Backbending, or rather full body bending, as we often use much more than just our spine, is an integral part of any asana practice.

Those of us who experience tightness in the back often either skim this part of our practice or avoid it altogether. Others, ignore the practice of Yamas and Niyamas, those attitudes and behaviors that epitomize the spirit of yoga, and refuse to listen to the bodies wisdom while grasping for a ‘deeper’ opening. The result of both is that we stop practicing with awareness and breath.

In a backbend focused class we will look at various poses and explore how to come into them in safe and mindful way. With particular attention of using the yogic breath to create both comfort and control in any backbend. 

We will also consider the importance of opening the middle and upper back as opposed to just the lower back, which is where many of us feel strain or discomfort in our practice. 

Essentially the goal of the class is to find value the health and integrity of your body more than the glory of a deeper backbend by highlighting  the primary function of the pose—the opening—more than the final shape or form of the posture.

Vinyasa means to move with breath but how many of us are correctly using the transitions to build heat and re-align the spine?

Learning the techniques of how to 'jump through' and 'jump back' is crucial to building more strength and stability in our asana practice, And later helps to build the core needed for more advanced postures like handstand.

An in depth look at using bandha, breath and movement cohesively together to create both stability and ease in your practice.  

Students will explore useful exercises and drills to gain strength and then apply them to inversions, arm balances and common transitions. 

'Oh Yogi, do not practice asana without Vinyasa.' Krishnamacharya 

Vinyasa means to move with breath but how many of us are correctly using the transitions to build heat and re-align the spine?

Learning the techniques of how to 'jump through' and 'jump back' is crucial to building more strength and stability in our asana practice, And later helps to build the core needed for more advanced postures like handstand.

In this workshop Students will look at exercises to start to build a 'floating' element in their practice as well as exploring the use of bandhas so they are able to fine tune the coordination of movement with breath. 

'Oh Yogi, do not practice asana without Vinyasa.' Krishnamacharya 

This Headstand Workshop will re-explore important strengthening exercises to support the shoulders and core as well as proper alignment techniques to build a safe and steady Headstand. Moving beyond, students will then look at the variations of Headstand as well as techniques for forearm stand and handstand as well. Inversions improve concentration and awareness, they are good for the heart and keep the body strong! 

Students should already have a basic Headstand and inversion practice in order to more forward with more challenging asanas. This is a level 2 workshop. 

Backbending, or rather full body bending, as we often use much more than just our spine, is an integral part of any asana practice.

Those of us who experience tightness in the back often either skim this part of our practice or avoid it altogether. Others, ignore the practice of Yamas and Niyamas, those attitudes and behaviors that epitomize the spirit of yoga, and refuse to listen to the bodies wisdom while grasping for a ‘deeper’ opening. The result of both is that we stop practicing with awareness and breath.

In a backbend focused class we will look at various poses and explore how to come into them in safe and mindful way. With particular attention of using the yogic breath to create both comfort and control in any backbend. 

We will also consider the importance of opening the middle and upper back as opposed to just the lower back, which is where many of us feel strain or discomfort in our practice. 

Essentially the goal of the class is to find value the health and integrity of your body more than the glory of a deeper backbend by highlighting  the primary function of the pose—the opening—more than the final shape or form of the posture.

Seeking the balance of strength and grace in our asana practice the mastery of arm balances and common transitions that use arm balances can often get lost during a flow class. 

Come and learn correct alignment and technique for poses such a bakasana and eka pada koudinyasana with a particular focus on bandha and breath work. 

Seeking the balance of strength and grace in our asana practice the mastery of arm balances and common transitions that use arm balances can often get lost during a flow class. 

 

Come and learn correct alignment and technique for poses such a bakasana and eka pada koudinyasana with a particular focus on bandha and breath work. 

Sirsasana improves concentration and awareness, its good for the heart and keeps the body strong! Yoga teaches us that stepping outside our comfort zone is exactly what we need to grow and develop. what better way to step outside your comfort zone then changing your perspective on life getting upside down? Headstand is known as the King of Asanas.

In this workshop will explore important strengthening exercises to support the shoulders and core as well as the proper alignment techniques to build a safe and steady headstand. Students will learn how to use the wall as an aide and you'll be given the oppurtunity to explore some more advance variations.

Backbending, or rather full body bending, as we often use much more than just our spine, is an integral part of any asana practice.

Those of us who experience tightness in the back often either skim this part of our practice or avoid it altogether. Others, ignore the practice of Yamas and Niyamas, those attitudes and behaviors that epitomize the spirit of yoga, and refuse to listen to the bodies wisdom while grasping for a ‘deeper’ opening. The result of both is that we stop practicing with awareness and breath.

In a backbend focused class we will look at various poses and explore how to come into them in safe and mindful way. With particular attention of using the yogic breath to create both comfort and control in any backbend. 

We will also consider the importance of opening the middle and upper back as opposed to just the lower back, which is where many of us feel strain or discomfort in our practice. 

Essentially the goal of the class is to find value the health and integrity of your body more than the glory of a deeper backbend by highlightingthe primary function of the pose—the opening—more than the final shape or form of the posture.

BACKBENDING:

“you are only as young as your spine is flexible” Swami Vishnedevananda

Backbending, or rather full body bending, as we often use much more than just our spine, is an integral part of any asana practice.

Those of us who experience tightness in the back often either skim this part of our practice or avoid it altogether. Others, ignore the practice of Yamas and Niyamas, those attitudes and behaviors that epitomize the spirit of yoga, and refuse to listen to the bodies wisdom while grasping for a ‘deeper’ opening. The result of both is that we stop practicing with awareness and breath.

In a backbend focused class we will look at various poses and explore how to come into them in safe and mindful way. With particular attention of using the yogic breath to create both comfort and control in any backbend. 

We will also consider the importance of opening the middle and upper back as opposed to just the lower back, which is where many of us feel strain or discomfort in our practice. 

Essentially the goal of the class is to find value the health and integrity of your body more than the glory of a deeper backbend by highlightingthe primary function of the pose—the opening—more than the final shape or form of the posture.

Pranayama is the practice of controlling breath or life-force (prana) in order to increase lung capacity, vitality, and overall wellbeing.  

This 1.5hr workshop will discuss the importance of Pranayama and introduce proper techniques of a variety of breath practices for cleansing, energizing, calming the mind and for meditation.  

There will also be a short asana sequence to highlight the significance of breath during physical movement (vinyasa) while also exploring the use of bandas and mudras as they relate to the breath.

Vinyasa means to move with breath but how many of us are correctly using the transitions to build heat and re-align the spine?

Learning the techniques of how to 'jump through' and 'jump back' is crucial to building more strength and stability in our asana practice, And later helps to build the core needed for more advanced postures like handstand.

In this workshop Students will look at exercises to start to build a 'floating' element in their practice as well as exploring the use of bandhas so they are able to fine tune the coordination of movement with breath. 

'Oh Yogi, do not practice asana without Vinyasa.' Krishnamacharya 

Learn how to increase your stability and confidence in the KING of asanas.

This 2 hr workshop will not only outline the anatomy of headstand but the more subtle benefits of the postures as well. Students will learn how to set up the pose safely and in addition explore some more intermediate variations.