Tag: English Yoga in Berlin

Singing and the Alexander Technique

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Discover Your Free Voice: A 2.5-Hour Workshop on Singing and the Alexander Technique

What stands in the way of you and a free voice? Have you ever felt that your voice is not reaching its full potential? Do you struggle with tension while speaking or singing, or find it hard to maintain vocal consistency? If so, you’re not alone. Many people face these challenges. They often stem from the way we use ourselves, our posture, and our speech habits. By integrating the Alexander Technique with vocal practice, we can interrupt some of our deep-seated habits and hear our true voice free from constraints. Join us for a transformative 2.5-hour workshop where you’ll discover how this powerful technique can enhance your vocal performance and overall well-being.

What is the Alexander Technique?

The Alexander Technique is a holistic method developed by Frederick Matthias Alexander in the late 19th century. It focuses on improving posture, reducing tension, and promoting efficient movement. By becoming more aware of how we use our bodies, we can make conscious choices that enhance our physical and mental functioning. For anyone looking to improve their vocal abilities, this means discovering a natural, free voice that resonates with ease and clarity.

When?

On Thursday July 18th, 2024 – 18.00 – 20.30

For who?

This is for any person who likes to sing (notice we used the word like– you do not have to consider yourself good at it!). If you like to sing, come along and discover if you can do this with more ease! This is for people with any level of experience both in the Alexander Technique or as singers. Beginners are welcomed!

What does this “singing and the Alexander Technique” workshop include?

Photo by Felix Koutchinski on Unsplash
  • short introduction to the Alexander Technique
  • identifying our vocal habits
  • learning simple ways to interrupt our habits and sing from a “different place”
  • awareness games
  • projecting the voice at different volumes
  • better control while expanding your range.
  • awareness of the breath
  • becoming more authentic and stable
  • singing together

Where?

This workshop takes place at the English Yoga Berlin studio, on Görlitzerstr. 39.

Price?

The price of the workshop is 30€ plus 19% VAT.

How to book your “Singing and the Alexander technique” spot?

If you are interested in participating please write an email to:

pinelopi (at) englishyogaberlin (dot) com

Spaces are limited, so please register early before they fill up!

About the Teachers:

Ana-Josefina Nickelé is a renowned singer and qualified vocal teacher with a particular interest in Argentine tango. Living and working in Berlin, she has been giving singing lessons in her studios in Berlin and Wolfenbüttel since 2011. Her experience includes teaching vocal training at the University of Fine Arts in Braunschweig and working as a vocal trainer with the Vokalhelden, the children’s and youth choir of the Berlin Philharmonic. Training in the Alexander Technique since October 2020, Ana-Josefina is a versatile artist who shares her knowledge and passion for music and singing with her students and colleagues.

Pinelopi Sioni is an Alexander Technique, yoga, and meditation teacher who brings her knowledge of anatomy and the nervous system to all her teachings. Through a trauma-informed lens, she specializes in bringing sensitivity and fun to group dynamics and meets people ‘where they are at.’ She is at her happiest when she feels the strength and community that builds when people come together to sing.

Meditation,Yoga and Alexander Technique – 2.5 Day Urban Retreat

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Friday September 27th to Sunday September 29th, 2024

LET YOUR NECKS BE FREE!

Join us for a beautiful 2.5-day retreat this September, where we will combine the Alexander Technique with meditation and yoga. The Alexander Technique promotes ease and efficiency in all our movements and use of self. So, why not apply it to meditation and yoga as well? Imagine meditating while sitting in a posture that causes less back pain or practicing yoga poses while stressing your neck less. Discover how to move with more freedom and ease in this unique, immersive experience.

Where?

This retreat takes place at the English Yoga Berlin studio. This is an urban retreat where participants sleep at home and re-convene in the morning.

What is included in the “Yoga, Meditation and Alexander Technique” retreat:

  • Three Hatha Yoga Sessions
  • Six meditation sessions
  • An introduction to the Alexander Technique
  • Walking meditations
  • Fun Alexander Technique awareness games
  • Two half hour private Alexander Technique lessons for each participant.

