Dear yogi friends,
This year the flower moon lunar eclipse is positioned as a full moon in Scorpio, an intense emotional and powerful sign that will only be amplified by the power of the lunar eclipse. This is a period of breakthroughs, endings, or facing fears. Emotions will run high, so avoid impulsive or rebellious behaviour.
Scorpio is a sign deeply focused on intimacy, vulnerability and rebirth, so this is a good time to focus on feeling all of those feels!!
Many ancient cultures and religions honour and harness the power of the full moon by dancing, chanting and basking in moon light.
Potential intentions and mantras to include:
* I release myself from my fears, traumas and insecurities. * I open myself to true intimacy and vulnerability. * I will not let my past failures or fears to control me. * I am a phoenix, always ready to be reborn and renewed.
Happy Full Moon ????

Dear yogi friends,
Vishu is one of India’s most loved festivals, celebrated to mark the onset of Spring and the harvest season. It falls on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam – usually the month of April in the Gregorian calendar – and is also taken as a celebration of the Spring equinox. The festival is generally taken as the time of new beginnings and is marked by temple rituals and family celebrations. In the home the focus of devotion is the traditional kani decoration, comprising a display of golden-hued flowers, fruits and vegetables, new clothes, and gold coins.
It’s time to let go of what no longer serves our life’s purpose and make room for new!
Wishing you a very happy Vishu and a year of health, happiness and prosperity ahead.

Warmest Namaste:)

Dear yogi friends,
This month we’re focusing on finding equilibrium as the seasons shift. Aligning our practice with spring’s energy and finding balance between stability, strength and steadiness with gentleness, relaxation and joy.
The ancient yoga texts remind us of the wisdom at the heart of yoga philosophy. The same truths that resonated with people 5000 years ago, are still relevant today. One of those pearls is the value of finding balance between Sthira ( stability and strength ) & Sukha ( comfort and ease.)
“The most advanced yoga practices do not necessarily entail the most skill in asana. In my years as a yoga teacher, I’ve observed that yoga practice can become quite advanced regardless of physical aptitude and that some of the most advanced practices can evolve in a wheelchair. A truly mature practice might be one in which some gentle bilateral or core engaged movement opens the nostrils and you become fully aware of the eyebrow centre or are able to nestle attention at the heart.”
Normal in-person and online schedule resumes on Tuesday 07 March.
Namaste & Love
Sima

Dear yogis,
I hope this finds you well.
I’m writing to confirm that all classes in Feb will be held online via zoom. Please let me know if you are new to online classes and need instructions to dial into a class.
Online classes are £10 per class and they can be booked via the website – if you hold a class card for online classes – please email me to register sima@aquariusyoga.co.uk
There will be 3 evening classes every week:
Monday – Vinyasa Flow 6:00-7:00pm
Tuesday – Hatha Yoga 6:30-7:30 pm
Wednesday – Gentle Stretch and Meditation 7:00-8:00 pm
Please check the website for class description – aquariusyoga.co.uk
Classes will resume in Market Hall on Tuesday 07 March – 25 April.
I’ll look forward to seeing you later.

Namaste & Love

Dear yogis,
A new year is upon us and with it a time we often take to reflect on our intentions for the year. In class I often ask you to choose your intention for each practice and I’d like to write a few words about what I mean by this.
The latin root of the word intention means both stretching and purpose so in that way we can think of it as a focus on something which stretches us beyond the place that we are already at. An intention is different from a goal, it is a value which journeys with us throughout the session and our day. Examples might be ‘kindness’ or ‘adaption’, and to apply it, we would aim to let that value flow through our thoughts and actions. In setting an intention we also detach ourselves from the outcome; instead we do our best and let go of the rest. Simply an awareness of our intention can be enough to elicit the change we wish for.
If you are struggling with the concept, some people find it easier to take two to three breaths thinking about each of the following values or intentions:
Gratitude: no matter how hard life is, there’s always some small thing we can be grateful for, it can help our practice to start with an awareness of what this is.
Forgiveness: none of us are perfect, we make mistakes, sometimes we hurt people unintentionally, sometimes we do it intentionally and then regret it. Taking two or three breaths to ask for forgiveness from those we may have negatively impacted or sending forgiveness to those who have wronged us can help us let go of negative emotions.
Guidance: we are social beings and we thrive when we work with others. By taking two to three breaths to think about the areas of our life in which we need further help or assistance, we can open our lives up to opportunity, greater success and a humble attitude where we allow others in.
We are all blessed with the gift of yoga, which re-energises and nurtures, supporting us to go out into the world and put good positive energy to those around us.
Thank you for continuing to make sharing what we love possible.
Normal schedule from Tuesday 03 January.
Namaste & Love
Sima

