Summer is still lingering, but it is starting to feel a bit chilly in the morning when walking to the shala. We hope you’ve had a great couple of summer months with the chance to recover and replenish your vitamin D levels. The shala has been open since the start of August and in the past weeks we have getting extra energy ahead of the autumn with a visit from guest teacher Tim Feldmann and inspiration from taking part at Ribban yoga festival together with Malmö's many yoga studios. Yoga has, as you are probably already aware of, the same goal regardless of type or style practised, namely, to calm our mind so that we can be more focused, less fragmented, stronger and more resilient mentally and physically. But different people need different methods to reach that goal and that’s why it’s so good that there are various yoga styles, so that everyone can find what works best for them.

Our shala focuses on the eightfold path of Ashtanga Yoga, which is both an end and a means. When practicing (on the mat) we use different tools such as asana (physical postures), breathing, dristhi (focus pints for the gaze), self-control (Yama&Niyama), etc. to reach the goal of yoga. It is irrelevant how advanced or how many postures we do; what the postures look like or whether we are as "good" or "better" than our neighbour. The important thing is what approach we have, i.e. that we cultivate patience and humility, practice regularly over a long period of time and do not force something that the body or mind are not ready to receive. Yoga is not about conquering postures; it’s about gradually learning to respond to the feelings and thoughts that arise when we encounter difficulties. Yoga tries to teach us acceptance and perhaps one of the most important lessons is that "advancement" does not mean going further or deeper in yoga postures, but instead it's about being content in the present moment. It is useful to regularly evaluate one’s approach to the practice, how one relates to it and what attitude one has both on and off the yoga mat. What happens inside when it feels easy or less easy, what does the inner voice say? If you like, we can discuss these and similar questions at our monthly tea&talks after the guided primary series class (next one up is on Sunday 6^th September). We are also happy to receive your questions and thoughts by email or if you want to discuss with each other in our private Facebook group.

AUTUMN SCHEDULE

The autumn schedule starts on 1st September and runs until Christmas. Helena resumes teaching Monday morning’s mysore class and Isabella and Helena alternate on Sundays again. Our evening classes start the second week of September, and both the Level2 Foundation class and the yin yoga are open for drop-in for those who have valid cards with us. But remember to check with Helena that there’s space available before you come as we need to prioritise those who have booked and paid for the entire course. You find the schedule on the schedule page with all temporary changes listed below the overview schedule at the bottom of the page. The page is updated regularly, so visit it to stay informed.

OPEN HOUSE

We start the autumn semester with a kick-off on Sunday 6^th September. In the morning we have a guided primary series class for all our current members at 9 am taught by Isabella and afterwards we open the doors to the public for an Open House. There will be free trial classes, coffee and a Q&A session, as well as special offers exclusively available that day. Keep an eye on our social media and our private Facebook group for announcements. All details about the Open House and how to register for the trial classes can be found here. Everyone is welcome and please invite family and friends too!

AUTUMN COURSES

Since the autumn semester is relatively short, we have chosen to only have one batch of courses. Just like last year all our courses cover ten weeks throughout the semester. Information on all upcoming courses is available here

ASHTANGA FOUNDATION COURSE L1 (beginners) – with Katie, Mondays starting 14/9

ASHTANGA FOUNDATION COURSE L2 – with Helena, Wednesdays starting 16/9

YIN YOGA – with Helena, Thursdays starting 17/9

It always makes us very happy when you share and recommend our courses and events to friends. The more people who practice the warmer the shala :)

At the end of the autumn semester, we plan to hold our annual Advent pot-luck brunch as well as a separate charity event with the aim of giving back to those less fortunate. Both events are already up for registration on the events-page. The next newsletter will be distributed before the Christmas/New Year holidays including a winter schedule and possibly a city retreat in January like the one we had this year. Please stay updated via the website, our social media (links above in the menu and/or join our private Facebook group only for shala members). If you have questions, requests or feedback, you are welcome to contact us via the yoga school's email address, but please keep in mind that we do not read/reply outside office hours or on weekends. If you want the door code, you need to contact us at least 24 hours before your visit.

A friendly reminder: yoga is a "workin", not a workout.

Isabella & crew

P.S Don’t forget that you can use your wellness allowance with us