Next week is National Vegetarian Week and to help celebrate we have a great offer and a competition for you.

We are offering a free pre dinner drink and nibbles to early diners between 6:00pm and 8:00pm. Diners can enjoy a selection of small but perfectly refined dishes as well a cocktail or mocktail when ordering from the al la carte menu.

In keeping with our philosophy the menu will contain a balance of Raw and cooked Vegan dishes, inspired from cuisine around the world. Everything you will find on the menu is homemade - even the kimchi and our raw chocolates.

There is also a chance to win a meal for two in the Restaurant at Aloka.

All you have to do is follow Aloka on Twitter. This can easily be done via the Twitter section on the right hand side of the blog or by going to Twitter and clicking the Follow button.

The winner will be randomly selected from our followers on Sunday 27 May 2012.

Terms and Conditions apply

This Month Jo Youle who teaches JoGa Beats classes here at Aloka on a Thursday Evenings got a full page feature in Red Magazine's Body Confidence Issue.

The article looks at how 5 people became, 'Why Not?" women. Jo says that the article pretty much sums up the way she feels about most things in life.

She says that Yoga has definitely given her the body confidence to take life by the horns and put herself out there and do what she feels, rather than what she thinks she should be doing.... click here to read the full article.

Come along and try Jo's class. JoGa Beats - Thursday evening 6:45pm - 7:45pm in The Studio at Aloka.

The nature of Spring, keeping us on our toes!

I've been tuning into the rhythms of Spring a lot recently, being the thread running through my classes at the moment. Of course there is all the usual Spring cleaning, dusting away the cobwebs and breaking down stagnant energy left over from Winter, but on a day to day basis let's face it Spring brings much unpredictability weather-wise.

Here in the UK we are experiencing typical Spring weather and it's easy to get caught out, as the weather takes a turn. If you have little ones in tow then you need to have all manner of options in your bag so you so you can adapt to the ever changing conditions.

Often when we predict or plan we are faced with the reality that things can change very quickly, or don't work out the way we imagined and we can only take each moment as it comes. Sometimes we are so busy looking ahead we miss what is in front of us and see it only with hindsight when it's out of reach and gone. Thankfully change works both ways and something positive can be born from the negative.

All this change certainly keeps us on our toes, encouraging us to live in the moment and adapt to new situations. The unpredictability makes space for adaptability. Such instability can feel uncomfortable, but flexibility to change helps us move on and draw on our resources, to transform a situation, to grow.

As the flowers and plants adapt to the ever changing environment around them weathering through storms and droughts, we are reminded to adjust ourselves, to be versatile, to bend and sway, to let go, move on and ride the rhythms outside and within.

Tap into the energy of Spring and adapt your practice to harmonise with your own rhythms, come and join me Monday mornings at Aloka: Dynamic Yoga, 11.30-12:45pm.

Claire Russell
www.yogaclara.com                                                                                               Photo courtesy of Sean McGrath

Treat yourself to a pamper session with 20% off AEOS Facials

Treat yourself to one of our luxurious, nourishing and soothing Facial Treatments using AEOS - Active Energised Organic Skincare.

AEOS emulates the natural function of the skin, restoring its equilibrium and providing protection where needed. Completely organic natural skincare made with love and intention.

We offer 3 different AEOS Facials here at Aloka - if you are pushed for time try our 30 minute Get Up and Go Facial, If you have a bit more time we offer a 60 minute Regeneration Facial and for a real super-indulgent treat we offer our 90 minute Heaven on Earth Facial that incudes an AEOS facial, our gentle touch technique and a facial massage with your chosen Aura-Soma 'Equilibrium' Bottle giving your the soul the nourishment you deserve.

For more information on our Facial packages please click here.

Come in or give reception a call on 01273 823 178 to book the facial of your choice with 20% discout during the month of May.

Outside In, Inside Out...the Synergies of Beauty.

The Artist Open House May 2012 Festival is the largest and oldest event of its kind in the country.  It provides a unique experience for visitors, where you can view an array of work from contemporary and original local.

Here at Aloka we will be exhibiting a selection of paintings by Mike Booth.

Mike Booth is trained in fine art with a degree in Education. Mike lived in Scotland in the 1970's and worked as a studio potter and painter, and his mandalas are known internationally

MANDALA - comes from the Hindu word literally meaning "circle" and is an archetypal sacred symbol, a gateway to the divine, reflecting the circular nature of the universe and cycle of life - macrocosm to microcosm. Mandalas exist in many forms trans-culturally, examples being from the earliest stone circles and temples, to images of devotion whether Hindu, Buddhist or Christian - from the healing circular sand paintings of the Navaho, to the round table of the legendary King Arthur and his knights.

