kripalu Yoga Blog

Open Day May 9^th

We were delighted with Open day. We saw so many new faces we were truly blessed with the number, of not only individuals, but entire families who turned up.

The demonstrations were well received - everyone joining in and having fun. I have to say seeing men belly dancing was quite an experience!! Unfortunately, belly dancing is not for men, it was created by women, for women – how sad!!

Carina teaches Belly Dance fusion which takes its influence from all over the world. She teaches styles of dance such as flamenco, Indian, tribal, American tribal style, gothic and street dance. However the main emphasis is always on traditional belly dance.

Carina teaches every Friday from 7:00 – 8:30pm.

Pilates is very strong at Kripalu. Helen has taught here for over 7 years. The demonstration led by Helen and several of her students gave people an insight into how Pilates works on ‘the core’, strengthening core muscles improving posture and flexibility. Helen is also a fully qualified Physiotherapist.

Helen teaches on Monday from 12:15 – 2:30 pm and Friday from 1:30 – 3:30 pm.

Estelle Earnshaw and Sue Saxby – Smith, our two counsellors were also in attendance and able to give information and help to people who were interested in finding out more of their work.

Estelle and Susan are here Monday through Thursday and can be contacted through the studio.

The meditation demonstration was led by Patricia, the newest of our Kripalu team. Patricia studied Ascension Meditation with the Ishaya Monks, transcendental meditation, visualisation and meditation using mantras and chanting. Meditation brings so much happiness and peace. Patricia also leads workshops on ‘Gong Yoga’ and ‘Laughter Yoga’ here at Kripalu.

Patricia teaches Meditation every Sunday from 11:00 – 12:00 pm.

The Yoga demonstration was led by Suzie Jennings, Director of Kripalu Yoga. Suzie has taught yoga at Kripalu for 10 years and has over forty years experience in Yoga.

For yoga classes please go back to Home page and view our timetable.

Pregnant women at Kripalu attend our regular classes, with special care given to their specific needs. However, if you prefer to have a specialist ‘pregnancy class’ we recommend Cherry Phillips whose email address is Cherry Phillips@tiscali.co.uk

Kripalu Yoga is very proud of its lineage and continues to maintain its truth in Yoga. Kripalu is not a commercial business. Kripalu takes its name from our Swami. Swami Kripalvananda (Bapuji) taught that Yoga without compassion is not true yoga. Yoga is not about competition. We are here to serve.

We are pleased to say we are now having talks with a Tai Chi Teacher who has the same values as Kripalu. Watch this space.

New Pathways began for us at Kripalu on September 21, 2008. We are immensely grateful for all the support and encouragement you have given as we have embarked on this journey. We wanted to give you a little overview of all that has happened in these first nine months…

* 2 Concerts

* 2 Seminars

* 9 Workshops

* Hilary Coplestone qualified at Kripalu USA and is now teaching at Kripalu UK.

* Lou Ionascu has qualified, and is now establishing her work as a Yoga Therapist, alongside her teaching.

* Kripalu UK was featured in a full-page editorial with Yoga: Mind, Body & Spirit Magazine.

* Suzie Jennings has been interviewed for Yoga Bulletin, Kripalu USA’s worldwide publication (soon to be released).

* We have added a new weekly belly dancing class and continue to host a twice weekly Pilates class.

* Along with The Ashcombe School, The Priory School is now also offering yoga at Kripalu to its students.

We have had the immense privilege of being taught by incredibly gifted healers, lecturers and teachers. We have gathered together to learn about massage, meditation, mindfulness, yoga nidra, and the chakras, each experience deepening our understanding and increasing compassion for our selves and one another. We have heard drumming, and singing, and had an evening of poetry, ritual and harp music to celebrate the gift of the shortest day. We have had 60 new students enroll since January, have hosted two teachers of renown from America as well as two from the UK and more are contacting us with a desire to come lead workshops and teach in the upcoming months. It has indeed been a time of abundance and joy.

What blessings we have received. Our nine month anniversary seemed a fitting time to share all the news, for this season is all about birth and new growth.

Namaste.