When?

September 27th to September 29th, 2024

The retreat for the group officially starts on Friday at 14:30 and ends on Sunday at 12:30. On Friday morning, before the official group class, participants can book their first 30-minute private Alexander Technique class in one of the available slots.

The full cost of the retreat is 170 Euros.

Early Registration Discount: Receive a 20€ discount if you register for the retreat before August 1st, 2024. To reserve your space, please send an email to Jörg Aßhoff and deposit 40 Euros by bank transfer.

Deposit Policy:

  • The deposit is fully refundable if a cancellation occurs before August 15th, 2024.
  • The deposit is 50% refundable if a cancellation occurs before September 1st, 2024.
  • After September 1st, 2024, no refund is possible.

Full Payment Due Date:

  • The remaining balance of the retreat fee (110 Euros if you were an early bird, 130 Euros if you registered after August 1st) is due by September 5th, 2024.
  • No refunds of the full payment will be issued after September 5th, 2024.

We will send an email to all registered participants reminding them of the date, asking them to book their private class, and providing all the essential details about the retreat.

Since space is limited, register early before the spots fill up!

For more details, please write to:

info@alexander-technik-schule.de

About the teachers:

Pinelopi Sioni – embarked on her yoga journey in 1999, completing a 600-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher and Vedantic Philosophy Training course in Valencia, Spain. She founded English Yoga Berlin in 2010, and now has over 15 years of experience as a full-time yoga teacher.

She deepened her knowledge by studying Yoga Anatomy with Leslie Kaminoff. Additionally, she trained with David Moore and attended his “Injury-free yoga” workshops, integrating the Alexander Technique into yoga poses. This comprehensive training enriched her expertise in both fields.

In January of 2023, Pinelopi achieved a significant milestone by becoming a certified Alexander Technique teacher. This was an intensive training for 3.3 years, totaling 1600 hours of dedicated study with Jörg Aßhoff.

She has completed a training on “Understanding Trauma for Safer Spaces” with Legacy Motion, and studied “Somatic Embodiment and Regulation Strategies” with Linda Thai. Her meditation philosophy is deeply inspired by Tara Brach, especially the RAIN meditation. . She is also the author of a children’s book, “The Magic of Rain,” which introduces the RAIN meditation to children and their grown-ups, to be published in 2025 by Mango Publishing.

Joerg Aßhoff –  is an experienced Alexander Technique Teacher with a 30 year working experience. He is now the director of the Alexander-Technik-Schule in Berlin, teaching the next generation of Alexander Technique teachers. His expertise includes teaching at the University of Performing Arts, Community schools, and speech therapy schools. He practices Zen meditation since 1990 and studied with a Japanese Zen master for a long period of time.

Navigating Overwhelm: The Art of Resourcing

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In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often find ourselves swept away by the fast and sometimes turbulent river of emotions and stress. At English Yoga Berlin, we believe that resourcing is an invaluable technique that empowers us to navigate this overwhelming river with resilience. Today, we invite you to explore the concept of resourcing, inspired by the insights gained from Legacy Motion’s ‘Understanding Trauma for Safer Spaces’ course. By taking just ten minutes to identify your personal resources, you can make a significant difference in your well-being. We are excited to bring this transformative practice into our classes, sharing the wisdom we’ve gained to create a supportive and nurturing space for all.

What is a Resource?

A resource, in the context of the nervous system, is anything that helps us navigate or be present with the overwhelm. The key lies in recognizing these resources and utilizing them consciously when needed.

When should I Resource?

The beauty of resourcing lies in its accessibility and simplicity. You can turn to your resources whenever you feel yourself getting activated, when things seem to be moving too fast, or when you need a moment to process something. It’s about taking a pause, regaining your strength, and preparing to face the next part of the river.

Photo by Taryn Manning on Unsplash

Tara Brach describes resourcing in one of her podcasts by using the example of kayaking.

