Situating the body between heaven and earth both literally and metaphorically, the workshop will focus on establishing correlations between the body and the earth, between the breath and space and between the mind and the sun.
Yoga involves the intertwining of three components: body, breath and mind. According to T. Krishnamacharya, "till such time that these three components do not work in tandem, it is not yoga." Through the weekend workshop participants will learn about the importance of bracing or anchoring as a prerequisite to asana, whereby the earth is used as a prop of both support and resistance in order to offer the asana sthira or stability. The conversion of breath into prana or mindful-breath requires attention, meticulousness plus conscious auto-monitoring. With the faith that there is "more" to breathing than we normally understand, the participant will learn to gradually expand the scope of the breath resulting in an enhanced sukha or comfort-experience within the body/mind. The mind needs a focus of attention to draw it out and sharpen its intellect. The ancients used the sun as that perfect object of attention-tangible, unwavering, positive, life-giving and secular. The participants will be taught ways of incorporating the gayatri or the sun mantra into their daily practice of asana, pranayama and meditation. REGISTRATION $235, $205 before April 28
Thursday All Levels Class: $20 ~ 5:30-7pm ~ Thursday Master Class: $25, $15 with the workshop ~ 7:30-9pm
Friday ~ Introduction and Preparation ~ OPEN session ALL levels ~ 6:15-9:15pm ~ $40 A la Carte
Yoga:
Heaven and Earth will offer correlations between the body and the universe so
that we a) learn to go beyond the confines of our own body/minds to connect
and identify with larger life-enhancing forces, and b) open our beings to further
receive and imbibe the natural properties of these forces, i.e. from the Earth
we draw stability, Space opens us up to that liberating experience of boundless
expanse, and with meditation upon the Sun we imbibe its piercing intelligence
that can draw life out of seed!
Friday ~ Introduction and Preparation ~ OPEN session ALL levels ~ 6:15-9:15pm ~ $50, $40 in advance A la Carte
" Methods of Bracing in Asana
" Pranayama as a method to experience expansion of space and calming the
mind
" An introduction to the gayatri mantra and its ritualistic use in sun
meditation
Saturday ~ 11am-6pm
* Asana: Methods of bracing different parts of
the body against the floor using it as a prop of support and resistance,
" Pranayama with focus on hold after inhale and how it may enhance asana.
" Tea Break
" Meditation on the Yoga Sutras
" Lunch
" Chanting of the Gayatri Mantra
" Breath-Meditation on the Sun with focus on hold after exhale
Sunday ~ 9:30am-4pm
Asana: focusing on the use of joints in order
to anchor in asana
" Pranayama with focus on hold after inhale and how it may enhance asana
" Tea Break
" Meditation on the Yoga Sutras
" Lunch
" Chanting of the Gayatri Mantra
" Pranayama with Gayatri Mantra focusing on properties of the Sun
" Questions & Answers
Tea is provided. Please bring a light lunch.

Yoga, for thousands of years, has been taught from teacher to student in a one-on-one format taking a student through his or her own development at an appropriate pace. Authorized to teach this system by its creator Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, David also brings to his teaching practice an in-depth understanding of human anatomy. As a Teacher of Kinesiology (the study of movement and musculo-skeletal anatomy) at Miami's Educating Hands School of Massage, and the creator of YogAnatomy for yoga teachers, David brings to his classes an understanding of movement potential and the pathways to get there. Drawing from his own dedicated practice, David will help you find deeper access to the asana in the series and to your own sweet self, with each day presenting its own challenges and rewards. You will be inspired and amazed by the effects of your disciplined efforts.
Self-practice is what it's all about. Knowing the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is not a requirement. Being open-minded and receptive to learning is.
Adjustments Workshop for Teachers: Sat. & Sun. 12:30-4:30pm. $150 Adjusting, like all teaching, is an art - not a formula. David brings an unusually keen and unique perspective to adjusting. It's not simply "in pose X, adjust Y". Learn to adjust the individual in the pose. The same pose can be very different depending on the student. Learn to understand and utilize the quality, as well as the mechanics, of the postures.
Oct. 23 Christine Wiese Ashtanga Led Primary 7-8:30am $15 before Oct 16, $20 after.
Nov. 6-8 Navtej Joharbio The 5 Elements of Practice / Yoga Rahasya Friday 6:30-9pm, Sat. 11-5, Sunday 10-4 Cost: $195 before Oct. 21, $225 after. $45 for Friday only, $90 for Sunday only.
Friday: Intro and Practice.
Saturday: We will focus on the following five components introduced as tools of practice by the grandfather of modern yoga Sri T. Krishnamacharya: asana, pranayama, meditation, chanting and ritual. Be prepared for practice.
Sunday: Yoga Rahasya is a text
attributed to Nathamuni, a ninth century yoga and Vaisnavite saint, and said
to have been rediscovered by his descendent Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early
twentieth century. The text draws from the Yoga Sutras and other Hindu texts
to illustrate the philosophy of yoga in relatively simpler terms. Unlike the
Sutras, the Yoga Rahasya (rahasya meaning secrets or mystery) talks of asanas
in some detail and offers deep insights into the use and application of yoga
as a therapeutic tool. It also talks about the importance of yoga practice for
women, pregnancy and through the different stages of life. Be prepared for
practice.
Dec. 12-13
The Ten Bodies In-Depth You may think you have only one body to care for but, in fact, you have ten. This workshop will explore teh subtle nature of each of the ten bodies and how to balance them using Kundalini Yoga.
Divine Relationships Yoga Bhajan taught how to create a true merger between the male and female polarities. Learn how to have a divine relationship through his priceless love lessons.
Siri Atma S.
Khalsa, M.D., author of Waves of Healing: Listening to the Voice of Your
Soul, lis an engaging speaker in the field of yoga, healing and medicine.
He is sought after for his insightful Yogic Consultations and workshops on the
healing essence of yoga and meditation, and the nature of the soul. Dr. Siri
Atma is an Internist who holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and
Philosophy & Religion. He was personally trained by Yogi Bhajan, Master
of Kundalini Yoga, who called him a 'pure healer.'
Married and the father of two, he splits his time between Espanola, NM and Santa
Barbara, CA. A native Californian, Dr. Siri Atma is an avid surfer and wind-surfer.
He enjoys teaching and traveling, doing personal consultations and practicing
medicine.
Florida Institute for Integrated Yoga Studies ~ 8509 N. 29th St. Tampa, FL 33604 ~ (813) 932-5456 home
See 2008 Workshops ~ TreeHouse Yoga Center classes & events