversity of life with an open heart.

Oil of the Month

Our February OOTM is:

Rose Absolute

 
 

“Highly prized for its rich floral scent, Rose Absolute is also known for its calming properties, helping to soothe emotions and bring calm in the midst of fresh grief. It can promote relaxation before sleep when diffused or applied topically diluted in a carrier oil.

It is extremely useful in skin rejuvenation, as Rose oil counteracts the visible signs of aging, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and helping smooth skin. Rose Absolute is also reputed to help with the “power surges” suffered by many women going through the normal change of life.” -Plant Therapy

Enjoy 20% off your purchase of Rose Absolute essential oil all month at the studio.

Follow us to stay connected for upcoming events and news

 
 
 

Events

 

Pajama Yoga

 
 

Friday, February 2nd
6:30pm-7:30pm
with Diana Singh

Bring your little ones (ages 4-10) dressed in their pajamas to a fun and interactive yoga class! Class includes gentle stretches, games, and stories to help them wind down and prepare for a peaceful sleep. And to top it off, we'll provide milk & cookies for a sweet treat before bed. Don't miss out on this cozy and enjoyable experience!

Please sign up in advance for this event, space is limited.

$20 per child

Exploring the Mind: Mantra & the Mind

 
 

Sunday, February 4th

1:45-3:45pm

with Martha Flanagan

Unlock a deeper connection to yourself. 

Join Martha for 2 hours of exploring our consciousness through Mantra and sound.

“Mantra means anything that makes the mind steady. Whatever vibration makes the mind one-pointed and creates a sort of receptivity is a mantra."

– Sri Swami Satchidananda

You will experience the teachings of yoga as seen through the lens of sound, word and vibration. It is the vehicle with which we reach silence. Chanting opens the flow of energy through our vocal cords into our entire nervous system as well as awakening our prana as a whole. It is this awakened inner flow of energy, which produces moments of flow, connectedness and inspiration.

This workshop is appropriate for beginners and advanced yogis

Included as part of this workshop:

  • Mala beads (a powerful and symbolic tool for meditation) and how to properly use them.

• Learn to chant one of the most powerful mantras in yoga to use in your daily meditation practice.

• Specific kriyas and mantras to expand your consciousness

• Sacred Gong sound bath

$75 for Each Workshop (10% Off for Members)

Friday Night Flow: L-O-V-E

 
 

Friday, February 9th

6:15-7:15pm

with Anne Davidson

Open your heart with us this Valentine’s Day in our Friday Night Flow: L-O-V-E class! This special all-levels yoga session will blend gentle poses, flowing sequences, and heart-openers, creating an atmosphere of self-love and connection. Expect a playlist inspired by love, carefully curated by Anne. Whether solo or with a partner, celebrate the spirit of Valentine’s Day through mindful movement and heartwarming energy.

$15 to drop-in / FREE for members

Yin Yoga

 
 

Sunday, February 11th

2:00pm-3:15pm

with Barbara Kataisto

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

Beginner Yoga

 
 

Sunday, February 18th

2:00-3:15pm

with Peggy Adair

Do you want to start a yoga practice but don't know where to start? In this beginner class, we'll start with the basics, developing a better understanding of our body and our mind. You will quickly learn how good yoga can make you feel, physically and mentally, and how yoga can serve you on your wellness journey. Absolutely no experience required. Learn along with other beginners like yourself in a warm and welcoming environment.

$25 to drop-in/FREE for members

Yin Yoga

 
 

Friday, February 23rd

7:00pm-8:15pm

with Barbara Kataisto

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

Tween Yoga

 
 

Thursday, February 29th
6:00-7:00pm
with Sydney Matuszak

Join us for a fun-filled, empowering one hour class specifically designed for kids ages 8-13! In each class, tweens will discover the joy of yoga through age-appropriate poses, engaging games, and interactive activities. Our aim is to cultivate a positive and supportive environment where tweens can build strength, flexibility, and self-confidence.

$20 per child

Exploring the Mind: Meditation & the Mind

 
 

Sunday, March 3rd

1:45-3:45pm

with Martha Flanagan

Join Martha Flanagan for a three part series as we explore the mind through breath, mantra and meditation. Each workshop will be an illuminating journey to discover the depths of your mind and cultivate a sense of inner peace.

“Knowing how the mind functions and training it properly is the real duty of a human being. This is spiritual work because the properly trained mind is what allows the divine within to reveal itself. It is this duty and obligation that brings peace and joy to a human being.” ~ Swami Rama

In this third workshop, we will use what we learned in the pranayama and mantra workshop to further deepen our understanding of our minds. We will explore and learn a specific chant to harness the mind. This joined with specific breathwork and kriya. We will include a lengthy meditation so please be prepared to sit for as much as 30 minutes. 

All workshops will be 2 hours long. The classes will culminate in the sacred sound of the gong. This is a beginner friendly series. Please be prepared to sit for longer periods of time. If you’ve always wanted to delve in deeper with the mind, these gatherings are for you. Tea will be provided.

$55 Early Bird Special (Ends 2/11)

$75 for Each Workshop (10% Off for Members)

Yoga Book Club

 
 

Friday, March 22nd

7:00-9:00pm

with Peggy Adair

Save the date for our next Yoga Book Club meet up! Get ready to move with Peggy Adair in a one hour all levels yoga flow. Following the yoga session, we'll delve into a book discussion on Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman. Bring all your insights on this remarkable book!

Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to nourish your body, expand your mind, and connect with like-minded individuals who share a love for both yoga and literature! Make sure to stop by our neighbors, Theodore's Books, and get a 15% discount on the book. Grab your mat, BYO drinks & snacks, and write down all your questions about our book pick!

$25 to drop-in/FREE for members

Spring Ahead: Ayurvedic Half Day Retreat

 
 

Sunday, March 24th

12:00-4:00pm

with Nancy Rich

Journey into the world of Ayurveda with Nancy Rich, ERYT-500, Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist & Ayurvedic Health Counselor to learn how to find balance through your five senses this season.  Enjoy a blissful, Kapha pacifying half-day retreat where she will share ancient Ayurvedic knowledge. During this afternoon you will be guided through an uplifting afternoon of yoga, pranayama (breath practice), Yoga Nidra, nourishing food, & treats.

Ayurveda is a complete medical science that is derived from the same teachings as yoga & aimed at healing imbalances with the body & mind.

As the wheel of the year spins & we gaze, in anticipation, towards the promising light of spring’s splendor, it is a perfect time to reaffirm our commitment to our own healing, remembering the light of our own true nature. However, we may not be experiencing our innate lightheartedness. Generally speaking, during this time of the year, especially in the northeast, we may feel symptoms of kapha dosha being out of balance; lethargy, melancholy, lack of motivation, weight gain, digestive issues, as well as respiratory issues. As we shift the way we practice yoga to pacify kapha dosha, our practice becomes powerful medicine to energize, brighten & holistically balance ourselves.

Please dress in cozy layers and bring a yoga mat, pillow and journal. 

Early Bird Pricing: $140 (ends 3/3)

Pricing: $160

Upcoming Events & Schedule Updates

EVENTS

Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Until then, stay well,

Amy