Yoga by Sarah Holiday Newsletter
Happy Holidays Everyone!! Yes I know, I can't believe that it's Christmas again!! This same time last year, I was finishing up my classes at Bodymax and White Oaks, we had just finished building the studio, and I was getting ready for our big Open House and our Grand Opening. There were so many details to take care of, and looking back I don't know how I did it all!! I was feeling every emotion under the sun... I was so elated, after all this was my dream, but at the same time I was terrified... I was excited, yet nervous... I was happy to be moving on, happy that my business had grown, yet I was so sad to be leaving places that I had grown my roots in, places that my life revolved and evolved around... there was something magical about that time of my life, and especially now at this time of the year I can still taste that excitement, the dreams, the anticipation, the unknown.
Well here we are, 1 year later almost to the day... and I am so very proud to be able to invite you to our 1 Year Anniversary Open House on Friday December 20, 2002 from 4pm-8pm and Saturday December 21, 2002 from 10am-4pm.
We would love to have you come out and celebrate with us... In celebration of our 1 Year in our new studio, and as a special thank you to our members and customers we are offering some specials during that weekend. Most membership packages are being offered at 10% off 2002 rates (please note that effective Jan 1, 2003, new prices are in effect). So if you have to renew your membership, or plan on purchasing one for the new year, or are interested in registering for any of the Pre-Registered Classes or Workshops, the Open House weekend would definitely be a good time to sign up. Christmas Gift Certificates will also be available that weekend with the special discount. As some of you have inquired, even if your membership doesn't come up for renewal until January, February or March, use this opportunity to lock in on our specials, we can always post-date the membership until then.
Any remaining clothing and 2002 stock is also on special... if you have been waiting to purchase a video or mat, now's a good opportunity!!
And even if it's not time to renew your membership and you don't need any more yoga apparel, we would still love to see you... so come on down for some food and drink, enter in our anniversary draw for a chance to win a membership or clothing, or just come and hang out with all the staff...!! Of course, feel free to bring any friends or family in for a tour of the studio as well.
For more details on what is happening at the Anniversary Open House, please look at our website www.yogabysarah.com
You may have noticed the Community Care Food Drive Bin we have located in the reception area... we often forget that there are many people in our community who are far less fortunate than ourselves. So in the spirit of Christmas, and the spirit of giving, you may want to bring some non-perishable food items into the studio before Christmas to place into the bin.
Also in the Christmas spirit, a few of us regulars from Tuesday morning class 10:35am have spontaneously organized a Christmas luncheon for Yoga by Sarah members. The luncheon is being held after class on Tuesday December 17, 2002 at 12pm at the new restaurant up the street on Queenston St., Stunning Joe Banks. (The Old Sweeney Todd's). If you are interested in attending there is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. We would love to see you there... I'm looking forward to it!!
Please note that our website www.yogabysarah.com is now fully updated with our Revised Holiday Class Schedule (from December 21 - January 4) and our January Class Schedule (commencing January 6, 2003). Of course, copies of these schedules can also be picked up in the studio.
You will note the addition of a new class Mondays at 4:10pm. We are calling it Ahimsa Charity Yoga Class, led by our student teacher, Lisa Propper. (Lisa is currently doing a Yoga Teacher Training Course in Toronto, and is currently assisting and doing her own yoga practice in our studio.) "Ahimsa" is Sanskrit meaning "non-violence" and "leading a compassionate life". This class is open to anyone from the community, with a suggested $5 donation per class. All proceeds of this class will go to Women's Place. This drop-in class will be a blend of Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga styles, varying based on the needs of the class participants, with an emphasis on beginner students. So this class would be ideal for anyone you know who can not afford a regular membership, or to anyone who wants to take this class with Lisa!! So please pass the word along...!!
Our 8 week Pre-Registered Classes commence the week of January 13, 2003. As usual we are running a Beginner Hatha Yoga course and a Beginner Power Yoga course. Both of these courses are great for beginners and we have both Member and Non-Member rates. If you are interested in commencing Power Yoga, I highly recommend and am fully convinced that doing the 8 week course where we teach progressively and break things down in detail, is the best and most ethical way to learn the Power Yoga (and from my statistics that I have compiled over the years, there is a much, much higher chance of you sticking with it).
We are also offering again (but the first time in our new studio) an 8 week Prenatal Yoga course. This class used to be really popular when I ran it at White Oaks, and I miss teaching it!! There is something about the energy of a room full of pregnant women that opens your heart... so please tell all your pregnant friends about this wonderful class!!
And finally.... we are offering Pilates!! We are running two Pilates classes a week to start (in 8 week Pre-Registered Programs). These classes are being taught by Sarah Hill, who was one of the pioneers of the Pilates program at White Oaks. So it's going to get confusing with two Sarah's around!! Sarah Hill and I used to work together and share the same space at White Oaks... so we are very pleased to bring her aboard, and look forward to developing a strong Pilates Program at Yoga by Sarah.
For more detailed information on the Pilates or any other of our Pre-Registered classes, please refer to our website www.yogabysarah.com You will also find all the registration information there.
And lastly, but certainly not least... I would like to thank all the amazing Yoga by Sarah staff, all of whom without this past year would not have been possible:
Jo Ashwell
Michelle Dube
Audrey Gajic
Cathy Hayes
Sharon Horton
Karen Kirby
Michelle Miele
Allison Noble
Joanna Polillo
Lisa Polillo
Rhonda Sesto
Some of the above mentioned have made their contribution and moved on, some keep coming and going :), some have been from the beginning, but to all of them I am eternally grateful.
And to my students, customers and friends, past and present, THANK YOU. My heart is full of gratitude.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season...
Always, Namaste...
Sarah L. Giovannone
Yoga by Sarah
105 Queenston St.
St. Catharines, ON
L2R 2Z5
Tel. 905 682-4469
Fax. 905 682-1936