Jan 2010 Newsletter
June 2009.
Newsletter Jan 2010
Dear Member
Hello again it seems the last six months have gone very quickly I do hope you all had a peaceful, joyful Christmas and are looking forward to a brand new year..
We have had our holiday classes, Barlaston weekend, autumn seminar and AGM since the last newsletter, all of these went well with lots of support from members.
The holiday classes were well attended we had a variety of teachers and styles of yoga and made an overall profit. The Barlaston weekend with Carol Smith, a very inspiring teacher, was a wonderful experience and this event also made a profit.
Our autumn seminar was taken by Bridget Whitehead and our Secretary Muriel Dickens gives a review of the day:
"It was proposed by a member of the Fellowship that Pauline Sawyer from The Inner Yoga Trust would take this day but unfortunately she had to cancel and suggested Bridget Whitehead who was also a member of the Inner Yoga Trust.
The basis of the Inner Yoga Trust is to think about lengthening your BONES as you work in the asanas and the first half of the morning Bridget had brought her faithful skeleton with her and reminded us of how the body functions, followed by asanas on specific joints. The morning session finished off with a Yoga Nidra.
After a light lunch Bridget gave a very brief talk about the Trust and this was followed by some pranayama and chanting and the day was concluded with Yoga Nidra.
I have received positive feed back from members who felt that Bridget and helped them, and who had in turn been able to help their students achieve better postures, particularly when working with Downward Facing Dog.
The AGM was a very special seminar with many members attending on the day. The yoga sessions were led by Jill Amison, a much respected local teacher from Kidsgrove. It was a well planned day of Yin and Yang yoga. The morning session concentrated on the Yang powerful aspect which was quite challenging, in spite of which Jill made sure to introduce easier postures so every one could join in from the very advanced to the not so supple like me!
Every one was generous with their contributions to a fabulous lunch, recipes of some of the food we enjoyed are included in the newsletter.
After lunch we continued with Jill's Yin yoga, this was contemplative and meditative, very welcome after the large lunch. It was obvious that Jill had put a lot of thought and preparation into her programme making it well balanced and appropriate. I asked Jill about the number 108 which she introduced at the start of the morning session, this is what she said:
Here is the root significance of 108!
108 forms the basis of the spiritual culture of yoga since Vedic times - 108 chapters, 10,800 verses of the Rig Veda.
It is also a reflection of the relationship of the microcosm with our solar system.
The Vedic astronomers discovered the distance between the earth & the sun is approx 108 times the sun's diameter. The diameter of the sun is about 108 times the earth's diameter and the distance between the earth and the moon is 108 times the moons diameter.
I think this demonstrates the depth and truth of yogic philosophy wonderfully!
If you would like information about Jill and her classes look at her website at: http://www.bluelotusyoga.co.uk/
Following the afternoon yoga session we were treated to a talk by Tim Brown of the Hampi Children's Trust (Our nominated charity) Tim told us a brief history of how the trust came into being, how it is organised and how it is helping to educate the children of Hampi. He brought along pictures of Hampi, the children and the staff, he then answered questions from members about the trust. Marilyn presented Tim with a cheque for £100 for the trust. This was money was raised by the sale of tea and coffee at seminars and the second hand book sales donated by members, together with a top up from the fellowship funds.
The sale of second hand books is proving very successful, so please keep bringing your unwanted books to the seminars. The money raised will continue to go to the Hampi Trust.
Among the items mentioned at the AGM Marilyn explained that to save money we had decided not to renew our insurance, all the teachers who take our seminars and classes have their own insurance and the halls are covered. She pointed out that we are duplicating insurance and the only risk we could foresee was injury in the kitchen, so asked if only committee members use the kitchen facilities on our yoga days.
Muriel explained that Barlaston 2009 was well attended and made a profit, so it was decided to continue with the weekend for 2010. As a result Muriel would like suggestions for teachers for Barlaston 2010. If you can recommend anyone please contact Muriel Dickens at mgdickens@rmplc.co.uk or ring her 01782 513769.
