Welcome to MAY.

“May the sun bring you new energy by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the rain wash away your worries,
May the breeze blow new strength into your being,
May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.”

– Apache Blessing

I took a holiday with my daughter to the South of France, and whilst wandering amongst a hilltop garden, we came across a few small gatherings of yoga students with their teachers. It reminded me of how yoga was traditionally taught in India, outside and sitting at the feet of the teacher.

There is a classical text of Indian spirituality: The Upanishads. A translation of the word Upanishad means “sitting down near” or “at the feet of a teacher.” The Upanishads are a collection of texts of ancient wisdom, flashes of insight which are revealed through a dialogue with a teacher; question and answer sessions to reveal spiritual teachings, an intimate session of spiritual instruction.

These ‘conversations’ are the results of an investigation into consciousness itself by ancient sages, and have thankfully been recorded so that we have these amazing understandings of consciousness today. Our present-day yoga practice, although seemingly very removed from these ancient practices, can lead us to the wonder and discovery of who we really are, what the universe is, and what is the significance of the brief drama of life and death. The wonder and enjoyment of why we feel so good at the end of our class or practice, or why it has left us emotional or even tearful, helps us to understand that yoga is more than just a physical exercise. As we bring ourselves out of relaxation or meditation there is a taste of ‘santi’ – peace, what the Taittiriya Upanishad calls the “body of joy” a freedom from all conditioning and limitations of time and space.

The Isha Upanishad is generally presented as the first Upanishad, and the invocation to it will be very familiar to some of you:

oṃ | pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidaṃ pūrṇātpūrṇamudacyate |
pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate ||

Om santi santi santi

A translation could be:

All this is full. All that is full.
From fullness, fullness comes.
When fullness is taken from fullness,
Fullness still remains

Om peace, peace, peace

Materialism reinforces the idea of scarcity, that there is not enough to go around, and so we are doomed to fight for ever diminishing resources. Spiritual economics are, in fact, the opposite and could simply be summarised by Gandhi as “there is enough in the world for everyone’s need; there is not enough for everyone’s greed.”

New Event with Melanie Philip

It is normal practice within African Tribes that when the Joy of the people becomes low, then it is time for a Grief Ritual to be held so that the vibration of the community can come back into balance. Find out more about this wonderful movement and dance workshop, to bring back the essential balance between joy & sadness.

May May be all that you wish for, and hopefully those wishes will include some of our events below, 

Sharon 

May Workshops & Events

Friday 2nd May 6.00-7.00pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra Sharon Cox-Button N.B change of time

Saturday 3rd May 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 3rd May 12.00-1.00pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Wednesday 7th May 5.00-6.00pm
Conversations With Chris

Friday 9th May 7.00-8.30pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 10th May 10-12.30pm
Yin Yoga with Chrissie Haskett

Saturday 10th May 2.00-4.30pm
Life Transitions – A Movement Medicine Event with Melanie Philip

Friday 16th May 6.30-8.00pm
Sound Healing with Crystal Bowls with Ellen

Saturday 17th May 10.30-12.30pm
Ashtanga Workshop – Counted Primary – Tristana in Focus with Ness Sherry

Sunday 18th 10.00-11.00am
Pilates Workshop with Sharon Morgan

Sunday 18th 1.00-3.00pm
Kundalini Activation with Rachel Tapping

Saturday 24th May 1.00-4.00pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

Saturday 24th May 2.00-3.30pm
Reiki Share with Peter Griffiths

Friday 30th May 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

“We have never arrived. We are in a constant state of becoming.”

~ Bob Dylan ~

A new moon – a moment of renewal, reflection, and quiet beginnings. The sky, though dark, is brimming with unseen potential, just like our lives in this very moment. The new moon reminds us that every fresh start begins in stillness, in the space where we choose to release what no longer serves us.

April reminds us that growth often comes through moments of challenge and renewal. We have had a wonderful period of sunny weather so far, but for farmers, finding the right balance of rain and sunshine to kickstart the year’s crops is always a challenge. I am sure they would like some warm, damp weather and a little more rain to boost growth. 

As we step into this season of renewal, we can be reminded that our yoga practice isn’t an exercise regime but a philosophy to help us transform our lives. Use time in nature to feel and reflect as it teaches us how we need to be constantly flexible and open to change, and of course, we invite you to our many classes, workshops and events to help this constant journey of transformation and nurture new beginnings. 

Ongoing 3-year Yoga therapy diploma with Dr Kausthubha Desikachar

Kim Mackie, Fred Burnham, Arianna Franklin, Sarah Ryan, and myself are currently participating in the 5th module of our 3-year Yoga therapy diploma with Dr Kausthubha Desikachar.

It has been a transformational course, an experience that goes beyond surface-level learning and into the heart of Yoga Therapy, based on Patanjlis yoga sutras.

But every session goes beyond theory, we are engaged in deep self-inquiry and personal healing. The course is in the Viniyoga tradition, as Yoga was initially intended – as a personalised, adaptive practice that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit. It’s a deep dive into the classical roots of Yoga, designed to empower the student with profound wisdom, authentic techniques, and a life-changing personal journey.