Imagine navigating down a river in a kayak. Sometimes the river moves swiftly and violently. In those cases, we might take refuge behind a rock. This provides a brief pause, allowing us to consider how to deal with the situation, strengthen ourselves, and then navigate the next part of the river. The kayak is our vessel, but the true resource is found in the refuge behind the rock, where we find a moment of solace and empowerment.

Three Types of Resources:

Internal Present:

This type of resource emanates from within, in the present moment. It can be the most challenging to access, especially for individuals with trauma. Examples include taking deep breaths to ground yourself in the now or using the RAIN meditation.

External Present:

Resources from the external environment can provide a valuable anchor. Engage your senses – sight, smell, touch, sound – with a simple practice like the 54321 technique. This brings you back to the present moment, offering a momentary escape from the overwhelm.

Internal Past:

Delve into your internal past for resources by remembering something comforting or grounding. It could be visualizing a safe space that you have experienced or recalling a song that gives you strength – these memories serve as powerful tools to navigate the river of emotions. In times of overwhelm, these internal past resources become like anchors, grounding you and providing the stability needed to navigate the twists and turns of life’s currents.

Embracing Conscious Resourcing

Resourcing is a technique we all inherently know how to do. The key difference lies in elevating it from unconscious use to conscious application. Take ten minutes today to create a list of your personal resources. In moments when our nervous system feels overwhelmed, it’s common to forget what could be helpful. Having a prepared list and using it consciously can make a significant difference.

Consider finding at least two or three resources for each type – internal present, external present, and internal past. This ensures that you have a diverse set of tools to rely on, enhancing the effectiveness of your resourcing practice. Remember, the power of resourcing lies not only in its simplicity but in the conscious and intentional application of these tools when you need them the most.

Finally…

As you navigate the river of overwhelm, remember that your kayak is equipped with the strength of your own resources. Embrace the journey, pausing behind the rocks, and emerge stronger, ready to navigate the next twist in the river of life.

Stay tuned for the upcoming blogs in a three part series, where I’ll be sharing my personal list of resources—Internal Present, External Present, and Internal Past. Join me in exploring these practices and let’s inspire each other to cultivate our unique toolkits for resilience.

Pinelopi embarked on her yoga journey in 1999, completing a 600-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher and Vedantic Philosophy Training course in Valencia, Spain. She founded English Yoga Berlin in 2010, and now has over 15 years of experience as a full-time yoga teacher.

She deepened her knowledge by studying Yoga Anatomy with Leslie Kaminoff. Additionally, she trained with David Moore and attended his “Injury-free yoga” workshops, integrating the Alexander Technique into yoga poses. This comprehensive training enriched her expertise in both fields.

In January of 2023, Pinelopi achieved a significant milestone by becoming a certified Alexander Technique teacher. This was an intensive training for 3.3 years, totaling 1600 hours of dedicated study with Jorg Aßhoff.

Pinelopi’s ergonomic consultations integrate anatomy, Alexander Technique, and yoga’s mind-body understanding. Her holistic approach optimizes well-being in the workplace through comprehensive guidance.

She has completed training in ‘Understanding Trauma for Safer Spaces’ with Legacy Motion and ‘Somatic Embodiment and Regulation Strategies’ with Linda Thai. Her meditation philosophy is deeply inspired by Tara Brach, particularly the RAIN meditation. She is also the author of a children’s book, ‘The Magic of Rain,‘ which introduces the RAIN meditation to children and their grown-ups. It will be published in 2025 by Mango Publishing.

Understanding Trauma for Safer Spaces

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20hr Berlin Trauma-informed Facilitator training from Legacy Motion

for all body workers, including yoga teachers and Alexander Technique teachers

hosted at English Yoga Berlin

When: September 8th to 10th, 2023

This training is more than an education, it is a practical learning experience to
transform your offering and the spaces you occupy.
This experience will offer you immediate tools, methods, and
interventions to instantly cultivate a more trauma-informed approach in
your current studio, classes, business, organization, and/or offerings.
It is an integrative and holistic approach to discovering the connections
between empowerment and resilience through personal exploration,
invitational language, safe space creation, supportive solutions, and
facilitating choice-making.

What is Trauma-Informed?

