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Hi Folks,
Well, the dust has settled on the 73 York Street closing. A couple of boxes left to unpack and my 26 Cochrane Street studio overlooking the beautiful Nashwaak just up the road from the Marysville Irving, will be ready to go.
It's been a good summer in all ways: restful and restorative. I feel ready for and enthusiastic about new projects.
Like many of you, I guess I won't fully integrate the closing of the York Street incarnation of Lifesong until the fall is in full swing and we're not hearing the chimes on the door signaling a new session... But wasn't that a party!?!? The Solstice Event was such a fitting finale. Thanks again to all of you who contributed to or participated in the auction; who volunteered in various ways, helping with the physical details of the closing; and to those of you who were not able to be there in person but sent your love and warm wishes. Much appreciated. We created something very good there on York street together and I believe it continues and will continue to ripple out into the world.
For myself, I feel the right place to focus my energy right now is increasing Viniyoga's "ripple" out there. My major project this fall will be launching NB's first yoga teacher training program (also for students who want to go deeper and take the audit option), as well as working with private clients. I will be returning to teaching group classes in Winter 08.
You'll find the web site largely updated now to reflect Lifesong's new reality. Fall and Winter projects are as follows:
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New Brunswick's first yoga teacher training program begins Sept. 28-30th
It's a 9 weekend - over 9 months program. Deadline to register: Sept 21st.
• for those intending to become yoga teachers in a general or more private way
• AND those students who would like to deepen their own study in this tradition and learn more about developing their own practice, are equally welcome (as has always been the way with Viniyoga trainings
For those intending to use the training to teach yoga, the program will follow the Yoga Alliance 200 hour curriculum. That includes 180 hours of practice and study together over the 9 weekends, student teaching (get a group of your friends together!), a small project to assist you to begin to identify your own "specialization" or area of interest, and an evaluation process. The Viniyoga training is well known for providing an excellent philosophical and technical foundation from which each student then specializes. Think of this as becoming a "GP" . From there, teachers go on to teach: Ashtanga, seniors, kids, babies, pregnancy, restorative, etc.
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For those who are interested in the audit option, this is an excellent opportunity to broaden your knowledge and deepen your practice within the framework of a progressive curriculum over the course of 9 months (kind of like a gestation, that 9 months!). Many students find coming once a month to LEARN, is an incredible way to move along your own understanding of yoga in the world, you in the world,... without the additional requirements of projects and evaluations. In my own "teacher training" program, about one-half the participants were there to audit.
Full details of the program, dates, costs, etc are on the web site. Or you can contact me for the documents.
First weekend is Sept 28-30th. Max 12 students.
Deadline is Sept 21st to register.
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Fall Workshops for ALL Students
I will be offering occasional workshops this fall for ALL students, ranging from three hours to one and one-half day events. I'll be sending out e-mail notifications of dates, times and location. The first workshop is Sept 21/22. Because of number restrictions, the workshops will always be on a pre-registration basis.
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The First Fall Workshop for ALL students: "Let Your Life Speak"
• Sept 21/22, Fri eve to Sat afternoon
• Registration deadline: Tues Sept 18th, max 12 participants
As many of you know, I like to work with the themes from an inspiring author/book and this September, I am reading "Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation" by Parker Palmer. Parker is an educator, teacher in the deepest sense of the word, and writes from the Quaker tradition. He uses the word "vocation" to represent that lifelong search for wholeness which is also at the heart of the yoga tradition. Yoga, as you recall, means to re-unite, that which is already whole within us. And when we cultivate the life practices and perspective that allow us to do this, we re-commit to that sacred space within, "where your deep gladness meets the world's great need".
So, how do I know if the Life that I am living, is the Life that wants to live in me??? "Vocation," says Parker (not to be confused with a job, or work because this process applies to our desire to grow into authentic selfhood at all ages), "comes from listening. I must listen to my life and try to understand what it is truly about - quite apart from what I would like it to be about - or my life will never represent anything real in the world, no matter how earnest my intentions".
This workshop will be an opportunity to:
• listen for the voice within
• learn (or remember) how to distinguish between the voice of ego and Soul
• re-value the messages of limitations, liabilities and failures
• recover and reclaim the birthright gifts we may have abandoned or half-forgotten along the way as we fit ourselves into the acceptable slots
• recognize the costs of distorting ourselves to ourselves and others
• create a little space for some clues to emerge for a way forward back into the world, "with deep gladness"...
We will explore these themes through presentation, group discussion, Silence, creative movement and yoga practice. Mindful that many of you are pursuing independent practice this fall, you will go home with 3 or 4 practices you can do at home, and directions for adapting them to your particular situation.