We hope the yoga centre is full of the energy of growth and renewal.

New Events

We would like to welcome Lucy Bowtell (some of you will know her as Lucy Coffin) to the yoga centre. She is offering a workshop called Nervous System & Heart Energy Workshop to Soothe, Realign and Shift on the 27th April. This workshop will be repeated on the 25th May.

Returning Workshops

Ness‘s ashtanga workshop this month is called Redefining Ashtanga – Ashtanga Energetics.

Ashtanga is often misunderstood. It’s not just a physically demanding sequence – it’s a moving meditation, a play of breath, bandha, and drishti. When we focus solely on the external postures, we lose touch with the deeper energetics that transform this practice into something truly integrated. You can find out more about Ness’s workshop here.

We welcome back Rachel Tapping with another Kundalini Activation workshop.
Nicki’s Tuning Fork workshop this month is a chakra tuning and rebalance. See all our regular workshops below.

Our new Reiki Therapist, Carol Thwaite, is doing an “Introductory offer for April – £30 for a 1hr session”, you can book with Carol here.

Enjoy Spring as it springs into life, get into nature as much as you can, get the life-giving sunlight onto your face and in all the cells of your body.

Best wishes from us all,
Sharon

April Courses & Workshops

Friday 4th April 6.30-7.30 pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Sunday 6th April 1.00-3.00 pm
Kundalini Activation with Rachel Tapping

Friday 11th April 10.00-11.30 am
Pregnancy Circle with Bec Oakaiah

Friday 11th April 7.00-8.30 pm
Chakra Clear Cleanse and Rebalance Tuning Fork Sound Bath with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 12th April 10.00-12.30 pm
Yin Yoga with Chrissie Haskett

Saturday 12th April 2.30-4.00 pm
Saturday Soundbath with Bex Leonard

Sunday 13th April 10-00-1.00 pm
Vedanta Group with Marj Snape

Friday 18th April 6.30-8.00 pm
Sound Healing with Crystal Bowls with Ellen Wells

Friday 25th April 10.00-11.30 am
Pregnancy Circle with Bec Oakaiah

Friday 25th April 6.00-7.30 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Toni Franklin

Saturday 26th April 1.00-4.00 pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

Saturday 26th April 2.00-3.30 pm
Reiki Share with Peter Griffiths

Sunday 27th April 2.00-5.00 pm
Nervous System & Heart Energy Workshop to Soothe, Realign and Shift with Lucy Bowtell

Coming in May

Life Transitions: A movement medicine workshop with Melanie Philip

“The success of Yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships.”

~ T.K.V. Desikachar ~

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.

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

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 ~

February heralds the first signs of Spring and this return to life is celebrated traditionally with the pagan fire festival Imbolc on the 1st of February. What joy the first snowdrops bring as they push up through cold hard ground, the company of a robin as you venture back into the garden and enjoy the lengthening afternoons, the sound of the first bumblebees and the promise of new life at the sight of pregnant ewes.

The promise of creation and love will be celebrated on the 14th of February, Valentine’s Day with Nicki Greenham. She is offering you a date at her Love Date – Angel Sound Bath. Spend an evening with the harmonies of the tuning forks and a little Angelic Love in this special nurturing Valentine’s Sound Healing. With beautiful candlelight, all you need to do is lay back and listen to the specific harmonies of the forks. It’s a soothing experience to feel nurtured in mind and body.

The days are full of little joys if we take the time to look and see the subtle daily and seasonal changes. Such as the time of sunrise and sunset, how the light changes throughout the day, what grows when, the migration of animals, the phases of the moon etc. This relating to various aspects of your environment is crucial. Not only does it anchor and ground you in the physical world, but it also slows you down and brings a new level of intimacy into your life.

Embrace the Morning Sun

Start the day by facing the sun and feeling the warmth of it on your face. This may sound like a simple tip, but its impact on our well-being is profound. Exposure to natural light in the morning stimulates the brain, awakening it without the jarring effects of an alarm clock. This natural stimulus helps regulate our internal body clock, and our circadian rhythms, promoting alertness throughout the day, and sets the foundation for restful sleep at night.

The influence of sunlight extends beyond waking up; it has the power to improve mood and reduce stress levels. It Increases serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter associated with happiness, and boosts vitamin D production to contribute to an overall sense of well-being.

Our ancestors lived in harmony with nature, and their sleep environments were characterized by natural darkness. In today’s digital age, the invasion of artificial light, especially the blue light emitted by screens, disrupts our circadian rhythms. Research indicates that exposure to electronic devices before bedtime can suppress melatonin production by more than 50%, affecting our ability to fall asleep and the quality of our sleep.

Of course, the yogis knew the importance the sun played in our wellbeing. Surya, in Hinduism, is the name for both the Sun and the Sun god and there are many temples throughout India, and many mantras and chants worshipping the sun as the giver of life. A simple mantra Om Suryaya Namaha – Oh sun! We offer you our salutations! can be used throughout your morning practice, with hands held at the heart or the belly.

