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.
See TreeHouse workshops/events
or 2008 Workshops