ॐ September Newsletter ॐ

Hello yoga student and friend;

Thank you for being patient with me while I have been away from my monthly newsletters. July and August have been special as I was able to spend most of the summer dedicated to my sons Dashiel and Calvin. We’ve had some famous adventures and lots of time spearheading new skills (Calvin learned how to read and ride a bike!). These adventures and glories have kept us busy.

I was also able to polish my own practice during a week with my teacher Dena Kingsberg in Hamburg. I taught an intensive in Dublin, and I was lucky enough to lead a soulful retreat at YogApulia. I found enough time to read three books and now, I am reading the epic sci-fi, “Dune”. Have you read it, yogi? What have you been reading?

Currently my summer is wrapping up as I write this from the YogApulia retreat centre. I am typing away in the ancient trulli, my attention focused on sharing my favourite tales of summer and the super events I am grateful to invite you to join me in - these are all coming ahead September through November.

Somehow as busy as I keep myself, I always find my way to yoga. From mediocre and windy-campsite practices to long shoulder-stands before bed, I always seem to make it to the mat. And I hope you do too, yogi! May my newsletter inspire you to get back to your routine if you have fallen away from yoga, or if you are already on the daily path, then I hope to reinvigorate your passion for practice.

Once back home this Saturday, I am delighted to rekindle with YOU - my yoga students online, afar and in Dublin! You’ll read below that I am here in Dublin back teaching online and at Little Bird THIS Sunday. This fall I am offering workshops in Brighton in September, Dublin and Dundalk (in September), October in Belfast, a retreat with Christine Hoar in Portugal AND in November I’m off to Edinburgh. Feeling full and grateful to share my love for this practice with so many.

Looking forward to seeing you this autumn, I just may be coming to a town near you!

All joy your way, and happy reading,

Sarah

ॐ 6-week Bhagavad Gita Course:
Begins 4 September

Join me online or in person for a 6-week Wednesday morning Bhagavad Gīta study:

Wednesdays 4 September through 9 October from 9:30-10:30 am Dublin time.

You can join live online OR you can participate by receiving the video recordings after. You do not need to have any experience with Sanskrit or chanting to take this course, all levels welcome.

Book this event HERE.

ॐ Brighton Ashtanga Yoga Intensive:
12-15 September

Join me in Brighton, 12-15 September for four days of ashtanga yoga and bhakti. This intensive will cover chanting, yoga sūtra study, Mysore and Led ashtanga yoga classes and in-depth afternoon workshops.

This four-day event includes evening/afternoon workshops Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening with morning class Friday Saturday and Sunday! Don’t miss this in-depth study with me, I can’t wait to be with Ruth’s students and see new and old friends too.

For details of the Intensive including workshop descriptions - click HERE.
To book the Brighton Intensive, contact Ruthie Rooster: ashtangaruthie@yahoo.com

ॐ September Weekly Teachings Ahead

Monday Online Chanting is Back! 4 pm starting 2 September

Tuesday Online Pop-up Class 9:30 am Select Tuesdays

Thursday Mysore 7-9 am online and in-person at Little Bird

Friday Led Primary Series 6:30 am-8:30 am Online and In-person - Select Fridays

Sunday Mysore 7:45-9:45 am online and in-person at Little Bird (back teaching THIS SUNDAY!)

Book Online Class HERE
Book Little Bird In-person Class HERE

ॐBackbending Workshops:
Dublin 28 September
Dundalk 29 September

In Dublin:
”Backbending and Finding Compassion in the Heart”. This event is 28 September from 3-6 pm both online and in-studio at Little Bird. Book your spot soon in person, booking links are below:
Online
In-studio at Little Bird, Dublin

In Dundalk:
”Filling the Heart with Light: Backbending with Purpose”. This event is Sunday, 29 September from 1:30-4:30 pm.
To book this workshop BOOK HERE and contact Maria +353 87 280 3307.

