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Spring 2008

Winter 2007/8

Autumn 2007

Summer 2007

Spring 2007

Winter 2006

Summer 2006

Spring 2006

Newsletter - Spring 2008

Namaste my friend, and greetings,

As I write, the huge cherry-plum tree at the end of my garden is in full blossom looking for all the world as if one of the cumulus clouds has fallen from the blue sky. Every now and then a gust of March wind sends a blizzard of petals into the air, yes - Spring is upon us! This is a truly inspiring time of re-birth, new growth and potential. Reminders of the awesome beauty of creation and the spectacular power of the natural world are everywhere we look.

The Universe certainly intended for me to make a fresh start this year when the hard drive on my (not so) trusty old laptop packed up over Christmas and I lost all my files and contacts. I then had to hurriedly buy, install and get to grips with a new PC in order to get my tax return filed before my holiday (which turned out to be a bitter disappointment and an expensive lesson for me about having expectations!) On my return the internet connection went down and, in spite of 5 weeks of lengthy phone calls to a call centre in India, at the time of writing is not yet restored. Thank heaven for “snail mail!” How folk cope with such trials without Yoga in their lives amazes me.

On a much more positive note, there are many wonderful opportunities coming up this year:-

“The Incredible Veggie Roadshow” comes to the Guildhall on Sat 22nd March offering free tasting, demonstrations and advice - all you ever wanted to know about going, being and staying veggie!

Savita Yoga, a world class group from the Czech & Slovak Republics, are in the UK to teach at BWY Congress in April and I am thrilled that they will be in Northampton for a workshop on Wed 2nd April. This is a rare chance to experience their profound gift to induce an authentic state of inner calm using the breath, movement and sound. It is suitable for all and there are still spaces available as I write, please request a booking form if you are interested in attending.

The Natural Living Show takes place on Sunday 11th May at the Freemasons’ Hall, St Georges Ave 10am till 5pm. There will be a host of stands, free talks and demonstrations on offer (including Yoga with yours truly), all devoted to your total wellbeing so please come along and be inspired.

Then to top it all off we are to be honoured by a visit from Pandit Barun Kumar Pal in June. Barun is Stefan Cartwright’s teacher from India, a master musician and director of Sri Aurobindu Ashram. The concert on Fri 6th will showcase his talent on the hansaveena (an evocative hybrid instrument like a cross between slide guitar and sitar) accompanied by Kausic Sen on tabla (another world class maestro). The workshop on Sat 7th will be an opportunity to explore the influence of sound in the form of the Indian scale and “raga“. Indian music’s magical power to reveal our bliss has uplifted countless generations, now it’s our turn so don’t miss out!

If your practice has lapsed of late I really hope this newsletter may prompt you to get back on the yoga mat again very soon, the timetable remains unchanged despite recent low numbers.

Oodles of Aums & Shantis

Annette

Newsletter - Winter 2007

Namaste my friend, and seasons greetings. 

And what a fabulous start to the season we had! I’m still flying high after the weekend with Stefan Cartwright and friends, and those of you who were able to be part of it will know just what I mean. The concert was every bit as magical as it promised to be, if not more so, and the workshops saw us all truly “blissed out”. The Peter Yates master class certainly sparked the imagination with his radical approach to Hatha Yoga, and the ecstatic faces after the gong bath said it all! My heartfelt thanks to Stef, Pete and all the other musicians for sharing their genius and bringing such joy to our little corner of the world. (I can’t wait for their CD to come out!) 

We shall be closed over Christmas and New Year, returning with the usual timetable the week commencing 7th January.  By then I shall be uncontrollably excited as I prepare for my holiday of a lifetime on January 14th when Tony and I fly off to spend 2 weeks sailing in the Caribbean! 

After much deliberation I have decided to run all the classes while I’m away, so that you can resume continuity after the break (see how well I look after you?) Although the numbers dipped during December, I feel confident that you’ll be back with renewed enthusiasm and eager to see your practice and your life soar to even dizzier heights in 2008. 