Trauma is an experience shared by all; whether you have experienced it
firsthand or know people who have experienced it, it is something we come
into contact with any time we work with humans. It is our responsibility to
know and understand the impacts trauma has on individuals and
communities as well as how behaviours manifest and how we can work
alongside them and support people in every field and industry. This training
gives you foundational tools and insights into what it means to be human and
interact with others in a way that promotes safety, dignity, and belonging.
Trauma-informed means taking into account past trauma and the
resulting coping mechanisms when attempting to understand the
behaviours of those we are working alongside. It means bringing empathy
and compassion to every interaction and creating a safe and accessible
space for all.

During this training participants will discover:

● How trauma anatomically affects the nervous system
● How to identify trauma symptoms and trigger responses
● Tools to promote biological resiliency, self-regulation and resolution
● Protocol and best practices in the field
● Invitational language
● Community building and outreach methods
● Ahimsa and the importance of self-care
● How to create a safe space
● Teaching methods for classrooms, yoga studios, healthcare
practitioners, etc

In order to earn your Certificate of Completion, you must be present
for all training days and complete all written assignments by the
scheduled due date. These guidelines for completion are to ensure
that we are building a safe and robust community during this
transformational learning experience.

Who is this Berlin Trauma-informed training for?

~ Suitable for – Yoga Teachers, Body Workers, Coaches

This 20HR training is foundational training, offering you the methods and
interventions to instantly cultivate a more trauma-informed approach in your
current studio and offerings. For yoga teachers and those in the health & wellness
industry, this training will allow you to understand the physiology behind trauma
and how to facilitate safe spaces for all.

~ Suitable for – Mental Health Practitioners, Community Social Workers,
Psychologists

Professional training for those in the mental health or health care industry to
incorporate the body and movement-based practices into your offerings and
work. This training will allow those working with members of the public to
understand the physiology behind trauma and how to work with individuals in a
safe manner for all. This training will allow you to understand trauma from a
bottom-up approach, allowing us to understand the body and how it is affected
during certain circumstances and events (mentally, physically and emotionally).

~ Suitable for – Human Resource Professionals, Managers, Business Owners.

“Trauma is an emotional injury that affects performance and well-being.”
Integrating trauma-informed principles into an organization means operating
from a place of understanding trauma, and recognizing the negative effects
of the trauma within the organization and in the communities it works within.
As a business professional, understanding trauma’s impacts on the workforce,
and how to approach organizational processes from a trauma-informed lens,
means mitigating the harm that is so often perpetuated through a
misunderstanding of human behaviour. It means creating a safe and
supportive work environment for all to thrive.

How to register?

Follow this link to look at prices and registration process:

Registration

Find out more:

Click here to find out more details about our facilitator, the modules studied, the time table, sliding scale prices etc.

Info pack

Hatha Yoga Retreat: “Gratitude Transforms”

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Email Pinelopi : pinelopi (at) englishyogaberlin (dot) com

Thursday March 2nd, 2023 15:00- Sunday March 5th, 2023 14:00

Pinelopi is organizing a three day long weekend yoga retreat near Berlin on:

Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash. Thank you!

We warmly invite you to intentionally spend three days together in presence and mindfulness!

The practice of gratitude is a catalyst for happiness. And yet, so many of us forget gratitude or misuse it. Why? How can we be present with what is, be honest with what we do not like, and cherish what we have and who we are in this very moment? In this yoga retreat we will explore the negativity bias, decoupling gratitude from guilt and embodying gratitude and its transformative power.

–come join us!

Where:

Rosenwaldhof  – This Yoga retreat on “Gratitude Transforms” will take place in a beautiful place in Brandenburg, 1.5 hours South-east of Berlin, on the river Havel, surrounded by nature.

What is included in the “Gratitude Transforms” yoga retreat:

  • Presentations, discussions and exercises about “Gratitude Transforms”
  • Guided Meditations
  • Tratak (candle gazing)
  • Five yoga sessions
  • Nature Walks
  • Star gazing and bonfire
  • Gratitude practices
  • Mantra chanting
  • Delicious vegetarian/ vegan meals, tea, coffee and fruit

Prices:

The full cost of the inclusive retreat is 489 – 539 (depending on your accommodation preference) – get in contact today for more info!

