Most of us start yoga cos it feels so good. We love the energy it brings, the good feeling of getting stronger and fitter and maybe leaner. The excitement of doing stuff you never thought you could, maybe touching your toes or maybe standing on your head. And this stuff is important. It teaches us about connecting to our bodies and gives us a new strength to face life’s challenges.

But it is inevitable that along the way difficulties will arise. Yoga is a process of cleansing and clearing, layer by layer, and this means that there are deeper and deeper tensions and blocks to clear away. Knowing this, you can anticipate that difficulties will arise, and when they do, say Ah! Welcome! There is something here I need to let go of.

Often we feel the need to do a whole host of other things to “fix our problem”. I am reminded here of the analogy of a man looking for water but giving up after only digging a small hole and ending up digging many small holes and not finding water. If he only dug deep in one place, he would have found water.

Practising yoga with some difficulty can be an amazing eye-opener. It can teach you to be gentle and observant and kind to yourself. And it will help you! I was recently struck with the realization that every yoga practice I’ve ever done, no matter how difficult or short it was, continues to benefit me every day.

Winter special

Winter can be a hard time of year. Do yoga regularly throughout the winter and get to the end feeling amazing!

Buy an unlimited three month pass in May or June 2012 for $300.

Moon days in May 2012

There is no class on Monday 21 May 2012 (new moon).

Big thanks to all my students – you’re all doing great!

Catherine

I became pregnant when I was 36 and had been practising yoga regularly for 11 years. More than anything, I’m sure the yoga I did before I got pregnant helped me stay fit and healthy throughout my pregnancy. This is not to discourage anyone from starting to practice yoga while pregnant. But I found practising yoga while pregnant hard! So much harder than normal. That said, it certainly helped boost my energy levels, helped keep me fit and healthy, and helped prepare me for the birth. Definitely worth it!

My teachers in Mysore, Sharath and Guruji (Sri K Pattabhi Jois) recommend resting from the regular Ashtanga Yoga practice for the first three months of pregnancy, and for the first three months after birth. However, I decided to keep practicing in the first trimester, but to take it very gently and see how I felt. And I’m glad I did.

Mostly I felt tired. But I kept up a gentle practice, no jumping, deep twists or heel pressing into the abdomen (that meant missing quite a few of the seated postures). The thing is, I realized as time progressed that there wasn’t a time during pregnancy that I wanted to increase my yoga practice. So if I’d stopped practising altogether in the first trimester I’m sure it would have been hard to start again. It felt like practising in the first trimester allowed me to continue to practise throughout my whole pregnancy. And I found, as baby got bigger, I gently reduced or altered what I was doing.

By seven months I was practicing a modified half primary and by nine months I was practising modified sun salutes, standing poses and a couple of seated poses only. To my surprise my favourite posture became Utitha Hasta Padangustasana (the standing straight legged balancing posture). I practised it without the forward bends at the end, but found it grounding and energising.

Throughout my pregnancy I was teaching in the mornings, followed by an office job during the day. What was making me tired was all that working! Pregnancy is a wonderful time to do yoga, and a wonderful time to do less work. If I could have done anything differently, it would have been to work less, and do more yoga.

The reason is, pregnancy gives you nine months to tune into your body and cultivate deep relaxation. Deep relaxation and trust in the natural process of birth is, I believe, the secret to a beautiful, normal birth.  During my pregnancy I got to do Elena Tonetti’s workshop – Birth into Being. I came away with complete trust in my natural ability to birth my baby without difficulty. She teaches the importance of taking the time during pregnancy to identify your fears, what’s holding you back, and to let those go. Practised with awareness, this is what yoga is all about, and is why it’s so helpful during pregnancy. It isn’t easy of course, and my partner and I found Amanda Collier’s Hypnobirthing course (along with the book) incredibly helpful, giving simple practical tools for relaxation and focus during labour.

My little girl was conceived on a new moon and due on a new moon but decided she wanted to be born on the full moon – so was a full two weeks late! I’m sure my yoga practice helped me feel physically well in those last two weeks. The hardest thing about that time was fighting off the pressure for a medical induction. But we did and at 42 weeks and one day, our girl was born at home in a pool of water.

For me, labour was really like a very long yoga practice. Waves of intensity, followed by relaxation. And as with yoga, the secret was not to fight or resist, but to relax and trust this perfect natural process. I’m sure nothing could have prepared me better than the experience of a daily yoga practice, particularly the difficult days.

