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Observe Yourself

When the mind and body are in balance it is like the ever present clear blue sky, a vast spaciousness of non-reactivity. What clouds and dulls the mind is negative mental states along the spectrum of I like it, I don’t like it. There is a craving for something or a sense of clinging to the view that if only things were different then life would be better.

Our day to day life is always in relationship to, or in relationship with, whether we are alone or with others, it is always in the plane of relating. It is how we comport to situations, people, things, that determines whether we are in balance or not. When we feel ill at ease, be it mildly or more pronounced we will feel it as tightness in the body and mind, reflected in our mental, verbal and bodily actions.

The very early sign of liking or disliking as a mental state is a feeling sensation in the body. To understand this and start to transform it is no easy task. It does however begin with awareness of that early reactive tone in the body and the voice of your mind. If we know a situation or interaction triggers us to behave in a certain way we can start to catch ourselves before we spill over into the habitual reaction. We can pause for a moment and actively choose to respond differently.

It is part of being human to be reactive and have emotions like anger, fear or jealousy, BUT we can modify or reduce the volume of these reactive states, through repeated self observation, reflection and a caring understanding attitude. Beneath all of this is the vast clear non reactive body / mind experience.

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Herinneringen

I am learning Dutch and the word herinneringen is one I came across at the weekend, I wanted to say: “memories are a funny thing”. (I didn’t get much beyond the first word, herinneringen!).

What is the memory of this summer just gone, was it a good one? What defines that?

Memories are part and parcel of the complex nature of being, some form deep emotional roots, others are so transient they evaporate. We cannot be who we are without our backlog of memory files, created moment by moment; they form and shape the narrative of our identity. Some files gets edited and re-edited as we retrieve them, talk about them,  and embellish them. The weight of those files, is either the baggage we carry on our backs, or,  the notepad that weighs very little.

Herinneringen is an interesting concept when we talk about mindfulness. Mindfulness is often interpreted as moment to moment awareness, but it is of course bound up with memory. The traditional Pali meaning of the word mindfulness (Sati), is seated somewhere in the realms of remembering, calling to mind. How we experience successions of now moments is based on the history of how we experience and interpret our life.

Think back on part of your summer, how much of what you remember and recollect truly reflects the experience? There is a tendency for the remembering self to focus on the negative aspects, even if they only constitute a small part of the overall experience.

The cultivation of mindfulness helps create memory files that are less judgemental, less prone to mental elaboration. We learn to experience  our day to day without getting caught up in the proliferating narrative and the meta narrative that ensues. This happens over time as we develop our mindfulness practice and get to know our selves better.

Herinneringen

I am learning Dutch and the word herinneringen is one I came across at the weekend, I wanted to say: “memories are a funny thing”. (I didn’t get much beyond the first word, herinneringen!).

What is the memory of this summer just gone, was it a good one? What defines that?

Memories are part and parcel of the complex nature of being, some form deep emotional roots in our being, others are so transient they evaporate into the ether. We cannot be who we are without our backlog of memory files that are being created each moment; some files gets edited and re-edited as we retrieve them, talk about them,  and embellish them. The weight of those files, is either the baggage we carry on our backs, or the notepad that weighs nothing.

Herinneringen is an interesting concept when we talk about mindfulness. Minfulness is often interpreted as moment to moment awareness, but it is of course bound up with memory. How we experience successions of now moments is based on the history of how we experience our lives and how we recollect those experiences, what emotions and embellishments we attach to them.

The cultivation of mindfulness helps create memory files that are less judgmental, less prone to mental elaboration. We learn to experience  our day to day without getting caught up in the proliferating narrative and the meta narrative that ensues. Heed the remembering self through experiencing moment to moment life without the negative bias that can be the rod of the remembering self.

 

Timetable

Private classes for individuals and couples take place throughout the week from Monday to Friday, at a time that is most convenient for you. Private sessions are held in person in a spacious well ventilated room. For clients who live further afield or in another country, sessions take place on zoom.

To enquire or sign up, email satty.verbart@gmail.com or

WhatsApp +31 (0)623598162

During the pandemic group classes took place on zoom. This proved to be surprisingly convenient for reasons other than the pandemic. For those who live further afield or in an another country, it was an easy and convenient way to join a class. This also proved to be the case for those who live more locally, it fitted in better with their work schedules or child care needs. Group classes therefore continue on zoom.

Monday

11:00 – 12:00 Vinyasa flow class (zoom)
The class starts with tuning in and soft listening to the body through a seated body scan. Moving from a series of warm up stretches the class becomes more dynamic, it is less physically demanding than the dynamic class but the two classes follow similar postures and sequences. The seated movement leads us to the guided meditation. The final posture is the lying down relaxation. The yoga practice is working through the body to still the fluctuations of the mind, getting to know our mind and body through yoga.

Tuesday

20:00 – 21:00 Dynamic Flow (zoom)

The class starts with tuning in and listening to the body, coming into stillness. After a series of warm up stretches the class builds up to a dynamic flow practice based on Ashtanga yoga, synchronising movement with breath as we build heat in the body, working on strength and flexibility.  As with all yoga the guiding principle is the breath. The pace of the class slows down with the seated postures, meditation, and then lying down relaxation. At the end of the class the mind, the body, and the breath are in harmony and balance.

Wednesday

09:30 – 10:00 Guided Meditation (zoom)

This 30 minute guided meditation class can take place seated on your mat, on a chair, or even lying down. Meditation is an essential component of yoga, this morning session allows the time and space to build the muscle of mindfulness meditation, over time we become more settled and grounded and able to deal with even the most difficult situations that come up in life.

20:00 – 21:00 Dynamic Flow (zoom)

Friday

09:30 – 10:30 Dynamic Flow (zoom)

Cost

Attending a 1 hour group class is 13 euros, or you can purchase a class card for 6 lessons, this is 70 euros.

The meditation class is 7 euros per session, pay as you go.

Payment to be made online: NL38ABNA0254230377, via tikkie or paypal.

The payment is the same if you are paying in GBP. Please note, from the UK the class timetable is one hour earlier.

Private Lessons
A private lesson is at a date and time in the week that works for you, focusing on your needs and aspirations. Each session will work on increasing your sense of mental and physical well being and learning techniques specific to your needs. Session by session you will start to notice a difference in your body and mind, getting to know yourself at a deeper level and experiencing a greater sense of calm and centredness.

(Please note, a doctor or medical practitioner is always the first point of contact for any issues that are causing particular physical or mental distress).

A private lesson is 60 minutes and costs 45 euros.
A class card for 6 private lessons: 210 euros

For couples a 6 class card is 240 euros.

All one to one classes are given in person, in confidence at Satty Yoga premises or on zoom.

Payment to be made online: NL38ABNA0254230377

Satty VerbArt is a registered teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals. This accreditation demonstrates excellent standards as set by Yoga Alliance Professionals.

KVK Nummer:69666830