Accommodation options plus delicious food:

  • Shared double room with private bathroom
  • Single room with shared bathroom
  • Single room with private bathroom

Please note that payments to Pinelopi for the tuition (200€) and Rosenwaldhof for lodgings and food (289€-339€) will happen separately .

Early registration discount:  15 € discount if you register for the yoga retreat before January 17th, 2023. To reserve your space, please send an email and deposit 50 Euro by bank transfer or paypal.

*The deposit is fully refundable if a cancellation occurs before January 25th, 2023, and 50% refundable if cancellation occurs before February 7th, 2023. After which no refund is possible.

Since space is limited, register early before the spots fill up!

For more details, please write to:

pinelopi (at) englishyogaberlin (dot) com

Worried about canceling due to corona?

I completely understand. You could purchase a “Reiserücktrittsversicherung” (travel insurance) that can reimburse you in case of sickness. In the unlikely case that I get corona and am unable to come, you will get the tuition money back and can still go and enjoy Rosenwaldhof, the lakes and forest, and the wonderful food and accommodation.

About the Teacher:

Beginning her yoga journey in 1999, Pinelopi completed a 600 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher and Vedantic Philosophy Training course over a period of two years in Valencia, Spain.  For the last decade, she has worked as a full-time yoga teacher in Spain and in 2010 she founded English Yoga Berlin. She studied Yoga Anatomy with Leslie Kaminoff, and “Injury-free yoga” applying the Alexander Technique postural alignment to all yoga poses with  David Moore.  She is also an Alexander Technique teacher, and has recently graduated from Jörg Aßhoff‘s school in Berlin. Her workshops and retreats are inspired by Tara Brach‘s teachings.

How to set up an Ergonomic Home Office – a two part Workshop

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This two-part online workshop will focus on how to set up an ergonomic office in your own home so to minimize pain created from long hours of working on the computer.

Are you interested in booking the workshop for your business or request another one for the general public? Get in touch and let me know!

At the beginnings of the lock down it felt ok to not think about setting up a proper ergonomic office space in our home. After all, in a month or two we would be working from our office chair again, in a quiet environment without that many distractions…. or so we thought… But now that the lock down has gone on for nearly a year, it is past time to shift our way of thinking and to invest some time and effort into looking at what our computer working habits are and how can we create a better working space for ourselves.

how to set up an ergonomi home office

In this two part workshop we will look into all aspects of how to set up an ergonomic home office that provides good health while still getting your work done. We will look into the basics of posture, as well as back, wrist and eye care. We will also look into the proportion of working while sitting, standing and walking; and the quality and frequency of your breaks. Furthermore, we will look into the infrastructure used, such as the height of the table, chair, monitor; type of keyboard and mouse. The suggestions to better your office infrastructure will include a diverse range from DIY ideas or cheap props as well as introducing you to what is available on the market. The workshop will be given on ZOOM and will include both mindfulness and practical exercises, as well as a short stretching session.

When:

February 27th, 17.30 – 18.40 CET – PART ONE: posture, infrastructure, quality of breaks

February 28th, 17.30 – 18.40 CET- PART TWO: wrist care, eye care, general environment, questions

Where:

After signing up to the workshop, you will receive a link to access the ZOOM meeting.

Who:

This workshop is opened to the general public. You do not need to have any yoga or mindfulness experience to participate. You also do not need to have any fancy office equipment. It is designed to help you create a better working situation starting from exactly where you are. The workshop will be limited to 20 participants.

Prices:

24 Euro for the two part workshop (25 euro if paying by paypal).

About the teacher:

Pinelopi co-founder of English Yoga Berlin

Beginning her yoga journey in 1999, Pinelopi completed a 600 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher and Vedantic Philosophy Training course over a period of two years in Valencia, Spain.  For the last decade, she has worked as a full-time yoga teacher in Spain and in 2010 she founded English Yoga Berlin. Currently she is deepening her knowledge through Leslie Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy Course,  David Moore’s “Injury-free yoga” applying the Alexander Technique postural alignment to all yoga poses and is studying with Jorg Asshof to become an Alexander Technique teacher.  Her workshops and retreats are inspired by Tara Brach‘s teachings.

