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News: Easter Workshop, a Simple Sequence for Your Home Practice and Handy Tips

Hi there, it's Tricia here!

I can't believe we are halfway through term one already and Easter is just around the corner.  I hope you are enjoying your class and are gaining confidence with your yoga.  Steph, Fiona, Sharon and myself LOVE sharing our knowledge and seeing you grow and progress along the yoga path.  

This gorgeous autumn weather is perfect for an early morning practice.  So set your alarm 20 mins earlier tomorrow, roll out your mat and practice this simple sequence.  Afterwards, you will feel energised, clear headed and able to move through your day with ease.  

Home Practice

A Short Simple Morning Sequence

Handy hints for Practice:  Remember to keep your wareness on your breath and work to your individual capacity.  If you have the book How to Use Yoga by Mira Mehta (see below), I have placed the relevant page number near the Asana so you can follow along. 

Forward Virasana (P 27):  Support forehead and buttocks to rest comfortably, especially if you have cranky knees.  Alternatively lay on your back with legs up the wall.  Relax the jaw, breath quietly for a minute or two.

Baddhangullyasana (p 17 seated version):  Stand in Tadasana or sit on a chair or with legs crossed. Interlock the fingers, press the palms away from the chest and inhale to raise the arms up.  Take 6 breaths.  Bring the arms down, change the interlock and go on the second side.  

 

Trikonasana (p 15):  From Tadasana (p 13), step or jump the feet apart, turn to the right.  Exhale the right hand to the shin, top arm stretching up.  Turn the chest and look up (if you are balanced).   You can take the top arm to a chair if feeling unstable, or if menstruating.  Inhale come up and go to the other side.

Warrior I (p 17):  From Tadasana, step or jump the feet wider than the last pose and turn to the right.  As you inhale, take the hands to hips (beginner) or take the arms above the head (experienced - as per image above).  Turn the right (toes out 90 degrees and turn the left toes in a little deeper) and turn the chest out over the right leg.  As you exhale, bend the right knee to a square.  Keep the left leg firm and left heel pressing to the mat to create stability.  Inhale come up, turn and go on the left side.  Keep hands to hips if menstruating or if too strong on the shoulders.

Marichyasana III:  Sit on a blanket or similar height with legs straight out in front (Dandasana).   Bend the right knee and place the heel close to the groin.  Inhale the left arm up, exhale and turn to the right, placing the left elbow on the outer right knee.  You can also clasp the knee for a gentler version.  Place the right hand on the floor or to a block to keep the spine straight.  Take 6 breaths, inhale to come back to the centre and repeat on the left side.  

Note:  If menstruating, twist on the open side, i.e. place the right elbow on the inside of the right knee and turn to the left. This way the abdomen is kept soft 

 

Savasana (p 49):  Lay on your back, close your eyes and focus on exhaling away any tension.  Stay for up to 10mins.

Gently roll to the side, come up to sitting and enjoy the effects of your practice.  Well done and have a great day!!

Book Review - How to Use Yoga by Mira Mehta

This is a wonderful book for beginners as well as experienced students.   It is well illustrated with concise descriptions of each Asana.  It has a 10 week course as well as sequences for headaches, menstruation, stiff hips and stiff shoulders.  You can purchase a copy at the Studio for $25.00.  It's also widely available on line.

Easter Holiday Workshop 

'Can you answer your thoughts with the breath?'

This is a quote from an article I read recently and it stuck in my head.  It's such a simple question, and yet the challenge is very real.  This is the question ask ourselves in the Holiday Workshop.

I'm so excited to be offering this workshop.  I'm a real fan of this longer format which gives us the opportunity to look in more detail at this simple but challenging question.  I would love for you to join me while the weather is perfect for early morning practice.

The morning sessions will focus on active but steady, grounded asana practice.  The evenings will focus on quiet, inward looking asana with a focus on Pranayama (breathing exercises), Savasana and working towards meditation.  The workshop is suitable for all levels and will take your yoga to a place that is more considered, steady and thoughtful.  I offer all students the following times and options:

 Tuesday 21 April 6.30-8.00am Asana 5.30-7.00pm Restorative Asana and Pranayama or Deep Savasana and meditation
Wednesday 22 April 6.30-8.00am Asana 5.30-7.00pm As above
Thursday 23 April 6.30-8.00am Asana 5.30-7.00pm  As above
Friday 24 April 6.30-8.00am Asana 5.30-7.00pm As above.

 

8 sessions:  $175

6 sessions:  $145

4 sessions:  $100

2 sessions:  $54.

Booking now open.  Use this link:  https://orangeyogaroom.com.au/collections/all/products/easter-holiday-workshop or enrol and pay in class.

See you on the mat! 