I was fully prepared to rest from yoga for a full 6 weeks or even 3 months after the birth. But after about 10 days I felt so good, I just really wanted to practise! So I did, just some gentle modified sun salutes. I was amazed at how good my body felt. So when and as I could I practised a little more.

The first thing I noticed was that it wasn’t the pregnancy or birth experience that limited my practice, if anything I felt it had opened me, it was the fact that I had done a modified practice for nine months. For example, I hadn’t actually practised Marichasana D for nine months.

The second thing I noticed was that it wasn’t my body that limited my ability to do yoga, it was time. With my little one waking and feeding and sleeping so regularly, as they do :), it isn’t easy to get even an hour to practise. And so I wonder if the reason the 3 month rest is recommended because of the intensity of caring for the little one at this time, rather than as a rest to the body as I had previously assumed.

Now, I’m teaching again, and still slowly growing my own practice as and when I can. Most days I get to do sun salutes. When I get to do sun salutes and standing poses I am super grateful. Today I got to do seated poses as well. And probably once a week at the moment I get to do full primary and that’s awesome!

And the best bit of all is the delight on my little girl’s face as she listens to the opening prayer that she heard every day in my womb and her intense curiosity as she watches my hands and feet move.

You’re welcome to post comments or questions on our Facebook page.

It’s been an amazing first three months with my little girl, Alma Shivaram. Check out Titirangi Ashtanga’s facebook page for a cute pic!

To help make it possible for me to keep teaching the Mysore morning classes please come along! And bring a friend or family member! Also, there are going to be a few changes, so check out the news below…

Class times

Catherine will be teaching Monday – Friday 6.30am – 7.30am, with moon days off as usual.

For the time being there will be Mysore style classes on Fridays rather than a led class.

If you are a regular student, you are welcome to start your practice earlier than 6.30am and finish later than 7.30am – up to 8.30am.

Opening week special

Buy an unlimited month pass in the week 5 – 9 March 2011 for just $120 – that’s $30 off (valid to 31 March 2011). Spread the word!

New class prices

Casual – $15     ($10 for students/ unwaged)

10 trip card – $125     ($100 for students/ unwaged)

Unlimited month pass – $150

Unlimited month pass paid by AP on the first of the month – $140

Like us on facebook

Click on the facebook link on the right side of this page to take you to our facebook page. I’ll be using facebook for moon day reminders and general news and thoughts. You’re welcome to ask questions here or share those special or difficult moments in your practice, or just as a way to communicate with other students.

Moon days in March / April

There will be no class on Friday 23 March 2011 (new moon).

As it is my first week back there WILL be class on Thursday 8 March (full moon is at 10.40pm).

The moon days in April fall on a Saturday.

There will be no classes over Easter – Friday 6 April, Monday 9 April and Tuesday 10 April.

There will be no class on Anzac Day, Wednesday 25 April.

Wishing you a rewarding 2012!

“Do your practice and all is coming”

See you soon! Catherine

Mandy is offering our popular holiday classes again in the first week of January at the later time of 9am.

When: 2 – 6 January 2012, 9am – 11am

What: Monday – Thursday Mysore style, Friday led

Cost: $60 for the week, $15 casual or use your usual Titirangi Ashtanga month pass.

Beginners and out-of-towners are welcome. If you live elsewhere in Auckland and your usual school is closed come and join in!

Please email Mandy to book:  kiwi.mandy@gmail.com

We’re taking a holiday!

Catherine has given birth to a beautiful little girl, Alma, and is taking a break from teaching. There will be no taught classes for the rest of January and February.

Catherine will be returning to teach at the beginning of March 2012.

If you would like to do self-practice at the Soul Centre at the usual time (6.30 – 8.30am) during January and February, please contact Catherine at info@titirangiashtanga.co.nz to arrange this.

Wishing you all a wonderful summer!

Catherine

Titirangi Ashtanga Yoga is open five mornings a week, Monday – Friday, and you get to work with the same experienced teacher each day. We offer a unique opportunity for you to develop your own yoga practice in a supportive environment. Beginners are always welcome.

Mandy

We’re delighted to have Mandy McChesney teaching for the summer while Catherine is on maternity leave. Welcome Mandy!

Mandy is teaching the same timetable as usual and all current month passes will continue as usual with Mandy.

