Monthly News
November – the start of the holiday season and a time for giving thanks.
Where has the year gone? It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving and the holiday season are almost here.
Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite holidays. It is not the crazy hecticness of December and shopping in crowded stores. Instead, it is a time to reflect and be THANKFUL and GRATEFUL for the blessings in our life.
I always like to begin with a message of gratitude. It is gratitude for living in a place where we have many comforts including easy access to food, the ocean, and medical care. It is gratitude for having the lovely Moonflower Yoga community with its very special students who support the studio on a regular basis. I am so appreciative of all who continue to support the studio, and I am proud of what you have accomplished in building better strength, more flexibility, and learning how to feel more peaceful when things are challenging. For those students who join us in the studio for one of the hybrid classes, it is so nice to see your smiling faces walk through the creaky front door of the studio and enjoy a class with us in person.
I am grateful for the wonderful roster of teachers who help to round out the Moonflower Yoga schedule with the great weekly classes they teach: Jessica, Lynn, Rose, Vicky, and Rosanne. I am also grateful to Bhante, Jackie, Cathi, Melinda, and Susan who offer special meditation sessions to help you relax and better cope with life’s challenges. Thank you all for your dedication.
I am grateful for the technology, such as Zoom, that allows Moonflower Yoga to offer classes and workshops to students who do not live geographically near the studio. It is wonderful to have students joining us from across the US including Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, Arizona, and California. And some of Bhante’s lovely meditation sessions originate in Sri Lanka, but through Zoom we are joining Bhante live from across the globe.
I am also very grateful to my husband, Bob, who is as much a part of the studio as me. Bob continues to offer his fun, monthly “In the Kitchen with Bob” online cooking workshops where we enjoy cooking delicious and healthy plant-based meals from our kitchen, while simultaneously you are cooking alongside us from your kitchen. We have had lots of laughs (and some wine) as we prepare these meals together from our homes, and then all sit down at the end of the event to eat the meal together in our respective homes. Bob is also lovingly referred to as the “IT Guy” because he jumps into the studio room and helps with any technical issues to keep the classes flowing. He provides me moral support when things are challenging.
I am also grateful for my yoga, meditation, and Reiki practice. When things are tough, rolling out a yoga mat or sitting quietly to meditate or do a Reiki self-healing session is what helps me cope. Let us help you learn how these tools can help you feel better and cope too!
When things do not go as planned, I encourage you to think of 3 things during the day for which you are grateful. It can be something simple, such as having your morning cup of coffee, a gesture from a stranger such as holding a door open for you, a sunny day, or a smile or hug from a family member, or your family pet offering a paw. When things are challenging, it can help us reframe the day and put you on a positive path.
THANK YOU for all your support, and I wish you all a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving.
Namaste,
Nancy
Make yourself a priority!
If you are looking to feel less stressed or improve your physical strength and flexibility, yoga has helped many feel more relaxed, as well as tone and stretch muscles, increase flexibility, improve balance, and enable you to gain strength. It can help you too! In addition to the great morning yoga classes, Moonflower Yoga has evening classes if that time slot works better for your schedule. All of the classes on the schedule are suitable for beginners or those seeking a slower-paced class where you can deeply stretch while strengthening your body and improving flexibility and balance (which is especially important as we age.)
There are 13 great weekly yoga or meditation classes on the Moonflower Yoga schedule from which you can choose. All of the classes on the schedule are suitable for beginners or those seeking a slower-paced class. Every class on the schedule is available via Zoom except for the Candlelight Restorative class. Looking for an in-person experience? The classes on the schedule which are designed as ‘hybrid yoga” classes are also available for in-person attendance (limited to 4 people) while also available online. Here is a list of the classes with in-person options:
- Beginner Yoga on Sundays at 945 AM
- Stretch and Flow on Thursdays at 9:45 AM
- Chair Yoga on Tuesdays at 12 noon
- Yoga for Bone Health on Thursdays at 5:15 PM
- Candlelight Restorative on Tuesdays at 7 PM (in-person only)
The “Descriptions” tab above will provide you info about each class. The “Descriptions” tab also has important, additional information regarding attending an in-studio activity. If you are planning to register for a class with an in-person option, please click on the “Descriptions” tab and read the info before registering.
