September 2020: On Community

 

On Care, a book edited by Sharon Kivland and Rebecca Jagoe, published in the summer of 2020. For this, I wrote a chapter on breath.

Thank you for being there for me. Thank you for supporting me, for coming to my classes, for teaching me and for reading this. I want to dedicate this newsletter to you, my community, and to the power you have to make each of us grow, laugh and heal. You hold us accountable and you hold us together. With you, I will not fall apart.

The last couple of week have been so wonderful. My schedule is upside down and I hardly have any time to sit down. But classes are back and I am getting so much joy and wellbeing from sharing time with my students. I can feel their warmth even through a screen.

With Kia, we sometimes start class by reciting the Buddhist prayer of the 3 refuges (more on this below) which acknowledges sangha, community, as one of these refuges. Having connected with Mysore Yoga Paris over the lockdown period has been a life saver: with Kia’s support, we have explored all that postures, pranayama and meditation has to offer, looking out for each other, whether we have met in person or not. I have never met Patsy, for example, but every time Kia gave her a ‘very good’ I smiled, happy for her. Same with Laura, Arnaud, Roberta and so many others … I call them my family.

The current situation, so full of uncertainty, is challenging. But it also holds opportunities. This morning, I practiced  with my Stockholm-Mairena family, expertly guided by Agneta who, on Thursdays, comes to see her Glasgow community. This is truly ONE world. My community helps me to see that and not only what separates us. Often, I meet with some of you for coffeeasana, a Rosina invention and gift that every yoga community should adopt.

In our communities, we grow together, we get inspired by each other. We are reminded we are not alone, not for one moment. Even when injured, we are not alone. My community motivates me to get up and practice, to keep up a discipline that I know makes me healthier, a nicer person, more resilient, more loving. It helps me to explore my patterns and supports me to change those that are unhelpful. What makes us connect is commitment and devotion to a practice that requires listening and softening. And when we meet we do just that, listen and soften, as we walk on this shared journey together. I feel so blessed, so lucky to have you all.
Laura x
https://www.lauragonzalez.co.uk/yoga

What I have been practicing
I have been practicing chanting the 3 refuges prayer, which is traditionally said 3 times:
Buddham saranam gacchami
I go to the Buddha for refuge.Dhammam saranam gacchami
I go to the teachings for refuge

Sangham saranam gacchami
I go to the spiritual community for refuge.

What I have been dreaming of

Las Chimeneas, the yoga retreat I go to every year with Kia in the Spanish Mountains, knows how to hold the community very well. Emma and David are the most excellent hosts. They have worked out how important food is to bring people together and they cook and host the most delicious and beautiful meals. For me, the breakfast is specially memorable. It takes place in the Andalucian warm mid-morning, after our practice between the olive trees down in the valley and a delightful walk up the hill. Alistair’s granola, in particular, deserves a mention. Here is the recipe for you to share with your loved ones although I warn you, it tastes 100 times better in Mairena. Luckily, I have booked for July 2021!
What I have been reading

True belonging comes from within. It strives for a harmony between the outer forms of belonging and the inner music of the soul. We seem to have forgotten the true depth and spiritual nature of intimate belonging. Our minds are saturated and demented. We need to rediscover ascetical tranquility and come home to the temple of our senses. This would anchor our longing and help us to feel the world from within. When we allow dislocation to control us, we become outsiders, exiled from the intimacy of true unity with ourselves, each other, and creation. Our bodies know that they belong; it is our minds that make our lives homeless. Guided by longing, belonging is the wisdom of rhythm. When we are in rhythm with our nature, things flow and balance naturally. Every fragment does not have to be relocated, reordered; things cohere and fit according to their deeper impulse and instinct.
John O’Donohue, from ‘Eternal Echoes’
Kia will be back for another week of gorgeous practice on the 12 October. This will take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and will consist of meditation, one Mysore, one half primary/half intermediate and one full primary practice. If you want to be part of a gorgeous welcoming community, this is one of the most wonderful ones I know.
OPEN CLASSES
My classes welcome all of you. They are attended by a fun group of practitioners of all levels from many places around Europe. It is a true delight to share these mornings:
Tuesdays
07.15 – 08.30/09.00
ONLINE | Yoga (Led into Mysore) Thursdays
07.15 – 08.30/09.00
ONLINE | Yoga (Led into Mysore)*

*PRANAYAMA (Breathing) first Thursday of every month
ONLINE | 1 October
ONLINE | 5 November

£5 PER CLASS

I am also available for pranayama one-to-one sessions online (introductory or following up your practice).In Yoga (Led into Mysore), we will work through the Ashtanga Primary Series, with guidance and modifications, and with a view to develop a self-practice in time. The whole group will start together with the opening mantra, sun salutations and the standing sequence. Then, I will continue to lead the class (until 8.30) while at the same time giving space for Mysore practitioners to work with their sequence, receiving individual guidance and support to expand their personal practice. The space will be open until 9am for Mysore practitioners, or for those who want a long relaxation.

The full Rosina Bonsu Moves programme is designed to support you now that we know this new way of living is not going to change any time soon. The full schedule is online here. There are some excellent teachers and interesting classes!
RCS CLASSES
I am working regularly with various programmes at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and also offering general classes to students and staff.
YOGA for STAFF (sign up with HR)
ONLINE | Mondays 13.00 – 14.00YOGA for STUDENTS (check RCS Sport on Facebook)
ONLINE | Wednesdays 18.00 – 19.00
ONLINE | Fridays 13.00 – 14.00