Saturday Sunrise Yoga RETURNS!!

Saturday Sunrise Yoga (Saturdays, 7am, next to the Bait al Bahar Restaurant, end of Jumeirah 3 - DONATION based class)

In hopes of offering more ways to meet your needs, I have signed up for some exciting yoga teacher trainings in the coming months, including swing yoga, meditation and the advanced 300 hour yoga teacher training. In an attempt to fund my studies, I will be offering Saturday Sunrise Yoga classes on a donation basis (pay what you would like to contribute!). Come and begin your Saturday with this peaceful, gentle yoga practice, caressed by the morning breeze, serenaded by the song of the birds and the rhythm of the waves, this 75-minute practice is not to be missed! All levels welcomed and encouraged to join. To register, simply send an SMS or WhatsApp message to me at +971(0)50 284 4374 or email me at fieldsofyoga@gmail.com

Saturday Sunrise Yoga Calendar

12 November

19 November

26 November NO CLASS

3 December NO CLASS

10 December

17 December

24 & 31 December NO CLASS

7 January

14 January

21 January NO CLASS

28 January

4 February

11 February

18 February

25 February

YogaWalk (Wednesdays, 6pm, next to the Bait al Bahar Restaurant, end of Jumeirah 3 - FREE class)

Our Wednesday evening YogaWalk session will continue as a FREE class. We meet each Wednesday at 6pm on the beach adjacent to the Bait al Bahar Restaurant. We begin with a 20-30 minute body warming yoga practice, then take a 5Km walk - each yogi going at his/her own pace and we finish with gentle stretches, meditation and yoga nidra.  Participants have reported better sleep, reduced stressed levels and more energy after participating in YogaWalk. All are welcomed!

Are you sure you're not diabetic?

Did you know that according to some statistics as many as 45% of the world's Type 2 diabetics go undiagnosed? The Dubai swim community recently and very tragically lost one of its newest members to this horrible illness. Chisela Kanchela was a 29 year old swim coach with Speedo Swim Squad and had only arrived in Dubai two months ago. He was also an undiagnosed diabetic who passed away last week after falling into a diabetic coma. As one of his trainees, I am shocked and saddened by his death. Let's let Chisela's tragic passing be an opportunity to examine our own health and habits. The NHS has developed a quick and easy self check for risk of diabetes online (http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Diabetes.aspx).  If you experience a combination of these symptoms of diabetes, please seek the advice of a medical professional as soon as possible.

• Increased thirst
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
• Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
• Blurred vision
• Headaches

Fields of Yoga Dubai News for November

YogaWalk!

As it is Wednesday, there is another opportunity to join us TONIGHT at 6pm for YogaWalk on the beach next to the Bait al Bahar Restaurant (just north of the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club). Grab a pair of comfy walking shoes, your yoga mat and a bottle of water for this unique yoga practice. We begin our moonlit session with a gentle yoga warming practice, then set off on a 4.5Km walk and finally finish off back on our mats with yoga stretches, meditation and yoga nidra, caressed by the seaside breeze and serenaded by the rhythm of the waves. Participants have reported lower stress levels, better sleep and uplifted moods after participating in YogaWalk. As always, YogaWalk remains a FREE class!

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Solar Light Donation?

Now that the sun sets earlier, we are in need of a string or two of solar lights for our beach YogaWalk practice. (Our candle-lit lanterns are proving a little difficult) Do you have a string of solar lights that you would like to donate or lend to our practice? If so, please let me know or just bring them along tonight.

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Dubai's Community Art Scene

Want to contribute toward a stronger sense of community in Dubai? This Saturday 5 November at 6pm there is a Members Exhibition at the Dubai International Art Centre in Jumeirah 1. All artists are residents of Dubai and this is a wonderful opportunity to support local artists and purchase beautiful pieces at excellent prices. More information, go to: http://www.artdubai.com/Gallery76-upcoming-exhibition.html On a personal note, three of my pieces will be on display at the exhibition. (DIAC  Street 75b, Villa No 27, Jumeirah Beach Road, Near Town Centre)

'Tis the Season!