Margaret Stevenson was introduced as our new treasurer and Sue and Steve Cope were welcomed as members to the committee.
Sue and Steve Cope have kindly sent this piece to introduce them to all members -
Steve and Sue's yoga journey started 8 years ago when Sue decided to "give yoga a try" after suffering with terrible tension in her neck and shoulders. Steve went along out of curiosity and they both found that they enjoyed the classes very much. The first classes were gentle Hatha yoga with Rosemary at Shapes in Fenton and were a wonderful introduction to the yoga experience. After a while Paul Tomlinson started teaching Ashtanga yoga classes at Shapes. This was described as a dynamic practise which immediately appealed to Sue and Steve as they had always been very active, Sue had played netball for 25 years until she was 48years old, Steve had done a lot of running and they both enjoy walking and cycling. Paul's enthusiasm for the ashtanga practise was infectious and they were hooked from that moment on. Paul's classes moved to Trent Vale and Steve and Sue continued supporting Paul's classes until they finished due to his other commitments. When Brenda and Muriel opened the Yoga Studio in Hanley, Sue and Steve regularly attended Brenda's classes which were also dynamic in style and great fun. Brenda has a very special way of teaching and her personality and sense of humour are infectious. Steve and Sue continued to support Brenda after the studio closed and still regularly attend her Hatha class at 21st Century Leisure. Brenda continues to be a source of inspiration and encouragement... Another inspirational teacher was Pat Hawley who's knowledge and experience played a big part in encouraging Sue and Steve on their yoga journey.
When Paul gave up teaching ashtanga, there was no other teacher in the area and Muriel and Brenda suggested to Steve that he should try his hand at teaching. After giving it much thought, Steve signed up with the CYF in 2005 for their teacher training course which he completed in 2007. Also Steve completed a 40 hour course of intensive study in the foundations and teaching techniques of the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga with David Swenson, who is one of the worlds leading authorities on Ashtanga yoga and who himself was taught by the late Pattabhi Jois, founder of Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore. Steve has been teaching a regular Ashtanga class for 4 years and a hatha class for 3 years. Two years ago Sue embarked on the CYF teacher training course, mainly to gain more knowledge and understanding of the philosophy of yoga but also to be able to assist in Steve's classes in the future. Steve and Sue continue to attend as many workshops as possible in order to improve their knowledge and skills and also to meet up with the many friends they have made along the way. Incidentally, the shoulder and neck tension has never returned!
Sue & Steve Cope 19/12/09
As mentioned before we had a great buffet at the AGM and here are some recipes we had on the day. The first is Steve and Sue's lovely peanut butter curry:
SPICY VEGETABLE PEANUT BUTTER STEW
6 tablespoons peanut butter
1 to 2 lbs chopped mixed veg (any combination)
2 medium onions roughly chopped
1 garlic clove chopped
1 pint vegetable stock
3 de-seeded fresh chillis finely chopped or chilli powder to your taste
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
(if you have none of the above, curry powder is a good substitute)
1 inch piece of grated root ginger or 1 heaped teaspoon dried ginger salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
Olive oil
Sweat the veg, onions and garlic in oil for a few minutes in a large pan and then add the chilli, spices and ginger and cook for another minute or so. In a separate bowl stir the peanut butter into the stock and then add to the pan. Stir thoroughly. Cover the pan and simmer gently until veg are cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Stir regularly to prevent sticking on the bottom of the pan.
Serve with rice or nan bread
Experiment with the veg combinations, root vegetables are particularly good but you can use up any left over veg. Green and red peppers are good too.
(This recipe can be made with half meat and vegetables if desired but you may need to reduce the liquid as there will be extra moisture from the meat.)
Steve & Sue Cope
Staffordshire Yoga Fellowship
Comprehensive Yoga Fellowship
I made a vegan chocolate cake, it is taken from the Vegan Sourcebook and is low fat and quite healthy.