Other articles:

Easter Holiday Timetable

 

The stunning autumn weather is here and Easter is around the corner.  It is a gorgeous time of the year in Orange to walk, swim, garden, and practice yoga.  The mornings are particularly sensational and these cooler nights and warmer days will continue until after Easter, hopefully.  We are planning a family yoga class in Cook Park on a Saturday afternoon before Winter shows up.  Is this something  you would like to bring your grandchildren to?  Or your own children, nieces, nephews, or maybe even your parents?  Let me know your thoughts.

As always, the studio runs on a reduced timetable over Easter and the school holidays.    During the holidays, I am teaching a few classes dedicated to slowing down, taking time to be still and renewing our energy.  These classes are centered around the nervous system and the vagus nerve.  

What are the Benefits of Yoga to the Nervous System?

As regular practitioners know very well, yoga is not just about physical exercise; it is a holistic practice.  Yoga has the power to calm the mind, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. Through a combination of asanas, breathing exercises (Pranayama), and awareness, yoga helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the "rest and digest" response.  This is where relaxation resides.

By practising restorative asanas we can lower blood pressure, change our breathing, release tension in the muscles and ease chronic stress and anxiety.  In fact we can change our physiology! This can have a profound impact on our overall health.  Chronic stress and anxiety are known to contribute to a wide range of health issues.

How Can Regular Yoga and Breathing Techniques Help?

By practising asana and breathing techniques such as pranayama, you can learn to control your breath and calm your mind in times of stress. Deep, intentional breathing can signal to your body that it is safe and can help to regulate your nervous system's response to external stimuli.  It can change the way you react to things.

B.K.S. Iyengar’s famous quote:  'Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees' highlights that the practice of yoga goes beyond altering perspectives to fundamentally changing the practitioner's inner self, consciousness, and character.  It emphasizes profound inner transformation over just external, mental shifts.




Please note all classes are General in nature and open to students of any level and experience.

Tuesday 7 April 

6.00-7.30pm General class with Tricia – Restoratives, Meditation and Pranayama (breath work)

Wednesday 8 April

6.00-7.30pm General class with Kim

Saturday 11 April

7.30-8.30am General Class with Kim

Monday 13 April

9.00-10.00am Chair Yoga with Kim

6.00-7.30 General class with Tricia – The Power of Restorative Yoga (holding space to be still)

Wednesday  15 April

7.00-8.00am General with Fiona

Thursday 16 April

9.30-11.00am General class with Tricia

Saturday 18 April

7.30-8.30am General class with Tricia

11.30am-12.30pm Yoga Basics class for those wishing to try Yoga, with Tricia.  Bfring a friend who is new to yoga and do the class for free.

 

See you on the mat!

Timetable and purchase/book a class

Tags: Easter, timetable, yoga, yoga class, yoga school

Change in timetable Mon 12 - Saturday 17 January General Classes

Hi there folks!

I have made a change to the timetable this week.  All classes during this week will be open classes.  Fiona and myself will run the week as a KickStart but they will be general in nature and open to all students.   

See blog post below for the full timetable.

Feel free to come for the week or to individual classes. 

See you on the mat to KickStart your year!

January Holiday Timetable

Greetings!  

A reminder that this is week 9 of term and next week is the our last week of classes before we break over Christmas.  As the end of the year comes hurtling towards us, please stay committed to coming to class.  It will support you in so many ways during this busy time.

There is lots on offer in January.  It's a fabulous time to reboot your yoga practice after the festive season.  The January Timetable looks like this:

January Holiday Timetable

Monday 5 to Friday 9 January 6.00-7.30pm and Saturday 10 January 7.30-8.30am - KickStart General Level with Fiona and Kim.  If you purchase a pass for the KickStart program you receive the Saturday class FREE.😀  Use the link below:

https://orangeyogaroom.punchpass.com/catalogs/purchase/pass/244723?check=1763697068

Monday 12 to Friday 17 January 6.00-7.30pm and Saturday 10 January 7.30-8.30am - KickStart Beginner Level with Tricia and Sharon.  If you purchase a pass for the KickStart program you receive the Saturday class FREE.  Use the link below:

https://orangeyogaroom.punchpass.com/catalogs/purchase/pass/244726?check=1763699496


Wednesday 14 January 9.30-11.00am - General Casual class with Sharon

Monday 19 January 6.00-7.30pm - General Casual class with Fiona
Wednesday 21 January 9.30-11.00am - General Casual class with Sharon
Wednesday 21 January 6.00-7.30pm - General Casual class with Fiona.

Tuesday 27 January 6.00-7.30pm - General Casual class with Kim

Thursday 29 January - Sunday 1 February - January Intensive with Tricia. 

Passes

As you know, all passes have an expiry date.  Please  be mindful that you use all your passes before the expiry date.  I will pause passes over the two week closure.   As previously advised, there will be a slight increase in price in 2026 to endeavour to keep up with the continuing rising costs of running a dedicated yoga studio.  I thank you for your understanding.

