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Showing posts from 2017

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation: October Spring schedule

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And here it is, our new Spring Schedule for October 2017: 1 October: Nigel with a vinyasa flow (and his finale); 8 October: Theo with his fun and challenging pilates core work out; 15 October: Our new teacher, Hans, offers a yin yoga class - slow and meditative; 22 October: Eugene with his great choreography offers you vinyasa flow; 29 October: A special surprise - we have another new teacher about to join. Watch this space. For further information contact us by email: Capemensyoga AT) gmail.com Whatsapp: 082 501 2009 (note the new number!) Naked men's yoga in Cape Town - unique on our continent of Africa. Get the flow and spirit back into your life. Namaste 

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation 01 October 2017

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Yogis, October is here, summer is around the corner. Not enough water to get us through the long hot summer in Cape Town, but we keep on moving through our practice. Bring your authentic self back to the mat, this Sunday 1 October, for a fun flowing pre-summer vinayasa yoga class. All male, all nude. 10.30 to 12.15 at our venue in the southern suburbs. Beginners and more advanced students all welcome. Get in touch for details on: capemensyoga AT) gmail.com What s app: 082 579 6868

Special Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation Class - 24 September 2017

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Dear Yogis, Our class on 24 September 2017, will be the last one taught by our founder. He has a new job that will be taking him overseas. We are busy trying to confirm a transition strategy for Cape Men's Yoga. To be frank, we are short of teachers at the moment, after having so many wonderful contributions and solidarity. Those who know CMY know that it is much more than a yoga group - it is a place to explore, to find kindred spirits, to open oneself up to new energy, new ideas, new potential. We've tried to create a space where you are welcome exactly as you are and to let that be sacred, special, respected and appreciated. As this is to be a finale class, we expect a relatively high level of attendance. Kindly confirm on Facebook or by whatsapp if you intend to participate as we are limited to 28 spaces in the yoga hall. We will do a vinyasa flow class with meditation. Join us for this special class at Africa's only nude men's yoga practice. Bring your m...

CLASS CANCELLED 17 September 2017

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Dear yogis, With much regret we have to cancel out Cape Men's Yoga class this Sunday, 17 September. There is a schedule clash at our venue and they only informed us now. We are back on the mat on 24 September 2017. Namaste

Cape Men's Yoga: special pilates class Sunday 10 September 2017

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We have a special class this week, Sunday 10 September. Theo will be teaching a naked pilates class. Theo is a qualified pilates instructor and a long standing member of Cape Men's Yoga. He has taught several nude pilates at our retreats - which have been awesome - and now you get a chance to experience this in a regular class. 10.30 until 12.15, this coming Sunday. You will need a sweat towel. Best to bring your own mat but we do have spares. For further info contact us on capemensyoga AT gmail.com Whatsapp 082 579 68 68

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation: Sunday 3 September 2017

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We have a vinyasa flow class this coming Sunday, 3 September. Summer is approaching. Cape Town remains in the grip of a terrible drought - something we have to learn to live with. As the temperatures climb it is also a time for physical activity. Join us for our naked men's yoga practice. Cape Men's Yoga is celebrating six years of bringing men together for authentic yoga practice - meditation, yoga asana, yoga philosophy and pranayama - we are a diverse group of men who strip our lives down to the skin and practice with a sense of community. In today's class we explored how our mental state shapes each moment. This means know where your mind is at. If you don't need to be anxious, stressed, sad or craving something, then let that go, bring in some useful antidote like joy, compassion or loving-kindness.  By finding inner happiness, inner stillness, an openness to this moment, so we create possibilities, space and happiness in the events that flow from this...

August 2017 - CMY programme udpated!

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(c) Photo by Paul Watson August 2017 schedule for Cape Men's Yoga Sunday 6 August: Nigel will lead a yin yoga class. This is the slowest form of yoga. Involving the use of gravitational pull rather than muscular strength. It stimulates ligaments and fascia, helping the immune system and nervous system. It is sometimes challenging and requires quietening the mind. We only teach this once a season. Fine for beginners but more targeted to people with yoga experience. Sunday 13 August CMY is on retreat in the Overberg. The retreat is fully booked, no new applications thanks. THERE WILL BE NO CLASS AT OUR REGULAR VENUE in Cape Town. Yes, we had the most awesome retreat, pix to follow! Sunday 20 August Warren is a newly qualified yoga teacher and a professional dancer. He has a wonderful style combining mental focus, serenity with alignement and motion. We really recommend coming for this experience. 10.30 to 12.15 at our southern suburbs venue. Email or whatsapp for deta...

