About Yoga Nature Sheffield
The aim of Yoga Nature is to deliver health and well-being to the Sheffield community at affordable rates, making yoga accessible to all.
Yoga Nature Sheffield Description
We teach a range of yoga classes in the Sheffield community. These include classes for adults, children and young people, classes in schools and businesses, and personalised one to ones.
Reviews
Episode 2 of the Yoga Show sees our little Yoga Beings exploring two important words: Ahimsa (non-harming) and Symbiotic. Through discussion, yoga, storytelling, meditation and relaxtion they investigate how we are all connected. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENVyoWtmuRM&t =856s üï∏Ô∏èüå≥
Hello friends of Yoga Nature. This is just a little reminder about class closure and cover during the summer.
Evening classes will be running as normal over the Summer Holidays EXCEPT for Wednesday 25 July to Thursday 9 August inclusive. During this period all classes will be closed.
The Wednesday and Thursday morning classes have now closed for the summer, the last Monday morning class will be on Monday 23rd July. ALL morning classes will restart the week commencing Monday ...10th September.
Between Monday 16 July and Thursday 7 September ALL classes will be covered by other teachers whilst we are away. If you swap or drop into classes, you can still do this! Feel free to get in touch as we will still be doing all the administration whilst we are away.
This PDF should give you all the info you need... https://www.yoganaturesheffield.org.uk/s/ Yoga-Nature-Class-…
Have a wonderful summer everyone! üíôüíöüíõüß°üíú
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‘Talking About Tantra: Introducing the philosophy of nondual Śaiva Tantra’
Satsang with Benjamin Major and Joanna Bertzeletos of Yoga Nature Sheffield, including vegan dinner, talk and Kirtan üíñ
There continues to be a great deal of misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Tantra and this talk is an attempt to bring about further clarity and deeper understanding of some key elements of Tantrik thought. We will be focusing on the philosophy and conceptual frameworks of nondua...l ≈öaiva Tantra, including the following areas:
• The origins of Śaiva Tantra • Left-handed and right-handed Tantra • What is Kashmir Śaivism? • The Tantrik five-layered Self • The five (+1) Powers • The five Acts • The five States of Awareness • The 36 Tattvas
This will be followed by a small period of discussion and questions. Obviously, in one short talk, we are not going to be able to cover the above areas in huge detail, and this talk is a precursor of sorts to a workshop/course I plan to run next year. Also, the focus here is on philosophy, we will not be exploring the history of Tantra in any depth, nor will we be straying into the fascinating topic of Tantrik practice (we will save this for another time!)
As usual the Satsang begins at 6pm with a delicious vegan meal that we share together. The talk itself will begin shortly after 7pm. After the talk we will also share some kirtan (chanting) and poetry together. You can help yourself to teas throughout the evening.
This event is free. Numbers are strictly limited as the event takes place in our house, so please book your place early. You can contact Ben directly on Facebook or at darshana81@outlook.com.
Hope to see you there,
Jo and Ben Yoga Nature Sheffield
www.yoganaturesheffield.org.uk
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In our first full-length episode of 'The Yoga Show', Professor Yuppet, along with a number of other Yuppets and the Yoga Beings crew, help us to explore the 'Monkey Mind' and what we can do through our yoga practice to understand it. Professor, Montague and the Yoga Beings crew conduct four Monkey Mind experiments! Following this Priscilla takes us through her famous, funky 'Happy Dance', we salute the sun with Surya, Bartholomew the breathing bear helps us to understand what... abdominal breathing is, Meredith the meditating mammoth guides us through her cloud meditation and Henrietta the relaxation hen guides us through a magical golden ball relaxation. Throughout all of this the Yoga Beings crew share their experience of the how the various yoga practices are affecting their Monkey Minds, and how they can use them when they go home and at school.
Episode 2 coming soon! You can find more of our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_zC1stv tIfCYUNPkmwKmxw
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A Three Day Course Exploring the History of the Yoga Tradition.
14th October, 11th November & 9 December. 10am to 4pm.
This course will take us on a fascinating journey through 5000 years of history as we go in search of the origins and history of the yoga tradition. It will comprise of a mixture of theory and practice. Each workshop includes lectures & group discussions, asana (postures), pranayama (breathing practices), meditation, chanting and other practices from the yoga...
