For information about bringing these Class Series 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.

Asana and Ayurveda    

This class series presents an elementary understanding of the three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Focus will be on how to choose the best asanas to reduce negative effects of doshic imbalance.  Discussion and practice will explore the most effective ways to perform the postures for restoring and maintaining energy balance. Understanding of the poses and their applications allows participants to begin effectively sustaining harmony in their lives. A regular asana class with added information and application of Ayurvedic principles.

Basic Back Care Info

Everyone can learn: how to view the spinal column, how to use props that can assist in caring for the uncomfortable back, movements for rebalancing the muscular, movements that should be avoided, how to work with difficult back problems, and important foundational points in the poses that secure the back from injury during asana practice.  Sandra may use case studies and/or hands on asana work in class to assist you to learn to see, investigate, and understand effective care and prescriptive movements most appropriate to a particular back problem.  Students with back pain report amazingly fast results from working with this program.

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.

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