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation - 30 July 2017

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We are back on the mat this week. We have been working with themes of inversions, strength, flow and opening up the body and mind. Winter is a great time to work with the body and have time for regular meditations - it is an introspective time with less of the issues of holidays and visitors. Come and get your naked on, step up to your mat and lets make this happen - flexiblity and happiness are something available to all of us. 10.30 to 12.15 at our Cape Town southern suburbs venue. All male, all nude yoga. Taught in classic style with meditation and yogic breathing. Bringing truth and wholeness to your practice. capemensyoga AT gmail.com whatsapp 082 579 6868 Namaste

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation - Sunday 23 July 2017

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Yoga yoga yoga - everyone is doing it! Or are they? What we have tried to do in Cape Town is reintroduce an integrated and authentic practice to yoga. Yoga is not about sports or getting fit - that is a welcome part of the journey; fundamentally yoga is about living well, emotional well-being, developing our wisdom and emotional intelligence. At Cape Men's Yoga we work towards a sense of community, by stripping down to our skins, we are saying: yes, I trust myself, I trust you, let's do this. Human sexuality is as natural as all other aspects of our lives - however it is sometimes distorted through social pressure and expectations. Sometimes there is trauma and anxiety. Sometimes even shame. Being naked allows you to just be yourself. Let go of the baggage and the past, be at peace with your body now. Peace with the body is part of the journey to union with your mind, with your heart-centre and with the unknown and infinite. The men who come to CMY for yoga are a specia...

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation - Sunday 16 July 2017

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This week we ease into a winter vinyasa flow class. Nigel is back on the mat with us, exploring the relationship of mind, body and spirit. Naked yoga is a place to be fully yourself, without fear, without self-censorship, accepting yourself and exploring your inner world. In yoga, we are taught that the whole of the universe is within us- look inwards to understand the whole. The whole of the universe is also who we are - the line that divides one being from another, one atom from another - is a creation of society and the ego. Through clearing the mind of its clutter and allowing space to breathe, we rediscover our inner truths and rediscover our wholeness in the world. CMY is in its 6th year - with hundreds of men having strip off their outer uniforms and revealed themselves within the practice. If you feel the need for extraordinary change, for liberation, for community of practice, come and share with us. Sunday at 10.30 in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. Get in touch ...

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation - Sunday 9 July 2017

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Naked Pilates with our guest instructor This week we have a very special event, Theo will be giving a naked men's pilates class. He taught one of these at the summer retreat and it was a hit. Welcome, payment by voluntary donation. 10.30 to 12.15 on Sunday. Men only. Info available on capemensyoga AT gmail.com 082 579 6868 for whatsapp

CMY - our June 2017 programme

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Cape Men's Yoga is celebrating its 6th year of energy this month. This all started after a trip to New York and a few classes with Hollis and the team at Nude York Yoga. South Africa is a conservative place in many ways, and Cape Town - though the most beautiful city on the planet - is sometimes like an uptight little village (*grin*). So the idea of getting a bunch of guys, off all different sexual orientations, cultures, races, religions, economic levels and ages to ALL get butt naked and do yoga together - well, there was not much hope it would last - but we all agreed that it would be fun to try.  We were amazed, moved, touched, inspired, brought to tears, brought to laughter, brought to love, to find how many men were willing to bare it all - dropping their shorts and their defences, letting themselves be truly authentic, honest and open - in a community environment, non-judgemental, kind and supportive. Big ones, small ones, skinny and beary, grey-haired, bald, gell...