Mandy is a New Zealander returning home with her husband and two teenagers after nearly 14 years living in the UK, Belgium, India, Brunei and Germany. Originally from Nelson, Mandy has been a practising pharmacist and has always had a strong interest in alternative therapies and nutrition.

Yoga has been a wonderful constant in her life, providing a stability to her days when confronting many different situations.  Mandy began practising in Belgium and has studied a number of different styles. She took certified Ashtanga practitioner Paul Dallaghan’s teacher training programme in 2005.

In 2008 Mandy travelled to Mysore, India to study with Sri K Pattabhi Jois, R. Sharath and Saraswati. Mandy has also undertaken workshops with Annie Pace, Peter Sanson and Charlie Rugman-Taylor.

New Year workshop 2 – 6 January 2012

Mandy is offering our popular holiday classes again in the first week of January at the later time of 9am.

When: 2 – 6 January 2012, 9am – 11am

What: Monday – Thursday Mysore style, Friday led

Cost: $60 for the week, $15 casual or use your usual Titirangi Ashtanga month pass.

Beginners and out-of-towners are welcome. If you live elsewhere in Auckland and your usual school is closed come and join in!

Please email Mandy to book:  kiwi.mandy@gmail.com

Summer holidays, moon days and class times

November 2011

We are open Monday – Friday 6.30 – 8.30am in November. There is no class on:

Friday 11 November – full moon

Friday 25 November – new moon

December 2011

We are open Monday – Friday 6.30 – 8.30am in December. There no moon days in December (they fall on the weekend).

The last class for the year will be on Friday 23 December 2011. We are closed for one week 26 December 2011 – 1 January 2o12.

January 2012

We are open Monday 2 – Friday 6 January 2012 at the later time of 9am – 11am. Please book with Mandy if you wish to come in this week, email  kiwi.mandy@gmail.com

From Tuesday 10 January 2012 we are open as usual 6.30am – 8.30am. There is no class on:

Monday 9 January – full moon

Monday 23 January – new moon

Monday 30 January – Auckland Anniversary Day

February 2012

We are open as usual 6.30am – 8.30am. There is no class on:

Monday 6 February – Waitangi Day

Wednesday 8 February – full moon

Wednesday 22 February – new moon

Have a wonderful summer.  Do your practice and all is coming!

Catherine and Mandy

If you enjoyed Peter’s teaching, he will be doing a workshop on Waiheke Island over Labour weekend (contact Stephanie email waihekeislandashtangayoga@gmail.com) and also runs his famous Gisborne workshop at New Year (email petersansonworkshops@yahoo.com).

Spring time

With the energy of the new season, and Peter’s inspiration, September has got off to a great start. There’s a lovely energy in the yoga room at the moment and with the beautiful light mornings, it’s a great time start or recommit to a regular yoga practice.

I will be teaching through until early November when Mandy will be taking over for the summer.

Introducing Mandy

We’re very lucky to have Mandy McChesney, a kiwi returning home after many years overseas, coming to take the Mysore morning classes over the summer while I snuggle up with my new baby.

Mandy has been practising Ashtanga yoga since 2005 and has studied with some wonderful teachers – Anne Pinette in Brussels, Paul Dallaghan in Thailand, Annie Pace and Charlie Rugman, Peter Sanson, and Sri K Pattabhi Jois, Sharath and Saraswati.

Mandy has taught a mix of Mysore style and led classes and for the last couple of years in Germany has worked with a great little group of absolute beginners.

Beginners welcome

New students are always welcome and we have a great deal where you can come to a week of classes for just $20 to check it out.

Moon days in September/October

There will be no Mysore morning classes on Monday 12 September (full moon), Wednesday 28 September (new moon), Wednesday 12 October (full moon) or Thursday 27 October (new moon). There will also be no class on Labour Day, Monday 24 October.

Start your day feeling amazing!

Catherine

When: Monday 29 August – Friday 2 September 6am or 7am start

Where: Titirangi Ashtanga Yoga at the Soul Centre, 18 Huia Road, Titirangi (see the map link on your right)

Cost: $125 for the week or $30 casual per day

Peter is a New Zealander who teaches around the world and is loved by students wherever he goes. We are very lucky to have Peter coming to Titirangi – I hope you can make it!

Peter started his yoga practice in 1985 and spent 21 years studying under Sri K Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. He holds an Advanced B, 4th series teaching certificate issued by Guruji. He is only one of a handful of teachers worldwide with this level of certification.

Peter engages each student with a lightness and sensitivity developed over 21 years of teaching experience.