Is your available time and/or budget limited? We have a great option with a variety of 30-minute, live, interactive, online classes! These are perfect for when your time is tight. They are priced at just $12 each (or $11 each if you spend over $50 for the month). You can choose from these fantastic, interactive, live 30-minute classes:
- Morning Meditation and Movement with Jessica on Tuesdays at 930 AM
- Yin Yoga Stretch on Wednesdays at 10 AM
- Chair Yoga with Vicky on Thursdays at 12 noon
- Evening Yin Yoga Stretch on Mondays at 6 PM
- Relax and De-Stress with Guided Meditation with Rosanne on Mondays at 7 PM
There is NEVER a membership contract to sign at Moonflower Yoga. You can register and purchase just one single activity. To register for a single activity, click on the “Schedule” tab above, select your activity, and follow the simple registration and payment steps for that activity. You will receive written confirmations for your registration and payment. Payment is via PayPal, but you do NOT need a PayPal account in order to purchase an activity. PayPal accepts ALL major credit cards, and there is NO processing fee charged to you for using PayPal for a class or workshop purchase.
Would you like to attend multiple activities in a specific calendar month? If so, it would be great to have you attending multiple activities with us! If you spend $100 in class purchases for the calendar month, you receive a FREE 30-minute class in that month as a thank you. To purchase a class package, instead of registering for each individual class, simply send an email to moonfloweryoga@optimum.net advising which classes you would like to attend for the month. We will get the paperwork started and reserve your spots for you.
Feeling stressed? If you need some stress reduction, in addition to a great yoga class, you can also consider one of our wonderful meditation activities. Doctors all agree that meditation is a fantastic tool for stress reduction and relaxation. Every Monday night at 7 PM, Rosanne teaches a lovely 30-minute Relax and De-Stress with Guided Meditation class. There is also a fabulous array of relaxing workshops to consider including an Evening of Guided Meditation and Relaxation with Bhante Sujatha (the loving kindness monk), or a super relaxing Yoga Nidra evening with Jackie offered monthly on the 3rd or 4th Wednesday evening of each month. Melinda offers her relaxing Restorative Yoga and Poetry Night monthly on the first Wednesday of each month. Or you might like to have some fun and join us for the Moonflower Yoga Book Club, the Moonflower Yoga Mah Jongg Club, or the Moonflower Yoga Canasta Club. All of these great activities can help you relax and reduce stress. We also have some great workshops that will return to the schedule in the new year after the holiday season is behind us. These include the In the Kitchen with Bob interactive workshop where you discover plant-based cookig ideas. We provide the recipes in advance, and you cook alongside us from your kitchen as Bob offers guidanc0e and tips. Cathi returns with her Gong Meditation and Relaxation monthly at the studio on a Friday night. We have a wonderful, fun Mindful Drumming event workshop with Susan Baron on special Friday nights. A further summary of the activities is below in the “Coming Soon” section, and you can find additional information on the “Workshops” or “Clubs” tab above.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Namaste,
Nancy
Check out these current spotlight classes!
Relax and De-Stress with Guided Meditation with Rosanne (Mondays at 7 PM) – 30 min online class which you can attend while relaxing at home
Come explore the wonders of meditation! Doctors all recommend meditation as a tool to help you relax, de-stress, and allow you to feel better. Meditation is available to everyone, and NO prior meditation experience is needed for this class. All are welcome to join us.
Rosanne will lead you into a guided meditation in this lovely class which you can do from your living room while seated in your favorite chair, or reclining in your bed or on a couch, or sitting on the ground, or reclining on the floor of your home, – whichever is most comfortable for you. If you are doing this from the floor, you may want to have a blanket, pillow, or towel nearby to use as a prop to support your head. Sit back or lay down as you relax and listen to Rosanne’s soothing voice guiding you through the meditation as she provides visualizations to help you relax. Come join us and de-stress and prepare yourself for a restful night’s sleep. Register by selecting this class from the “Schedule” tab above and following the simple registration and payment steps.