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation: 11 June 2017

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We are pleased to announce that Craig will be teaching a Budokon-style class on Sunday 11 June at 10.30.  Craig trained with a distinguished Cape Town-based yoga trainer and has been on several sojourns of study to northern India. He is a man of many talents and gifts. He will be teaching a Budokon style yoga this Sunday. Budokon is built on a combination of classic yoga, of martial arts movement and yoga-synergy - a Taoist form of yoga that concentrates on unblocking the nadi energy chains in the body. The practice is slow, intense, magical, strong and delicious. Enjoy! Beginners are welcome. This is an all male, nude yoga practice. Beginners are welcome. Venue is in the southern suburbs of Cape Town Whatsapp 082 579 6868 capemensyoga AT gmail.com

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation: Sunday 4 June 2017

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Sunday 4 June 2017 Men's Naked Restorative yoga class Restorative is a new hybrid form of yoga built on the tradition of therapeutic yoga. It combines elements of energetic yang yoga (typicaly of vinyasa and ashtanga) with still relaxed yin postures with an emphasis on relaxation and letting go. Indian yoga was designed for greater spirtual awareness and meditative skill. 20th century yoga fused this with calesthenics and a physical education approach to balance out the increasingly sedentary life of working people. Restorative yoga speaks to our hectic lifestyles, stress levels and the challenges of finding stillness and a place of peace in life.  Patanjali, the great yoga guru and author of the Yoga Sutras, emphasises that yoga involves two simultaneous states of mind: sukha (comfort or joy) and sthira (stability, effort, attention). These two concepts and mental states are deeply powerful and transformational. Within them much can be uncovered. Those who make no ef...

No class on 21 May; back on the mat 28 May: Retreat deposits

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We have not class on Sunday 21 May but we are back on the mat on 28 May for a flowing vinyasa class of body, mind and heart. Join us in this energetic and kind practice. Deposits are due for the winter retreat: 10 - 13 August 2017. Contact us at capemensyoga AT gmail.com Whatsapp 0825796868

Cape Men's Yoga Winter Retreat - call for deposits

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Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation Winter Retreat  10-13 August 2017 We are ready to start organising the 2017 Cape Men's Yoga winter retreat. This year we have again booked Hearth & Soul Eco-Farm http://www.hearthandsoul.co.za/ Our host is the energetic and ebullient Sybille Nagel. Hearth & Soul is a rustic retreat, located behind Napier on the way to Stanford via the back roads of the Overberg. It has confortable accommodation, a yoga and meditation hall, big fire places, lounge areas, great vegetarian food and some excellent hiking trails. We have booked for three nights and four days: Thursday 10 August until midday Sunday 13 August. Note that 9 August is a public holiday so you may wish to come a day earlier for some quiet meditation and preparation for the retreat, even the option of some fasting. Evidently, it is also possible for you to come just for 2 nights / 3 days - though we highly recommend committing to the full retreat as th...

Cape Men's Yoga - our May 2017 programme

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A month of vinyasa power yoga for the men! We have two excellent guest teachers this month. Eugene will be teaching on Sunday 7 May. Eugene has a long career in dance and aerobics. He qualified as a yoga instructor and has been an inspiration at Cape Men's Yoga retreats. Sean has been teaching yoga for years in at various Virgin Active gyms. He is known for a simple, strong style, using upper body strength and lower body power. Both teachers bring a great deal of skill and knowledge the their teaching and it is a great opportunity for our members to deepen and strengthen their practice. Nonetheless, be assured we always welcome new comers. So if you have never set foot on a mat, or not in a while, you are still welcome to join the classes. Yoga starts where you are at and it is a journey of self-development and understanding. Please note that on 21 May - THERE IS NO CLASS - there is a training course running that weekend at the centre and we will miss that Sunday. We a...

