March 2025 Newsletter – Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre

Welcome to March at Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre.This month we reach the Spring Equinox when day and night are momentarily the same length. A brief moment of balance before the days become longer and the light encourages the energetic growth of Spring and the excitement of all that we have to look forward to. From our dreaming and planning in deep Winter, we can begin to act on the many seeds planted deep within the subconscious.

Just as there is brief balance at the equinoxes throughout the year the reality is that for most of us, although we search for and try to find balance in our lives, we know it is not really within our control. We are carried through life by patterns, thoughts, and memories and react to actions we have no control over. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a philosophy that helps us cope with the ups and downs of life and the constant chatter of our minds. Chapter 2 is called Sadhana Pada, meaning practice. It was written for the majority of us who have a disturbed, distracted mind and for whom meditation is not easily accessible.

11.1 Tapas svadhyaya isvara pranidhana kriya yoga

Sutra 1 tells us that practice is called Kriya Yoga, the yoga of action consisting of tapas (self-discipline), svadhyaya (self-enquiry) and isvara pranidhana (surrender to a higher state).

These three aspects are the start of the yoga journey, the journey to discovering our inner selves, leading us to spiritual absorption or the state of Samadhi and beginning to weaken all causes of suffering.

11.2 Samadhi bhavana arthah klesha tanukarana arthah ca

The self-discipline, (tapas) of daily yoga practice, with self-enquiry, (svadhyaya) through reading ancient texts, self-help books or maybe seeing a therapist. The third part of Kriya Yoga is Ishvara Pranidhana. This is offering all actions to a higher force, and remaining humble to the realization that we are not in control of all that happens to us.

New Classes

We have two new classes starting this month with two familiar faces.

Healing and massage Therapist Melina James is offering a new breathwork class on Tuesdays 7.45-8.45pm. This is suitable for beginners, you can find more details here. Melina is also offering 10% off her treatments in the therapy room for any new clients.

We are delighted to have back Katie Pitney who taught a few years ago. She will be offering a Beginner’s Yoga class on Thursday evenings at 7.45-9pm. Katie has a lovely gentle teaching manner and I know many of you will be pleased that she is back again.

New therapist: Reiki

Carol Thwaite, a familiar face at our Reiki Shares is joining the team and offering Reiki treatments in our therapy room, so a big welcome to Carol.