Emma's Autumn Yoga Newsletter 2018
Dear Yogis, well- the nights are growing shorter as we enter the
season of ‘mists and mellow fruitfulness’. Every season marks a new
series of ‘Firsts’ for me after the loss of my mother but, as I do
with my Ashtanga Yoga Primary series, I will breathe through all
these changes and shifts and keep seeking the light through my Yoga
practice and through inspiring the Yoga journeys of others.
Kath Conally in Handstand; knew I got the Yoga from somewhere!
Following your Sadhana (Path) is not always easy but as I read
recently, if we didn’t experience a full kaleidoscope of joy and pain, how would we know we were truly alive. Yoga always makes life
easier, lifting away resentment, worry and judgements and
encouraging us all to embrace our best, true self
With that in mind, here is all the news for the new season…
Ischia Italy Yoga Retreat June 2018
Striking a pose at Casa Benedetto, Ischia
Wow! What an amazing time we had at this new venue and location.
Ischia is a stunning island with plenty to see and do. From the taxi
journey through the birth place of Sophia Loren to the dazzling
ferry trip to the island itself, we were pretty much on holiday as
soon as we left the plane!
The venue was simple and basic with clean rooms, hot showers and
plentiful food. Aside from our Yoga classes, we spent most of our
time together exploring the local beaches, picturesque San Angelo,
the Botanical Gardens, Aragonese Castle, bathing in the volcanic
thermal springs and enjoying a fab day out to the island of Capri.
This was a day which will live long in the memory- we had such a
laugh and were very impressed by the island and its history.
Enjoying the sea spray on the ferry to Capri
View from Capri
Next time, there are plans to visit Pompeii and the numerous other
islands and towns waiting to be explored –can’t wait!
Next year’s retreat is full but there is a waiting list. I have provisional dates for June 2020 so will keep you posted…
Capri Harbour
David Swenson Ashtanga Yoga Workshops July 2018
Emma and Zuzana with David Swenson Manchester July 2018
Zuzana and I had a great time learning from David once again and
experiencing his kind aura of calm wisdom and his silly sense of
humour. There were around 150 Yogis present so we were delighted
when he came over to us and hugged us both saying how great it was
to see us again!
I later went over at a quiet moment to ask after Shelley and see
how life had been. He was happy to see my magazine cover for the
BWY Spectrum magazine and asked for a copy.
Since my news, his wonderful wife Shelley has been a huge support
for me, with kind wise messages and sharing her own personal and
tragic experiences of loss. I am hoping some day to also be taught by
her- she was certified by both Patabhi Jois and his grandson
Sharath Jois to teach Ashtanga Yoga Primary and Intermediate
Series respectively. She was a world class Modern and ballet dancer,
dancing with the likes of Martha Graham but, like David, is very
humble and down to earth.
David and Shelley
David in Pinchu Mariyasana (Peacock)
They say a good teacher tells you what you need to hear without
always realising the impact their words have on you. Seeing David
again at this point in my life was just what I needed. A dear friend
of his had died a few days earlier and he spoke movingly and
eloquently about how precious our first and last breath in this life is
during his workshop on Pranayama and Bandhas. A few days after
this my mum died, life as I knew it changed completely and his words
of wisdom returned to me as a comfort
Yoga and Pilates Retreat with Lisa Wood, Cober Hill,
July 2018
I wasn’t sure at first if I would be able to teach this retreat but as it was a joint one with my friend Lisa Wood and with students I know
well, most of whom had met my mum before, it proved to be a
cathartic experience. Amidst the tears behind closed doors, and
after a wobble going up to the entrance only months after leaving
with my mum by my side, I settled to teaching and felt better
instantly. My students were so lovely and it was nice to celebrate
Dawn’s birthday during the retreat.
It was also lovely to be able to do some Pilates alongside my
students and fill up on the usual impressive meals, cakes and ice
creams
Out of all the places I have travelled to teach Yoga, this is one
which feels homely and comforting from the epic coastline to the
warm and friendly staff, every stay here is special.
I’m already looking forward to March 2019
Yoga Morning in aid of Cancer Support Yorkshire
Saturday 8th September 2018
A big thank you to all of you who came to and/or supported
this morning of Yoga in aid of the tiny Bradford branch
which supported my mum in her first year of cancer. They
are funded entirely by donations and run by volunteers so
any amount we raise makes a difference.
The amount raised is currently at £100-thank you especially
to Iain, Dawn, Anne L, Adrienne W and Jan F for your extra
donations. I’ll be happy to pass them on
Headline Act!-Date for your Diary…
Emma, San Angelo, Ischia
I enjoyed teaching at the BWY Northern Festival in July
this year in Durham.
