Joanna Johnston

Please see below for background on each of the Workshops offered on the following dates:

* Sat 28th March - Introduction to Ayurvedic Health and Healing (Bristol)
* Sun 29th March - Ayurvedic Beauty and Bodycare Workshop (Bristol)
* Sat 4th April - Introduction to Ayurvedic Health and Healing (Shepton Mallet)
* Sat 9th May - Introduction to Ayurvedic Health and Healing (Bristol)
* Sun 10th May - Ayurvedic Cooking Workshop (Bristol)
* Saturday 13th June- Introduction to Ayurvedic Health and Healing (Glastonbury)

Introduction to Ayurvedic health & healing

Ayurveda offers a complete tool box to maintain health and promote healing when we are out of balance. Ayurvedic theory may appear compex, but the principls upon which it is based are beautifully simple. This one-day workshop offers a thorough inroduction to Ayurveda, and is a good precursor to one of the more practical workshops (Cooking or Beauty and Body Care). It covers:

* The Fundamentals of Ayurvedic theory- the 5 element theory (The Panchamahabhutas)
* The three doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha (Ayurvedic psychosomatic type) including what dosha are you?
* The three pillars of life- Prana, Tejas and Ojas
* Daily and Seasonal Routines for Optimal Health
* Common Ayurvedic herbs, spices and making simple Ayurvedic home remedies for common ailments.

Cost of £45 includes handout, delicious Ayurvedic lunch, and herbal teas.
Ayurvedic Cooking Workshop

Eating the right food is at the heart of Ayurvedic health and healing reflected in the following Ayurvedic verse: “Wholesome food is one of the causes of growth of living beings & unwholesome food for the growth of diseases.” (Charaka Samhita). However, Ayurvedic cooking is about principles not rules so you can be creative. The workshop draws on both Ayurvedic and Yogic principles - food is medicine, so what is best for you? Food is organic and locally sourced/ grown where possible.

*Prepare and sample delicious vegetarian dishes to balance and energise, including one pot meals for busy lifestyles, ghee, chutneys, chappatis and healthy puddings.
* Includes dosha questionnaire to assess your Ayurvedic psychosomatic constitution (including tailored dietary recommendations).
* You’ll learn how proper digestive health (agni) is at the heart of Ayurveda health. Most of us have undigested toxins (ama) in our bodies, the cause of much physical and mental imbalance. A detox diet to get rid of Ama will be outlined, as well as simple ways to ensure food is fully digested.
* You will learn about key Ayurvedic concepts relating to food such as why seasonal food is favoured, why Ayurveda favours cooked food, balancing the 6 tastes, and healthy food combining based on Ayurvedic principles.

Cost of £45 includes handout, recipes, delicious lunch, herbal teas and jar of chutney to take home. Samples of spices, such as hing (asafoetida) and fresh curry leaves are also available to take home and experiment with. Please bring a clean jam jar with lid and an apron.

Ayurvedic Beauty and Bodycare Workshop

Ayurveda sees outer beauty as a reflection of inner beauty and peace. However, Ayurveda also advises how healthy eating and lifestyle habits to allow inner beauty to radiate. This one day workshop focuses on how to tailor Ayurvedic wisdom to help you feel and look your best. There is a practical emphasis throughout. The Workshop includes:

* Dosha questionnaire to assess your Ayurvedic psychosomatic constitution (inc. your skin type)
* The Ayurvedic daily routine- cleansing the 5 senses
* Daily self- massage of the body with tailored oils (and demonstration)
* Making skin products tailored to your dosha out of ingredients good enough to eat!
* Relaxation session (Yoga Nidra)

Cost of £50.00 includes handout, a neti pot, a tongue scraper, herbal teas, and a light Ayurvedic lunch cleanse your system. Please bring two clean, empty cosmetic jarsto take home the products you make.

To book any of the above workshops:

Please send a cheque for the full amount, made payable to Joanna Johnston, to 7 Richmond Avenue, Bristol, BS6 5ET. This amount is fully refundable up to one month before each workshop. Refunds thereafter depend on me being able to fill your place. Please specify which workshop the payment is for and if you need a receipt. Confirmation details will be sent upon receipt of payent. Concessions are available. Please send me details of your request.

Workshops are held throughout the year, from 11-4/4.30pm, in Montpelier, Bristol. If you don’t live nearby, very reasonable nearby accomodation can be arranged with The Full Moon Backpacker’s hostel or the Bristol YHA on the waterfront.
Workshop feedback:

“I didn’t know much about Ayurveda beforehand so I’ve learnt a lot. I’d like to apply the Ayurvedic principles to my life a lot more- starting with knowing what to eat and when to feel more balanced.”

“I think the Ayurvedic concept of finding the ‘right balance’ is a tough one for us westerners. We are far more accepting of the idea of ‘rules’ - there are so many faddy crazy diets that most women have tried at one time or another that the idea of ‘rules’ is probably quite familiar! After the workshop, I’ve realised it is much more subtle and also challenging to think of principles, rather than rules to find balance. But better overall I’m sure!”

Yoga Classes also available:

Several class formats are offered at Jo’s home studio in Montpelier. All group classes have a maximum of 7 people, offering individual attention. Classes are held in a light and airy home studio and are suitable for all except complete beginners (please contact me for beginners classes).

o Yoga Supper Club : Mondays, 6.30pm - 9pm
o Yoga Brunch Club: Wednesday 8am - 10.15am
o Open Classes (no food!): Tuesday 7.45am- 9am (beginners/ intermediate); Wednesday 6.30pm-7.45pm (intermediate/ advanced)
o Private Classes tailored to your Ayurvedic type/ condition

Yoga Supper Club: 90 minute Sivananda Hatha class (asanas, pranayama, relaxation) followed by a delicious Ayurvedic vegetarian thali (rice, dhal, vegetable curry, salad, chutneys, sweet) and Yogi chai (no caffeine) or fresh mint tea from the garden. All food organic & locally sourced/ grown where possible.

Yoga Brunch Club: 90 minute Sivananda Hatha class (asanas, pranayama, relaxation) followed by a shot of Pukka Herb’s delicious Aloe Vera juice to cleanse the system, then a healthy breakfast eg: yoghurt, muesli, fresh fruits, spiced apple compote, smoothies and Yogi chai.

Open Class: 75 minute Sivananda Hatha class (asanas, pranayama, relaxation) followed by a quick Yogi Chai for those who have time!