This is made possible by the generous spirit and kindness of  my dear friends Caroline and Charlie, and I thank them both with all my heart for stepping in. Please support them and take full advantage of their vast teaching experience and wisdom, view this as a perfect opportunity to sample another perspective on Yoga, something I sincerely encourage all students to do. 

Looking a little further ahead to February, I am absolutely delighted that two dear friends, Jonathan Trapman and Virve Viigand will be in town to deliver a potentially life-changing series of workshops. Their humorous yet frank style delivers a potent mix of inspirational talks which provoke serious introspection, blended with Yoga and Tai Chi. For those who are truly ready for liberation in the here and now, this is it - permanent deliverance from all that holds us back from our bliss. “We are all here to have fun” says Jonathan, “ to be seriously immersed in the joy of life and live in abundance”. The workshop timetable and booking forms are available on request.

 For more about the work of Jonathan and Virve visit their web site - Living Zen

I wish you the happiest Christmas ever and a New Year filled with peace, good health, harmony and a HUGE dollop of fun! 

Oodles of Aums & Shantis

Annette

Namaste my friend,

Newsletter - Autumn 2007

Namaste my friend

September has been so spectacularly beautiful that it is only as it draws to a close I am reminded that it is in fact autumn! so here is my offering for this season.

Why is it that everyone seems to be complaining about the summer weather? I don't recall it being that bad. I admit to being something of an expert now at putting up tents in gale force winds, but we were really fortunate to miss most of the rain. The Drum-camp venue had to be changed at the last minute, as the usual Suffolk site was waterlogged, and our first Gong bath session was quite an adventure as the marquee creaked and billowed in the wind, but everything calmed down for the rest of the week and a fabulous time was had by all.

The Santosa Pan-Yoga Gathering and Kirtan Camp over the August Bank Holiday was the undisputed highlight of the summer for all who took part. I know Sindy and Raheem who went form Northampton (on my recommendation) will confirm that it was indeed all I promised - and more! Words cannot describe the spirit of unity and blissful contentment that pervaded that field and everyone on it. It will be held again in 2008 but, as it reached capacity this year, places must be booked in advance - I'll let you know as soon as booking forms are available.

Camping with Stefan and his delightful family and friends at Drum-camp and Santosa was for me the ultimate tonic. Whether simply chatting and sharing, or joining in spontaneous music, I was in heaven! I am delighted to announce that Stef is coming back to Northampton in December. There will be an "Evening of Intimate Music" with Stefan Cartwright, Pete Yates & friends at the Friends Meeting House on Friday 7th. All are welcome to come along and have their spirits lifted on what promises to be a truly magical occasion. On Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th Stefan is running "Finding the Voice" workshops at Debbie's OM Studio, a unique opportunity to discover your natural voice and innate musical ability through simple Yoga, relaxation and the healing power of sound. Full details of these events will be on the website shortly:-

www.annetteschoolofyoga.com or www.resona.org

or contact myself or Debbie Botterill (01604 791320 - e-mail: yoga.omstudio@hotmail.co.uk ) with any enquiries or to reserve your place. (Don't delay - numbers are limited)

I have now taken over 2 Thursday morning Yoga sessions in Brafield-on-the-green. They are well established classes (formerly run by adult ed.) which I now run under the "Annette's School of Yoga" banner. Sergeant's Memorial Hall is a lovely venue in a peaceful, countryside setting, yet only minutes away from the town. Students of all abilities are welcome. The first 90 min class starts at 9.30 or the next is at 11.15. The fee is £24 per 6 week block (prepaid) or £6 per class.

My new role as Marketing Officer for the East Midlands region of the British Wheel of Yoga means I am busy promoting the benefits of becoming a member (its not just for teachers you know) and helping to organise the Regional Congress and AGM on October 13th, this year hosted by Northants. Guru Ram Kaur is the guest tutor, she is brilliant (and she's bringing her gong!) and, at only £10 for the day, well worth the membership fee.

