John Scott Coming To Hawkes Bay

World renowned Ashtanga yoga teacher, John Scott, will conduct a workshop in Hawkes Bay in August. There will be five sessions titled "Yoga For Life."
The sessions will be conducted on Friday evening, 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th.
The cost of the workshop will be $220.
More details will be posted as the programme and venue are confirmed.

GISBORNE WORKSHOP

I am at present enjoying Peter's workshop here in Gisborne. Each session has been well attended by over 30 participants, some travelling from Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga, Hamilton and Napier.
It is a tribute to Peter's teaching that he has developed such a loyal following.
Participating in the workshop is inspiring, as the energy developed by the group gives impetus to one's own practice.
The social activities also are another attraction with the after session get to togethers, Indian meals and pot luck dinners.
All in all a great time.

Have Westerners Killed Yoga?

Patanjali's Sutras contain 195 aphorisms. The physical practices are mentioned in very few of them. I found 15 aphorisms that contained references to the physical practices.
That leaves 180 aphorisms that talk about the rest of the practice of yoga.
References are made to yoga being taught one on one with the yoga master teaching the student.
When I see yoga classes in many Western studios I see crowded classes of twenty or more. The classes tend to be led classes of asana practice.
How does this fit with the sutras?
The Sutras and Sri Patthabi Jois both say that the physical practice is necessary for the practice of yoga. ("Do your practice and all is coming").
But the sutras also mention that yoga begins with the first limb, being the yamas. Specifically to take care of others and practice service.
How many of us do this?
How many classes are just gymnastic classes that make the student feel good?

March Workshop

Ashtanga yoga in Hawkes Bay received another boost with a workshop conducted by Peter. We had great numbers on every day with a good combination of locals and out of towners. Participants came from as far away as Tauranga, Wellington and Gisborne. This attendance testifies to the popularity of Peter and the quality of his workshops.
Thanks to Body Fusion for providing a great venue for this workshop.

The Om Symbol

We gathered for our Hawkes Bay Teacher's meeting last Friday. When I say "we" there was a whole three of us. There are are 17 teachers who are interested in meeting and all were busy except for us three. Kirsten had to rush off so that left Jenny and myself. Now Jenny had turned up because she was going to share some research on the Om Symbol. This was great because it meant I was the benificiary of what she had put together. And very interesting it was too.Each part of the symbol has a meaning. It can be used as a metaphor for the yoga process going from a dream state to transcendence.
The symbol/sound stands for supreme truth, representing creation. It is the primal sound; the cosmic vibration of the universe.In chanting "om" we quieten the senses, improve focus and connect the consciousness to higher truth .
Jenny had a lot more information but, as they say, you had to be there.

FREE YOGA WITH BODY FUSION

CONGRATULATIONS
to Body Fusion for opening up their studio at 231 Warwick Rd for free self practice on the weekends of 17th and 18th Feb. and 24th and 25 th of Feb. This is a St. Valentines gift to Body Fusion students. Hope you make the most of it. The self practice is available 7-9 AM on each day.

Peter Sanson's Summer timetable

Peter is on his summer circuit again.
He has just finished in Auckland. Forthcoming dates are:

Tauranga 21st - 25th February contact Paul and Carla 027 2777620

Hawkes Bay 28th Feb - 4th March contact Shelley 06 877 8419

Wellington 5th - 10th March contact Mike and Victoria 04 565 4061

Takaka 11th - 15th March contact Reto and Vera 03 5258663

Peter is a certified Ashtanga teacher who conducts workshops in New Zealand and internationally for six months of the year. He then spends six months in Mysore.
His workshops are conducted in a professional and authentic manner.
Everyone gets a lot from the workshops as well as enjoying them immensely.

SARASWATHI'S WEBSITE

Saraswathi Rangaswamy, daughter of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy’s mother, launched her own website this month, Saraswathi Ashtanga.

This website has been reviewed by Ashtangayoga blog who comment:

She has many insights into Ashtanga, women and family responsibility from a feminine point of view. Each page of Saraswathi’s site is well-worth reading. Her site is infused with the gentle wisdom, kindness and humor of the Jois family.

The main subjects are:

• Saraswathi - describing her life with yoga intertwined throughout. She has been teaching since 1971 and in 1986 was criticized for teaching women and men together.
• Insights - wisdom from Saraswathi, like “Everybody speaks about the greatness of my father. Yes now he is great, but does anybody know what sufferings he went through in order to come to where he’s at today?”
• Feminine Perspective - wisdom specifically related to women’s traditional responsibilities, like:

Men are stronger than women physically, but women are more talented yogis.

The site also lists Saraswathi’s teaching schedule and contact information. It specifically states that Saraswathi welcomes beginning Ashtanga students. She teaches her own class every day after assisting her father, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. She has an ever increasing dedicated following.

Guruji's Florida Shala

Pattabhi

Pattabhi Jois is opening a new shala in Islamorada, Florida. There is great interest in the Grand Opening at the end of March. The first week of practice is sold out.

There is a Registration form on the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute website which indicates practice times and availability:

Sunday March 25 - Thursday March 29
7am full primary - SOLD OUT
9am full primary - SOLD OUT

March 25th, 26th, 27th & 29th drop-in days also SOLD OUT.
Drop-in days still available: 28th

Sunday April 1 - Friday April 6
(Monday April 2nd no classes)
7am full primary AVAILABLE
9am full primary AVAILABLE

Extra information is available at:

• Pattabhi Jois’ New Shala in Florida
• All About Islamorada

I

HAWKES BAY WORKSHOP WITH PETER SANSON

Hastings Summer Ashtanga Yoga Workshop

With Peter Sanson

When: Wednesday, Feb 28^th – Sunday Mar 4^th 2007

Workshop Dates

Practice days	Times	Type
Wednesday 28th	6.30am	Mysore
Thursday 1st	6.30am	Mysore
Friday 2nd	6.30am	Mysore
Friday 2nd	5.30pm	Led
Sat and Sun 3rd & 4th	10am & 9am	Mysore

Where:

Body Fusion,231Warwick St,

Hastings (off Karamu Road,

a main road to Napier)

Registration: Ring Shelley on 06 877 5777

Cost: 5 days for $100, Fri through Sunday $60, just the led class on Friday $25

Attend any number of classes

Peter's workshops are always a great place to practice in a supportive atmosphere. Join us at the Body fusion rooms with an experienced practitioner and teacher.