Contemplation of a mandala has the potential to inspire and focus meditation, bringing inner peace, balance and harmony - the energy moving from the centre or essence to the periphery and back like the seed creating the flower. This movement has been seen as synonymous with the individual soul's journey to becoming whole, what C. J. Jung called "the process of individuation." Process of these paintings' began in 1973, and later unfolded into Mike's present work, which continues on to the present, principally through the unfoldment of Aura-Soma.

It is that time of year for the Brighton and Hove Foodie Awards 2012.

The awards are part of the Brighton and Hove Food and Drink Festival which is the largest festival of its kind in the south of England.

They were first launched in 2010 as part of the Spring Harvest Festival, offering the public the chance to choose the city’s top foodie destinations.

This is the first year that Aloka has entered the awards and as we can be voted for in two catergories you can vote for us throughout April in the Best Restaurant and Best Cafe sections. All you need to do is follow the link and register, select other and then enter Aloka's name.

To Vote Online: Click Here

Come and Enjoy Early Evening Drinks and Nibbles at Aloka...

Today we are excited to launch our new Early Evening "Drinks & Nibbles" Menu. Between 6:00pm and 7:00pm we invite you to come along with a friend or two and enjoy a selection of small but perfectly refined dishes as well as our new range of cocktails and mocktails.

Our Headchef Arnaud has created a selection of "Little Nibbles" and "Bigger Bites" for you choose from (£3.50 or £4.50 respectively). Pick a couple (or three) and enjoy with friends over an refreshing early evening drink.

In keeping with our restaurant and cafe offers the menu will contain a balance of Raw and cooked Vegan dishes, inspired from cuisine around the world. Everything you will find on the menu is homemade - even the antipasto. So, whether you are heading to the theatre, enjoying the sunset on the beach or have just finished a days shopping this is the perfect early evening treat to share with a friend. The menu will change regularly depending on what local, organic produce is looking best each week so you can be sure of getting something different whenever you come. You can download a copy of our launch menu to get a flavour of what is on offer.

We look forward to seeing you at Aloka soon...

More classes added to The Studio schedule...

As the year starts to warm up our Studio Schedule is getting busier and busier. This month we have 4 more classes starting and a couple more in the offing.

Mondays are now our busiest day with 2 new morning classes starting to help you kick the week off to a healthy start. We have Beginner's Yoga with Carolina 10:15 - 11:15am and Dynamic Yoga with Claire 11:30 - 12:45. Both classes start on 16th April.

We also have a new Yin Yoga class starting with Laura on Tuesday lunchtimes - this 1 hour class is perfect if you want to tune up during your lunchbreak. This class runs from 1:00pm-2:00pm and starts on the 1st of May.

Thursday evenings has an exciting new class - Joga Beats with Jo Youle - this is vinyasa flow with a twist! Classes are synched with music from all genres - Jazz, Funk, Soul, Rock, House, Techno, Reggae to Chill Out and beyond. Classes are every Thursday 6:45pm - 7:45pm.

Angad's Kundalini Yoga Class has been running for while now but this month he has a new 6 week course starting that explores "Shuniya - Stillness of The Mind" open to all levels so if you have never tried Kundalini Yoga and want to start now - come along.

Eliminate to Illuminate!

As the sun melts the snow in Spring giving room for growth, so the heat in our yoga practice can break down the sluggish energy of winter, by releasing toxins and making room for renewal.

In Ayurveda this energy is referred to as "kapha" (a combination of the elements water and earth). It is the solid, stable, heavy energy that increases during winter often causing lethargy and tiredness. This melting and liquefying of "kapha" energy can often bring spring coughs and colds. It's all part of the process, cleansing, releasing, letting go of the past, clearing space for new life, new beginnings and new projects.

In our yoga practice it's a great time to stimulate the digestive fire in the belly, cleanse with twists, invigorate with inversions and charge and open up the body with backbends. Practising kriyas (cleansing practices) such as agni sari (fire breath) and nauli (stomach churning) can also be beneficial at this time. With physical release we can make room for emotions to surface and consciously let go of anything redundant. The elimination makes room for illumination and with that we can blossom.

Come and join me for a Spring inspired practice starting Monday April 16th at Aloka: Dynamic Yoga, 11.30-12:45pm. Look forward to seeing you on the mat!

Claire Russell
www.yogaclara.com

Relax and unwind with 20% of a Reflexology Treatment

This month we are offering 20% off a relaxing and soothing reflexology treatment.

Reflexology is based on the theory that the soles of the feet are a mirror of the entire body. By massaging the feet and stimulating areas called reflex points our therapists can help you work on issues in all organs, systems and glands of the body.

If you are pushed for time we offer a 30 minute or if you would like a longer pamper book for a 60 minute session.

Enjoy a holistic treatment to rebalance your whole being.

Come in or give reception a call on 01273 823 178 to book a pamper for yourself or a friend.