How to sign up:

To sign up please write an email to express your interest. You will receive an answer with payment details. Please transfer the money through bank or paypal within the next two days. Your registration will be complete and your spot will be saved when the money has been received.

pinelopi (at) englishyogaberlin (dot) com

Cancellation policy:. The workshop is refundable unless cancellation occurs later than February 20th, 2021 after which 50% refund.  No refund is possible after February 26th,2021. Register early before the spots fill up!

Holiday Yoga Gift Cards

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“When there’s snow on the ground, I like to pretend I’m walking on clouds.”

-Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata (Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005)

As the days grow colder and shorter, and the pandemic lockdowns continue, yoga is a great way to keep yourself active and take care of your mental health. At English Yoga Berlin, we are continuing our classes online through the cold winter months and the hard lockdown that has just now been implemented in Berlin. The benefit of having live yoga classes online is that they are available for anyone around the world! Check out our schedule for a suitable time. Please note that we will be closed for one week during the Christmas holidays.

Give the Gift of Yoga

At a loss for a festive gift? Do you know someone close to you who would like to try yoga? Our gift cards can also be used for our online yoga classes. You can order a yoga gift card here. Each card is individually printed and sent by post if you wish, or can be sent by email.

New Year, New World?

As the year comes to a close, we can probably all agree that 2020 was a challenging one for all of us around the globe. In some ways it brought us closer together, with this shared experience of a common enemy, the coronavirus. But it also divided us – revealing the glaring rift between rich and poor, those with access to health care, and those without. With a clear emphasis that climate change was the main cause, let’s hope this will wake up our world leaders to bring us the change we need to see for our future generations! Let’s work for a better world together in 2021!

Happy holidays and happy new year to all!

At English Yoga Berlin, we offer Hatha Yoga classes with Pinelopi and Vinyasa yoga with Juli. Our yoga Kreuzberg Berlin classes are open for and welcome to beginners, as well as people struggling with chronic pain. We also offer Berlin business yoga, and private yoga classes, as well as queer and trans prioritized community classes.

RAIN Meditation on TV Addiction – Part 2

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A personal story – The RAIN meditation on wanting

In Part 1 of this blog I introduced Tara Brach’s RAIN meditation and how it can be used on the deep rooted feeling of wanting and addiction. As I started to deepen my thoughts around the subject, I realized that I have never once simply sat with the feeling of wanting TV. I always either react quickly by giving in to the feeling (turning on Netflix) or by coming down very harshly on myself for wanting this (not allowing the feeling to be here and pushing it out with harsh words). Therefore, I took the decision to practice RAIN the next time the feeling arises!

Resistance to bringing the RAIN meditation on wanting

The first thing I noticed when the feeling next arose was that I definitely did not want to practice the RAIN meditation on wanting! The feeling itself was strong and pulling towards action and was refusing to be the object of quiet observation. I had to make a deal with myself in order to practice. Much like I talk to my daughter, my mother voice came in my thoughts and said to the feeling, “Hey, listen I am not saying no to watching TV. I am saying we will observe the feeling for a while, practice RAIN and then if we still want to, we will watch TV. We will just have done it consciously. That’s all.” Just like a small child, the feeling answered, “Do you promise?!! This is not some trick to take me away from the well deserved rest we need?”. The more conscious part of me was able to respond quietly, “Yes, I promise. I am happy to watch TV if we have made a conscious kind decision about it.” Reluctantly, the feeling agreed to being observed.

Recognize is the R in RAIN

I started by giving a name to this feeling. I called it “wanting”. The first step is to name it. As you name it, you also shape it. It becomes an entity that has a bit more well-defined boundaries. This helps take it out from a nebulous kind of feeling that oozes everywhere in my subconscious to something more concrete that I can open myself up to.