You may use your regular pass for any of the KickStart Programs, athough it is best to participate in the whole week as they run as a course.

January Intensive

Thursday 29 January - 6.00-7.30pm
Friday 30 January - 6.30-8.00am and 6.00-7.30pm
Saturday 31 January - 8.00-10.00am and 4.00-5.30pm
Sunday 1 February - 8.00-10.00am.

Bookings are now open for the Intensive.  Use the link below:

https://orangeyogaroom.punchpass.com/catalogs/purchase/pass/246379?check=1765163052.

 

From Monday 2 February 2026 we will be back on our regular timetable.

 

Balancings Workshop with Sharon Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 October

Sharon is teaching a balancing workshop next week over two evenings.  This is a unique opportunity to start looking at balancings in detail.  Whether you're a beginner or a student with more experience, come along and see what balancings are all about.  They are great for changing the way we think about what's possible and coordinating muscles in a way that creates stamina and strength.  

BKS Iyengar writes:

'You must hold the balance by intelligence of the body - by instinct or the sense of equilibrium - and not by strength.  When you keep the balance by strength, it is physical action; when you keep it by intelligence of the body, it is relaxation in action.'

All students are welcome.

Holiday Timetable and Studio closure 29 September - 4 October

Hello Yoga students,

A quick note to update you on the holiday timetable starting next week.  The studio is undergoing some repairs and being repainted next week so there will be no classes from Monday 29 September til Saturday 4 October.  I am sorry for the inconvenience but it seemed the best week to have this work done.  The studio will be fresh and ready to go for the second week of the holidays.  Classes for this week are open to all students.  

Tuesday 7 October 6.00-7.30pm - General class with Kim.

Wednesday 8 October 6.00-7.30pm - General Level Class with Sharon - An Introduction to balancings (session 1)

Thursday 9 October 6.00-7.30pm - General Level Class with Sharon - Progressing balancings (session 2).

Saturday 11 October 7.30-8.30am - General Class with Sharon.

Saturday 11 October 3.00-4.00pm - Yoga Basics with Fiona.

The balancing classes are open to all levels of experience and Sharon will teach several stages and preparation as well as the full poses.  In Sharon's words:

'Balancing yoga asanas not only strengthen the physical body and significantly enhabnce concentration and focus, cultivating mental stability.  Come and explore the pathway to balancing over this 2 evening workshop.  This general level class wil include adaptions suited to all levels of yoga students.'

 

See you on the mat!

 

 

September Holiday Timetable

 

Our holiday timetable runs from Monday 29 September until Saturday 11 October. Keep up your classes as much as possible during this time.  We are on a reduced timetable over these two weeks but all classes on the timetable are open to all students of any level of experience.

Joining classes over the holidays can be the perfect solution to keep your mind sharp, your body active, and your immune system strong.  Don't let the holidays be an excuse to slack off - take this opportunity to keep up your consistency, and it will help you concentrate better and improve your productivity, setting you up for success when the holidays are over.

We hope to see you in class over the two week holiday timetable, and remember you can attend any class.  The timetable is below:

Timetable

There are no classes during the week commencing Monday 29 September.  The studio will be undergoing repair and painting works.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

Tuesday 7 October 6.00-7.30pm - General class with Kim.

Wednesday 8 October 6.00-7.30pm - General Level Class with Sharon - An Introduction to balancings (session 1)

Thursday 9 October 6.00-7.30pm - General Level Class with Sharon - Progressing balancings (session 2).

Saturday 11 October 7.30-8.30am - General Class with Sharon.

Saturday 11 October 3.00-4.00pm - Yoga Basics with Fiona.

Yoga Basics Class

If you know anyone who may be interested in starting yoga, or returning to Yoga, please let them know about the Yoga Basics class, which you can book online, or just turn up with cash ($25).

An Introduction to Balancings

Sharon's classes look at how to start practising the balancing poses.  This starts with looking at how you work your way towards these asanas ie the preparation to work on.  You will look at the baby balancings and then progress from there.  You don't have to be already practising these asanas to attend, in fact it's a great idea to start thinking about balancings, which can be done with the support of props, and ropes.  One of the first balancing poses students learn is Ardha Chandrasana (pictured), which is taught at beginner level.  So jump in and learn something new or consolidate and build on your existing practice.

 

Chair Yoga - Mondays 9.30-10.30am

Kim has commenced teaching a 10 week course of chair yoga.  It is a great alternative for those who have restricted mobility but still wish to keep active and increase their range of movement.  It is also a great class for the prevention of falls for those with balance issues.  Kim is working with the students to teach them how to get down onto the floor and back up again, as well as other seated asanas that have physical benefits as well as building focus and awareness.  

If you have family or friends who may be interested in this class, please ask them to contact me asap.  We are in week 5 next Monday 15 August.  The cost is $15 as it's partialy funded.  Get in while this is still available!

Yours in Yoga

Tricia