Christmas
is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away.
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
the good you do for others is good you do for yourself. –
– Norman Wesley Brooks. “Let every day be Christmas,” 1976

Wishing you all a wonderful finish to 2022 and look forward to seeing you in the New Year. Term starts on Tuesday 03 January.
With much love and best wishes to you all.
Sima

Hello Yogi friends,
As we are now truly counting down to Christmas and New Year – I hope you are taking an observation of what’s going on. Your physical body, where’s your head at, how’s your heart doing and what’s coming up for you in this present moment!
I hope you can join me tomorrow in Market hall for our last Hatha Yoga class of 2022. We will continue with the chest and shoulder opening sequence to keep the intensity out of your shoulders and finish with meditation for inner balance.
“The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this lifetime” – Sogyal Rinpoche
Warmest Namaste & Love
Sima:)
PS, You are welcome to bring a guest to this class:)

Dear yogi friends,
Take time to reflect on the fact that your identity is fluid and always changing. Reflect on the current changes taking place in your life at this time.
There may be shifts in your health as you age or you might have experienced an injury that limits your range of motion. Note your internal response to any changes in your structure. What is your relationship to aging, physical limitation and pain? To what extent do you reject the changes that take place in your structure?
Reflect on the ways in which your identity is formed by the people around you. In particular, note the influence that your immediate family, your spouse, your children or parents – has on your sense of self. Our identity is shaped and reshaped by the people we live with and with whom we associate. Know that you identity is like clay, one that is being moulded and reconfigured all the time.
Reflect on the ways that your professional life and your primary responsibilities shape who you are. In many regards, self identity is formulated by the obligations that we assume. Adhering strictly to these obligations can thwart spiritual growth. While it is important to fulfil our obligations, know that you need not be held hostage to your role as mother, daughter, teacher, accountant, etc. Note that your identity is formed by the family you were raised in and the culture you live in. Each of us is cut from the cloth of the society we are born into. Reflect on the fact that your identity is never fixed.
Identity is never absolute – It is plastic, changeable and evolving.
“The most important thing to remember is this: to be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.” W.E Dubois.
Autumn term ends on Monday 19 Dec – New term starts on 03 Jan 2023
Please note that class cards will roll over to next term.
As ever please do get in touch with any questions.
With Warmest Namaste:)

Dear yogi friends,
I hope this finds you well.
Our mid term break is going to be on Tuesday 25 Oct & 01 Nov. Back to mat on Tuesday 08 Nov – term ends on Friday 16 Dec. Apologies for changing:(
We will continue with the glutes strengthening sequence for the next few weeks to balance and control the movement of the pelvis, hips, legs, torso and help to limit the amount of stress put on your low back. Powerful glutes play a key role in how efficiently your body moves and are an integral part of your body’s overall health.
Could I please ask yogis who borrowed props during covid to return them to class – You are still welcome to keep them if you practise every week as this keeps the use of cleaning solutions and tissues to a minimum and saves me time cleaning them, Thank you:)
Namaste and Love
Sima:)

Thought of the day quote:
“There comes a day when you realise turning the page is the best feeling in the world,
Because you realise there’s so much more to the book than the page you were stuck on.” – Zayn Malik
Dear yogi friends,
I hope the above quote inspires your spirit of adventure and self discovery which is the essential focus of a yoga practice.
I am looking forward to returning back to mat with you.
Autumn term from Tuesday 06 Sep – 13 Dec – No class on Tuesday 08 Nov.
September class schedule
Monday – Vinyasa Flow 6:00 – 7:00 pm – online Tuesday – Hatha Yoga 6:30 -7:30 pm – Market Hall, Old Amersham Wednesday – Gentle Stretch and Meditation 6:00 -7:00 pm – online Thursday – Hatha Yoga Flow 9:30 – 10:30 am – online

Warmest Namaste
Sima:-)