Watch out for notice of Christmas closure, likely to be 2 weeks this year, and possibly 2 weeks in January as I will be going on holiday, though I'll try and get another tutor to cover if possible.

Oodles of Aums & Shantis, and be sure to get out and appreciate this glorious autumn sunshine, but whatever the weather, this inspiring time of transformation is truly sublime - don't miss it!

Newsletter - Summer  2007

 

Dear friend
 

The wild extremes in the weather of late (all the seasons in one week!) seem curiously akin to what I’ve been experiencing within myself. The turbulence is settling however, and when the fluctuations level out I trust a more profound sense of harmony will reign. My faith in this vision has been greatly reassured by a recent numerology/astrology type consultation I have had.

As I move into this new phase in my quest to “live more lovingly” I am taking a new name. Say hello to Annette Ananda (nothing personal to the Catletts out there).  Ananda (meaning bliss)  has often appeared in the names of the great Yogis through the ages, not that I have delusions of greatness of course - simply a need to embrace a more harmonious  vibrational energy.

To this end I am increasingly aware of the importance of living our lives from a perspective of peace - to ensure that all we do, say and think conforms with our personal values. Liberation is the natural consequence of having the courage to step out of the conditioning which makes us continually pass judgements! Whether it is about what someone else did or said or our own conduct - even our asana practice - that incessant internal commentary which classifies everything in terms of good or bad, positive or negative, helpful or obstructive, is indeed our downfall.
 

Mahatma Gandhi said “be the change you want to see in the world” which I take to mean that world peace can only be achieved when we are each AT peace within. A wise friend said to me recently “if we don’t go within, we go without” - a profound statement we’d all do well to meditate upon…     and on the subject of meditation, I am altering the Tuesday timetable.
 

The meditation class is to be suspended for the time being while I re-evaluate it’s purpose and direction.  This also enables me to adjust the start times of the improvers and dynamic classes and hopefully make them more accessible for those who work late or have an early morning start to consider.  So from next week the improvers will run from 6.30 till 8.00 and Charlie’s class will be from 8.15 till 9.30. Wednesday is unchanged with the two beginners sessions at 6.45 till 8.00 and 8.15 till 9.30. The prices remain the same and I trust these changes will not be too disruptive.
 

We shall take our customary summer break, finishing on 1st August and resuming on 4th September with the timetable detailed above. I am so looking forward to the Santosa gathering at the end of August - especially as Stefan is now bringing his beautiful energy (and family) along.  (Thanx again Stef for the blissful workshop last month.) If you feel drawn to be part of it, all are welcome to share the experience of BE-ing in this sacred field looking out over Glastonbury Tor. You can just visit or camp for 6 euphoric days as we do.  Contact me for more info or go to:- http://www.sitaram.org/retreats/santosa.html

 

Until we next meet, I wish for you an abundance of Peace, Love and Light ,

 

Newsletter - Spring '07

The emerging flowers and blossom herald the arrival of spring, while the frost this morning serves to remind us that winter hasn’t quite released its hold completely. Yoga practice (and indeed life itself) can sometimes feel a bit like that. There may be a deep yearning to break free, to bloom and move beyond where we perceive ourselves to be stuck, yet some past injury, fear or conditioning holds us back. Just as the earth is currently exploding with vitality and colour, we too can awaken dormant energies for some growth of our own. To vanquish the grip of “winter” some spring cleaning may be called for, but it requires courage and a little honest soul searching to ditch the stuff which has exceeded it’s “use by date”. This can take us seriously out of our comfort zone, but it helps if we can understand the nature of growth - the need for something to perish (like the fallen leaves in winter) to release the power required for unlocking previously hidden potential. Our recent focus in class on challenging any reliance on the familiarity of each asana, together with the “warriors, triangles etc” has hopefully prepared us for this testing, though uniquely exciting time of transformation.