The Gayatri mantra below is chanted daily by many Hindus at sunrise:

oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt

– Rigveda 3.62.10

Waking at sunrise, and chanting this mantra is a wonderful way to connect to the energy of the sun, and serves as a ritual to connect you more deeply to nature too. 

By honouring the sun, we can cultivate gratitude and a deeper connection to nature. The repetitive, rhythmic nature of the practice induces a meditative state, promoting spiritual growth and self-awareness. Or cultivate a stronger physical practice of Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar such as the one below.

Homeopathy

Homeopath Zofia Dymitr is passionate about how useful homeopathy can be in the home setting to improve health because that was her way into homeopathy and what inspired her to start homeopathy education. There’s a new book coming out later this month:  “Homeopathy at Home” an essential guide for anyone looking to take control of their health naturally. In this comprehensive book, Marcus Fernandez shares expert insights and practical advice to help you confidently treat everyday acute health issues using safe and effective homeopathic remedies.

Zofia would be happy to run a Homeopathy at Home course in March or April  at the Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre if there’s enough interest. Please email her on zofiadymitr@protonmail.com

New Therapist: Lisa Jelly

Discover the path to inner balance and meaningful change with Lisa Jelly, who joins our therapeutic team. A compassionate psychotherapist and coach dedicated to helping you navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re facing a personal crisis, seeking clarity, or striving for deeper self-connection, Lisa offers a safe and supportive space for exploration. Combining a holistic approach through psychosynthesis with over 20 years of leadership coaching experience, she empowers clients to uncover their inner wisdom, overcome obstacles, and embrace their true potential. Find out more.

New classes

Sharon Morgan is hoping to start a new pilates class and is trialling a new Tuesday session from 10.30 – 11.30 am. If you would like to come along to the complimentary taster session, hopefully, followed by a four-week short course with a view to continuing for the summer term. Free Taster Session Date: Tuesday 11th March 2025.

We have a Pregnancy Circle starting fortnightly on a Friday morning with Rebecca Oakaiah 10.00-11.30 am starting 31st January. Click here for more information.

We welcome back Bex Leonard who took some time off due to personal reasons last year but is excited to get back to her Saturday Soundbaths. She is offering two workshops on February 22nd.

Check out all our wonderful workshops below, and make us a part of your new rhythm and return to life!

From Sharon et al

Monthly Courses & Workshops

Sunday 2nd 10.00-11.00 am
Pilates Workshop with Sharon Morgan

Sunday 2nd 1.00-3.00 pm
Kundalini Activation with Rachel Mapping

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

Saturday 8th 1.00-4.00 pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

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

Sunday 9th 4.00-6.00 pm
Energy Mapping Workshop with Nicola Moss

Friday 14th
Tuning Forks Love Date-Angel Sound with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 15th 10.30-11.45 am
Yoga Sutras with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 15th 10.30-12.30 pm
Year Of the Snake Ashtanga Vinyasa workshop with Ness Sherry

Saturday 15th 12-1.00 pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 15th 2.30-5.00 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Chrissie Haskett

Saturday 21st 6.30-8.00 pm
Sound healing with Crystal Bowls

Saturday 22nd 2.30-3.45 pm
Saturday Soundbath with Bex Leonard

Saturday 22nd 5.30-6.45 pm
Saturday Soundbath with Bex Leonard

Friday 28th 6.00-7.30 pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

Friday 28th 6.30-8.00 pm
Reiki Share with Ellen Wells

“Flowers don’t worry about how they are going to bloom. They just open up & turn toward the light & that makes them beautiful.”

~ Jim Carrey ~

The natural year can act as a guide to living, and if we let it, January is a great time to start. If you step outside and look for activity you will find very little. Even the moon this year is at a ‘major lunar standstill’ a phenomenon that happens only every 18.6 years and will probably have been tracked by our neolithic ancestors in stone circles thousands of years ago!

It seems like there is not a lot happening in nature, but the work is happening underground, plants and animals are laying the foundations for the year ahead, doing it from a place of slumber. The challenge for us busy-busy humans is to do the same, to continue this time of darkness, rest and recuperation. Sleep more, daydream, meditate, think about and lay the foundations for your coming year and beyond. The busyness of the festive season is behind us, enjoy the clarity and stillness of January, we can be more intuitive now because we have the time. Time to do the inner work. Contrary to popular belief it is not a time for new beginnings, it is a time for reflection and imagining and dreaming, believing in your wildest of dreams. Your dreams and intentions now will set the scene for the year, the journey ahead. Remember energy flows where attention goes, so …imagine your year of 2025.

Restorative Workshops

My last three Restorative Workshops, which follow the darker half of the year, are on Sunday 12th of January, the 9th of February and the 9th of March. These two and a half hour classes offer plenty of time for reflection, dreaming and svadyaya (self-study). Through passive and supported asana, using bolsters, blocks, chairs and blankets the body is given time to unwind, the breath to slow and the mind to become present. This is followed by the practice of yoga nidra, a systematic method of inducing mental, emotional and physical relaxation and a moment to set a positive intention, a sankalpa for the coming year. This is suitable for anyone and particularly if you are very tired, stressed or recovering from illness.

New Children’s Yoga Class

We have a very exciting new class starting this January!!