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation - Sunday 30 April 2017

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Yes, it is the long weekend, and yes we have some fun yoga for you! For this coming Sunday, we definitely have a class. We will be doing a vinyasa flow with attention to upper body strength and flexibility. Cape Town based community men's nude yoga group - authentic yoga in your authentic body, with meditation and pranayama guidance. Payment by donations. capemensyoga AT gmail.com Whatsapp 0825796868

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation - 23 April 2017

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Someone asked me this week: What is yoga? I hear so much about it, but I don't really get it. Yoga is a lot of things to a lot of people. It helps to remember that yoga in the Western world is very new - it only started in the 1950s, whereas in India it dates back literally thousands of years. In India it is a spiritual and meditative practice, also associated with healing, restoration, meditative concentration and devotion. The father of modern yoga, Krishnamacharya, always emphasised the spiritual aspect of yoga, but noted that if you don't believe in a spiritual dimension, then yoga should bring you together with the natural world - it is all about union with the universe. Yoga itself derives from the word 'yoke', 'unite', 'union'. In the West, yoga became a lifestyle, fitness and wellness trend. It was original practiced by people interested in the East, then it became a fad amongst writers and movie stars, eventually entering into mass cult...

Special Easter Sunday CMY class - 16 April 2017

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Hey Easter bunnies, Many of you will be away, with family, in Church or otherwise celebrating the Easter long weekend. For those of you wanting to shake your naked little butts and have some YOGA fun, we'll do a special class that includes naked acro yoga, partnered yoga and some of the classic sun salutations and generally enjoying ourselves. Get yourself out of bed and onto the mat for a memorable Easter Sunday. Beginners are welcome. Please bring a sweat towel. Definitely remember to shower first. There are showers on site. We have some spare mats available. Work within the limits of your own body. If you have any injuries or medical issues you must check with a qualified medical practitioner first. All male, all nude yoga and meditation group in the southern suburbs of Cape Town - because you deserve to be fit and happy too. Email capemensyoga AT gmail Whatsapp 082 579 6868

Naked yoga for men by men: 9 April 2017

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Cape Men's Yoga is in its sixth year - a South African all male, all naked yoga authentic practice for men of all backgrounds, cultures, sexual orientation and ages.  This week we will be back in the vinyasa flow mode, with our normal attention to alignment, strength, flexiblity and well-being. Meditation and pranayama is included.  We start at 10.30 and run to 12.15 at our great venue in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. Discover yourself.  Donations based. Beginners are welcome.  More information on whatsapp 082 579 6868 capemensyoga AT gmail.com 

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation - Sunday 2 April 2017

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Welcome to Cape Men's Yoga - we are back on the mat for another Sunday class of naked yoga and meditation for men. Come and explore your mind, energy and body in movement and stillness.  In a world where there is so much pressure to present a certain image of yourself, fit into expectations, keep up with deadlines and juggle stressful responsibilities, yoga is a place to slow it all down, let go of the strain, bring yourself back into balance. Naked yoga is a place to just be yourself, without explanations or expectations. Just learning to appreciate who you are and explore your well-being through movement.  We meet at 10.30 on Sundays at a great venue in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. New members without previous experience are welcome. This week's class will be a vinyasa flow, pranayama and meditation class.  Get in touch via whatsapp or sms: 082 579 6868 Or email us on capemensyoga AT gmail.com The yoga is donations based. Bring a sweat to...

Some insights into yin yoga

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When I was in India, my teacher trainer conducted a yin yoga class. I had no idea what this was. My teacher had done a lot of yin and was really enjoying sharing this with us. Despite my meditation background I found the first half of the class quite difficult. It was perhaps also to do with how sore we all were from many hours of yoga while on the course. Somehow the long hold of each position really challenged my mind to stay still. Squatting on my heels with my toes under was really super uncomfortable. By the time I finished that first class I was floating. What was it about this odd style of yoga that was so challenging at first but so liberating as we reached the finale? I was intrigued. I spent time reading up on yin, books and internet pages. I was fascinated by the philosophy and physiology. As someone with a substantial meditation background I rapidly discovered how smoothly meditation techniques and yin fit together. Yin is a physical practice where we barely engag...

Double your yoga this week: 21 March & 26 March!

