PowerYoga Summer Solstice & Aerial Yoga Retreat

PowerYoga Summer Solstice & Aerial Yoga Retreat 

at Nirvana Yoga, Belfast - 19 - 22 June 2015

Reckon this photo sums up the experience we eight yogis shared together in Belfast, plus me learning what the term "photo-bombing" means!

They say that "yoga takes you on a journey and that your guru appears at the right time" - well this was exactly how this retreat happened for me.  I met Aine Dorman on the advanced teacher training with Ana Forrest in London two years' ago, when I'd just been made redundant from my full-time HR job. I knew I needed to focus more fully on my teaching and knew that I wanted to work more with the healing side of yoga. Thank goodness we met on that course as we literally kept each other sane amongst 40+ teachers! As well as learning the Forrest yoga, I also learned a great deal about Aine, we developed a very easy friendship and I just knew that she would be an awesome teacher and was desperate to try out her Aerial Yoga. So I just pursued my dream, put my doubts aside that it was a long way to travel to a yoga class (+ I'd have to drive a hire car out of Belfast airport!) and couldn't believe the other 7 spaces got snapped up within 24 hours of me advertising back in January.

We had 3 sessions of 3 hours+ at Nirvana Yoga, the first one being a total Restorative session on Friday night following our travels. Aine's knowledge and 20 years experience using Yoga as a healing tool is remarkable. She embraces different ways of moving and stretching, which includes the use of hammocks. The goal of her work is to create better movement and body awareness so that students get to a deeper understanding of themselves, on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level. We got to use 'hedgehogs' which was a first for me, but I've now ordered 40 for use in my classes, especially my Therapeutic classes - the most wonderful tool for sorting out tightness in all areas of the back, shoulders and neck.

Saturday's session was the aerial yoga in hammocks. My first thought was how the heck did Aine cope teaching this and she admitted it's highly stressful. She's constantly on her guard as to what students get up to, as they don't always listen to instructions(!) as you get this feeling of being a total child and doing your own thing. It's very liberating, exciting and rejuvenating and I'm sure I felt younger following Saturday's session of being upside down for so long. Savasana cocooned in a hammock is the best thing yet plus the heartbeat drumming that Aine uses throughout was so soothing and relaxing. The other thing that happens is that you feel absolutely ravenous after aerial yoga! It must take a lot more out of you than you think, so we tucked into a huge pineapple with herbal tea + the odd biscuit after class. 

Sunday's session was a personal shamanic journey for everyone. Aine has recently completed her own shamanic training in Ireland and we were very lucky for her to be able to share with us. This was my favourite session and I think the others loved it as much as I did. We're all desperately hoping that Aine will be coming over to Guernsey to continue this work with us in August. We held a Summer Solstice fire ceremony outside, with the beautiful Mourne Mountains surrounding us and there was a wonderful glow of peace, love, harmony and acceptance - this is what brings the 'Power' into Yoga and this is definitely my kind of yoga!

Roll on our next trip to Belfast.  The people are just so kind and friendly and I love the accent, as well as the craic!  Watch this space - we'll be coming to visit you again in 2016 Aine xxx

"Welcome to God's Own Country - Kerala"

On arrival at Trivandrum (real name Thiruvananthapuram) airport – the capital of Kerala, this was the message received on our mobiles! Palm Tree Yoga retreat centre is located about 30 minutes drive south in Kovalam, a busy fishing town located on the Arabian Sea. It’s far enough away from the touristy Lighthouse beach and consists of three separate houses on a hill-top overlooking Samudra beach, a quiet locals’ beach so we were able to observe the fishermen and absorb the simple way of life, with both mosque and temple close by. As stunning as the scenery, the sounds of nature were vibrant and exotic. A bit like living in a tropical jungle with the most beautiful hill-top beach views to wake up to. It took my breath away and still does:

