Welcome to jgyoga! I offer weekly classes, one day workshops, weekend courses and a 5 day retreat. To subscribe to my mailing list please complete the form at the foot of this page.
" The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of it's innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to violence. More than that, it is cooperation in violence. The frenzy of the activist ... destroys his own inner capacity for peace. It destroys the fruitfulness of his own work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful."
Thomas Merton
Yoga Classes
Well here it is ! The summer fitness programme has started. I have put together a new sequence of postures which will build on the work we have been doing over the last few months.
You know the benefits of a regular yoga practice. You feel good about doing something beneficial and worthwhile, not only feeling better within yourself, but also more able to negotiate life's inevitable ups and downs. Yoga can help us all achieve and maintain better physical and mental health !
If you wish to do yoga to up your game, optimise performance, maximise your potential and become as fit as you want to be for the summer then let me know which class or classes you would like to attend.
Each class will begin with an energetic warming and limbering sequence of sun salutations (modified where necessary) in preparation for a series of standing postures to develop strength, flexibility, stamina and balance followed by an effective routine of back and abdominal strengthening practices designed to develop core strength.
Each class will end with a well earned relaxation !
If you have the necessary focus, are available to attend at least one class or more most weeks and are prepared to commit to regular practice please contact me to book your place.
Please note places are limited to those who have confirmed bookings.
Yoga courses (FIT FOR SUMMER) from 16 April to end of June
Burns House, Stranraer
Mondays 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm - £8.00 per class to 25 June
Tuesdays 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm - £8.00 per class to 26 June
Wednesdays 9.30 am to 11.00 am - £8.00 per class to 27 June
Click here to book your place
Stranraer Library
Wednesdays 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm - £8.00 per class to 27 June
Saturdays 10.30 am to 12.00 pm - £8.00 per class to 30 June
Click here to book your place
What to expect
Each class begins with warming and limbering movements. The main body of the class consists of standing, sitting and lying postures. The posture work improves range of movement in the joints through stretching and strengthening exercises. This is a great opportunity to build strength, stamina and flexibility at a manageable pace. The class concludes with a deep relaxation. This is usually yoga nidra which is often referred to as yogic sleep. At the end of the class you should feel you have benefitted from a healthy workout and feel refreshed and relaxed. Participants often comment how they appreciate 'me time' during the class and with regular practice, feel better about themselves, have more energy during the day and sleep better at night.
Each block of classes is delivered as a progressive course. Not everyone can make the class every week, so participants are welcome to attend as and when they can.
Please wear loose comfortable clothing that does not restrict your range of movement. Bring your own mat if you have one and cushion or block if you use them. Cushions, blocks and mats are provided at Stranraer Library, some mats are provided at Burns House, Stranraer and Wigtown Primary. Bring a blanket if you can for the relaxation at the end or an extra layer of warmer clothing.
There is no need to pay a course fee in advance. Each class is payable at the time.
Beginners are always welcome.
One day workshops
Yoga for Meditation workshop in Stranraer
Next date to be confirmed - most likely a Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
With the use of traditional yoga practices this popular workshop offers practical support and encouragement to those who wish to develop a regular meditation practice.
For many people it can be challenging trying to develop a meditation practice, both physically and mentally. Yoga offers a variety of tried and tested preparations and practices to those who seek the benefits of meditation. Complete beginners are most welcome,
Preparations:
Asanas - physical postures and movements such as the joint releasing series of 'pawanmuktasana'. The posture work is slow and gentle and therefore suitable for complete beginners and those with conditions for which strenuous exercise is not advised.
Pranayamas - breathing practices including breath awareness, abdominal breathing, and nadi shodhana. These practices encourage the release of tension and induce a state of ease conducive to meditation practice.
Practices:
Ajapa japa - the repetition of mantra, synchronized with the breath.
Antar mouna – the practice of inner silence.
Yoga nidra - a withdrawal of the senses leading to deep relaxation and conscious sleep.
Complete beginners are most welcome, contact Johnny for further details.
Weekend and mid week courses
Johnny delivers courses at Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Centre in Eskdalemuir, Langholm, Dumfriesshire, DG13 0QL. Click on the coloured text for course descriptions and bookings.
"Johnny Glover has completed our two year Teacher Training Course at Mandala Yoga Ashram. He is trained in both the Yogic and Buddhist traditions and the courses he proposes to give in Samye Ling promise to be an excellent opportunity for those who participate and who want to go deeper into Yoga."
Swami Nishchalananda, Director, Mandala Yoga Ashram.
