Progress beyond beginning practices and concepts with this 2.5 -hour immersion. We will discuss what it means to be an intermediate yogi, including practice philosophy and how to use the body and mind with more detail. Asana practice will entail 40 postures from the Ghosh lineage that work toward Arm Balancing & Inversion, Full Backbending, and Leg Behind the Head. Practice will conclude with Pranayama: breathing exercises that are the next step beyond Asana in a yogi's progress. Registrants for this class should have completed a minimum of one year of regular practice of Bikram Yoga.
An all levels class. Learn how the feet and legs are designed to transfer weight and hold us in balance. Examine the workings of the knees and hips to understand how to carry the body with stability and ease. We will explore "flat feet" and "locking the knee," leaving you with a better understanding for how weight and balance are handled by the body, especially when standing on one leg. Practice will include multiple sets of standing postures, plus additional explanations, preparations and exercises. You will leave this class with better stability, feeling energized and in balance!
We all know that the mind is a vital part of yoga practice, but how do we use it most effectively? Should we be concentrating, spreading our awareness or striving to remove thought? In this workshop, we will discuss the various ways to use the mind and their respective benefits and drawbacks. Then we will practice postures, breathing and a short meditation using the knowledge and techniques. In just two and a half hours, you will develop profound awareness and concentration that can be applied to your yoga practice or any element of life.
In a yoga method where therapeutic benefits are the goal, the form of each posture can be modified without sacrificing its primary benefit. In this workshop we will discuss the purpose of each posture and how to adjust the form while maintaining its function. Learn how to deal with the most common injuries, pains and struggles of each posture, making the practice more accessible to older, injured, weaker and debilitated students. Maximize the effect and benefit of your teaching and practice.
Forward and backward bending postures are the gems of an asana practice. They create movement in the spine leading to better posture, circulation, digestion and greater energy. In this all levels class we will explore effective engagement of the abdominal and back muscles (making your postures feel easier!) and learn how the combination of the spinal movements balance the nervous system. You will learn how to adjust your postures based on your current mobility, and leave knowing how to get the most out of your practice.
Therapeutic exercises are simple body movements to improve functional health, strength and range of motion. This workshop will focus on bringing stability and relief to the spine, especially the lower back. Also we will focus on calming the body, breath and mind, reducing stress and creating a restful state. Learn how to recognize and manage pain in your everyday life, and also how to calm yourself at bedtime or in stressful situations. This workshop is ideal for beginners, elders, non-yogis and yoga teachers. Bring your family members or friends who have injuries or pain.
Progress beyond beginning practices and concepts with this 3-hour immersion. We will discuss what it means to be an intermediate and advanced yogi, including practice philosophy and how to use the body and mind with more detail. Asana practice work toward Arm Balancing & Inversion, Full Backbending, and Leg Behind the Head. Practice will conclude with Pranayama: breathing exercises that are the next step beyond Asana in a yogi's progress. Prereq: 1-2 years of regular Bikram Yoga practice.
An all levels class. Explore the history of Ghosh yoga beginning from its origins in Kolkata, India. Learn how this lineage evolved out of body building and therapy to what is practiced today. You will become familiar with the great students of Bishnu Ghosh and explore concepts such as sequencing, heat, and competition. We will then go on to practice asana as instructed by Bishnu Ghosh himself and his two greatest students: Buddha Bose (1930s) & Dr. Gouri Shankar Mukerji (1940-60s). Their approach to asana practice includes some different posture setups, multiple sets, specific breathing techniques, and long holds.