Allow is the A in RAIN

The second step was to allow it to be here exactly as it is. This was incredibly difficult. Realizing how much resistance I carry towards this feeling was mind blowing. It was eye opening to realize that I never even considered allowing to be an option before now. As I formulated the words in my mind “I allow the Wanting to be here” , things started to move in my body and I was able to see the true power this feeling holds over me.

Investigate is the I in RAIN

The third step of RAIN is Investigate. Where is this feeling in the body and how does it manifest? The trick here is to stay focused on the body, not on the mind and its millions of thoughts and analyses. As I came to this step, the first thing I realized is that this feeling is very alive in my body. It is mostly in my chest and it is very strong. It has a one-pointed quality to it that is intensely forward looking. I stayed for two minutes in this step simply naming the experience: chest clenched; pointy – pushing outward; rush; pinch in the back of my neck; eyebrow center scrunched; belly empty; chest clenched; strong flow of direction forward; pulling; skin prickly; chest clenched.

It has a one-pointed quality to it that is intensely forward looking…

Photo by Fabio Ballasina on Unsplash

Nurture is the N in RAIN

As I came to the N of RAIN, I was called to nurture the feeling. There was, by now, no doubt in my mind that this feeling was much stronger than I ever gave it credit for. I started by asking the feeling of wanting, what do you need? The answer was immediate, “I am tired! So so tired! I just want to relax and disconnect. I am running all day long juggling five different roles and I am truly tired. Let me disconnect”.

So I placed my hand on my heart and with compassion responded with what the feeling needed. “I see how tired you are”, I told myself with love. “I am here for you. In this moment here we are disconnecting from the running machine of life. In this moment now we are disconnecting and re-connecting. I see you and I am here for you. I see you and I am here for you.” I kept on telling myself these words on repeat. As I did this, my compassion for myself started to grow. As it grew, everything in me started to soften. Everything started to feel less immediate, less pointy, less intense.

After The RAIN meditation

Tara Brach often gives the example of the ocean and the wave as a practice one can do after the practice of RAIN. This image has become one of the strongest guides in my life in the past years. Think of this feeling you are now experiencing as one wave in an ocean. The wave belongs to the ocean just as this feeling belongs to you. But the whole ocean can not possibly enter in a single wave. You are the ocean, not the wave. When I can finally connect to my “Oceanness” is when I enter the sweetest meditation space I know. There is no denying that this wanting feeling is very strong. It is a big wave. Nonetheless, I have been reducing my whole Self to a wave whenever I experience it, thinking it defines me. I am much more than that, I am the whole Ocean itself. I stayed meditating on the sweetness of my “Oceanness” for a while and it was touching.

Funnily enough, when I came out of the meditation, I was inspired to jot down ideas for this blog, looked up articles on the addictive power of TV to reference, listened to music and……I sincerely forgot to watch TV! I simply forgot. Later my partner came in the living room and we had a sweet moment of connection that I would have missed out on had I not paused to do RAIN and had I been immersed in the TV world.

RAIN meditation on wanting was definitely an exploration worth doing!

About the author:

Pinelopi specializes in Hatha Yoga. Her yoga Kreuzberg Berlin classes are open for and welcoming to beginners. She offers Berlin business yoga,  private yoga classes for people struggling with chronic pain, yoga courses, retreats and workshops.  She is currently deepening her knowledge through Leslie  Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy course and training to become an Alexander Technique teacher.

“Welcoming Autumn – Forest Yoga Retreat”

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We warmly invite you to intentionally spend five hours together in presence and mindfulness at a forest yoga retreat with Pinelopi!

The leaves have started to turn, the soil has that particular Autumn smell, rays of the sun flood the forest at a low angle and the first mushrooms are popping out. The beginning of Autumn is here. So let us welcome it by spending a day together in nature; practicing yoga under the open sky; laying down on the grass; taking deep breaths in the forest; and harmonizing with each other.

The Beautiful details:

Photo by Fern

When: 

Sunday 13th of September, 9.30-14.30

Where:

Grunewald forest on the outskirts of Berlin.