These courses fill up quickly so it is advisable to book well in advance. Having said that there are sometimes cancellations in which case the courses will be reopened on the Samye Ling website where you can book your place. The next courses are;
Beyond Asana 2 - 6 July 2018 (5 day midweek retreat)
Yoga for Meditation 13 - 15 July 2018 FULLY BOOKED
If spaces become available bookings will reopen on the Samye Ling website
Yoga for Meditation 7 - 9 September 2018 FULLY BOOKED
If spaces become available bookings will reopen on the Samye Ling website
Creating Space 2 - 4 November 2018 (at Purelands Retreat Centre)
Yoga for Meditation 14 - 16 December 2018
Yoga for Meditation 4 - 6 January 2019
Creating Space 5 - 7 April 2019
Yoga for Meditation 5 - 7 July 2019
Creating Space 16 - 18 August 2019
Yoga for Meditation 6 - 8 September 2019
Creating Space 25 - 27 October 2019
Yoga for Meditation 6 - 8 December 2019
For recommendations provided by previous course participants click here
NEXT One Year Course
Beyond Asana One Year Yoga Training
North West Castle Hotel, Stranraer
September 2018 to August 2019
This course will support participants to develop an achievable, meaningful and progressive practice. We will start with the basics. Each day will include asana, pranayama, relaxation, meditation and the opportunity to reflect on aspects of yoga philosophy. Handouts will be given outlining the key points and suggested home practice. You may also wish to consider keeping a journal for the duration of the course.
Course content
Asana (physical movements and postures)
Pawanmuktasana series 1 -3 , Relaxation asanas, Meditation asanas,
Isolating movements of hip joint, neck and shoulder. Back and abdominal strengthening series, Exploration of Forward bends, Side bends, Spinal rotations, Balancing asanas and Inverted asanas.
Pranaymama (breathing techniques)
Breath awareness, Abdominal breathing, Full yogic breath, Viloma, Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Ujjayi pranayama and Kapalbhati pranayama.
Meditation techniques
Kayasthairyam (Body stillness), Antar Mouna (Inner silence) Stages 1 - 5, Ajapa japa (spontaneous repetition of mantra) Stages 1-4, Chidakasha Dharana
Relaxation practices
Yoga nyasa (directed awareness) and Yoga nidra (yogic sleep)
Yoga philosophy
Paths of yoga; Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Gyana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga.
Course Dates (each day will start at 10.00 am and finish at 4.00 pm)
Sunday One 16 September 2018
Sunday Two 14 October 2018
Sunday Three 18 November 2018
Sunday Four 13 January 2019
Sunday Five 10 February 2019
Sunday Six 10 March 2019
Sunday Seven 14 April 2019
Sunday Eight 12 May 2019
Sunday Nine 9 June 2019
Sunday Ten 18 August 2019 - end of course
Details of the current course are below;
Current One Year Course COURSE CLOSED - FULLY BOOKED
Beyond Asana One Year Yoga Training
North West Castle Hotel, Stranraer
September 2017 to August 2018
This course will support participants to develop an achievable, meaningful and progressive practice. We will start with the basics. Each day will include asana, pranayama, relaxation, meditation and the opportunity to reflect on aspects of yoga philosophy. Handouts will be given outlining the key points and suggested home practice. You may wish to consider keeping a journal for the duration of the course.
Course content
Asana (physical movements and postures)
Pawanmuktasana series 1 -3 , Relaxation asanas, Meditation asanas,
Isolating movements of hip joint, neck and shoulder. Back and abdominal strengthening series, Exploration of Forward bends, Side bends, Spinal rotations, Balancing asanas and Inverted asanas.
Pranaymama (breathing techniques)
Breath awareness, Abdominal breathing, Full yogic breath, Viloma, Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Ujjayi pranayama and Kapalbhati pranayama.
Meditation techniques
Kayasthairyam (Body stillness), Antar Mouna (Inner silence) Stages 1 - 5, Ajapa japa (spontaneous repetition of mantra) Stages 1-3, Chidakasha Dhahran
Relaxation practices
Yoga nyasa (combining body and breath awareness) and yoga nidra (yogic sleep)
Yoga philosophy
Paths of yoga; Hatha Yoga, Dhyana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Gyana Yoga
Beyond Asana Course Dates (each day will start at 10.00 am and finish at 4.00 pm)
Sunday One 17.09.17 - 4 weeks home practice
Sunday Two 15.10.17 - 5 weeks home practice
Sunday Three 19.11.17 - 8 weeks home practice
Sunday Four 14.01.18 - 4 weeks home practice
Sunday Five 11.02.18 - 5 weeks home practice
Sunday Six 18.03.18 - 5 weeks home practice
Sunday Seven 22.04.18 - 4 weeks home practice
Sunday Eight 20.05.18 - 5 weeks home practice
Sunday Nine 24.06.18 - 8 weeks home practice
Sunday Ten 19.08.18 - End of course