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A mini-workshop for four people from our Aum Room studio.
The Vij√±ƒÅna Bhairava Tantra is a unique and beautiful text from the Trika lineage of Shaiva Tantra which can be dated to around 850CE. The beauty of this text lies in the simplicity and accessibility of its practices, that aim to cultivate awareness. In this three-and-a-half-hour workshop for just four people we will explore a selection of micro-meditation practices from this text, along with gentle asana, pranayama, m...antra and kirtan. This wonderful morning of practice will then be followed by one of Jo's hearty homemade vegan lunches. What a treat üòç
When: Sunday 21 October 2018. Workshop starts 9:30am and ends at 1:00pm. This is then followed by lunch.
Where: The Aum Room, 38 Machon Bank Road, S7 1PG
Cost: £35, including vegan lunch
To book contact Ben at ben@yoganaturesheffield.org.uk or on 07795033872
www.yoganaturesheffield.org.uk
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Next year we are very happy to be once again hosting Lucy Crisfield, an excellent Sanskrit scholar, for this two-day workshop. This year, Lucy is speaking at the World Yoga Festival, and was plenary speaker at the British Wheel of Yoga London festival. This is a very rare chance to see her up North! The last time we hosted Lucy was back in 2015. A lot will be covered in this workshop, which is well worth checking out if you are interested in refining your Sanskrit pronunciation and exploring the deep significance of this ancient language. https://www.facebook.com/events/211675694 8560169/
We are so excited and blessed to have reached over 1100 likes and followers of our Facebook page! We welcome all our new followers, wherever in the world you may live :)
Did you know we are also on YouTube? Here you can find our 'Yoga for Everyday People' series to help you with your home practice. I am also planning to do some Yoga Meditation clips soon so keep a look out for them: www.youtube.com/channel/UC_zC1stvtIfCYUNP kmwKmxw
To keep up to date with all our latest news ...and events you can also join our mailing list here: www.facebook.com/yoganaturesheffield/app/ 100265896690345/…
With Metta, Jo and Ben Yoga Nature Sheffield www.yoganaturesheffield.org.uk
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You can use this form to subscribe to our newsletter for useful class information and the latest news about workshops, satsangs and retreats at Yoga Nature. üòä
https://www.facebook.com/yoganaturesheff‚ Ķ/‚Ķ/100265896690345/
A new vegan magazine for the north of England! Issue 1 launches in June. Should be well worth a look üòã https://www.facebook.com/PositivelyVeganM agazine/
‘Yoga and Veganism: An Historical Perspective’
Satsang with Benjamin Major and Joanna Bertzeletos of Yoga Nature Sheffield, including vegan dinner, talk and kirtan (chanting).
Currently, a surge in the popularity of yoga seems to be going hand and hand with a similar rise in veganism and the two are often linked together as complementary lifestyles. Is this more than a fad? Can some concrete philosophical and historical links be made between these two ideas?
... In this talk we will begin by surveying pre-Patañjalian Indian spiritual traditions to see if one can find ideas here that point towards veganism. We will meet groups such as the Jains for whom all beings had a jīva or soul and who were (and continue to be) staunch followers of ahiṃsā or non-harming.
We will then focus on the well-known core text of yoga, the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali and the accompanying commentary of Vyāsa, to examine a) whether this text can be read as making a case for veganism, and b) if not, then can the arguments put forward in this text be extended to build a strong contemporary case for veganism amongst aspiring modern yogis.
'Satsang' literally means to come together in the company of the truth. It is a gathering of people who are interested in exploring their yoga practice on a deeper spiritual and philosophical level. We currently hold Satsang at our house on a bi-monthly basis, where we discuss a topic of yoga history or philosophy.
As usual the Satsang begins at 6pm with a delicious vegan meal that we share together. The talk itself will begin shortly after 7pm. After the talk we will also share some kirtan (chanting) together. This is followed by cake and tea!
This event is free. Numbers are strictly limited as the event takes place in our house, so please book your place early. You can contact Ben directly on Facebook or at darshana81@outlook.com.