Beginner Yoga with Nancy – Sundays at 9:45 AM (60 min HYBRID yoga class):
Start your Sunday in a positive way with this great beginner-level yoga class taught by Moonflower Yoga owner and Reiki Master Teacher, Nancy! Nancy will guide you through a series of standing and seated fundamental yoga postures that will enable you to stretch tight muscles, give you better strength, and improve flexibility and balance. For the latter portion of the class, you will be reclining on the ground on your yoga mat as Nancy guides you through relaxation. As a Reiki Master Teacher, Nancy will also send you Reiki for additional de-stressing while you are reclining.
Register by selecting this class from the “Schedule” tab above and following the simple registration and payment steps. As this is a hybrid class, it is simultaneously available to attend online as well as in person, with in-person attendance limited to 4 individuals. If you would like to attend in person, please click on the “Descriptions” tab above and read the important information related to attending in person before you register.
Evening Yin Yoga Stretch with Rose (Mondays at 6 PM) or Yin Yoga Stretch with Rose (Wednesdays at 10 AM) – both 30 mins via Zoom
Welcome Rose back to the schedule and try one of these great yin yoga classes – perfect for stretching and releasing muscle tension! In this class, taught in a yin yoga style, you will do stretching postures on the ground so you can deeply relax into the posture. This will help you increase your flexibility and strength. It is also a wonderful way to release tension from tight muscles and help you relax. Please have a pillow or folded blanket available for the class. If you have a yoga strap, that would be helpful. If you do not have a yoga strap, please have a bathrobe tie, an unused men’s tie, or a rolled towel. If you have a yoga block or yoga bolster, have this handy as well.
Yoga for Bone Health with Lynn on Thursdays at 5:15 PM – 60-min HYBRID yoga class
Osteoporosis causes peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women to suffer significant bone loss due to the sharp drop in the production of estrogen (the female hormone that protects against bone-thinning). As we naturally age our skeleton becomes more brittle and it becomes much more challenging to build protective bone mass in the body. Recent studies now confirm that consistent yoga practice can actually increase bone mineral density — proof that yoga can outweigh the hormonal effects of age. The best time to focus on increasing your bone mass is now!
This great class will concentrate on 15 keys postures (standing and seated) chosen for their particular benefit in providing the key weight-bearing oppositional force crucial to help improve bone health. Some of the poses will be held for up to one minute to improve strength which helps to prevent falls (and therefore fractures). There will also be focus on stretching tight stressed muscles (which means you are less likely to fall and break something) and the building of stability and agility (so that if you do start to fall you may help to catch yourself).
Join us for this great sequence of postures designed to improve your physical balance, as well as your mental balance, release tension from your day, and get you ready for a relaxing evening ahead. All levels, especially beginners, are welcome. Register by selecting this class from the “Schedule” tab above and following the simple registration and payment steps. As this is a hybrid class, it is simultaneously available to attend online as well as in person limited to 4 individuals. If you would like to attend in person, please click on the “Descriptions” tab above and read the important information related to attending in person before you register.
Important Change to the Saturday Stretch class beginning in December:
Please note that for the months of December and January there will be a change to the Saturday Stretch morning class. This class is currently a hybrid class taught by Nancy starting at 9:30 AM. Beginning in December, this class will be switching to an earlier start time of 9 AM for 60 mins. It will be an online-only class taught by Rose. Rose is a wonderful teacher and will lead students through a fantastic series of poses to help you prepare for a great start to your day. Nancy does teach on the weekends and will continue to teach the Sunday morning Beginner Yoga hybyrid yoga class on Sundays at 9:45 AM. Both of these classes are a great class to help you stretch, strengthen, and de-stress. Give them a try!
Below is a full listing of our other great upcoming workshops and Club events. Come learn something new and have fun with us from the comfort of your home!