Yoga classes ran between 6.30 and 8.30 before a hearty and healthy breakfast at 9.00.  You really do want to be up as early as possible and not miss the quiet, stunning beauty of morning-time that is my favourite part of the day. Evening yoga ran from 4.00 to 6.00 pm to explore the ‘Yin’ and restorative side of yoga. Sunset happens quite quickly in Kerala between 5.30 and 6.00 pm and, since we were practising on the rooftop, we wanted to avoid the worst chance of being bitten around sunset.  It worked perfectly as four hours of daily yoga always worked up an appetite and we were all ready for the culinary delights of dinner in our own Curry Leaf Restaurant by 7.00 pm. Not to mention the very welcome Kingfisher beer (some of us / others detoxing!) just seemed to slip down a treat before dinner.

Kerala is known as ‘the land of spices’ and everyone was purely blown away with the level of expertise shown by these culinary experts. Everything grown locally was put to good use, including lots of coconut oil, and the result was the most marvellous selection of curry dishes – both vegetarian and fish. We were certainly spoiled and over-indulged food-wise and curry in our local restaurants or take-aways will, from now on, be a huge disappointment!  The level of service and dedication to what the staff all did for us was incredible. It was the genuineness and congeniality of the people looking after us that had the most profound effect. We were treated with the utmost respect seldom seen today in our busy culture. I happened to get named ‘Teacher’ but every member of staff down to whoever washed the dishes in the kitchen wanted to meet us and get to know us and had time to learn our names and interact in a very genuine way.  It showed us what yoga is really all about – being the best we can be in our daily life whilst treating others with the same respect as we deserve ourselves!  It was truly a humbling and huge learning experience for all. Happiness was felt abundantly with minimum materiality and simplicity as the key!

Along with 4 hours of yoga a day (including 30 minutes meditation every morning), we also found time for chilling out on the beach, shopping (so much to buy at ridiculous prices!) and aruvedic treatments. Kerala is the home of aruvedic medicine and is part of their regular way of life, not an unaffordable luxury for most as it is in the west. We were offered a range of aruvedic massages for less than £10 and I managed to find a great reflexologist for my feet who gave me an hour-long treatment nearly every day for £2 (don’t worry I tipped him as well). On top of all this a number of sight-seeing and cultural trips were available if you wanted them.  We all enjoyed a welcome and relaxing boat ride through the stunning back-waters which Kerala is famous for. We enjoyed a trip to the nearby elephant sanctuary where we helped wash the baby elephants with coconut husks and then a ride on one of the larger elephants. Some students took a trip to ‘the tip’ of India (Kanyakumari) which is the southernmost tip of the Indian sub-continent, a place for both pilgrimage and tourism as it’s the meeting point of three bodies of water. Closer by, there was a trip into the bustling city of Trivandrum to experience the vibrancy, colours and culture of India.

Being my first trip back to India after 20 years, I can confirm it was life-changing for me and I know it’s a place I need to return to with my students. As a consequence, I’ve booked the next available slot with Free Spirit Yoga:  7^th – 20^th February 2016. A UK Yoga teacher who noticed our PowerYoga retreat photos has already booked onto this trip. I don’t know who she is but am both thrilled and honoured. The feedback from my students has been incredible and I’d like to share this one: 

“Thank you so much, in fact I will never be able to thank you enough for such an amazing holiday and for helping me fulfil my dream of visiting India! I loved every second of it and it was just incredible. You are a truly fabulous teacher and it is a privilege to be able to attend your classes.”

This has definitely been the highlight of my teaching career to date. Although I’ve only been full-time yoga teacher for one year, I’m simply loving the journey and may there be more experiences like this to come.  Thank-you to every one of my students for bringing me to this place and for leading me to God’s Own Country.

Om, Namaste

"Forrest" Yoga comes to Guernsey - Sunday 14th September

Ana Forrest is revered in the yoga world as one of the leading pioneers in adapting yoga to suit the western world.  She’s been teaching more than forty years, based in the USA, and is building a legacy through her biography Fierce Medicine and her commitment to train Forrest teachers to continue her life’s purpose of “mending the hoop of the people”.