I have found the last few months particularly difficult and am doing some serious soul searching of my own. Amongst other things I have been perplexed by the resistance within me towards much of the “alternative” personal development programmes being marketed out there - a flaw which I continue to wrestle with. This inner conflict has led me back to the Sutras for guidance. At risk of appearing rather “un-yogic” for a moment, it saddens me to witness the current preoccupation with having to “re-invent” everything in order to make it palatable to the masses. “Branding”, and ultimately diluting, the wisdom of the ages is doing its masters and us all a great disservice. I’ve done my share of “shopping around” in the past, but thankfully never “bought into” any one approach exclusively, thus avoiding the limitations which inevitably result from becoming reliant on one individual’s interpretation or “system”. If Yoga must have a goal then let it be liberation!

“When our mind moves towards discernment, spontaneously making the right choices at the right time, we approach a state of serenity and liberation.” - Patanjali

I thank the universe with all my heart for guiding me to the teachings of Stefan Cartwright. His genius to distil Yoga to its natural essence is awe inspiring, (Those of you who have met him will know exactly what I mean.) “There’s nothing to do” he says “just BE!” and it is the uncomplicated approach of this wise and modest mentor which has helped restore my confidence in my own direction. Following the success of the January workshop, I am thrilled to welcome Stefan back in May.


The undisputed highlight of that day was playing the bowls, so the workshop in the school hall on Saturday 5th May will focus primarily on working with these powerful instruments. For those willing to dive a little deeper into the realm of Nada Yoga there will be a smaller, more intimate workshop on Sunday 6th May at the OM Studio. See attachment for full details and booking form.

The website is soon to be updated. Look out for more recommended sites to explore and details of local and national events.

Until we next meet, much Love and Light

Annette

Newsletter - Winter 06/07

 

Autumn seemed to arrive so late I missed sending out a newsletter - sorry folks - such a lot has been going on! The Santosa Pan-Yoga Gathering in Somerset over the August Bank Holiday was heaven. The whole experience was so nurturing & nourishing and my son George was in his element. Great news! it is happening again next year (hurray from George!) check out the Sitaram website, if you are interested, it is open to all. 

As promised, the Sound Yoga day with Stefan Cartwright was excellent, a truly joyous event which went down so well I immediately invited him back. Special thanks to those who came to the impromptu recital in the evening, it was magical. So, if you missed out - put 13th January in your diary NOW, and start the new year with a gong! This workshop may also act as a foundation day for those who are considering the “Resona” course  starting in September. 

The Yoga Show at Olympia was a great opportunity to check out “all things Yoga”, and the Mind Body Soul Show there last weekend gave me the chance to meet up with the Brahma Kumaris (Raja Yoga) again. “Bliss” performed their profoundly uplifting music which many of  you will know from class. I highly recommend their CDs, hear for yourself at:-  www.blissfulrecords.com 

Do keep an eye on the website if you can - for the latest news of future events. Also for easy access to Yoga-ez.com for mats, supplies, jewellery, CDs etc. They are also offering great gift ideas by way of vouchers for those you love to kit themselves out in body and mind. If you give my name you get extra discount on all purchases, great for Christmas shopping, Eh? 

The current timetable continues unchanged for the time being, but I shall have to review the situation on Wednesdays if the later class doesn’t pick up again (where are you guys?)  I am also planning to introduce a daytime class as soon as I can find a suitable venue, any ideas?

 

Tuesdays:

6.00 to  7.30pm  -  Improvers class with Annette  -  £6

7.30  to  8.15pm  -  Meditation with Annette  -  £3

8.30  to  9.45pm  -  Dynamic (Power) Yoga with Charlie  -  £6 (drop in) or £30 for 6 weeks

 

Wednesday:

6.45  to  8.00pm  -  Beginners with Annette  -  £5

8.15  to  9.30pm  -  Beginners with Annette  -  £5

 

I don’t anticipate any break other than Christmas week, however, in the event of extreme weather conditions please check BBC local radio for school closures  - if in doubt give me a ring:-

01604 582150  or  07947 693845

 

                  Season’s Greetings to all


Newsletter - Summer 06

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season and that life continues to be kind to you and yours. Time seems to race by just as quickly as the weather changes! it hardly seems possible that we have only 2 weeks before classes resume.