Nikki Gardiner is offering a children’s yoga class on Tuesdays from 4.00 to 5.00 pm. The class is for 5-7 years olds, (although Nikki can be flexible with age if appropriate). Nikki has combined her passion for both yoga and children’s development, being an Early Years Teacher, and then achieving her children’s yoga teacher foundation course for 3-12 years. She is currently training in yoga for children with SEN. She has such an amazing amount of equipment to share with the children such as this feeling fan for children who don’t want to be verbal.

This class will help children gain resilience, emotional autonomy, and physical well-being, to help cope with society’s ever increasing demands and pressures.

Kim Jones is offering another 5-week post-natal yoga class, for mums and babies and this starts back on Tuesday January 7th 11.00-12.00pm. You can find more details here.

Two Free Events

Kim Jones is also offering a free Dancing For Birth trial workshop on Saturday 4^th from 3.00 pm to 4.00 pm. Please contact her for more information.

Melina James, who offers massage and energy work in the therapy room is offering a free breathing class on Friday 10th of January from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Here you can:

• Reconnect with Your Breath – Discover the power of breath awareness as a foundation for mindfulness.
• Explore the Breath-Mind-Body Connection – Learn how your breath can influence your well-being and help you feel more centred.
• Take Home a Stress Relief Technique – Leave with a simple, effective breathing practice to use in your daily life.
• This session is ideal for anyone curious about breathwork or looking to bring a little more calm and clarity into the new year.

New Therapist

A big welcome to Nicola Moss, who will be offering Systemic Coaching & Family Constellations in our therapy room.

Her offerings have been created to support the release of what feels blocked and to take meaningful steps towards balance and flow, so perfect for this time of year.  As a systemic practitioner, her work draws on family constellations, heart-led business and leadership, shamanic practices, energy work and sound medicine. She is offering a workshop on February 9th Energy Mapping – A Path to Clarity.

We have two more exciting workshops at the beginning of February so I will mention them now.

A big welcome to Rachel Tapping who is teaching for the first time at the centre. She is offering a Kundalini Activation workshop on the 2nd of February – Kundalini Activation with Glow With Rachel, you can find out more here.

In this Year of the Snake, Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher Ness Sherry is offering a workshop on the 15th of February called Freeing The Spine, you can find out more here.

We look forward to welcoming you back through the doors, to all our regular classes and workshops.

May you dream big this year
With best wishes form us all,

Sharon

Monthly Classes & Workshops

Friday 3rd 6.30 – 7.30 pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Saturday 4th 3.00 – 4.00 pm
Free Dancing For Birth Trial workshop with Kim Jones

Friday 10th 6.30 – 7.30 pm
Free Calm and Balance Breathwork with Melina James

Friday 10th 7.00 – 8.30 pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 11th 1.00 – 4.00 pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

Sunday 12th 1.30 – 4.00 pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Friday 17th 6.30-8.00 pm
Sound Healing With Crystal Bowls with Ellen Wells

Saturday 18th January 10.30 – 11.45 am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 18th January 12.00 – 1.00 pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 18th January 2.00 – 3.30 pm
Reiki Share with Peter Griffiths

Sunday 19th January10.00 – 11.00 am
Pilates Workshop – strength | balance | playing with planks | functional mobility with Sharon Morgan

Sunday 19th 2.30 – 5.00 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Chrissie Haskett

Saturday 25th 10.00 – 12.30 pm
Qi Gong Workshop with Tim Button

Sunday 26th 10.00 – 1.00 pm
Vedanta group with Marj Snape

Friday 31st 6.00 – 7.30 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Toni Franklin

“Train your senses to be obedient. Regulate your activities to lead you to the goal. Hold the reins of your mind as you hold the reins of restive horses.”

~ The Upanishads ~

Stillness covers the land as we enter December. The earth’s energy draws down the life force of trees and plants, nourishing and supporting their roots for a well-earned rest. The long hours of darkness encourage us to do the same, so dim your lights, sit in candlelight or the light of the fire. Kim Jones is offering Candlelight Yoga on 13th December to get you in the mood.

Winter is our natural rest and restore season. Eat nourishing soups and stews. It is a time that reminds us of the impermanence of physical life, the cycle of birth and death, and the need to rest in order to rise again. As the outer world surrenders its light, our inner worlds can sparkle and shine, let your yoga practice be quiet and slow and meditative, bringing healing and health. It’s a time to reflect and let go of patterns and habits that don’t serve you and to make room for the new.

The Winter Solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year, and when the Sun is at its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky. Sian Lalita Alcock is offering a wonderful celebration of the day – Honouring The Winter Solstice. We have many nourishing and restful workshops throughout December to help you find some stillness, we hope you enjoy them.

A Winter Solstice Practice

Exhale and drop your mind energy down into your heart space. Exhale and drop your heart energy down into your lower belly space. Exhale and drop your lower belly energy down and out through your legs and into the earth. Inhale earth energy through the soles of your feet. Let it connect, heal & replenish your entire body.

From us all, thank you for sharing the year with us, seasons greetings, happiness and good health.