We will meet outside the Grunewald S-bahn station at 9.30 am. At 14.30 pm we will end our day at Teufelsee (40 minutes walk away from the S-bahn station).

What is included:

  • Hatha Yoga session
  • Sound Meditation
  • Nature Walk
  • Pranayama (breathing excercises)
  • Mantra chanting and harmonizing

Who:

  • Up to 15 yoga students (beginners are welcomed!)

What to bring:

  • yoga mat
  • packed lunch
  • water
  • thin towel or blanket
  • hand sanitizer

What about the corona virus?

We kindly ask that everyone respects the Health Ministry regulations:

  • Yoga mats will be spread 1.5 meters apart from each other
  • Although it saddens us, we will not be able to share food with each other this time round.
  • Keep some distance to each other when walking in a group.
  • Since we will be exclusively in open spaces, the use of a mask is optional.
  • If you suffer from allergies and sneeze a lot, please wear your mask when you do that.
  • If you have a sore throat or are sick, please stay at home.

Price:

25 Euro for the forest yoga retreat day

Early registration discount:  5 € discount if you register for the forest retreat before September 8th, 2020. To reserve your space, please send an email and transfer 20 Euro by bank transfer or paypal. A refund is possible if cancellation occurs before September 10th.

Space is limited so register early before the spots fill up!

For more details, please write to:

pinelopi (at) englishyogaberlin (dot) com

About the author:

Pinelopi specializes in Hatha Yoga. Her yoga Kreuzberg Berlin classes are open for and welcoming to beginners. She offers Berlin business yoga,  private yoga classes for people struggling with chronic pain, yoga courses, retreats and workshops.  She is currently deepening her knowledge through Leslie  Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy course and training to become an Alexander Technique teacher.

Practicing yoga online during a pandemic

  By

As panic rises, practicing yoga during a pandemic seems like the last thing one would think about. But yoga is what we do, so here are our thoughts and a new offer of yoga online!

Why yoga?

yoga online

Practicing yoga online

Panic is rising high and people are doing irrational things like fighting over toilet paper. Most people know that hoarding toilet paper isn’t going to help anyone, but it’s something people feel they have control over. A regular practice of yoga or meditation can calm anxiety and reduce panic, allowing us to stay clear-headed and follow the guidelines as outlined by the World Health Organization. The breathing techniques we practice in yoga also helps to keep the respiratory system strong and supports the immune system. Yoga also gives us something to do when everything else is shut down, it can be practiced anywhere. And even if you don’t have a mat, you can still find a way to practice in other ways – for example this chair yoga sequence or this standing sequence. You can keep up a practice on your own, or try out some yoga online. Some sources even have live streamed classes.

My local yoga studio is open, what precautions should I take?

If your local yoga studio is still open, great for you! Hopefully they are not a studio that packs people into a tight space. In order to keep the spread of the virus down and flatten the curve, follow the guidelines as outlined by the WHO:

  • Stay home even if you’re feeling a little bit unwell – headache, achey, sore throat, tiredness, etc.
  • Bring your own mat and other props if you have them, especially blankets.
  • Or bring your own clean towel to lay down on the mat.
  • Spray down your mat with disinfectant before and after use, and throw away the paper towel you’ve wiped it with.
  • Don’t touch your face
  • Wash your hands and throw away the paper towel you’ve used to dry them with.
  • Drink lots of water or tea in your own container that you wash before and after every outing.

My local studio is closed or I’m unwell.

Here’s your chance to try out the myriad of yoga classes available online! There are a number of free youtube videos and other paid sources for yoga videos online. But if you’d like a live-streamed yoga class there are also options. As of tomorrow, English Yoga Berlin will be live with yoga online. Take a look at our Facebook-event for the regular Sunday yoga class.

At English Yoga Berlin, we offer Hatha Yoga classes with Pinelopi and Vinyasa yoga with Juli. Our yoga Kreuzberg Berlin classes are open for and welcome to beginners, as well as people struggling with chronic pain. We also offer Berlin business yoga, and private yoga classes, as well as queer and trans prioritized community classes.