When is it? Fri Sept 21st: 6:00 -8:00 pm AND Sat Sept 22nd: 9:00AM to 4:00PM (bag lunch)
How much is it? The cost of the workshop is: $120. ($100 self-identifying as low income, no questions asked)
Where is it? TBA (at my or another studio, depending on numbers)
Who is it for? All sizes, shapes and ages. Some yoga experience would be helpful
How many students will there be? Space if limited to 12 so please register early
How do I register? You can register online or phone 455-3811
Where can I send my cheque? Cheques can be mailed to:
Kathryn Downton
26 Cochrane Street
Fredericton, NB E3A 4P3
Registration deadline: Tues Sept 18th
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Tues Morning Fifty-Plus Series: Ayurveda and the Fountain of Youth(?!)
• Sept 18, Oct 16, Nov 13
• Registration deadline: the Saturday before
In lieu of regular 50+ classes this fall, I'm offering three Tuesday morning workshops to help maintain and deepen independent practice. Students are welcome to attend any or all of the workshops. There will be a reduction for registering for all three.
The theme will be a light and playful introduction to Ayurveda, the yogic approach to creating balance of mind and body through postures, breathwork, food and lifestyle choices. Ayurveda is enjoying a revival in the West, partly due to its popularization by the likes of Oprah and Deepak Chopra, and partly due to its common sense applications to healthful aging. This ancient science uses metaphors from the natural world to describe different personality and constitutional tendencies (are you more fire or air?); to individualize asana and pranayama choices and become conscious of, and able to remedy common imbalances (how do you get "earth" to move and "air" to stay still???)
I will be working from A. G. Mohan's book: Yoga Therapy: A Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Yoga and Ayurveda for Health and Fitness. (I will have some copies available for purchase). Some yoga experience is required. All sizes and shapes are welcome. If you are facing health challenges like arthritis or fibromyalgia and are interested in learning more about a restorative practice, you may consider yourself an "honorary 50+"!
\Workshop One: Sept 18th
The five elements (earth, water, fire, air, space) and the three doshas (how the elements interact in the body)
Practice focus: getting elemental with asanas
Take home a (not to be taken too too seriously...) questionnaire to find out your "Ayurveda type"
Workshop Two: Oct 16th
Your Prakriti (body make-up): balanced or unbalanced? THAT is the question
or put another way, is the quality of your doshas... strained? (Sorry for the Shakespeare... just couldn't help it!)
Practice focus: programming your inner thermostat, working with Agni (inner fire)
Workshop Three: Nov 13th
Understanding the Artha-Karma-Kala cycle (I saw it-I wanted it-I ate it!)
Ayurveda's 6 methods for restoring balance and promoting longevity
Practice focus: nothing gets straight to the point like pranayama! (Hint, start here for the fountain of youth...)
For each of the three workshops, we will:
• check in with group members
• (Workshops 2 and 3: review basic theory as relates to today's topic)
• add to our knowledge of Ayurveda theory and how that relates to us individually
• apply theory to practice
• gain skill and expertise in the practice of asanas, pranayama and meditation
• use group discussion and other reflective techniques to deepen learning
• go home with 1 or 2 practices and an understanding of how to adapt the practice to your situation
When is it? Three Tuesday mornings, 9:00AM to Noon, Sept 18th and/or Oct 16th and/or Nov 13th
How much is it? $45 for each workshop OR $120 for all three
Where is it? TBA (at my or another studio, depending on numbers)
Who is it for? Anyone over 50, or who is seeking a modified practice, with some yoga experience
How many students will there be in the class? Space is limited to 12 participants so please register early
How do I register? You can register online or phone 455-3811
Where can I send my cheque? Cheques can be mailed to:
Kathryn Downton
26 Cochrane Street
Fredericton,NB E3A 4P3
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Booking a Private Consultation
Come and see me in my new studio! I am booking private consultations over the fall. If you're not taking a class, of you just want to keep in touch with the Viniyoga tradition, consider coming privately over the fall months. You can further your own health and wellness goals, as well as continue your studies in the direction that calls you. Individual consultations have always been the rich back of the Viniyoga belief in "starting from where you are, and gradually, progressively, patiently moving toward your goals". I can be reached at info@lifesongyoga.com OR 455-3811.
Winter Session 08 Classes
As you may know, after teaching more than 1500 classes at Lifesong, I'm taking some time off from group classes this fall. I have several options for convenient locations in mind for Winter 08 when I resume teaching. If you're getting this e-mail, you'll also receive information about winter classes later in the fall.
I'm going to miss being with you in class this fall! I wish you the time and means to honor wherever your passions (small or large, quiet or loud!) are leading you
All the best,
Namaste
Kathryn Downton
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