Sharon x

Workshops in December

Sunday 1st, 4.00-6.00pm
Restorative Yoga For Deep Rest with Tracey Boast

Wednesday 4th 5.00-6.00pm
Conversations With Chris

Friday 6th, 7.00-8.30pm
Tuning Forks for Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

Thursday 12th 6.30-7.30pm
Meditation with Lilu Lelew

Friday 13th, 7.00-8.15pm
Candlelit Yoga Kim Jones

Saturday 14th, 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 14th, 12.00-1.0pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 14th, 1.30-4.00pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Sunday 15th, 10.30-1.30pm
Iyengar Yoga with Cheree Low

Sunday 15th, 2.30-5.00pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Chrissie Haskett

Friday 20th, 6.30-8.00pm
Sound healing with Crystal Bowls with Ellen Wells

Saturday 21st, 10.00-1.00pm
Winter Solstice with Sian Lalita Alcock

Friday 27th, 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

Friday 27th, 6.00-8.30pm
Reiki Share with Saira Francis

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
~ From movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ~

In October we were bendy like the tree branches in the wind, Cheree Low showed us how to work up to getting our feet behind our head in her Iyengar Yoga workshop; Bhairavasana, such fun, something I hadn’t achieved in a while.

Ness Sherry encouraged her students to find an easy approach to Padmasana, (lotus pose) whatever their level.

This month Ness will be looking at the art of headstands, a workshop dedicated to transforming anyone’s headstand practice. The session will dive deep into self-supporting alignment techniques, by building a strong and centred foundation to lift into a headstand with lightness and control.

There are so many wonderful workshops to choose from this month: Lifecoach Lilu Lelew is offering a “Mind Body Reset”.

Bowen therapist and Healer Melanie Philip invites you to “Lose Yourself To Dance”, by embracing the journey of discovering and expressing the free-flowing you.

We also welcome back Dominique Preston with one of her “Somatic Flow and Fascia Roll” workshops, always lovely at this time of year.

Sharon Morgan is doing her yearly workshop supporting “Movember “ the leading charity raising awareness and changing the face of men’s health. She is offering a Pilates class for men.  A “More to core” workshop for strength and flexibility for men of all ages and abilities.

As well as all our regular monthly workshops listed below, yes there is far too much to choose from!!!

November’s mantra is ‘let go and release’. Do as nature around you is doing, boldly step into a place of surrender… be like the trees that drop their leaves, and just let go of anything that no longer serves you. We don’t want to take anything into the nurturing darkness of winter that will take root in the unconscious. We want to pick out our metaphorical weeds before they spread, we don’t want them popping into our lives again in Spring. As Patanjali says in sutra 1.12 abhyasa vairagyabhyam – the state of yoga arises out of practice and detachment. Letting go of attachments to lifestyle habits and choices, that inhibit our capacity to grow and discover our seed potential.

The Trees Said   

November – on this earth 
this year
reflecting back
each leaf a memory gone to ground
streams always finding their course
branches reaching up as if the answers are in the sky
the light softer now
days shortening
sleep beckoning
like tiny footsteps on broken bark
shadows rest like ink smudged on skin
if you only knew how easy it is to grow one day at a time
I was once a promise in a nut shell
I was once as small as that dream you hold

Polly Hall

New Classes

We have three new classes starting this month to help you with your practice. 

• Fortnightly Meditation with Lilu on Thursdays 6.30-7.30pm, see website for dates 
• Beginners Yoga with Claire Jones on Sundays 5.00-6.15pm
• Evening Ashtanga Vinyasa class starting on Tuesdays 6.15-7.30pm with Ness Sherry.

Enjoy this beautiful season, 

From us all at the Dorchester Yoga and Therapy centre, and here are some of us at our teachers breakfast meeting last month:

Monthly Classes & Workshops

Thursday 31st October 6.30-7.30pm
Guided Healing Meditation – Lilu Lelew

Friday 1st 6.30-7.30pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra – Sharon Cox-Button

Friday 8th 7.00-8.30pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief – Nicki Greenham

Saturday 9th 10.00-12.30pm
Mind and Body Reset – Lilu Lelew

Saturday 9th 1.00-4.00pm
Lose Yourself To Dance – Melanie Philip

Sunday 10th 2.00-5.00pm
Embodied MFR; Somatic Flow and Fascia Roll – Dominique Preston

Sunday 10th 5.00-7.00pm
Restorative Yoga for Deep Rest – Tracey Boast

Thursday 14th 6.30-7.30pm
Guided Healing Meditation – Lilu Lelew

Friday 15th 6.30-8.00pm
Sound Healing with Crystal Bowls – Ellen Wells

Saturday 16th 10.30-12.30pm
Mastering The Headstand – Ness SherrySaturday 16th 1.00-4.00pm
Iyengar Yoga Workshop – Cheree Low

Sunday 17th 1.30-4.00pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra – Sharon Cox-Button

Saturday 23rd 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Sarah Ryan

Saturday 23rd 12,00-1.00pm
Vedic Chanting – Sarah Ryan

Sunday 24th 10.00-11.00am
Pilates For Men – Sharon Morgan

Sunday 24th 2.30-5pm
Yin Yoga Workshop – Chrissie Haskett

Sunday 24th 6.30-7.30pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra – Sharon Cox-Button

Thursday 28th 6.30-7.30pm
Guided Healing Meditation – Lilu Lelew

Friday 29th 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga – Toni Franklin

Saturday 30th 10.30-12.00pm
Healing Sound Bath – Arianna Franklin

“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.”
~ Unknown ~

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 11.30
Ahimsa-satya-asteya-brahmacarya-aparigrahāh yamāh

Non-violence, truthfulness, not-stealing, moderation in our actions and not accumulating are the five social constraints which are part of the Eight Limbs of Yoga that help us in our search for a meaningful and liberating life.

At Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre this month we have been deeply ensconced in the philosophy of yoga, reminding us that yoga is not just an exercise system but a philosophy to help alleviate suffering. Those of us involved in the 10-day yoga therapy course with Dr Kausthubha Desikacar have chosen a Yama: to live it for the next six months until we meet again in March 2025 (although as yogis we should be constantly living the yamas) and to see how it changes us, to live it in terms of thought, word and action…. Why not join us?

Last Saturday Derek Thornes and Vedantarama captivated us by taking us on an enquiry into the true spiritual nature of ourselves. “From the unreal to the real. What am I and what is this all about?’ By applying the Advaita Vedanta vision in a modern setting, we had an inspiring, emotional, thought-provoking and joyful discussion. Beginning with and concluding that we and the world we live in are stunning.

For those of you interested in any of these philosophical topics, you can join Sarah Ryan with Patanjali’s monthly Yoga Sutras, Christopher Matthews monthly Conversations with Chris or Marj Snape’s new 3-year Vedanta Course that starts this month.

As Autumn approaches we look forward to the rest that the darker evenings bring, to walk in the beauty of nature, to our yoga practices that help us to slow down, withdraw and to enjoy the coziness of the fire.

Enjoy the beauty of Autumn, practice one of the yamas, and know how stunning you are.

Warm wishes,
Sharon

Looking ahead to November

For those of you interested in expressing your body in a different way we are excited to have Melanie Philip (who does Bowen and Energy healing in our therapy room) offer a dance workshop: Lose Yourself to Dance. No dance experience necessary, this is a small group (limited to 10 people) exploring movement to rid the body of numbness and dissociation. More information on our website.

Monthly Classes & Workshops

Wednesday 2nd October 5.00-6.00 pm
Conversations with Chris – Christopher Matthews

Friday 4th October 6.30-7.30 pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra – Sharon Cox-Button

Saturday 5th October 10.30-11.45 am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Sarah Ryan

Saturday 5th 12.00-1.00 pm
Vedic Chanting – Sarah Ryan

Saturday 5th 6.30-7.30 pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief – Nicki Greenham

Sunday 6th 4.00-6.00 pm
Restorative Yoga for Deep Rest – Tracey Boast

Saturday 12th 10.00-12.30 pm
Qigong Workshop – Tim Button

Sunday 13th 10.00-1.00 pm
Advaita Vedanta Group – Marj Snape

Sunday 13th 1.30-4.00 pm
Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra Workshop – Sharon Cox-Button

Friday 18th 6.30-8.00 pm
Sound Healing With Crystal Bowls – Ellen Wells

Saturday 19th 10.30-12.30 pm
Easing Into Lotus – Ness Sherry

Saturday 19th 10.30-12.00 pm
Sound Bath – Arianna Puran Udini

Saturday 19th 1.00-4.00 pm
Iyengar Yoga Workshop – Cheree Low

Friday 25th 6.00-7.30 pm
Yin Yoga – Toni Franklin

Saturday 26th 2.00-3.30 pm
Reiki Share – Peter Griffiths

Sunday 27th 2.30-5.00 pm
Yin Yoga Workshop – Chrissie Haskett

“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”
~ Anon ~

 I hope everyone has had fun, relaxed, enjoyed the outdoors, the abundance of nature and the long hours of daylight. Tim and I have been in the countryside of Mid and Southern France, practising our yoga and tai chi respectively, swimming in rivers and lakes, reading and eating delicious food. Perfect restoration, recharging our batteries and giving us space and time to appreciate all that we have.

One of the books I took with me was the Bhagavad Gita, The Song of the Lord. It is a classic yoga book and probably the best-known of all Indian scriptures. The backdrop is a battlefield, which seemly is about a war but it is really about the battle within us, the exploration of consciousness, the struggle for self-mastery, to live a life that is meaningful, fulfilling and worthwhile. An early and universal message written down to inform us that there is more to life than the everyday experience of our senses, it asks and answers questions about how to live effectively in a world of challenge and change, and so despite being written maybe 1000 years BC it is universally relevant to us all.

In the dialogue between Arjuna the warrior and Krishna an incarnation of God, Krishna says

“On this path (of yoga) effort never goes to waste, and there is no failure. Even a little effort toward spiritual awareness will protect you from the greatest fear” 2:39.

