Leonie Grant - June 2011
Yoga keeps me sane.
It keep me supple,
it keeps me moving,
it keeps me SANE!
10 years ago I turned up to the cold and dusty Community Centre in Maidstone for my first yoga class with Claire. She had been recommended by my daughter and I was hopeful that I might have found the right teacher. I had done yoga in the 80’s and loved it, then after a break I was unsuccessfully searching for a good local teacher; someone who understood where I was at and pitched the class at a level that I could manage.
After a prolapsed disc injury in 1987, I suffered from constant sciatica down my left leg. It was very painful, tiring and quite debilitating. My doctor and physiotherapist both told me that I would never fully recover, I would always have back problems and that I would have sciatica for the rest of my life! I didn’t imagine that yoga would cure my back but the classes felt good, I was very comfortable with Claire and my chronic back pain started to improve.
When Claire started teaching more and moved to Sunshine I upped my attendance to twice weekly. This change made a big difference to my flexibility and my back problems quietly improved some more. One morning I was lying in bed, contemplating life and it just dawned on me,
“My back pain is gone, I can’t remember the last time I had sciatica!"
I realised with great amazement that I hadn’t thought about having a bad back for ages! These yoga classes were really paying off! This year with the introduction of the SunYoga membership I upped my attendance to 4 times per week. I attend as much as I can; my weekly classes vary from yogercise to yoga for the mind. I attend retreats and workshops as well and my yoga just keeps getting better. I guess you could say I am now a yoga devotee.
This really regular practice supports me in so many ways. I am noticing incremental physical changes and improvements. At the beginning of this year I couldn’t sit in a meditation posture for any period of time without experiencing lots of pain and discomfort in my knees. 6 months later, I can now sit comfortably for 15 to 20 minutes. My knees are not perfect, but they no longer stop me from enjoying my meditation, a major improvement.
I can move a lot more than I could 10 years ago. I am so much more comfortable in my body, physically and emotionally.
I use the tools that I learn in yoga everyday in my working and home life. They help me deal with any stresses and problems. I appreciate what a valuable and practical resource my yoga is. I now have the ability to connect to my inner, stable centre…that calm, still place inside me where I find peace and tranquility.
The SunYoga membership is really working for me. Before this, I would try and practice at home but there was always something that got in the way. Now I attend yoga whenever I like. It is paid for, I can come almost any day of the week, and when I get to the studio I know there will be support, guidance and friendship. In fact, as soon as I start up the stairs I immediately relax…
So, that’s my yoga story so far, I am looking forward to the next unfolding… and the next one…and lots more yoga.
Leonie Grant - Thankyou Claire & Belinda,
Love Leonie xx
Upcoming Events
The Sun Yoga Socialites went to the Sun Theatre in Yarraville on Friday 20th April and saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. After the movie they had supper and a chat and lots of laughs... Our next social event is a brunch at the Happy River Café at the Footscray Community Centre in Whitehall Street . The café is child friendly with toys and plenty of room for the kids.
Breakfast will be after our Saturday yoga sessions. Date to be advised!
Harvest Yoga & SunYoga join forces to present:
Weekend Workshops with Paul Wooden in 2012
This is a fantastic opportunity to dip into Paul's extraordinary wisdom and wealth of experience as a yogi and teacher. Paul is spending a lot of time overseas this year and is not teaching much in Australia - so if it interests you, jump in!
12 & 13 May - Befriending Resistance
Resistance is an inevitable part of the yogic process…Whether it be tight hamstrings resisting a forward bend, a held breath or some form of mental hardening, resistance shows us the contours of the territory we are working with in practice.
Resistance shows us where a boundary is. The boundary itself is not the problem… These boundaries are the frontier of our known world.
But what is our relationship to these boundaries?. What is our relationship to resistance?
How well do we know them and what happens in us as they arise in practice.
This workshop will be an invitation to befriend the resistance that arises as we approach a boundary. Exploring ways we can open to it as an ally, rather than a foe. When we learn to listen to and work with the intelligence and energy inherent in resistance, it becomes a resource for us. And the unimaginable becomes possible...
24 & 25 November - Befriending the Unknown
All growth requires us to feel out beyond the boundaries of what we know of ourselves. It calls us out into unknown territory....becoming familiar with the intimate terrain of unknowing is an essential key to real transformation.
The more stability we have here...in unknowing.... the more space we find for something fresh and authentic to emerge.
Venue?
Anglicare Community Hall
41 Somerville Rd
Yarraville
Cost -
Single Workshop $250 or *$230 Early Bird
Current Harvest & SunYoga Students $235 or *$220 Early Bird
Or Both Workshops for *$400 Early Bird
*To receive your Early Bird discounts please book & pay in full by Friday, April 20th.
Please note - choose carefully. After payment is made we are unable to offer you a refund.
How to book? Contact Rick at Harvest Yoga
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Phone Rick - 0431 163 130
Baby Massage Workshops with Belinda @ SunYoga
"I love massages!" said Rhys.
Join Belinda for these beautiful, instructive sessions of Baby Massage
Baby massage is:
• Fun and enjoyable for both you and baby
• Helps you both to relax and enjoy each others company
• Encourages your baby to sleep deeper and longer
• Improves colic and calms irritable babies
• Establishes a close, loving communication and relationship between you and baby
Suitable for babies aged 6 weeks or more.
2012 Dates:
Workshop 2 – 15 July & 22 July
Workshop 3 – 11 Nov & 18 Nov
All sessions run from
10:30am – 12:30pm
Cost *$80
*bring a friend and get a $10 discount
*SunYoga pre-natal yoginis get a $10 discount
For bookings or enquiries please contact Belinda:
9311 0312
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Introductory Offer
Unlimited Casual Classes within 14 days for only $25!
*100% money back guarantee
Take advantage of our super special *unlimited classes in 14 days deal.
Our intro offer is a great way to get started without blowing your budget. It is a no risk offer as we will give you your money back if you are not satisfied, (sorry, no steak knives included!). To take up this generous offer just let us know you're coming along. Contact Us
Follow up your intro offer with our New Yogi Unlimited deal, a whole month of unlimited classes for only $99! We are passionate about yoga and are confident that if you attend regular classes you will get great results. Our new yogi unlimited one month offer is our gift to give you the opportunity to find out for yourself!
To be eligible for a money back guarantee you must attend a minimum of 3 classes within your 14 day introductory offer. Only one intro & new yogi unlimited offer per customer. Not available for courses.