The move to St James Primary School was a bit of a challenge - who could have imagined a brand new building could have so many problems? but I am assured that everything will be resolved over the summer break, ready for our return. The School now has a new head teacher who I’m sure will be just as enthusiastic about promoting Yoga within the School and the local community.

Do keep an eye on the website if you can www.annetteschoolofyoga.com for the latest news of future events. September is going to be a very busy month with the Yoga Show at Olympia on 15/16/17, the “just a minute” free event on 17th at Wembley Arena, and please come and support Northampton’s Complimentary Health Exhibition at Sixfields on Sunday 24th.

The “not to be missed” event though, is the Sound Yoga day on 30th. I met Stefan last month at Drumcamp and was so inspired by his teaching (and blown away by the gong bath!) that I booked him straight away. Please join us for what I promise you will be the most moving and memorable experience of a lifetime. You can download the booking form at:- www.annetteschoolofyoga.com/stefan.html

The current timetable continues unchanged for the time being, but I still hope to introduce some extra classes in the near future.

Tuesdays:

6.00 to 7.30pm - Improvers class with Annette - £6

7.30 to 8.15pm - Meditation with Annette - £3

8.30 to 9.45pm - Dynamic (Power) Yoga with Charlie - £6 (drop in) or £30 for 6 weeks

Wednesday:

6.45 to 8.00pm - Beginners with Annette - £5

8.15 to 9.30pm - Beginners with Annette - £5

I am now getting myself ready for the Santosa Pan-Yoga Gathering in Somerset (having just dried my tent out after its last outing!) I am so looking forward to it, and expect to have lots of new tips and techniques to share with you when our classes start again on 5th & 6th September.

Newsletter - Spring 06


Spring has sprung at last, although as I write this I can’t tell the blossom from the snowflakes !!!

So much has happened since I launched the project almost 4 years ago (can you believe that?) and I feel truly blessed to have met so many phenomenal people seeking to improve their quality of life through Yoga.

My long association with The Doddridge Centre is drawing to a close at the end of April as I am moving all the classes to the beautiful new hall within St James C. of E. Primary School, which opens after Easter on the Harlestone Road.

This will hopefully resolve all the recent challenges we have faced (overcrowding, noise, etc) and perhaps herald a fresh start for those who have not been for a while.

The current timetable will remain in place unchanged for the time being, but I hope to introduce some extra classes as soon as we are settled in, and I can better asses the wishes of the membership.

The acting head of the school is really excited to have us there and keen to involve the children, staff and parents in future ventures.

Tuesdays:
6.00 to 7.30pm - Improvers class with Annette - £6
7.30 to 8.15pm - Meditation with Annette - £3
8.30 to 9.45pm - Dynamic (Power) Yoga with Charlie - £6 (drop in) or £30 for 6 weeks

Wednesday:
6.45 to 8.00pm - Beginners with Annette - £5
8.15 to 9.30pm - Beginners with Annette - £5

I will be asking everyone who joined over 12 months ago to re-register so that I can update my records. Should you wish to discontinue your membership you need do nothing - if I don’t hear from you I shall not bother you again.

This is the new website, of course so...

Please have a look if you can, and let me know what you think. Sign up for the online newsletter and the “Daily OM” for some inspirational words of wisdom.

Please send me your words of wisdom too, I would love to include your stories and testimonials to the healing power of Yoga.

If I do not see you at the Doddridge Centre, I hope you feel inspired to come along to one of the classes on 2nd/3rd May at the new venue. If you need directions or have any questions about the move or the classes, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Go here to see the new venue details

Any comments/feedback would be greatly appreciated as I endeavour to further improve my service to you - the Yoga student.

Namaste

Annette
More Articles to read
Pregnancy Yoga - Bernadette King
Yogananda - Elke Duerr
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - a Modern perspective
Trudi's story - Annette's School of Yoga

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