Dear Yoga students and those interested in Yoga,

Welcome to the first BYC Newsletter. Each week I'll e-mail a newsletter which will keep you up to date with class changes and progress reports on current classes, mainly, what I'm learning and can share with you. Also, I'll post the latest entries in my Spiritual Journal entitled Yoga Is....So far I've written 17 observations about the many faces of yoga as I experience them.

Yoga is not a religion, a belief system, or just an exercise program. Yoga can only be experienced through practice, and that experience has been handed down from teacher to student for 5000 years like a cup of pure water. Basically, that cup of pure water is our original perfect Self, and yoga is the practice of remembering that Self, which is a state of inner peace and well being. For a little more on this face of Yoga, here is today's Yoga Is journal entry. Here is a link to all the Yoga Is entries written so far.

Now, let's get to some practical stuff. For those of you who are signed up for the first classes, you are lucky you got a space because I have four classes filled up, with the exception of 2 openings on Wed. afternoon and Monday night . I started out offering two classes of level I and because of the interest, expanded them to 4. After the first six weeks is over, I'll create the next group of classes around your interest. More interest, more classes, less interest, less classes. We shall see what happens.

You don't have to bring anything to the class because a yoga mat, blanket, block, strap, and small towel will be provided for class use. (Sounds like something kinky is going on here.) If you wish to purchase these supplies for home use, I can have them here for the next class. However, all of these supplies you can find at home. Click here for do's and don't for yoga practice.

Everyone has different expectations about Yoga. For those of you who have taken classes before, this will be like coming home. For those who are new to Yoga, I promise to be gentle. In fact, since I'm 69, I'm learning to be very gentle with myself. All the asanas have variations that suit the degrees of stiffness that each of our bodies uniquely has. I use many of these easier variations myself. You will learn that the practice of yoga is not to get the body into some painful twist, but to get the body to relax in an easy pose. Progress is not measured by getting somewhere, but by just doing it.

Linked is the BYC registration form. Download this, fill it out and bring it to class. Classes will last about one hour and a half. This time frame includes a 15 minute deep relaxation and sharing at the end of the class. You will also receive a loose leaf routine manual that you can take home. As new asanas, or variations that you may want, are learned, they can be added to your manual.

Payment for the six week course will be conducted at the end of the first class. This way, if for some reason you don't want to continue, you will have not invested any money. Visa is accepted.

Finally, just to toot my own horn, here is a link to two articles I wrote for the Integral Yoga Magazine. Article 1. Article 2

Thank you. I look forward to seeing you in class.

Don't forget, the Grand Opening is at 2 P.M.. on Tues. Oct. 3. If you want to see our new mayor cut the ribbon, please come and make him look good.

Om Peace

Ed Conley