ॐ Ashtanga Yoga Belfast Weekend Workshop:
5-6 October

I am delighted to teach in Northern Ireland! Join me in Belfast for two days of ashtanga yoga in the workshop-format. Gabriella, Michael and Fiona are hosting me for this two-day event, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the schedule. To read more about each individual class, click HERE.

Saturday: "Principles of Practice: Led Primary Series and the Yogic Breath" (9 am-11:45 am)
9am - 9:30am an Introduction to Yogic Breathing and Bandha
short break
9:40-11:45am Led Primary Series
Break for Lunch 11:45-2
2-2:30 pm Yogic Philosophy: the Yoga Sutras 
2:30-4 pm Backbending with the Heart

Sunday "Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga and Philosophy" (8:30 am-11:30 am)
8:30-11 am Mysore Class
11am-11:30 Philosophy Discussion on Yoga Sutra 1.20

To book the weekend directly, please visit Ashtanga Yoga Belfast

ॐ When you see your teacher…

Teaching aside, practicing with your teacher is always a boon. This year I am grateful that I saw David Garrigues in June and also, I saw Dena Kingsberg (Happy Birthday, Dena!) in July.

Here is a short excerpt from my practice one day with Dena and Jack.

this yawning morning
spreading light
rays of energy
to delight

soft petals open
my feet spread
now is the day
to tread

sitting with the earth
moving not me
i watch the birds flutter
and the veil lifts to see

ॐ Live Instagram with Christine Hoar Monday 2 September: Join us as we chat about our upcoming Portugal Retreat 13-20 October ॐ

Christine and I are delighted to co-teach this very special retreat at the Monte Velho centre, in Portugal. We will be discussing the retreat and how what we will be sharing THIS Monday 2 September Live on Instagram.

Please join us as we share stories of ashtanga yoga, stories of Nancy Gilgoff and how we became friends.

Learn About the Retreat HERE.

ॐ Ashtanga Yoga Edinburgh Weekend
8-10 November

Delighted to be back in Edinburgh THIS Fall! Join me Friday morning for Mysore, Saturday for a morning workshop and Sunday for Mysore. I look forward to seeing Ashtanga Yoga Edinburgh’s new home and spending time with old and new friends and students. Thank you Emma Isokivi for hosting me!

Book the Workshop HERE.

ॐ The Wind that Shapes Us

This story of the wind was inspired by my time at Achill Island, Co Mayo. I have never experienced such wind as I did at Achill, other than my time in the Patagonia, Chile, where I thought I would be blown away.

The sheep, the insects, the mountains and the sea all have a discussion about the wind. They are just having a classic family row about it’s constancy. May their dialogue be a metaphor about about how reluctant we are to listen and see what is clearly right in front of us. When we listen intently to our quieter selves and are open to the lessons the natural world offers us, we can have an abundance of insight from it’s glory.

When we are accosted by negative thoughts, despair, melancholy…even boredom…often the best medicine is the natural environment! Have you noticed how a full moon, a cold plunge into the sea, and a storm that harasses you will, often will do the trick. It will coax out of you what lies hidden - it acts as a breath of fresh air and a reset button for newer and bigger ideas to come into fruition.

The wind persuades me to move and agitation becomes me. I attempt to sit and listen, and I remind myself to not be afraid when there is such a forceful pull to change. I seek my balance amongst the storm. It is as if the wind is deliberately beating me down, I start to feel anxious and resentful.

Just when I am about to burst, the natural world speaks out. Through the blustering gale, I hear the ancient voices:

”What happens”, the sheep ask, “when there is no wind? How will I balance on this hillside?”

I don’t reply, I know nothing, really.

”What happens”, the tic nips, “When you can’t fly or burrow but only be still?”

Simply be still, go nowhere.

”What happens”, the purple heather hums, “when you are blown away from your roots?”

You start again and replant.

”What happens”, the mountain moans, “when the wind stops it’s melancholy song?”

The wind steps in and says, “you all will learn to love more”.

ॐ Save the Date:
Purple Valley Tenerife, Spain
26 April-3 May, 2025

ॐThank you for reading and I hope to see you soon!