Take a Sneak Peek into Going Deep, a Somatic Descent into Body, Mind and Spirit
“Soma” is derived from the Greek word which means body. This workshop series will serve as an opportunity to dive deep into the sacredness of body, mind and spirit and explore both the philosophical and anatomical teachings of yoga in more depth. Each workshop will begin with a two-hour physical practice which will include asana and meditation, followed by a 2-hour experiential lecture with mindful dialogue and discussion. You can take one or all three workshops, $65 per session.
If you are a yoga student who wants to dive deeper into mind, body and spirit or if you have been contemplating committing to Yen Yoga’s teacher training program this workshop series will give you a sneak peek into studying the richness and depth of Yoga and its profound healing effects on mind and body. If you currently are a yoga teacher you will receive 4 CECS/workshop for Yoga Alliance continuing education. (12 CECS for all three workshops)
Workshop One: March 19th, 12:00-4:00 PM
Journey to the Fifth Dimension: The Panchamaya Model
In this workshop journey to your inner core as you explore the five dimensions or sheaths of your being, from the first, outermost, dense layer of your physical body to the fifth innermost subtle realm of soul. The Panchamaya Kosha model is described in the Taittiriya Upanishads as five progressively subtler layers of being that compose our human personality. These five sheaths must be completely integrated and in harmony with each other in order to achieve wholeness. We will explore the five layers of being in an experiential yoga practice which will include asana, mudra and meditation. Following practice, there will be a discussion on the Panchamaya Kosha model and the characteristics and guiding principles of each sheath.
Workshop Two: April 23rd, 12:00-4:00 pm
Alignment Matters: Breath, Bandhas and Core Support
Eckhart Tolle said: “If you get the inside right, the outside will fallinto place.” In this workshop, you will descend deep into the soma into the world of breath, bandhas and core stability. Bandha means seal or lock and traditionally, in pranayama exercises, the three bandhas direct energy through the body. Therapeutically, the bandhas are a way of stabilizing the core of the body and maintaining spinal health. Core support, stability and relaxation are the key to a lifelong, sustainable yoga practice as well as healthy functional movement off of your mat. We begin this workshop with a physical practice that will demystify the bandhas and allow you to experience and understand the relationship between the breath, the bandhas and the structural support of the core and spine. Following the physical practice, there will be discussion that will include experiential anatomy – we will not just talk about the anatomy but also have experiential exercises that bring the anatomy to life.
Workshop Three: May 21st, 12:00-4:00 pm
The Natural Healing Power of Sound and Silence
Descend into the soma into the world of vibration and sound in this workshop full of mantra, music and meditation. All humans are musical beings, the beauty of mantra (chant) is that it allows you to open your voice in a nonjudgmental way and to experience the joy and unity of harmonious expression and love. Mantra is composed of two Sanskrit words, man which means mind and tra which means tool. Mantra is a sound vibration in which we can mindfully focus our thoughts, our emotions and our highest intentions. Your individual voice joins and unifies will all those practicing with you, bringing unity, oneness and harmony. In this workshop we will begin with gentle flowing movements to open up the throat, rib cage and upper body to allow breath and sound to flow freely through you, we will practice mantra both aloud and internally leading you into the realm of meditation, experiencing the profound silence that is pregnant with possibility after creating such harmonious sounds. Following practice, there will be a discussion on what is physically happening in the body/mind when we chant and meditate and how it leads to calm, connection and unity.