When I was became a full-time yoga teacher in 2013, I noticed Ana was visiting the UK to run an Advanced Forrest Teacher Training in London. I applied for a place, and was fortunate to be accepted.

The course was intense and not for the faint-hearted! Her approach to teaching is different from any other style of yoga. It’s all about accessing memory stored in our cell tissues and releasing blocked energy and emotions that don’t serve us and replacing our habitual negative patterns with healthy ones.  Forrest yoga is based on the four principles of breath, strength, integrity and spirit.

Jambo is Ana’s leading UK based teacher and Forrest Guardian.  It was an honour to welcome him to Guernsey and we had a total sell-out for the two courses run at St Pierre Park on Sunday 14 September ‘Unlocking the Shoulders’ and ‘Yoga for Anxiety’.

I teach Forrest yoga on Tuesday nights at St Pierre Park Hotel which is now my most popular class but will be adding more to the PowerYoga 2015 timetable.

"Yoga on the Grass" at St Pierre Park Hotel during August - classes include a free Health Spa Day Pass

Feel the soft grassy earth supporting your feet while you practice and the birds singing as you focus on the lake in front of you whilst balancing!  I can't imagine a more exquisite place to practice outside!

Join PowerYoga Guernsey for a selection of Yoga classes running outside during August:-

• Mondays:  Budokon / Yoga for Sport - 6.00 to 7.30 pm

• Tuesdays:  Therapeutic Yoga (for backs, necks, shoulders & hips) - 7.00 to 8.15 pm

• Wednesdays:  Early Morning Practice - 7.00 to 8.00 am

• Wednesdays:  SunPower Yoga - 6.00 to 7.30 pm

• Saturdays:  Move Your Asana - 10.45 am to 12.15 pm

Please meet at least 5 minutes before the start of class at the Health Spa Reception area.

All classes include a free Health Spa Day Pass which can be used during the week following class.

Om, Namaste

The Guest House by Jelaluddin Rumi

This being human is a guest house,

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honourably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.

Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

Early Morning Yoga & Detox - back by popular demand - 2 - 6 June 0700 to 0800

Due to popularity and demand from my students, I am bringing back the Early Morning Yoga & Detox sessions to run the first week of 2nd - 6th June.

The five classes include Mindfulness / Meditation, Pranayama (breath-work), Asanas (postures) specifically selected to cleanse, tone and detoxify the body plus gentle Sun Salutations.

It's a great way to start the day and you will receive a superfood smoothie prepared with a selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices for you to take away which will assist eliminate toxins from the body.

You can drop in and do one or two classes during the week but the benefit will be greater if you cover the whole week.  (The cost is £10 per day.)

Classes will be held at the Yogic Arts Centre in Hubert's Lane, opposite Fusion Systems Limited.  Parking is available at the Odeon Car Park, with a short walk up from the top right hand corner to Hubert's Lane.

Please can you confirm whether you would like a slot and whether you will be doing all five sessions, so that I have numbers to make the right amount of smoothies.  (Please also let me know if there is anything that you are not able to eat, so that I can prepare appropriately.)

Om, namaste

Caroline

******SORRY THERE WILL BE NO CLASSES ON 5, 6 & 7 MARCH*****

CURRENT TIMETABLE OF CLASSES AT HUBERT'S LANE - RUNNING THROUGH MARCH & APRIL

* Mondays - Budokon Yoga Flow - 6.00 to 7.30 pm

* Tuesdays - Gentle Yoga & Relaxation - 9.30 to 11.00 am

* Tuesdays - Yoga for Back Pain - 5.30 to 6.45 pm   OR   7.00 to 8.15 pm

* Wednesdays - Early Morning Yoga  - 7.00 to 8.00 am

* Wednesdays - SunPower Yoga  -  6.00 to 7.30 pm

* Thursdays - NEW to Yoga  - 6.00 to 7.15 pm

* Fridays - Yin Yoga & Yoga Chill Out  - 5.45 to 7.00 pm

* Saturdays - NEW to Yoga  -  9.00 to 10.15 am

* Saturdays - PowerYoga  -  10.45 to 12.15 pm

Full timetable details and prices can be found at www.poweryogaguernsey.com  - all classes are DROP-INS - NO booking necessary.