Moonflower Yoga has an amazing array of interesting workshops and events from which you choose! People from Bellmore-Merrick-Wantagh-East Meadow-Seaford and other parts of Long Island have been registering, and we hope to see you too. Below is a quick snapshot summary of these very fun activities, and you can discover more info on the “Workshops” or “Clubs” tabs. You can register for any of these great activities by selecting the activity that you would like to attend on the “Schedule” tab above and following the simple registration and payment steps.
–Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep and Deep Meditation) (offered online via Zoom): Wednesday, November 20th, starting at 8 PM; also available on Wednesday, December 18th: Feeling stressed? Join us from the safety and comfort of your living room or bedroom for this relaxing evening! Yoga Nidra, known as yogic sleep, is a deep meditation used to promote physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. You will deeply relax in a reclining position on your couch, in your bed, or on the floor, as you are led through a deep guided meditation. You can also set your Sankalpa (heart-felt intention). One hour of yoga nidra = 4 hours of sleep!
– Moonflower Yoga Book Club (HYBRID Club event): Sunday, November 24th, starting at 4 PM: Join us for this fun HYBRID Club event! You can attend remotely via Zoom for FREE. Alternatively, you can join us in the Moonflower Yoga studio for an in-person discussion where light snacks and beverages are served for a fee of $10 PP. The book we will be discussing for this meeting is “At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities” by Heather Webber. Take a journey with a great book while having fun and making new friends in our Book Club meeting! All are welcome to read these books and join us. Click on the “Clubs” tab above for more info on the book.
– Restorative Yoga and Poetry night with Melinda (online event): Wednesday, December 4th, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM: Come give this unique event a try! Melinda will guide you through a sequence of relaxing restorative yoga poses, while reading a selection of inspiring poems. The poetry recited aloud will feel like a guided meditation, deepening the experience of each posture. Both poetry and yoga encourage you to connect with your body, mind and surroundings. Using poetry and yoga together, we will harness a sense of awareness, peace and gratitude. Join us for this relaxing and heartfelt night.
– The Moonflower Yoga Mah Jongg Club (in-person event): Saturday, December 7th, from 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM: Come join us for this fun in-person Club activity! Newcomers are welcome, as are experienced players willing to teach and play with newcomers. You must have your own 2024 National Mah Jongg Society card in order to play, available from specialty stores or from the National Mah Jongg Society. A delicious homemade dessert is served.
– Evening of Guided Meditation and Peacefulness with Bhante Sujatha (online workshop): Tuesday, December 17th, 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM EASTERN TIME: If you are feeling anxious or can’t sleep, try guided meditation! Join us for a wonderful evening with Bhante Sujatha as he leads you in a guided meditation which you can do from the safety & comfort of your home. Bhante is a 30+ year Buddhist Monk, who is singularly focused on adding more love in the world. Bhante teaches loving-kindness meditation to people around the globe for all those seeking the art of happiness and contentment. His approach to meditation is deep and simple, which he explains in a way that is practical and easy to understand. A joyful, radiant, funny and wildly energetic monk, Bhante will help you obtain peace that can only be found in deep silence.
–Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep and Deep Meditation) (offered online via Zoom): Wednesday, December 18th, starting at 8 PM: Feeling stressed? Join us from the safety and comfort of your living room or bedroom for this relaxing evening! Yoga Nidra, known as yogic sleep, is a deep meditation used to promote physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. You will deeply relax in a reclining position on your couch, in your bed, or on the floor, as you are led through a deep guided meditation. You can also set your Sankalpa (heart-felt intention). One hour of yoga nidra = 4 hours of sleep!
– In the Kitchen with Bob! (a LIVE online plant-based cooking workshop using Zoom): This yummy workshop will return in the new year with more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Stay tuned for the date! During the online workshop, you will join Moonflower Yoga owner, Nancy, and her husband, Bob, for a fun, LIVE, interactive cooking workshop from their kitchen! We will supply you with the recipes in advance of the workshop so you can cook along with us from your own kitchen. You’ll then have a delicious meal to enjoy at the end of the workshop! If you prefer to just watch the preparation and cooking, that’s fine too. As this is interactive, you can ask questions while cooking from your kitchen. Have fun with us while learning something new!