285g/10oz wholemeal flour
185g/6oz raw cane sugar
50g/2oz cocoa powder
2tsp baking powder
2tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 rounded tbsp flaxseeds (linseeds)
80ml/scant 3fl oz water
1 large cooked beetroot or 2 medium non vinegared chopped roughly
6 large moist prunes, pitted and 2 tbsp water
2 tsp cider vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract
Creamy filling and topping
"Butter cream" made with vegan margarine and icing sugar flavoured with vanilla essence, topped with grated dark vegan chocolate.
1. Lightly oil the sides of 2x9 inch loose-bottomed spring form cake tins.
2. Make 2 greaseproof paper rounds for the base - oil these and place oiled side down onto the bases.
3. Blend the prunes and water until they form a puree. Set aside
4. Pre-heat oven to 180 c/ 350c/gas mark 4 (170c for fan ovens)
5. Sieve and mix all dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl- i.e. the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. Set aside.
6. Blend the flaxseeds until powdery. Add the 80ml/3fl oz water and blend together until the mixture is 'gummy'.
7. Blend the flaxseed mixture with the beetroot, prunes, cider vinegar and vanilla extract - then add it to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
8. When the mixture is frothy and well-mixed spoon it in to the two cake tins. It will be quite stiff, so spread around with a spatula or wooden spoon to distribute it evenly.
9. Bake in the oven- place tins so one isn't directly overshadowing to other- for 35-40 minutes. If using a fan oven, test after 30-35 minutes.
10. Use a skewer or toothpick - if it comes out clean, the cakes are cooked.
11. Meanwhile, make the creamy filling and topping.
12. when the cakes are cool spread half of the filling on top of the bottom half of the cake, then place the other cake on top spread the rest of the filling on top of the whole cake and grate the chocolate on top.
This recipe was sent in by a member
Fruit and nut Cake
225g/8oz Digestive biscuits, crumbled
175g/6 oz candied peel, chopped
175g/6 oz glaze cherries
100g/4 oz raisins
100g/4 oz brazil nuts, shelled and chopped
1tsp ground mixed spice
3 tbsp sherry
3 tbsp black treacle
100g/4oz plain chocolate, broken in pieces
Line a 1kg/2lb loaf tin with greaseproof paper.
Mix the crumbled biscuit with the peel, cherries, raisins, Nuts and mixed spice.
Place the sherry, black treacle and chocolate in a bowl. Stand the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water and stir until al the ingredients have melted.
Stir the melted ingredients into the biscuit and fruit mixture, and mix thoroughly together.
Pour into the prepared loaf tin and spread the surface level.
Cover with a piece of greased greaseproof paper.
Chill until the cake is quite firm.
Turn out and decorate with extra Brazil nuts and glace cherries if liked.
This is good at Christmas or anytime!
These Vegan Cupcakes soon disappeared at the AGM, they were made by Deb Auden and here is the recipe:
Vegan LEMON CUP CAKES (makes 12)
165g/5 ½ oz pl flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¾ teaspoon bicarb soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons rapeseed oil (sunflower or any veg oil will do), 170g/ 6oz sugar, 250ml/8floz milk (for vegan cake use rice or soya), 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest.
Preheat oven 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Line 12 hole muffin tin with paper cases. Sift dry ingredients. In a separate bowl mix oil, sugar, milk, vanilla, lemon juice and zest. Pour dry ingredients into wet and mix till smooth. Fill the cup cases 2/3rds full and bake for 17-20 min. When cool ice with lemony butter icing. (I've made these using orange juice and once with a lime icing all versions have been yummy).
We have two seminars arranged for the coming year at Hanchurch, the first, Sunday 31st January will be taken by Barbara Tomkinson. This is a half day workshop and the programme is attached.
The second will be on March 6th when we have Marilyn Buckham for a full day, programme details again are attached.
Stafford also have arranged seminars as follows:
March 13th Ann Marie Newland - (Powerful Yoga)
May 8th Vivian Johns - Yoga and Nutrition
November l3th Roseanna Gordon - Haven't got time!!
Some thoughts for the day submitted by Marilyn Simmons.