As many of you know, Ashtanga Yoga does not have the best
of reputations with the British Wheel but I hoped to
change a few minds by teaching my very accessible
‘Ashtanga for Everyone’ session at the festival. It was well attended and heartening to see that students were
comfortable whether they were doing sun salutes, or sitting
and following the cues to inhale and exhale.
It came as a complete surprise to me to be asked to
headline the next festival by the BWY Committee and to
also teach Ashtanga Yoga! This is such an honour and I
know my teacher David Swenson will be happy to see
Ashtanga Yoga being taught the classical way as a therapy
for healing and self-transformation to a broader range of
people.
The other good news is the venue: The Earth Beat Centre
in our very own Saltburn-by-the-Sea This means the
festival will be on our doorstep and it will be a good chance
to experience other local teachers in the area.
The date for the one –day Festival is Sunday 7th July 2019
As more details come in, I will keep you posted but I will be
teaching 4 classes throughout the day and hope very much
to see you there
Lisa, Emma and Mrs O, Peace Out!
Retreats for 2018
5TH-7th October ‘Autumn Escape’ retreat, The Golden Fleece Hotel and
Restaurant, Thirsk (2 places available- only single rooms and double rooms left)
15th-20th November Winter Wellbeing Retreat, ‘Source of Light’, above Malaga,
Spain (FULL!)
2019
29th- 31st March ‘Spring Awakening weekend retreat’, Cober Hill, Cloughton,
Scarborough (12 places left)
11TH-16TH April Spring Wellbeing Retreat at ‘Source of Light’ above Malaga (4
places available)
14th-21st May ‘Sun, Sea and Yoga’ retreat, Western Crete (FULL!)
13th-20th July Yoga Holiday with pool at ‘Source of Light’ above Malaga (9 places available)
13th-15th September ‘Yoga, Health and Fitness’ retreat at ‘The Tree’, Pickering, North Yorkshire (12 places available)
14th-19th November Winter Wellbeing Retreat, ‘Source of Light’, above Malaga, Spain (5 places available)
2020
NEW!
22ND-29th September ‘Sun, Sea and Yoga’ retreat, Western Crete (15 places available) **A full description can be found under ‘Retreats’ on my website or in brochures available at classes and workshops. Let me know if you’d like to book any of them
Do contact Debby or Jilly at Free Spirit Travel for the Crete retreats and they
will give you all the assistance you need.
I have brochures for my own retreats available with all the contact details on if
you’d like to get one in class or when you see me **
Workshops for September, October and
November 2018
10am-12pm Sat 22nd September Chakra Yoga and Sound Bath with
Adrienne Wood, £20, Sunnyfield House, Guisborough (10 places left)
10am-12pm Sat 13th October Creating Healthy Movement Patterns
Yoga and Pilates workshop with Lisa Wood, £20, Sunnyfield House,
Guisborough (9 places left)
10am-12pm Sat 3rd November Yoga, Shamanism and the Egyptian
Tradition, £15, Sunnyfield House, Guisborough (20 places left)
10am-12pm Sat 10th November Guest teacher for Darlington Yoga
Group, The Millenium Hall, Ravensdale Rd, Darlington, DL3 8DT
What I’m up to this Autumn, Yoga and otherwise…
On our hols in sunny Blackpool
We are currently in training for our 5k and 10k runs in support of
The Motor Neurone Disease charity as part of Redcar Running
Festival on Sunday 30th September at 10am.
It is good to have something to focus on that will help victims of
this terrible disease in some small way. Hope some of my students
will come along to the Coast Road and give us a wave and maybe some
jelly babies at the end!
Spa Day in October to re-charge after a busy start to Autumn and
re-visit a spa I went to with my mum
Some training with a Yogi and Shaman who looks very eccentric-I’m sure it will be fun and I will have lots to pass on in my workshop in
November
Going to see Joanna Lumley, one of our favourite ladies, talk about
her life and loves in York
A weekend of workshops with lovely David again in November
Mum and Emma circa 1979-curly hair, don’t care
The last two months have been the most challenging of my life and
my students have been a central factor in getting me through- so
thanks for all the lovely cards, flowers, pressies, hugs, kind words
and for making me laugh when it seemed impossible I could do so.
Being able to teach you and feel the healing power of Yoga has got
me through some days and being able to guide your Yoga journeys
has given my life purpose at a tough time.
Namaste, and look forward to seeing you on the mat!
Love, Emma
Facials in a tower block in Hungary- always the glamour!