The workshop will be taught Mysore style in the same way Peter was taught by Guruji.

If you would like to experience a Mysore style yoga class before the workshop you are welcome to drop in to Titirangi Ashtanga Yoga’s Mysore style classes Monday – Friday at 6.30am.

To book for the workshop, please email Catherine at info@titirangiashtanga.co.nz

Parking for the workshop:

There are around 20 carparks at the Soul Centre. If the carpark is full, please park on Titirangi road near the roundabout or in the village. It’s a short walk from the village down Huia road to the Soul Centre. See the map link on your right.

If you’re travelling from elsewhere in Auckland and want to do a trial run before the workshop, you’re welcome to drop into any Mysore morning class at Titirangi Ashtanga Yoga. The Soul Centre is about 15 kms from Central Auckland and will take about 20 minutes at 6am or 25 – 35 minutes back to town at around 8.30am

New students are always welcome

New students can come for one week of unlimited Mysore morning classes for just $20 to try it out. Absolute beginners and all ages are welcome.

Moon days in August/ September

The moon days in August all fall on the weekend so we’re there five days a week for the rest of August!

In September there will be no class on Monday 12 September (full moon) and Wednesday 28 September (new moon)

This is my favourite early morning time of the year… Each day the mornings are getting lighter and the skies are beautiful just about the time you’re on your way to yoga. It’s worth getting up!

Start your day feeling amazing.

Catherine

Peter is one of my favourite teachers.  He taught my long time teacher Mike Berghan, and his twice yearly visits to Te Aro Ashtanga Yoga were a highlight of my Wellington years.

Peter’s dedication to the practice and the teaching is a real inspiration. His approach is very gentle and has taught me that slowly slowly is the only way to go.

The workshop with Peter will be Mysore style so you can choose to start at 6am or 7am.

The Soul Centre is about 15 kms from Auckland central. It will would be about a 15-20 minute drive from Auckland central at 6am and about a 25- 35 minute drive back to town at around 8.30am.

Workshop details:

When: Monday 29 August – Friday 2 September 2011, 6am – 8.30am (Start times 6am or 7am)

Where: Titirangi Ashtanga Yoga at the Soul Centre, 18 Huia Road, Titirangi, Auckland

Cost: $125 for the week or $30 casual

Contact Catherine Albiston: info@titirangiashtanga.co.​nz or 021 2097597 to book your slot

There are 20 parking spaces at the Soul Centre. If the car park is full, there are parks on Titirangi road close to the roundabout and it’s a short walk down Huia road. See the map on your right.

If you live elsewhere in Auckland and want to have a trial run before committing to the workshop you’re welcome to drop into any Mysore morning class! A casual class is $15 or if you’re new to Titirangi Ashtanga Yoga you can come to unlimited classes for one week for just $20.

On being pregnant and yoga…

So I’m now 21 weeks pregnant and on a new yoga journey! Everyone’s experiences of being pregnant differ, each time I’m told. But I thought I’d share something of my experience so far.

The first thing I noticed was that immediately my yoga practice became about nurturing me, helping me along. There was nothing I needed to achieve, only benefits to receive. And when I was tired or something felt too hard that day, I didn’t have to do it. It’s a lovely feeling. And it’s a great reminder that yoga is there to help us. When we take it gently, and keep it regular, the benefits will just come. Pushing often adds to the stress we are intending to reduce.

I moved my practice time from 5am before class to 8am after class. There’s a new and special kind of tiredness that comes with being pregnant and demands some extra rest!

I stopped jumping and deep twists straight away, and also stopped any of the postures where my heel pressed closely into my abdomen. Some people may continue these poses for some time, but it didn’t feel right for me so I stopped.

Generally I’m feeling heavier and more tired in my practice than usual. I haven’t felt the additional flexibility that people talk about while being pregnant (maybe that’s to come!). But still I feel so much better for doing even a small practice than none at all.

I am so grateful to have established a regular yoga routine before becoming pregnant. And I’m super grateful that the Ashtanga yoga path is so flexible to provide for a gentle yoga practice appropriate to keep up during pregnancy.

As far as teaching goes, I’ve been blessed with no morning sickness and, as always, the Mysore morning classes are a delight.

I’ll keep you posted on how it goes!

Teacher wanted November 2011 – March 2012

I’m looking for cover for the Mysore morning programme from around November – March. If you’re interested, please be in touch.