As we head closer to the winter holidays, the sweet and often unhealthy treats start to make their appearance at work and at home. As an option to the corn syrups, processed sugars and the like, here is another wonderful recipe from the Nest and Glow website. These chocolate and nut butter cups will satisfy your sweet tooth and give the the anti-oxident benefits of almonds and dark chocolate. It's a win-win recipe! http://www.nestandglow.com/healthy-recipes/raw-chocolate-almond-nut-butter-cups

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YogaFest 2016

Mark your calendars for YogaFest on 11 November at Dubai Internet City Amphitheater. Come and enjoy free full moon yoga sessions hosted by the House of Yoga. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1780694178841480/ for more information.

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For more information on these events or private yoga sessions, please feel free to contact me via email or WhatsApp (+971 50 2844374)

New Season, New Opportunities!

FIELDS OF YOGA DUBAI

Private Yoga Lessons

+971 (0)50 284 4374

3 September 2016

I think it was John Lennon who said, "Life is what happens when you're making other plans." Last spring I announced that we were moving out of the UAE but then life happened and here we still are in Dubai getting back into our new-school-year routine.

PRIVATE YOGA LESSONS (1-1 or group) 

Now that I have overcome jet lag and a surprise 'welcome-back-to-Dubai' flu, I am happy to offer private lessons once again. Private lessons can conveniently fit into your busy schedule, can take place at my home studio or your home, at the beach or in a park. Another reason to choose private lessons is that you get a yoga session that is designed just for you!   I offer private lessons every day except Friday, from 6am to 8pm. Sessions are filling up quickly so be sure to book your private lessons today! The rates (below) are valid for up to 5 people so if you have friends who would like to join you, you could share the cost.

You can choose from Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Pre/Post-natal yoga and meditation for all levels.  Private lessons are 75-minutes long and the rates are as follows. If you would like additional information regarding private yoga lessons, please let me know.

PRIVATE LESSONS - RATES

1 lesson (pay-as-you-go): 350aed

10 pre-paid lessons: 3000aed (3 month validity)

YOGA WALK

I'm very excited to offer this FREE yoga + walking session every Wednesday evening from 6pm-8pm. We'll begin on the beach with a few yoga stretches then have a well-paced walk for a designated distance (increasing our distance each week). We will finish where we began with more yoga stretches and a bit of meditation. Our start/end point will be next to the Bait al Bahar Restaurant (end of Jumeirah 3/beginning of Umm Suqeim 1). Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.  ALL are welcome!

If you would like to register for any of the yoga options mentioned, please contact me via phone or WhatsApp (+971502844374) or by email (fieldsofyoga@gmail.com)

All Good Things Must Come to an End

It has been my sincere pleasure to offer the free Sunrise Beach Yoga for the past 4 years. I have enjoyed meeting yogis from all corners of the world. I have seen raw beginners become transformed and devoted to their yoga practice and I have watched my yoga teacher colleagues turn off the 'teacher voice' in their head and just surrender to the practice. The yoga community in Dubai has grown exponentially in the last 4 years and it has been an honour to be part of that growth.

Last week I sent a schedule for our February yoga sessions. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at the situation) I will have knee surgery this Saturday afternoon with several weeks of recovery. Additionally, I am preparing for a move back to the USA. In short this means that this Saturday, 6 February will be the LAST Sunrise Beach Yoga session.

Please come and join me for this last session together! The sunrise, the water, the breeze and peaceful hour are worth sacrificing a bit of sleep - oh and the yoga isn't bad either!

Our session will begin at 7am, in our usual spot, next to the Bait al Bahar Restaurant at the end of Jumeirah 3, beginning of Umm Suqeim 1, just north of the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC).

If I don't see you on Saturday, I'll take this opportunity wish you peace, happiness and much laughter on your life's journey.

Namaste,

Julie

Maintaining an Attitude of Gratitude

At the end of every yoga class I teach I ask my students to 'take a moment to have a thought or prayer of gratitude.' At that point in the day, after a full-body yoga workout, calming breath work and relaxing savasana, it's not a huge challenge to have grateful thoughts flood our mind and heart. When times are good, our thoughts are positive. Just like when we hear the sound of our child's voice or receive a warm, generous hug from our partner, it's natural to feel thankful for the love and opportunities in our lives.
But what about those other times? Is it possible to have thoughts of gratitude during the times when we're stuck in traffic, late for an appointment and that annoying other driver decides to jump the queue because he is that much more important than the 50 other drivers waiting to make the same turn? Or how about the times when that loving partner has done the very thing that you have asked him/her kindly five million times not to do? Is it possible to have feelings of gratitude for that person at that moment?