– Gong Meditation and Relaxation with Cathi (in-person event): This great event will return in the new year. Stay tuned for the next date. This lovely event will help you melt away tension and release the stress of your day through guided meditation and the wonderful, relaxing sound healing from Cathi’s beautiful gongs. The gong therapy helps to restore the body and mind to a state of peace. Space is very limited. Book early.
– Mindful Drumming with Susan Baron, PsyD, LMT (in-person event): You just missed a session! Stay tuned for the next date. Join us for the return of this special in-person event! Mindful drumming is when 2 or more participants follow the facilitator who plays simple synchronized and repetitive rhythms on a hand drum. Evidence shows that when people drum together in sync, fear falls away and the rhythms ignite the brain receptors for the phenomenon of entrainment, the experience of feeling connected to one another. Come give this a try! We supply the drums, and you will be seated in a comfortable chair. There will be breaks and a delicious dessert and beverages. Space is limited; book early!
– The Moonflower Yoga Canasta Club (in-person event): You just missed a session; stay tuned for the announcement of this return in the new year: Come join us for the return of this fun Club activity! Canasta is a great card game where players try to form “melds” of certain cards. Each card is awarded a points value, which is noted on the card. It has some similarities to rummy. There will be an experienced Canasta player at the studio to explain the basic rules of Canasta. You do not need to bring any Canasta supplies, as Moonflower Yoga will provide these. This is a great way to have fun, learn something different, and meet new people! Light snacks are served.
– The Moonflower Yoga Needle Arts Group: FREE online meeting. This Club is currently on hiatus. Stay tuned for the announcement of a winter date for this fun and FREE event: We enjoy working on our various pieces (crochet, knitting, needlepoint, etc.) while catching up with the other members and sharing tips. Newcomers are always welcome. Great way to relax.
Stay tuned!!! We are in the process of adding several great NEW WORKSHOPS to the schedule!
You can obtain more info on our great workshops by selecting the “Workshops” tab above. To register for a workshop or any of our fabulous yoga or meditation classes, select the “Schedule” tab above and follow the simple registration and payment steps. Payment is via PayPal but you do NOT need a PayPal account and there is NO PayPal fee charged to you. You can simply purchase your spot by using any major credit card or a PayPal account if you have one. The “FAQ” tab above provides answers to other questions that you may have. Thank you, and we look forward to having you join us!
Curbside pickup at the studio is available!
Curbside pickup at the studio is available for some items you may need for your home practice. How about a beautiful Hugger Mugger yoga mat? Hugger Mugger Tapas yoga mats, which Moonflower Yoga sells, were just rated one of the top 3 best yoga mats in the US. They are very durable and last for years if you keep it safely in your house and not in your car or garage. With each new yoga mat purchased, we are currently including a FREE Moonflower Yoga mat bag to store your new mat. We also sell yoga blocks, yoga straps, blankets, bolsters, traditional meditation cushions, and Zafuko cushions, all of which are wonderful for your home practice. Click on the “Products” page for additional info on yoga supplies.
Or you can purchase a lovely, relaxing Young Living essential oil. Could you use a bottle of favorite Stress Away right now? Lavender essential oil is great for relaxation or helping with skin irritation. Citrus Fresh, Lemon, or Tangerine add a lovely clean scent to your home or try Thieves for a spicy, warm scent. Peppermint oil is another great oil that has many uses. Moonflower Yoga sells a wide variety of Young Living essential oils; just ask us!
We also have lovely handmade beaded bracelets, as well as AAOTE aromatherapy jewelry items. Our super-soft signature t-shirts and hoodies are also available in a variety of sizes.
Just let us know which items you would like to purchase, and we will arrange for a cashless online purchase and a curbside delivery to your car from the studio. Purchased items can also be shipped to you within the continental US.
MONTHLY CUSTOMER APPRECIATION GIFT
We appreciate your business! Each month a special gift will be given to the customer who attends the most classes during the calendar month.
The most recent “Prize of the Month” for booking the most classes was won by Leslie. Congratulations Leslie! Leslie won a bottle of Pan Away essential oil from Young Living.
