March 2025 Newsletter

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.

Gratitude

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.

Melina James

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.

Katie Pitney Massage Therapist

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.

Carol Thwaite Photo

Susie the famous Dorchester cat has discovered the yoga centre as an evening hang out, although her favourite practice is definitely Savasana.

Cat

Enjoy the longer days and practice Kriya Yoga: self-discipline, self-study and surrender.

From Sharon and the team

Monthly Courses & Workshops

Wednesday 5th March 5.00-6.00pm
Conversations With Chris – Christopher Matthews

Friday 7th March 6.30-7.30pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Sunday 9th March 10.00-11.00am
Pilates Workshop – Strength Balance Restore with Sharon Morgan

Sunday 9th March 1.30-4.00pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Friday 14th March 10.00-11.30am
Pregnancy Circle with Bec Osadiah

Friday 14th March 7.00-8.30pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 15th March 1.00-4.00pm
Iyengar Yoga Workshop with Cheree Low

Saturday 15th March 6.00-7.30pm
Saturday Soundbath with Bex Leonard

Sunday 16th March 10.00-12.30pm
Yin Yoga with Chrissie Haskett

Friday 21st March 6.30-8.00pm
Sound Healing With Crystal Bowls with Ellen Wells

Saturday 22nd March 10.30-12.30pm
Drishti – The Power of Intention with Ness Sherry

Saturday 22nd March 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 22nd March 12.00-1.00pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Friday 28th March 10.00-11.30am
Pregnancy Circle with Bec Osadiah

Friday 22nd March 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

Friday 28th March 6.30-8.30pm
Reiki Share with Saira Francis

“True yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed; yoga is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been; yoga cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose, and for it to be truly called yoga, its essence must be embodied. ”

~ Aadil Palkhivala ~

March 2024 Newsletter

Full moon

We had the most wonderful full moon last week. Hopefully, you caught a glimpse of it between the rain clouds.

For the past two weeks, my personal practice has been saluting the moon with the chant Om Somaya namaha. This refers to Lord Chandra, the deity of the moon. Chanting “Somaya” is said to invoke the energy and essence of Lord Chandra, seeking his blessings for emotional balance and inner peace.

The moon’s association with water also signifies emotional fluidity, making this mantra particularly beneficial for those seeking emotional healing and release. Chanting this mantra regularly is said to bring emotional stability and harmony to relationships. It is believed to help individuals overcome mood swings and find inner balance with the soothing vibrations of the mantra.

Today most of our education is secular, and learning is intrinsically linked to reading rather than chanting. In ancient times most knowledge, particularly sacred knowledge was transmitted through chants. Thus chanting and learning were intimately linked. As well as preserving knowledge it develops the intellect and memory. Learning to chant refines our capacity to listen and listening requires an open mind. The ancients used chanting to cultivate and celebrate our relationship with ourselves, our society, our environment and our source. If you want to learn more about chanting, we have a monthly Vedic Chanting class with Sarah Ryan on a Saturday.

This month the yoga centre will be full of chanting as we have the third module of the Viniyoga Yoga Therapy course UK. This is taught by Dr Kausthubha Desikachar, of the Viniyoga tradition of which mantra and vedic chanting is an essential aspect following the holistic and classical teachings of Professor Sri T Krishnamacharya. The 10-day module will mean there may be disruptions to the timetable so check the calendar for your usual classes as 5 of our teachers will once again be immersed in the ancient teachings and yoga philosophy and techniques from the Viniyoga tradition. 

Moon Salutation 3

Many of us are used to the various sun salutations but maybe not so well known are the moon salutations, above is a beautiful moon salutation.

New Classes

Traditionally meditation has always been done either as a morning or evening practice and so we are delighted to have a new meditation class to complement our established Morning Meditation Class with Marj Snape. 

Claire Pullinger

Claire Pullinger will be leading a meditation class starting from March 19th every Tuesday from 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm. The class will be based on the Buddhist wisdom and techniques of the Theravada and Mahayana traditions she has trained in.

You can read more about Claire.

Sharon Morgan plans to start an early morning Pilates class on Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 8:45 am, providing an opportunity for early birds and those who want to exercise before work. Also, check the workshops page as she has some more Sunday shorts coming up in April. The men’s workshops are proving popular as are ‘basics’ for beginners.

March Courses & Workshops

1st March, 6.30 to 7.30 pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

2nd March, 10.30 to 11.45 am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Sarah Ryan

2nd March, 12.00 to 1.00 pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

3rd March, 10.00 to 12.00 pm
Restorative Yoga For Deep Rest with Tracey Boast

8th March, 7.00 to 8.30 pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

9th March, 1.00 to 4.00 pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

10th March, 1.30 to 4.00 pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

16th March, 5.30 to 6.45 pm
Saturday Soundbath with Bex Leonard

23rd March, 2.00 to 5.00 pm
Perimenopause and Menopause Workshop with Kim Jones

24th March, 2.30 to 5.00 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Chrissie Haskett

29th March 6.00 to 7.30 pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

30th March 10.00 to 12.30 pm
Gong Bath For Stress with Arianna Puran Udini

30th March 2.00 to 3.30 pm
Reiki Share with Wrio Russell 

“What can we gain by sailing to the moon if we are not able to cross the abyss that separates us from ourselves? This is the most important of all voyages of discovery, and without it, all the rest are not only useless, but disastrous.”
Thomas Merton ~