Hope to see you there,
Jo and Ben Yoga Nature Sheffield
www.yoganaturesheffield.org.uk
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We are very happy to share this fundraising campaign organised by our friend Katy. This campaign aims to raise £1,000 to help the Nirvanavan Foundation in Rajasthan Northern India, build a home for the boys that live in the school. Please please please take a look and consider donating to this great cause: <3
https://www.youcaring.com/homefortheboys< br>
Satsang with Dr. Benjamin Major and Joanna Bertzeletos of Yoga Nature Sheffield, including vegan dinner, talk and Kirtan üíñ
In this next Satsang we will be exploring the Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra or ‘Scripture of the Wisdom-Bhairava’ which is a unique and beautiful text from the Trika lineage of Kashmir Śaivism which can be dated to around 850CE. The text contains over a hundred beautiful practices that invite the cultivation of contemplation and awareness. These are relatively ...simple and accessible methods for becoming perfectly centred in the absolute fullness and stillness of awareness, and for realising our oneness with the Divine.
In this Satsang I will briefly present the historical background and context of this text and the lineage from which it derives. We will also briefly explore some new research that opens up the possibility, speculative as it may be, that this scripture may have been originally composed by a female guru. Following this historical and philosophical introduction we then go on to explore some of the practices given in this extraordinary text. Please note however, there is a focus on theory here, if you want to approach the Vijñāna Bhairava in a more experiential and practical way I would advise also booking on to our mini-workshop on Sunday 17 June: www.facebook.com/events/301700410360520/< br> As usual the Satsang begins at 6pm with a delicious meal that we share together. The talk itself will begin shortly after 7pm. After the talk we will also share some Kirtan together. This is followed by cake and tea!
This event is free. Numbers are strictly limited as the event takes place in our house, so please book your place early. You can contact Ben directly on Facebook or at darshana81@outlook.com.
Hope to see you there,
Jo and Ben Yoga Nature Sheffield
www.yoganaturesheffield.org.uk
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A mini-workshop for four people from our Aum Room studio.
The Vij√±ƒÅna Bhairava Tantra is a unique and beautiful text from the Trika lineage of Shaiva Tantra which can be dated to around 850CE. The beauty of this text lies in the simplicity and accessibility of its practices, that aim to cultivate awareness. In this three-and-a-half-hour workshop for just four people we will explore a selection of micro-meditation practices from this text, along with gentle asana, pranayama, m...antra and kirtan. This wonderful morning of practice will then be followed by one of Jo's hearty homemade vegan lunches. What a treat üòç
When: Sunday 17 June 2018, starts 9:30am
Where: The Aum Room, 38 Machon Bank Road, S7 1PG
Cost: £35, including vegan lunch
To book contact Ben at darshana81@outlook.com or on 07795033872
www.yoganaturesheffield.org.uk
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The Sun Warrior Sequence is a hatha flow sequence that we have been practicing in classes recently. The sequence is quite strong and builds strength, flexibility, endurance and energy. It is also great for creating single focused awareness. If you have not practiced this one in class with us I would suggest you go slow and easy or find someone who can teach it to you. Enjoy x
This Warrior Sequence is taken from the Yin Yoga Tradition. It looks complicated to begin with, but it is a very simple sequence. We love it because you can repeat it many times and you can feel yourself building both strength in your body and also energetic strength. https://youtu.be/VMYgorhJda4
The Golden Seed Sequence is from the Yin Yoga Tradition. It is a beautiful sequence that resembles some Chi Gong practices I used to do a couple of decades ago. Once again its potency lies in its simplicity and by linking the four forces of movement, breath, awareness and energy together so that we come into the present moment and begin to experience oneness, bliss or "ananda". https://youtu.be/aT0vTy8TG0I
Energy Block Release 3 (EBR3) also known as 'Awakening the Heart' is a beautiful Dru Yoga Sequence. It is predominantly made up of body and hand gestures or 'mudras'. Its beauty and potency lies in its simplicity. A powerful energetic sequence to bring you into the present moment with an expanded awareness. It is important to move slowly with awareness harnessing the four forces of movement, breath, energy and awareness together. Best watched with the sound turned on.
