We’re already half way through the spring semester and Easter is approaching fast. Your sun salutations have paid off - the sun and brighter times are on the way! Spring is really in the air and this coming weekend we change the clocks for daylight savings (one hour less sleep). Isabella is back from her pilgrimage and study trip to Varanasi, Bodhgaya and Kolkata. In case you missed her account of the trip at the tea&talk in mid-March, you can still read about some of her adventures on the shala Instagram account.

There is a lot happening at the shala - we recently finished the first round of foundation courses and only just started the second batch. Did you forget to sign up? A couple of courses have a few places left, so contact us if you are interested.

In April and May we receive special visits to the shala: first by a professional photographer who will take pictures for a new book about ashtanga yoga, and then by our chanting and philosophy teacher Lakshmish Bhat, from Mysore. And very soon it’s time to plan the summer and this year's yoga retreat in the Finnish archipelago. Keep reading to get all the details on what's coming up in the next few months!

SPRING SCHEDULE

The spring schedule has returned to normal and Isabella will be teaching until the summer break mid-July. Remember that we always have guided primary series one Sunday a month instead of mysore class (the next time is 20/4) and that Helena and Isabella alternate every other Sunday. Also keep in mind that we have special opening hours when there are public holidays, the closest being Easter in mid-April. All information and temporary changes can be found on the schedule page at the very bottom of the page under the overview schedule.

We also traditionally pause the mysore-teaching at full and new moons, but all evening classes continue as scheduled. You can read more about this on the full/new moon page where all dates are also listed. An exception is Sunday (the new moon) 27/4 when Isabella will teach a workshop on the "moon sequence". The workshop gives you an opportunity to learn a special sequence that can be performed at new/full moons or days when you have lower energy or are injured. Read more about this special class here.

PHOTO PROJECT AT THE SHALA - "Art of Ashtanga"

On Wednesday 2/4 and Thursday 3/4, photographer Marit Anne (MA) visits the shala to take pictures for her project "Art of Ashtanga". MA will be present during the mysore and self-practice classes to capture the experience of ashtanga yoga through the lens of the camera. Rather than focusing on specific asana, MA wants to portray the sentiment of concentration, presence, contact and movement. MA is an ashtanga yoga practitioner herself since 2000, and the project is a kind of declaration of love for ashtanga. MA will visit several yoga shalas in Sweden and then compile her photos in a photo book. See some of MA's previous photos here. We hope that as many as possible of our practitioners want to be part of this special project. We of course respect if someone does not want to have their picture taken; please let us know if that’s the case and we’ll make sure that the camera is not pointed at you.

GUEST TEACHER LAKSMISH BHAT

On 16-17^th May, we are pleased to welcome Vidwan Lakshmish Bhat, our chanting and philosophy teacher from Mysore, to Malmö. Laksmish last visited the shala in 2023 and Isabella met him and attended his philosophy classes in Varanasi as recently as early March this year. Laksmish will teach a two-day workshop on the theme of Vedic chanting (including japa - mantra repetition), yoga philosophy and kriyas - yogic purification techniques - their effects on body and soul. The workshop also includes a special pooja, a memorial ceremony, for our recently deceased teacher Sri R Sharath Jois. It will be a very special couple of days - read more here for more info and registration. Welcome!

PRANAYAMA, CHANTING AND YOGA PHILOSOPHY

Dive deeper into the importance of the breath this spring – during four sessions Isabella guides you through different breathing exercises/pranayama and chanting. Each session also covers selected parts of the text “Yoga Sutra” by Patanjali. You learn to recite the sutras, we discuss their meaning and relevance for yoga practice as well as hos we can relate to yoga philosophy and adapt it to our everyday lives. The classes are open to all levels of yoga practitioners, but it is recommended to have some previous yoga experience, especially for the pranayama. The next date is Sunday 30/3. Read more here

SUMMER YOGA RETREAT

Following what has now become tradition, we return to Kadermo retreat center in the Finnish archipelago for our annual summer retreat. From 13-20^th July, Isabella teaches a week of daily yoga classes (morning and evening) where you have the chance to immerse yourself into your yoga practice. Kadermo is a place that gives peace of mind and that provides a welcome break from the stress of everyday life. Come along and enjoy the beautiful nature, simplicity, Finnish sauna, refreshing swims, and meet new friends from all corners of the world. Take the opportunity to get some Finnish happiness too as Finland is the world's happiest country for the eighth year in a row according to the World Happiness Report. More about the yoga week here

That's all for now, the next newsletter will be distributed mid-June with information about the summer schedule, vacation-times etc. Please stay updated between newsletters via the website and social media (links in the menu above). We also have a closed Facebook group where you can access internal information, ask questions, and seek advice from other members. You can find the Facebook group here. If you haven’t been to the shala in a while or are emailing us with questions, please reach out well in advance. We do not read or respond to emails outside of office hours or on weekends.

We welcome back the brighter times - "Om Suryaya Namaha"

Isabella & crew 

P.S Remember that you can use your wellness allowance (friskvård) with us and that we offer a 20% discount for Physical activity on Prescription (FaR)