Maitri's 10th anniversary open day fundraiser

Maitri Studio is 10 years old!

We opened in early 2014 on a shoestring, with just one room (Lotus) fully open, work ongoing in Maple room, and no sign of taking on the downstairs room at that stage. Amazingly, thanks to hard work, consistency, a supportive landlord, a wonderfully inspiring and generous community of students and teachers and plenty of good luck, we're still here! And all that despite the pandemic, rising cost of living and the general difficulties of starting and running a small business.

We chose the name Maitri because it encapsulates what we believe. Maitri in Sanskrit, metta in Pali, is universal friendliness and loving kindness. That's what we live for and by in the end isn't it? You can read more about our name here.

To celebrate, we would like to extend universal friendliness and kindness to others. We are offering an open day of classes and workshops on this theme. You book classes by making a donation of what you can afford. All the money raised will go to our chosen charity Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)*. We thank the teachers involved for their generosity offering their time and expertise for free. Maitri Studio will do all advertising and provide the rooms at no cost.

The minimum donation for each class is £1 so that these can be as accessible as possible. We indicate what a typical class would cost as a suggested amount. We gladly accept all donations and will ensure that all proceeds (less fees charged by the banking apps) will go to MSF.

If you are unable to attend the events, you can still make a donation by visiting our JustGiving page. Thank you.

Saturday 24th February 2024

9-10.15am Iyengar yoga with Maura - this class is suitable for all and will include heart-opening (back-bending) poses. Usual drop-in price is £10/£7.50 conc. Details and booking online here.

9.30-10.30am Mindful meditation with Fiona - Come and spend an hour discovering the benefits of mindful meditation with Fiona, everyone welcome. Details and booking here.

11am-12.30pm Compassionate activism with Maggie & Patricia - This workshop will aim to guide us back to loving kindness and compassion for ourselves and each so that we can navigate the eventful times with more agency and solidarity. Details and booking here.

11.15am-12.45pm Thai Yoga Massage pair work with Steven - learn some thai yoga massage in a pair - either arrange for a friend to come too or you'll be partnered with someone on the day. Thai yoga massage takes place fully clothed and involves gentle pressure and passive movement. Details and booking online here.

1.30-3pm Compassion practice with Orla - this will be a session of metta meditation with gentle movement. Usual cost for similar workshop £15-20. Details and booking online here.

1.30-2.30pm & 2.30-3.30pm Family yoga with Zoe - This playful, inclusive class incorporates breathwork, creative movement, poses, partner games, mindful relaxation and songs. Young kids will be tailored for 0-7 years (1.30-2.30pm) and big kids for 7+ (2.30-3.30pm). Kids of all ages are welcome in either class. Usual price is £10 for one adult and child, and £5 for each additional child. Book by contacting Zoe directly: details here.

3.45-5pm Restorative yoga with Rachel - Yoga postures designed to restore, recuperate, rejuvenate, and energise including breathing and relaxation techniques. Suitable for students with 1yr+ yoga experience. Similar events would cost £14. Details and booking online here.

4-5pm Flow dance meditation with Jen - Explore meditation in a dynamic fun new way. The class is an un-choreographed, conscious dance meditation practice, which encourages self-expression and discovery. Whether you're a regular mover or a complete beginner, this event is open to everyone. Usual cost is £10. Details and booking online here.

All day 9.30am-4pm - refreshments (tea, coffee, juices, water and some nibbles - including birthday cake!) in Lotus room. Come for a chat, find out more about what we offer at Maitri Studio, take a break between events, meet other teachers and students. All welcome. No booking required, just turn up.

Accessibility

Physical accessibility - we are somewhat constricted with space when we offer these open days. Only the Flow Dance Meditation and the Family Yoga are on the ground floor in Sunflower room. The other events are taking place upstairs. We unfortunately have no lift. The stairs have a fairly shallow tread and there are two banisters. You can read more about the building and accessibility in this document to find out whether it is suitable for you. If you would like to pop in for cake and coffee and can't make it up the stairs do ask and we'll bring some down to the lobby area for you, where there is room for a couple of chairs. Alternatively please drop us an email [email protected] and we can let you know which regular classes take place downstairs and might be suitable, for example chair yoga with Claire.

Pricing accessibility - the minimum donation is £1 to secure a place at an event. Please donate only what you can afford. If you are in the lucky position to donate more, we have given a suggested donation amount. All donations gratefully accepted.

Extra on Sunday 25th February

Aerial yoga & gong bath combo!

Sandra (aerial yoga) and Brian (Soundhenge Ireland) are joining forces to bring you a cocoon soundbath - a combination of aerial yoga meets soundbath, a 45 minute exploration of aerial yoga (some gentle stretches and inversions before full relaxation in your hammock) with the relaxing sounds of the gongs. 5.30-6.15pm

This is followed by a 45 min gong bath 6.20-7.05pm

Maximum numbers 10 for aerial yoga and 18 for gongs so book your places. Details and booking here.

*More about our chosen charity

The charity MSF works in the most difficult of circumstances all over the world. They are an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation. They deliver emergency aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF is funded by individual supporters, enabling them to remain independent as they do not take any money from governments.