How to ...use the breath? A simple rule of thumb in most cases when you are lifting a limb or your body up it is normally done on the inhale and when you lower your limb or body it is normally done on the exhale.
The location of this film was on Tumbling / Jubilee Hill out in the Peaks, a week after the heavy snow. It was so exquisite to connect with the elements. The earth was cool and moist, the air was vibrant with prana (life force), the sun was subtle and warming, the earth smelled nutty and earthy. We highly recommend practising outside as it brings another layer to our practice, taking us deeper and increasing and attuning us to subtleties that Mother Earth wishes to share with us.
You can find our other 'Yoga For Everyday People' videos here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist…
We hope you enjoy it.
With abundant metta, Jo and Ben x
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This afternoon was so beautiful and grounding and nurturing whilst the madness went on outside...
All the sequences, words of wisdom, teachings from Jo were beautiful and really set the scene for intention setting and clearing blockages ready for the new year. The handouts are brill and the pearl bracelet was such a lovely idea. This was really special and clearly a lot of love and effort had gone into the planning and delivery.
Best wishes Jo and Ben love what you do- thank you and see you in 2016 for more spreading if love and peace... Thank you, Om Shanti
Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bavantu
Lovely classes with Ben and Jo. I have been practising yoga with them for a couple of years now and really feel the benefits. The yoga is gentle and flowing, and the class is welcoming and friendly. I particularly like the breathing and meditation practices, as they have helped me slow my mind down, but the physical postures help strengthen core and improve my balance. I love the way the classes alter with the seasons too. Thank you Ben and Jo xx
Jo has great knowledge of the body and what's good for you. Her friendly classes combine exercise with meditation and relaxation. Highly recommended.
Jo and Ben are superb teachers of Yoga. They blend the yoga postures, movements and meditation aspects into a friendly, accessible and extremely beneficial class.
I've been attending classes with Jo for 5 months now and couldn't be happier. I wanted to join a gentle yoga class which had a focus on helping me to connect with my body and to enable me to learn relaxation/meditation skills. In Jo's classes I have found this and so much more. The classes are so easy to fit in with and Jo makes everyone feel welcome whatever their previous yoga experience. There are no "levels", everyone does what they can and this means there isn't the unhelpful competitive edge you find in many classes. The Yoga Nature website is full of videos to assist in developing your practice at home and Jo and Ben run regular workshops and gatherings outside of class which I hope to be able to take more advantage of in the New Year.
I started yoga with Jo feeling like a clumsy, uncoordinated person who was never going to do well with it. A year and a half later - (lots of classes and one to ones) I feel very differently about myself, and how I define "being good at yoga". I feel so lucky to have learnt from Jo and Ben in a loving, respectful non-competitive environment. I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to treat themselves (and the world around them) well.
I started going to Jo's classes 2 years a go. I felt quite nervous about going, as I had an image in my head of people standing on their head and twisting their bodies in ways I didn't now how! How wrong was I! Jo is such a great teacher. She is warm, gentle and encouraging in her classes which are deeply relaxing and enjoyable. Jo and Ben have a genuine passion for yoga and it's positive influence on the body and most importantly the mind. I very much enjoy the end of the class where we are guided thourgh a yoga breathing excersie and meditation.
On a personal level going regularly to yoga sessions has made me less anxious and more in 'tune' with my body. I have begun practicing at home now which I very much enjoy. I also find the workshops Jo puts on in the year really beneficial and such a treat.
If you want a gentle, nurturing and inclusive class for all ages, shapes and abilities, then look no further than Jo and Ben!
I have been attending Jo's class for about nine years.I know that I can't live without it! I gave it up for 4 months a few years ago and my flexibility declined at a startling rate!Doing weekly yoga with Jo maintains my flexibility,strengthens my back and has given me amazing balance!
However,the bigger benefits of this wonderful class are its soothing and balancing qualities for stressed out, over-busy minds. Jo and Ben have created a welcoming, inclusive community with their classes too- this is rare and a reason for choosing one of their classes.
Finally,I don't think I am particularly good at Dru yoga but I love it.Dru yoga is about big,flowing movements and this allows it to benefit different ability ranges. So,if you want to change your life for the better, try Jo's class!