First Thought
Each morning before I begin the journey of my day let me sit still, in silence, and sow the seed of peace. Peace is harmony and balance. Peace is freedom - freedom from the burden of negativity and wastefulness. Let peace find its home within me. Peace is my original strength, my eternal tranquility of being. Let my first thought of the day simply be peaceful.
Every Thought Counts
When you build a house every brick counts. When you build a character every thought counts. You are what you think. Love, purity, peace, wisdom - the more you think of these qualities, the more you will become them.
Thoughts are like seeds
When you sow a thought you reap an action, when you sow an action you reap a habit, when you sow a habit you reap a character and when you sow a character you reap a destiny. Thoughts are like seeds. You cannot sow the seed of one plant and get another: thistles will never produce daffodils! When your thoughts are positive, powerful and constructive, your life will reflect this.
Good Software
Positive thoughts are like good software that helps us to perform to the best of our abilities.
Sent in By Pat Hawley -'Without knowing the force of words it is impossible to know man'.
My first thought was I cant make much sense of this but, as I thought about it this idea came to me, this might relate to the yoga of sound, the creative force. Words of course are excluded in the rest of the natural world. Words carry meaning and both negative and positive, but meanings change over time so it's the message behind the word that is most important. In the natural world the messages are constant. Humans are creative and can change. Ignorance and fear seem to rule at the moment, but we have the capacity to create change. I believe climate change, hunger and inequality and cruelty can all be changed if we can let go of fear and communicate with words from the heart.
Perhaps we can make the newsletter more interactive by starting a debate and including your contributions. Can you come up with something about the quote above? Do you agree or disagree with my take on this? Have you any other ideas? It will be interesting to read your replies, please contact me (Annette) for inclusion in the next newsletter.
List of committee members with contact details:
Marilyn Simmons, Chairperson. 42 Ridgmont Road, Seabridge, Newcastle ST5 3LB 613715
Email marilynsimmons@ntlworld.com
Brenda Mayo, Vice-Chairperson, Scotswood, Church Lane, Hanford, S.O.T. ST4 4QB 642825
Email bren4yogi@yahoo.co.uk
Muriel Dickens, Secretary. 25 Springfield Road, Biddulph. S.O.T ST8 7BY 513769
Email mgdickens@rmplc.co.uk
Margaret Stevenson, Treasurer. 11 Marsh Close, Werrington. S.O.T. ST9 0LP 303101
Email margaretannstevenson@yahoo.co.uk
Pat Hawley. Hall Booking Secretary. 2 Ash Grove, Ash Bank. S.O.T. ST2 9EF 305027
Email patandfrank.hawley@yahoo.co.uk
Annette Cooke, Editor and Refreshments. 17 Ludford Close. Waterhayes. Newcastle 253287
Susan Peck, Advertising 62 Willows Drive, ST Edward's Park, Chedleton ST13 7FF 01538 369552
Email aromasue@btinternet.com
Di Hughes, Advertising, 50 Moss Lane, Madeley, Near Crewe, CW3 9ED 750012
Email dianah50@tiscali.co.uk
Phil and Angie McAree, Internet Advertising. 57 Stubbs Lane, Newcastle 257322
Email phil@chilloutman.co.uk
Steve and Sue Cope, Tunstall S.O.T. 213285
Email steve-sue.cope@tiscali.co.uk
Members of the committee are often asked about which yoga classes are run in which area and by whom. once again Di Hughes, Committee Member has prepared a list for your convenience.
Further information is also to be found on the web site www.staffsyogafellowship.com.
Some libraries have this information but we realise that many classes, other than those organised by the local council, exist.
You will also find attached an application form, if you have not renewed your membership or are unsure perhaps you would contact the Secretary by email or phone.
To finish as I checked my calendar this blessing caught my eye-
Shine as me, and may I be so akin to thee that those I encounter may experience me as thy radiant presence, thy unconditional love. May they no longer see me, but only thee.
Isn't this Namaste?
Om Shanti
Annette Cooke
( Editor )