New Classes & Courses

As the evenings draw gently in and we settle back into our daily rhythms of work and school, the teachers and therapists at the Dorchester Yoga and Therapy Centre resume their weekly and monthly offerings, and the timetable is full once again. As always there are changes and classes that come and go and we are pleased to offer a new beginners class on Monday evenings with Claire Jones, and welcome a new teacher Maxine Craig teaching Zen Yoga on Monday mornings. 

We are very excited to have Dr Kausthubha Desikachar with us again in September to teach the 3-year Viniyoga Yoga Therapy Course.

We have 5 teachers involved in this Advanced Level traditional training, Kim Mackie, Fred Burnham, Arianna Moretti, Sarah Ryan and myself. This will bring some disruptions to the timetable whilst it runs from the 5th to the 15th of September. But as with the last year and a half, the centre will be filled with Vedic chanting and a marvellous energy, the teachers will deepen their knowledge, and everyone will be the better for it! If anyone would like to have a private session with Kausthubha please contact Sarah Ryan at saryan6630@googlemail.com

We are also very happy to welcome back Derek Thorne. Deeply established in the teachings of Advaita Vedanta (the oneness at the heart of all things) Derek is able to bring clear, insightful and inspiring vision to these timeless teachings and to articulate them with clarity and flair. Derek leads the Vedantarama Community (vedantarama.com) and has over 30 years experience guiding and directing people in living and applying the profound teachings of Vedanta and navigating this human experience.

Marj Snape writes: “Derek has been my teacher for 25 years. This influence and the application of the Vedanta teachings have brought great spiritual stability and security into my busy, engaged life. If you are at all curious about spirituality, meditation and the deep underlying philosophy of Yoga join us for this morning of dynamic and exciting teaching.”

The session will include discourse, simple guided meditation and the opportunity for Q & A. Suitable for all levels of experience. Derek will be teaching the ” The Mystery of Perception: What am I and what is all this?”. For more information and to book: https://www.dorchesteryoga.co.uk/courses-workshops/#the-mystery-perception

Kundalini teacher Arianna Puran Udini is bringing a change to her monthly Gong baths, as she is excited to share her new Crystal Singing Bowls with you in September’s and October’s Sound Bath, making a change to the Venus Gong. The bowls are all tuned to the frequency of 432Hz so they resonate together. This frequency can help to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance mental clarity, promote healing and pain relief amongst others, and is the perfect antidote to overthinking, overwhelm, and emotional turbulence. The Venus Gong is back in November!!! For more information: https://www.dorchesteryoga.co.uk/courses-workshops/#healing-sound-bath

Looking Ahead to October

My Restorative and Yoga Nidra workshops start back in October to take us through the Dark half of the year, if you want to be on the email list for information about these workshops please let me know.

Tim Button is starting a monthly Pushing Hands Workshop on Saturdays from 9.30 to 11.00 am. This will be ‘invitation only’ depending on experience, if you are interested and have experience please contact Tim: at 1timbutton@gmail.com.

Marj Snape is starting an Advaita Vedanta Yoga Philosophy Group in October. She is holding a preliminary/introductory meeting in September for those wishing to know more, and find out what it involves. Contact her if you are interested or curious at marjsnape@gmail.com.

All our usual lovely monthly classes resume, you can find all the details below, we can’t wait to have you all back again.

Warm wishes,

Sharon

Monthly Classes & Workshops

Wednesday 4th, 5.00-6.00pm
Conversations With Chris with Christopher Matthews

Friday 6th 6.30-7.30pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra with Sharon Cox-Button

Saturday 7th 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Sarah Ryan

Saturday 7th 12.00-1.00pm
Vedic Chanting with Sarah Ryan

Sunday 8th 9.00-5.00pm
Teachers First Aid Course

Sunday 8th 10.00-12.00pm
Restorative Yoga For Deep Rest with Tracey Boast

Friday 13th 7.00-8.30pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief with Nicki Greenham

Saturday 14th 10.30-12.30pm
Workshop with Ness Sherry

Saturday 14th 6.30-8.00pm
Sound Healing with Crystal Bowls with Ellen Wells

Saturday 21st 1.00-4.00pm
Iyengar Yoga Workshop with Cheree Low

Sunday 22nd 2.30-5.00pm
Yin Yoga Workshop with Chrissie Haskett

Friday 27th 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga with Toni Franklin

Friday 27th 6.30-8.30pm
Reiki Share with Saira Francis

Saturday 28th 10.00-1.00pm
The Mystery of Perception with Derek Thorne

Saturday 28th 2.30-4.00pm
Sound Bath with Arianna Puran Udini

Sunday 29th 9.30-10.30am
Pilates Short Course with Sharon Morgan

Sunday 29th 10.45-11.45am
Pilates Short Course with Sharon Morgan

“You have the right to work but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction. Perform work in this world. Arjuna, as a man established within himself – without selfish attachments, and alike in success and defeat. For yoga is perfect evenness of mind.”
~ 2:47-48 The Bhagavad Gita ~

This newsletter will cover July and August’s news and events and then there is no newsletter until September.