I attended different yoga classes for over 10 years before finding Yoga nature and have been attending Jo's classes for around 10 years it must be. Jo is by far the best yoga teacher I have ever had. She has the most extraordinary way of teaching a class of twenty yet giving everyone in that class what they need to enjoy and benefit from each class enormously almost like 20, 1-1 classes! She's brilliant and a very lovely person too! Thankyou Jo.
This afternoon was so beautiful and grounding and nurturing whilst the madness went on outside...
All the sequences, words of wisdom, teachings from Jo were beautiful and really set the scene for intention setting and clearing blockages ready for the new year. The handouts are brill and the pearl bracelet was such a lovely idea. This was really special and clearly a lot of love and effort had gone into the planning and delivery.
Best wishes Jo and Ben love what you do- thank you and see you in 2016 for more spreading if love and peace... Thank you, Om Shanti
Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bavantu
Lovely classes with Ben and Jo. I have been practising yoga with them for a couple of years now and really feel the benefits. The yoga is gentle and flowing, and the class is welcoming and friendly. I particularly like the breathing and meditation practices, as they have helped me slow my mind down, but the physical postures help strengthen core and improve my balance. I love the way the classes alter with the seasons too. Thank you Ben and Jo xx
Jo has great knowledge of the body and what's good for you. Her friendly classes combine exercise with meditation and relaxation. Highly recommended.
Jo and Ben are superb teachers of Yoga. They blend the yoga postures, movements and meditation aspects into a friendly, accessible and extremely beneficial class.
I've been attending classes with Jo for 5 months now and couldn't be happier. I wanted to join a gentle yoga class which had a focus on helping me to connect with my body and to enable me to learn relaxation/meditation skills. In Jo's classes I have found this and so much more. The classes are so easy to fit in with and Jo makes everyone feel welcome whatever their previous yoga experience. There are no "levels", everyone does what they can and this means there isn't the unhelpful competitive edge you find in many classes. The Yoga Nature website is full of videos to assist in developing your practice at home and Jo and Ben run regular workshops and gatherings outside of class which I hope to be able to take more advantage of in the New Year.
I started yoga with Jo feeling like a clumsy, uncoordinated person who was never going to do well with it. A year and a half later - (lots of classes and one to ones) I feel very differently about myself, and how I define "being good at yoga". I feel so lucky to have learnt from Jo and Ben in a loving, respectful non-competitive environment. I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to treat themselves (and the world around them) well.
I started going to Jo's classes 2 years a go. I felt quite nervous about going, as I had an image in my head of people standing on their head and twisting their bodies in ways I didn't now how! How wrong was I! Jo is such a great teacher. She is warm, gentle and encouraging in her classes which are deeply relaxing and enjoyable. Jo and Ben have a genuine passion for yoga and it's positive influence on the body and most importantly the mind. I very much enjoy the end of the class where we are guided thourgh a yoga breathing excersie and meditation.
On a personal level going regularly to yoga sessions has made me less anxious and more in 'tune' with my body. I have begun practicing at home now which I very much enjoy. I also find the workshops Jo puts on in the year really beneficial and such a treat.
If you want a gentle, nurturing and inclusive class for all ages, shapes and abilities, then look no further than Jo and Ben!
I have been attending Jo's class for about nine years.I know that I can't live without it! I gave it up for 4 months a few years ago and my flexibility declined at a startling rate!Doing weekly yoga with Jo maintains my flexibility,strengthens my back and has given me amazing balance!
However,the bigger benefits of this wonderful class are its soothing and balancing qualities for stressed out, over-busy minds. Jo and Ben have created a welcoming, inclusive community with their classes too- this is rare and a reason for choosing one of their classes.
Finally,I don't think I am particularly good at Dru yoga but I love it.Dru yoga is about big,flowing movements and this allows it to benefit different ability ranges. So,if you want to change your life for the better, try Jo's class!
I attended different yoga classes for over 10 years before finding Yoga nature and have been attending Jo's classes for around 10 years it must be. Jo is by far the best yoga teacher I have ever had. She has the most extraordinary way of teaching a class of twenty yet giving everyone in that class what they need to enjoy and benefit from each class enormously almost like 20, 1-1 classes! She's brilliant and a very lovely person too! Thankyou Jo.