Workshops"You are SO bailing me out this week! That nasty cough in Chicago has me (very temporarily) back on the industrial strength asthma meds that make me depressed and anxious. I unearthed the handout from your workshops last winter, read the poem, did your calming breathing and was good to go. Thanks a WHOLE lot!"
-Anonymous WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL CLASSES
Our next Yoga and Meditation Retreat is November 3-4 at the Port for Prayer. More info here. PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES Sunday, May 27, 11:45 -12:45 Sweet Pea's Studio, 3717 N. Ravenswood, Suite 213 773.315.5489 $20 prepay, $25 at the door Learn ancient practices to improve your concentration and put power behind your thoughts. This session includes pranayama (breathing) exercises, chanting and meditation, and will help purify and calm the mind and bring you in touch with your inner intuition. This is a sitting program (chairs are available) and is open to all. DHARMA YOGA WORKSHOP: MAHA SADHANA Saturday, June 9, 2-5 PM Sweet Pea's Studio, 3717 N. Ravenswood, Suite 213 773.315.5489 $35 before June 1, $45 after Maha Sadhana means “The Great Practice”, and this amazing asana-based intensive will deepen your yoga practice. It will include chanting, pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation as well as direction toward the true goal of yoga. Dharma Yoga is a classical, flowing hatha system originated by New York City-based yogi Dharma Mittra, creator of the Master Yoga Chart of 908 Poses. Dharma’s energizing Shiva Namaskar sequence focuses on opening the hips, shoulders and upper back and includes variations for every level of student. Poses are repeated so that students may go deeper into them each time. Many options are given, so that all levels will feel challenged/comfortable. The emphasis is on practicing in a playful, relaxed manner. PAST WORKSHOPS PRANAYAMA (YOGIC BREATHING) WORKSHOP Saturday, April 28, 2-5 PM Sweet Pea's Studio, 3717 N. Ravenswood, Suite 213 773.315.5489 $50 Pranayama is the fourth limb of Patanjali's Raja Yoga system. "Prana" means life-force, and "Yama" means restraint. In this rarely-offered workshop, we will explore how the prana affects the 72,000 nadis (nerve channels) that yogis believe run throughout the body. Pranayama helps clear these channels and calms the mind, preparing it for meditation. Balancing the prana also makes it easier for the practitioner to concentrate and perform their daily tasks. Participants will learn safe breathing techniques that they can weave into their daily sitting practice as well as "special occasion" practices for healing. These practices are based on the teaching of Sri Dharma Mittra. Participants should have a regular asana (posture) practice. A vegetarian diet is also strongly encouraged. BEAT THE WINTER BLUES: Yoga for Anxiety, Depression and Stress -Saturday, January 21, 2012 12-3 Yogaview Wilmette, $45 Saturday, February 12, 2011. 12-3 Namaskar Yoga, 3946 N. Southport in Chicago, 773-472-0930 Saturday, February 19, 2011. 11:30-2:30 North Shore Yoga and Fitness, 310 Happ Road (Suite 216) in Northfield, IL, 847-784-8844 Saturday, February 26, 2011. 10-1 Creative Therapeutics, 3301 Resource Parkway, Suite 5 in DeKalb, IL, 815-758-5508 Does winter get you down? In this workshop we will learn about the body-mind connection, and how timeless yoga techniques can be used to cultivate a sense of inner peace. We will use basic yoga postures, breathing practices and chanting to manage symptoms associated with the season — such as lethargy, racing thoughts and negativity. We will also discuss how small changes in diet and lifestyle can help you manage your moods. You will go home armed with practical, time-tested tools to help you weather the season’s darkest days. This workshop is suitable for all levels of student who are currently experiencing mild to moderate seasonal-related symptoms. It is not intended to be a substitute for therapy or medical treatment, but can serve as a support to current treatment. Read Cara's related article here. YOGA FOR BACK CARE October 2010 at YogaNow and Creative Therapeutics Do you have lower back or neck pain? In this workshop, Cara will share the yoga poses, stretches and relaxation techniques that have helped alleviate and prevent her own lower back pain and SI joint issues. We will explore back-friendly variations of common yoga poses, and focus on those that can lessen discomfort or stiffness in the neck and upper back. We will also discuss how small changes lifestyle can help keep your spine healthy. This workshop is suitable for all levels of student who are currently experiencing mild to moderate back issues. Prior yoga experience is helpful, but not required. This workshop It is not intended to be a substitute for therapy or medical treatment, but can serve as a support to current treatment. NEW! YOGA BEYOND ASANA: BREATHING, MEDITATION AND RELAXATION Friday, July 16, 7:30-9:30PM YogaNow Gold Coast, 742 N. Lasalle in Chicago 312-280-9642 The goal of yoga is to settle the mind into silence so that we can discover our true, peaceful nature. In this session we will explore a variety of classical yoga breathing, concentration and meditation techniques designed to quiet the mind. We will conclude with deep relaxation - which Sri Dharma Mittra calls the greatest antidote to impurities. This workshop will include some light asana (postures), and is suitable for all levels of student - particularly those who wish to develop a home sitting practice. NEW!!!! MYSORE 101: INTRO TO ASHTANGA SELF-PRACTICE Saturday, January 29, 4-6PM YogaNow, 742 N. LaSalle in Chicago, 312-280-9642 ~Looking for a yoga practice that’s tailored to your needs? ~Curious about Mysore style practice but think you’re not "advanced" enough? ~Interested in learning Mysore-style in a relaxed space with other newbies? This workshop will provide a step-by-step introduction to Mysore-style ashtanga vinyasa yoga practice, with lots of time for questions and details. Mysore-style ashtanga is the system of yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India, where students practice a sequence of poses at their own pace and instruction is given one-on-one. This safe, effective system is tailored to each student’s needs, and is suitable for everyone from beginners to seasoned practitioners who would like to transition into a Mysore- style practice Each student will receive a “cheat sheet” of the postures, and will be ready to develop a self-practice and join the morning Mysore classes at YogaNow. YOGA FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION WITH CARA JEPSEN AND ERIN QUELL Sunday, July 11, 10-1 Inner Light Yoga Center in Long Island, NY In this workshop we will learn about the body-mind connection, and how timeless yoga techniques can be used to cultivate a sense of inner peace. We will use basic yoga postures, breathing practices and chanting to manage symptoms of depression and stress — such as lethargy, racing thoughts and negativity. We will also discuss how small changes in diet and lifestyle can help you manage your moods. This workshop is suitable for all levels of student who are currently experiencing mild to moderate stress- related symptoms. It is not intended to be a substitute for therapy or medical treatment, but can serve as a support to current treatment. ADJUSTMENTS 101 February 25: Standing Poses, Backbends and Inversions March 5: Seated Postures and Balances Chicago Yoga Center This hands-on workshop will focus on (but not be limited to) the poses in the Ashtanga Primary Series, plus backbends and inversions. Participants will learn how to analyze postures and give gentle verbal and physical cues to safely help students gain proper alignment and explore poses more deeply. Intro to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Saturday, November 10 Beverly Yoga Center The original "power yoga," Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is the flowing system of Yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, South India. This method of Yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of linked postures. Ashtanga creates a purifying internal heat that detoxifies the muscles and organs, improves circulation and creates a calm mind and alight, strong body. This workshop will explore the postures and sequence of the first half of Primary Series or Yoga Chikitsa (Yoga Therapy), which is designed to realign and detoxify the body. Students will be introduced to Vinyasa (flowing sequence of linking movements), Ujjayi (deep, resonant breathing), Bandhas (energy locks) and Dristi (visual focus. When used together, these techniques focus the mind and can turn the practice into a moving meditation. This workshop is suitable for ongoing students of all abilities. Modifications will be given for those who have difficulty due to tightness in the back, hamstrings, shoulders, knees or other areas. Beyond Navasana: Demystifying the Latter Half of Ashtanga's Primary Series Saturday, April 5 Yoga Trek Center This workshop will unveil the mysteries of the dozen-odd poses in the second half of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga’s Primary Series, from Bhujapidasana (Shoulder Squeeze Pose) through Setu Bandhasana (Bound Bridge, or “Charlie Chaplin Pose”). We’ll also examine the role of the Bandhas or energy locks in these postures. We’ll cover jump-throughs and transitions such as Chakrasana (the backwards somersault), and learn how to correctly enter and exit poses. We’ll also deconstruct the Shoulderstand sequence, explore how to get from Bridge to full Backbend, and work towards entering Headstand with straight legs. Students should be familiar with Ashtanga basics and the first half of Primary Series. Intro to Ashtanga's Intermediate Series April 25 Yoga Trek Center November 15 Chicago Yoga Center This Ashtanga Yoga workshop will explore the postures and sequence of the first half of Intermediate Series, or Nadi Shodhana, which purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels (nadis) and allows prana (energy) to flow freely through the body. The invigorating backbends, twists, and arm balances we will explore provide a counterbalance to the forward bends of Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa, or Yoga Therapy) designed to realign and detoxify the body. This workshop is suitable for ongoing students who have a fairly competent Primary Series. Dharma Yoga: Maha Sadhana March 14 Yoga Trek Center March 21 Beverly Yoga Center November 17 Chicago Yoga Center This amazing session will help to deepen your yoga practice. Dharma Yoga is a classical, flowing hatha style originated by New York City-based yogi Dharma Mittra, creator of the Master Yoga Chart of 908 Poses and known for his hand-free headstand. A true yogi, Dharma has been teaching since the 1960’s, and has influenced vinyasa flow teachers from coast to coast. His energizing sequences open the hips, shoulders and upper back and include variations for every level of student. Poses are repeated so that students may go deeper into them each time. Many options are given, so that all levels will feel challenged/comfortable. The emphasis is on practicing in a playful, relaxed manner. This workshop will also include chanting, simple pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation. It is suitable for ongoing students. Personal attention and helpful hints are given throughout the session as well as direction toward the true goal of yoga. |
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