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Yoga makes you feel good. And beyond that, yoga routinely helps us to work through emotional traumas, deeply held destructive thoughts and mental patterns and can bring us closer to self-acceptance, safety, and an openness to love, connection and purpose.

But how does this all work? The ancient yogis understood that through manipulating the breath and body, one could effectively balance their 'nadi' system. (What we now know to be the nervous system).

In this workshop we'll begin with an exploration of why yoga is so effective in regulating the nervous system (via Polyvagal Theory and its connection the Gunas aka states of nature) and then experience it ourselves in a fully immersive asana practice. We will close with resonance breathing and a guided relaxation to bring the nervous system, mind and body to a state of safe harmony and healing.

What is real? Yoga philosophy tells us we are already enlightened, we have just forgotten the way. What led us astray? What is at the root of this misunderstanding?

The yoga sutras explain the root of this misunderstanding through the kleshas (obstacles). due to avidya (ignorance), asmita (clinging to ego), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion) and abinivesha (fear of death), we move into a false perception of ourselves in our world. We mistake our thoughts for reality. We confuse what is changing for what is permanent. We tell stories about our lives and thus cease to live them authentically.

Yoga empowers us see through this confusion and lends us bravery to connect to the relationship of direct experience. Through yoga asana we gain the opportunity to look at our attachments, aversions and fears head on, and begin to sort out what is real in our bodies, minds, and our relationships.

This workshop will begin with discussion and will move onto asana practice. We will approach postures that can bring up aversion or fear. And yes, this means some inversions. We’ll be sure to include meditation and will close with a guided relaxation to allow the transformative potential of the practice to take root.

What is jivamukti yoga? 

At its core philosophy, Jivamukti yoga is a path toward enlightment through compassion for all beings. While this sounds well and good on the surface, what does this really mean to us as yoga practitioners? How can we practice compassion holistically in times where we are angry, feel victimized, powerless or fearful?

In this workshop we will dig a bit deeper into the method, breaking down Jivamukti’s five tenets: bhakti, nadam, dhyana, shastra, and giving special attention to ahimsa (non-violence). We will examine what it means to walk the path of non-violence in harmony with the path of self-respect and activism.

This workshop will include mantra recitation, a 90-minute Jivamukti open asana class, meditation and a guided shavasana. If you’re interested in delving deeper into your practice and how it can enhance your relationships off the mat, then this workshop is for you.

Surya Namaskara are at the heart of a vinyasa yoga practice. They heat the body, increase strength and flexibility, and set the tone for synchronizing breath and movement--ultimately achieving what becomes a moving meditation. Unfortunately, however, sun salutations are often sped through without awareness of proper alignment or technique, which can lead to confusion or even injury.

In this workshop we will delve deeper into both Surya Namaskara A and B in scrutinizing but joyous detail.

Because we find elements of each vinyasa in almost every yoga posture, refining our execution of sun salutations will strengthen the entire yoga practice. This workshop will also include clarification of Tapas (heat/discipline), Prana (life force), and will culminate in Sirsasana (headstand) and seated meditation.

For more info, and to pre-enroll, click here.