Yoga

This term’s yoga has been about building stability of body and mind, so we have been doing the standing postures and balances in held positions while stabilizing the mind with the image of the full moon in the dark clear night sky, reflecting in the ripples of the ocean beneath it. The postures have included the Warrior postures, the Moon postures, Tree and Dancer balances and the Salute to the Moon. The aim has also been to bring deep nourishment to the nervous system. This has been focussed on by practising the full yogic breath with ujjayi (the throat breath), as well as completing each class with a yoga nidra (sleep without going to sleep).

In terms of meridians we have been working with the meridians of the kidney and bladder. Again the yoga using these meridians is to bring deep rest and energy to the body to allow it to get through the cold and short days of winter. The postures include the forward bends in all positions and back bends, as well as the situps.

Our Yoga for Family day was a huge success, and as well as having fun doing yoga as all kinds of families, we prepared, cooked and ate under the wonderful guidance of Donna Moor, the appropriate food for supporting the body and mind in winter. I would also like to thank David for his help in making the day successful. Winter foods include:

All beans especially those in the shape of the kidney;

grains such as buckwheat, wholegrain rice, barley, millet, rye and oats;

celery and all root vegies, as well as cauliflower and broccoli;

beetroot and leafy green vegies;

fish and oysters;

seeds and nuts;

blackberries and cranberries;

preserved fruit and vegies from previous seasons;

cinnamon, ginger, fenugreek, nettle tea;

good salt and tamari;

seaweeds for the nervous system;

miso.

It would be lovely to repeat this with food from another season.

Due to continued request I shall be trialling a Kid’s yoga on a Tuesday afternoon from 4:00 – 4:45pm, see the new timetable for details. I was thinking of ages 5-11.

As usual I have a lot of devoted volunteers who help with classes, this term Kim is going overseas and will be replaced by Michael, Anthea and Rita in making it possible for Brian to attend yoga and get the most from it. My wonderful volunteers who make it possible for the DARTs (disabled, alternative, road transport scheme) students to attend, continue to inspire me. Thankyou to Lynn, Barry, Rhonda, Anne, Pam, Deb, Ross and Jo and Bert, Mona and Barbara for your continued enthusiasm.

Pilates

This term in Pilates we have been using the small balls to help create an unsteady base of support. Everyone has progressed with this small piece of equipment whether in the standing balances or lying on them or kneeling on them. Please remember to order one if you would like your own in the next week.

This year most students have progressed to at least one or two of the level three Pilates movements, this is a huge personal improvement for most of you, congratulations. Many Pilates movements look quite simple, but many of you have commented that as the years have gone by and you’ve understood the muscles to be worked, some of the basic movements are more difficult now than they were previously.

Next term we shall be combining the small balls with the stretchy straps and working aerobically to improve fitness for summer. The last lesson of the 930 class on Monday, Wednesday and 8am Saturday, will include a walk down and back to Flat Rock (to use the buttocks) and once down there an ab workout. We shall meet at the end of Downpatrick road at 925am or 8am on the Saturday, wear your joggers and bring your water.

City To Surf 05

Don’t they look wonderful… and they were wonderful, we had fun training and walking and some even running!!! on the day, and we all coped with the crowds – even me!

By popular request we have decided to do each part of the 100km walk in 7km – 10 km lots, on the 2^nd Friday of each month from around 11am. All are welcome. Watch the notice boards for details!!

Small Business Awards 05

Thankyou to all those students who nominated me for the Manly Daily small business awards, I was honoured to become one of the six finalists. Body shape at DY won the health and fitness section.

Finally, if there is anything that you would like to have included in your classes please let me know so that I can include it in next term’s program. Thanks as ever for your loyalty and continued enthusiasm. Good luck to Michelle, Penny and Angela for the approaching births of their babies. Have a great holiday and I look forward to seeing you again next term.

Annette