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Yes gentlemen, It is your lucky week. To celebrate Human Rights Day , the Autumnal Equinox and the Zoroastrian New Year you are most welcome to join us on Sandy Bay beach this Tuesday, 21 March which is Human Rights Day and also the Autumn Equinox and the Zoroastrian New Year. The weather should be perfect - come and do some naked yoga next to the south Atlantic Ocean - naked in nature - one of the best ways to truly connect to the energy of the living work. We will meet at "Helicopter Rock" - that is the flat rock between the Big Rock that juts out into the sea and the small first principal beach of Sandy Bay. If you need sunscreen please apply that, you may want a hat and definitely some water. We will practice from 08.30 until 09.30 . Our regular class on Sunday 26 March at 10.30 will be back at our home venue in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. We will be doing a Yin Yoga class. Yin is the slowest form of yoga. Rather than the usual energetic and muscular yoga...

Cape Men's Yoga & Meditation - Sunday 19 March 2017

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After having to miss one class, we are back on the mat on Sunday 19 March. All yoga involves the exploration of the body and the mind. Usually yoga also has a spiritual dimension or at least a meditative dimension of trying to understand the world through self-study. It is the ability to focus the mind while at the same time removing preconceived patterns, allowing the mind to open up to the universe while also remaining quietly still and directed - this is where real yoga happens. The body, as my teacher noted at Spirit Fest, is the vessel of our consciousness. Each asana (yoga posture) creates an opportunity to for us to explore our inner landscape, how we are feeling, thinking, the patterns of the mind, and the harmony or disharmony of mind and body. It is a dance, an interplay, and exploration. This week we explore the themes of alignment, flexibility and breath. We'll be trying out some backbends as well as learning how to strengthen the back and shoulders to gain st...

No class on 12 March 2017

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Dear Yogis, Thanks to Lance to teaching a wonderful naked men's yoga class on Sunday. The feedback was great. This Sunday, 12 March 2017 we will have to cancel our class. We try as much as possible to ensure that there is a CMY class every single Sunday of the year, but sometimes factors are beyond our control. This Sunday there is a training course at the venue and it is also the Cape Argus cycle race. We will be back on the mat on 19 March 2017 at our regular time, 10.30 until 12.15.

5 March 2015 - International guest yoga instructor

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Cape Men's Yoga is pleased to announce that Lance Hoagland from Chicago will be giving a special guest class in Cape Town at our regular venue on Sunday 05 March 2017. Please ensure to book to get a place. Lance Hoagland is a 500hr Certified Advanced Yoga Teacher specializing in vinyasa flow. Teaching a well-rounded class, Lance weaves asana and breath work into a unique experience with a focus on bringing presence and awareness to both body and mind. Lance is also a certified Health Coach and believes food is the ultimate medicine.  He offers classes and workshops on yoga and nutrition, local and international retreats, and cooking classes. email capemensyoga AT gmail.com whatsapp 082 579 6868 

February Cape Men's Yoga classes: Cancellation on 19 February!

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 This month we have two guest teachers from the Cape Men's Yoga teaching team. 12 Feb 2017 - Eugene will be leading a vinyasa flow class. Eugene is known for his clean and clear teaching style. With years of aerobics and dance, he comes to yoga with a calm and athletic style, beautifully coreographed to create a flow. Most regrettably we have had to suddenly cancel Craig's class on Sunday 19 February. Our venue is doing a teachers' training course and needs to use the whole space. Our apologies for the inconvenience. We are back on the mat on Sunday 26 February.  Most re Cape Men's Yoga is a weekly nude male yoga class. It is designed for men of all backgrounds and ages to get to know the mind-body-spirit relationship. Whether you are interested in fitness, weightloss, flexibility or inner peace, there is something on offer for you. We aim to build a community of practitioners, men who value well-being and solidarity, who experience transformation to a gr...

Heaven & Earth Summer Retreat 2017

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Here are some images from the Heaven & Earth summer retreat. The retreat worked with the theme of the five koshas - the five sheaths of our being - physical, energetic, mind, wisdom and bliss. We had yoga, meditation, nature walks, nature talks, labyrinth walking, a creative project where we printed paint from our bodies onto canvas, a pilates lesson, a forest ritual dance and a massage class. The overwhelming experience was one of kindness, brotherhood, freedom and authenticity. Sometimes just being naked with other men allows you to be exactly who you were born to be, without fear, without hesitation, trusting and at peace. It was beautiful. Our next retreat is in mid-August again in the Overberg, Western Cape, South Africa. Namaste The End