For information about bringing these Seminars to your area and scheduling please contact us: info@internationalyogastudies.com

Asana Movement Theory

Movement theory classes focus on the process of creating a deep and fulfilling asana practice. The level and quality of the asana practice results from the use of the breath and skillful attention. Students will learn to determine: the foundation of each posture; use of the breath to move and grow in the asanas; importance and methods of developing core strength; and the use of alignment to bring the body/mind to balance and ultimately, stillness. How the posture is positioned, held and extended along with the quality of the breathing most accurately measures the level of your practice. Simple techniques will be learned that can change any practice into an advanced practice so that the union of body, mind and spirit is experienced. Spontaneous extension is then created both in your poses and in your life.

Breathing the Spine: Advancing your Practice

Foundation, Gravity, Breath: Understanding Asana

Asana: Movement Concepts: Alignment & Technique

Using the Movement Theory principles of Gravity to create foundation and connection, the breath as the vehicle for growth and safe extension, and the establishment of core strength for the spine and joints, these classes focus on the alignment and technique of the feet, legs, knees, hips and spine, shoulders, ribs, arms, neck and head. In asana there are myriad details but only a few basic concepts in the practice of poses that foster a lifetime of healthy practice. Each class will focus on a family of movements and an in depth study of: postural technique, when and how to use props, indication and contraindications for the poses, and the use of gravity and grounding to naturally create extension.

Asana: Individual Movement Concepts - Level I

This easy-to-grasp method creates understanding of asana technique and how to avoid injury. With a strong foundation and the focused use of the breath, extension happens naturally and spontaneously. Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced levels.

Backbends: While there are myriad details for each pose there are actually only a few basic concepts in the practice of back-bending that foster a lifetime of healthy back-bending practice.

Forward Bends: Spinal extension & health
Standing forward bends
Sitting forward bends

Standing poses: Hip Opening
Hip Closing
Balances

Inverted poses: Anti-gravity positions

Twists: Rotations & a healthy spine

Savasana: Connecting to the Source

Yoga Wisdom: The Art of Living

The Yoga Sutras are about the Art of Living. By integrating the information given in the sutras into our everyday lives, we can transform our abilities to relate to our loved one, learn about ourselves, become more comfortable in our feelings or self-worth, growth and exploration and generally open ourselves to the joy of living. We will translate the philosophy of the yoga sutras into western terms and discuss in depth the workings of the mind, the ways we can apply the yoga sutras very practical applications of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra Philosophy in our daily lives and our yoga practice. These lecture/discussions of Raja Yoga Philosophy will focus on the workings of the mind, the theory of the Kleshas, and purpose, benefit, and practical application of Yoga Philosophy. Enjoyable discussions and practices.

Raja Yoga: The Psychology of the Yoga Sutras

How can we use the Yoga Sutras to free ourselves? Questions, ideas, discussion and exploration. In the style of the old Rishis, an exploration of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras as a practical guide for living life painlessly. This session of Yoga Psychology will examine: the limitations of polarization, the right/wrong trap, our multi-verse of selves, meaning and its results, the kleshas, vrittis and more. Learn to use all of your skill as well as your issues to free yourselves from the illusion of separation.

Yoga Therapy for Treating Chronic Back Pain

Senior students and teachers will learn: how to see the spinal column, movements for rebalancing the musculature, daily handling of difficult back problems, the use of props, and important foundation points that secure the spine from injury during asana practice. Sandra uses case studies and hands-on asana work in each class to help teachers learn to see, investigate and understand the prescriptive movements most effective for specific back problems.

Moving Deeper Into Your Practice

This workshop is designed to offer you the experience of connection with the Self, contentment, and truth in your daily yoga practice.  Instruction is focused on how you approach your practice and move your energy.  Focused on bringing you into the present moment, this practice can enrich every aspect of your life.  For teachers and students of all levels.  Integrates instruction and practice of asana, pranayama, and meditation.

Seeing Ourselves: Learning and Growing

Practical application of Patanjali’s Sutra psychology in our daily lives.  We can use the Mirror and Map of the Yoga Sutras to free ourselves from self-imposed restrictions, our old 'modeled' patterns, and habitual reacting to circumstance.  Freeing ourselves from restrictive patterns allows us to experience and enjoy the intensity of joy held within living. This workshop will use some Western models to bridge a better understanding to the Yoga Sutras, and create ways to actually begin the practice in our everyday life.

The Art of Teaching Yoga

Beside alignment and technique for teaching we will learn new ideas to broaden our scope.  We will look at how to apply the Yoga Sutras to our teaching, how we can use the sutras to grow our practice and our teaching.  We will also look at who you are teaching and explore ways to work with your students.