Classes will run as normal over the Easter weekend.  

End of April my current schedule of classes will cease and there will be a new, revised but reduced PowerYoga programme over the summer months.

MORNING GENTLE YOGA & RELAXATION CLASSES FOR MUM'S - 9.30 to 11.00 am on TUESDAYS at The Yogic Arts Centre

If you know anyone is looking for a 'gentle' Yoga & Relaxation class, please direct them to this class.  Thank-you.

CAROLINE 'SHOLA' AREWA  - Women at One on Thursday 24 April

Shola has been my guest to present 'Energy 4 Life' to PowerYoga students back in 2012. I'm thrilled she will be returning to speak for 'Women at One' on Thursday 24 April on the subject of 'Spiritual Intelligence' and how today this is becoming so increasingly valuable to us.  If you'd like to join a PowerYoga table (or 2), please let me know and I can book us space.  The price for a ticket is £22.50 with £5 of that going to the Tumaini Fund - check out the amazing work done by this inspirational local charity.  http://www.tumainifund.org.uk/

(Women at One takes place at the St Pierre Park Hotel, starting 12.00, finishing around 2.30 pm)

MINI YOGA & MEDITATION RETREAT on LIHOU ISLAND - Sunday 15 & Monday 16 June

Stroll across to Lihou island lunchtime on Sunday, spend the afternoon, evening and night away from the hubbub and get as close back to nature as possible, as we approach summer solstice. There will be yoga, meditation, abundant nature, swimming in the venus pool plus an opportunity to try some yogic chanting.  You can do as much or as little as you wish, with a vegan diet to bring you back to health as nature intended.  There will be a morning meditation, gentle yoga and a wholesome breakfast plus more time to explore the peace and quietitude of the island, leaving totally refreshed, inspired and invigorated at lunchtime on Monday.  This is a one-off opportunity and numbers restricted so please let Caroline know early if interested.  (Full details coming shortly....)

DUNCAN WONG visiting London in June

I have been following Duncan since 2008 and have always been drawn to his boundless energy and 'other worldliness'! He is one of the world's leading yoga teachers and when he's teaching in London, I make sure I am present. I will be attending sessions with Duncan 19-21 June in London and have been given the privilege of inviting students who have already experienced Yogic Arts teaching (with me). If anybody feels 'ready' to experience Duncan in the flesh, please let me know. It would be the cost of the airfare to London, one (or two) nights' accommodation + £45 for a 3 hour class (0900 to 1130). Please let me know EARLY as these places will be taken quickly and need to be booked (with payment).  

See the Master in the flesh:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzdPsJ5h0j8

POWERYOGA RETREATS - Turquoise Coast, Turkey  *  Herm  *  Kerala, Southern India

Following the success of previous PowerYoga retreats, this year I will be running three very different retreats during the third quarter (October & November 2014)  - full details can be found on my website.  If you are looking to accelerate your yoga practice and experience more of what this ancient system has to offer, then attending a week or two-week yoga retreat is a great opportunity to do so.  It has also proven to be a great experience to meet like-minded people and build a close net-work of yogic colleagues and friends.  I believe there is one room left in Turkey and Kerala likewise is booking up quickly with Guernsey students. Herm details will be published shortly and we have the full use of the White House Hotel again this year.   

Look forward to seeing you all in class and making the most of the Yogic Arts Centre before we say a sad 'goodbye' at end of April.  

Om, Namaste

Caroline