Can we weave these thoughts and prayers of gratitude into both the positive and negative moments of our lives?
A year ago when my son was visiting for the holidays we were driving around Dubai and we were stuck in one of those aforementioned traffic jams, complete with queue jumpers. As the driver, I was noticeably frustrated and I'm sure that there were more than a few colourful, angry words coming from my lips. Noticing my angst, my son calmly said, 'Mom, don't get so upset. This just means that we get to spend a little more time together." What a turn-around his words caused to my mood and attitude. Suddenly the queue jumpers weren't selfish jerks, they were people who gave me the chance to spend a little more time with one of the most important people in my life.

Similarly, instead of being upset about an argument with a loved one or colleague, I can feel thankful that we have the opportunity to face issues that need to be cleared up.
Over a year ago I wrote about a being attacked in a taxi during a trip to Central America. When I was eventually released from the taxi by the driver and his accomplice I was emotionally shaken but not seriously physically hurt. I remember that I felt flooded with feelings of gratitude. I felt grateful to God for providing inner strength in a situation where I felt powerless but I also felt grateful to the thieves who attacked me. As strange as it may sound, I still feel grateful to them for not doing all of the horrible things that they could have done.  They had a choice about how far they would take their criminal activity. I had a choice about how I would deal with the feelings I had in the aftermath of the attack.
Each and every one of us can choose which attitude we will adopt in our daily lives. Will you choose an attitude of blame, anger, frustration and negativity or will you adjust your focus to see all that this particular challenge offers you then offer a prayer of gratitude for the opportunity?
Spring is a time of renewal, a time of starting over. Why not give your attitude a make over and adjust your focus to highlight the countless opportunities in your life to concentrate on gratitude?

Fields of Yoga Dubai 
April & May 2015 Class Schedule

Mondays @ the home studio, 60 aed pp 

HATHA FLOW in the Garden 7:30pm-8:45pm

Wednesdays @ the home studio, 60 aed pp 

YIN YOGA 7:30pm-8:45pm

Saturdays @ beach in Umm Suqeim 1

 SUNRISE BEACH YOGA 7am-8:15am

prebooking essential: fieldsofyoga@gmail.com or 
+971(0)50 284 4374 SMS or WhatsApp

Happy Easter!

Fields of Yoga Dubai classes are paused for the Easter holiday from 27 March - 5 April.  I look forward to seeing you back on your mats and practicing with me on March 6th.  Wishing you all a beautifully blessed Easter!
Peace,
Julie

Love Thyself

14 February 2015
Two days ago while being pampered in the salon by my favourite stylist, I asked her if she had plans for Valentine's Day. "No" she replied softly, "I don't have a boyfriend."
"You don't need a boyfriend" I countered, "Love yourself! Why don't you do something nice for yourself?"
She hesitated then rolled her eyes, "Sure, I'll go home, look at myself in the mirror and say, 'I love you! I love you!' and buy myself flowers."
I sensed her doubt about my suggestion of doing something for herself on the day that has come to represent romantic love. "But if you don't love yourself first, how can you expect anyone else to love you? I think it's a great idea to buy yourself flowers and tell yourself how much you love yourself!"

In order to be the best partner, parent or employee, isn't it necessary to care for ourselves first? How often have you skipped your yoga practice to attend to the needs of family, work or friends? I've heard students say that they won't take a mere 30 minutes from their daily responsibilities to focus on asana, pranayama or meditation even though their body aches, their minds feel cluttered or their stress levels are at a maximum. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that most of us spend more than 30 minutes a day on social media where 99% of our attention is on other peoples' lives.

So many of us forego taking care of ourselves and instead opt for focusing on our partner, our children, our work and really anyone else except ourselves.  Whether it's due to a fear of being perceived as selfish or because we believe that we don't deserve to be a priority in our own lives, more and more of us are opting to focus on anything and anyone other than ourselves.
The fact is, however, when you function at an optimal level physically, mentally and spiritually, you have much more love, attention and energy to give to those around you. If you "selfishly" take time for yourself, you will have more to offer to those who need you.

So whether you're single, married or somewhere in between, make every day your Valentine's Day. Take care of yourself, pamper yourself, love yourself and the love you have within you and around you will grow exponentially and, as Lucille Ball so wisely said, "...everything else will fall into place."