New students are always welcome

New students can come for one week of unlimited Mysore morning classes for just $20 to try it out. Absolute beginners and all ages are welcome.

Moon days in July and August

There will be no Mysore morning classes on Friday 1 July (new moon), and Friday 15 July (full moon).

In August, the full moon falls on Sunday 14 and the new moon falls on Monday 29. As Peter Sanson’s workshop is on that day, the class will be going ahead.

Hope to see you soon.

Start your day feeling amazing :)

Catherine

A regular yoga practice is a wonderful way to ward off winter colds and flus and lethargy.

Ashtanga yoga is a warming practice. It gets the blood circulating and this both flushes out toxins from the body and stimulates the immune system.

Often through winter it just feels like you’re doing ‘maintenance’ rather than making much progress because it’s colder and you’re often a bit stiffer than in summer.  Really the benefits are just a little more subtle, you feel lighter and more energised than you would otherwise, you’re healthier and less likely to get sick. And then, if you keep it up, once spring comes you take off!

We have a lovely group of students practising in the beautiful warm Soul studio each morning. Most students come 2, 3 or 4 times a week. Some of the regular students have been practising with me for around a year now and it is wonderful to see how the their practices have grown and transformed.

It is such a simple method. All you really need to do is show up and practice, and slowly over time your strength grows, your tightness softens away and you feel better and happier.

New students are always welcome

New students can come for one week of unlimited Mysore morning classes for just $20 to try it out. Absolute beginners and all ages are welcome.

Sri K Pattabhi Jois

For those of you who don’t know about Sri K Pattabhi Jois, he was the man who first started teaching Westerners Ashtanga yoga in the 1970s and continued to teach until shortly before his passing in 2009. Anyone who has benefited from Ashtanga yoga in a small way, or a major way, has this man to be grateful for.

I’ve been reading the book Guruji: A portrait of  Sri K Pattabhi Jois through the eyes of his students by Guy Donahaye and Eddie Stern. I’d highly recommend it to any student who is interested in learning more about this amazing teacher and this method of yoga. The book is available from the Auckland libraries.

June/ July special deal for students and unwaged

In June and July students and unwaged can come and pay just $10 per casual class. This works out the same as buying a 12 trip pass, but you don’t have to pay upfront and you don’t have to commit for the month.

Evening classes

Thank you so much to all the evening class students who have been coming over the last couple of years. I’m stepping back from the evening classes for a while, but they will still carry on through the Soul Centre. To all the regulars please keep it up! You are of course always welcome to join the morning classes. I’d love to see you :)

Moon days in June and July

There will be no Mysore morning classes on Thursday 2 June (new moon), Thursday 16 June (full moon), Friday 1 July (new moon) and Friday 15 July (full moon).

There will be no class on Monday 6 June for the Queen’s birthday holiday.

Hope to see you soon.

Start your day feeling amazing :)

Catherine

Autumn is a time of change, it gets chillier and the leaves dry up and fall off the trees. In Ayurveda, autumn is a time when “vata” increases. For some of us we may experience this as feeling the cold, feeling more anxious or tired, and our balance may not be quite as great as it was in the summer. We may be more affected than usual by late nights, travel or changes in our routine.

A regular, warm yoga routine is a great way to keep balanced, relaxed and two feet on the ground at this time of year. It’s good not to over do it, keep it simple, but keep it up! A regular yoga practice is a powerful way to keep your immunity boosted. Starting a regular yoga routine now and keeping it up through the winter will do wonders to keep you fit and healthy.

Other simple things you can do to help avoid the stresses of the change in season are drinking warm water throughout the day (with a squeeze of lemon juice if you like), and allowing yourself to have regular sleeping and eating times.

Evening classes

The evening classes have been awesome lately! They are led classes on Monday and Thursday 7.15pm – 8.30pm. Soul prices apply to theses two classes. $16 casual or $135 for a ten trip ticket.

Easter and moon days

There will be no Mysore morning classes on Monday 18 April (full moon), Friday 22 April (Easter Friday), Monday 25 April (Easter Monday), Tuesday 3 May (new moon) and Tuesday 17 May (full moon).

There will be no Monday evening class on Monday 24 April (Easter Monday). Evening classes still go ahead on the moon days.

New students are always welcome

New students can come for one week of unlimited Mysore morning classes for just $20 to try it out. Absolute beginners and all ages are welcome.

Start your day feeling amazing :)

Catherine