We have passed the longest day of the year, and many of you may have celebrated the Summer Solstice enjoying the long light evenings. Although the days are becoming shorter and we turn toward the darker part of the year, I love the calmer energy of July and August. Summer becomes lazy rather than frenetic. I for one am looking forward to lazy days of reading and drinking tea in the garden, going to the beach, swimming and camping rather than all the rushing around of the past few months.

The emotion of love is universal and if approached skilfully and mindfully, love has the power to heal and nourish on a deep and profound level. The ancient yogis saw love and devotion to be such a powerful tool they created an entire branch of yoga called Bhakti yoga. Here are some inspiring quotes of yoga and love to inspire your practice throughout the Summer both on and off your mat.

“You are loved for being who you are, just for existing. You don’t have to do anything to earn it. Your shortcomings, your lack of self-esteem, your physical imperfections, your economic success – none of that matters. No one can take this love away from you, and it will always be here” – Ram Dass

“To love, we need to be sensitive to those around us, which is impossible if we are racing through life engrossed in all things we need to do before sunset. In fact I would go to the extent of saying that a person who is always late will find it difficult to love; he will be in too much of a hurry” – Eknath Easwaran

“Learning how to love is the goal and the purpose of spiritual life – not learning how to develop psychic powers, not learning how to bow, chant, do yoga, or even meditate, but learning to love. Love is the truth, Love is the light” – Lama Surya Das

“To love those that love you is easy. To love those that love you not is not so simple. If you want to change anyone set a better example. Show more kindness, more understanding, more love. That has a sure effect. To those who are not kind, show kindness. To those who are mean, show bigness of heart” – Paramahansa Yogananda

“Understanding someone’s suffering is the best gift you can give another person. Understanding is love’s other name. If you don’t understand, you can’t love” – Thich Nhat Hanh

“Everyday, think as you wake up, and say, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can” – The Dalai Lama

It is a quieter time at the yoga centre in August for us, as many students are on holiday or enjoying the outdoors and many teachers take a break too. Having said that, we never shut our doors, and throughout the Summer there are still plenty of classes and workshops. If your teacher takes a break, you can always find out what else is on by having a look at the calendar on the website: 

https://www. dorchesteryoga.co.uk/calendar/

Our therapy room remains busy throughout the Summer, and our in-house massage specialist, Melina, is offering a 10% summer discount on all treatments in July. Why not treat yourself to a full body Swedish massage combined with energy healing for soothing, relaxing and opening to the high summer energy. She also offers relaxing reiki sessions for cleansing and recharging as well as breathwork sessions for deeper journeying and connecting with self. The offer is open until the end of July. 

Get in touch to book your summer treat!
Message/call on 07538 540563
Email: melina@existinghuman.co

New Classes and Courses

In September, we have a new Beginners class starting with Claire Jones on Mondays at 7.30pm. If you would like to book this class or get more information please contact Claire on 07841 112686 or email clairejones663@gmail.com

In the Autumn, beginning Sunday 13th October Marj Snape is offering an exciting opportunity to deepen into the authentic spiritual practice of Advaita Vedanta. A 3-year course, meeting 4 times a year exploring progressively the wisdom teachings of Vedanta and the great questions of life. Who am I? Why am I here? What is this experience? The sessions will include meditation, discourse, teachings from Vedantic texts of The Bhagavad Gita and The Upanishads and supportive group discussion. Excellent resources are available for private study and reflection as you absorb the teachings and integrate them in a practical way into daily life.  A genuine programme of spiritual awakening suitable for all levels of experience and students new to meditation and spiritual enquiry. For more information contact Marj at marjsnape@gmail.com or call 07747 429559.

And a reminder of our new monthly class Conversations with Chris, on the first Wednesday of the month.

Enjoy your Summer of Love From Sharon et al

July Courses & Workshops

Wednesday 3^rd, 5-6pm
Conversations with Chris – Christopher Matthews

Friday 5^th  6.30-7.30pm
Breathing and Yoga Nidra – Sharon Cox-Button

Friday 12^th 7.00-8.30pm
Tuning Forks For Stress Relief – Nicki Greenham

Saturday 13^th 10.30-11.45am
Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali – Sarah Ryan

Saturday 13^th 12-1.00pm
Vedic Chanting – Sarah Ryan

Friday 19^th 6.30-8.00pm
Sound Healing With Crystal Bowls – Ellen Wells

Sunday 21st 2.00-4.00pm
Restorative Yoga For Deep Rest – Tracy Boast

Friday 26^th 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga – Toni Franklin

Friday 26^th 6.30-9.00pm
Reiki Share – Saira Francis

Sunday 28^th 10.30-1.00pm
Yin Yoga Workshop – Chrissie Haskett
 

August Courses & Workshops

Wednesday 7^th 5-6pm
Conversations With Chris – Christopher Matthews

Friday 16^th 6.30-8.00pm
Sound Healing With Crystal Bowls – Ellen Wells

Sunday 25^th 10.30-1.00pm
Yin Yoga Workshop – Chrissie Haskett 

Friday 30^th 6.00-7.30pm
Yin Yoga – Toni Frankin

Saturday 31^st 2.00-3.30pm
Reiki Share – Peter Griffiths

“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you”
~ Buddha ~