Below are some topics that I teach for workshops, seminars, and trainings:
Pranayama Techniques and Practice
Pranayama, the conscious regulation of breath, is one of Yoga's most powerful and important tools. It is so important that it is the fourth of the 8 limbs of practice (Astangayoga) in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. Even Vyasa called it the best way to purify the body and mind. However, it is also a subtle practice that more than any other set of techniques requires the practitioner to be knowledgeable and attentive to their practice. Used in the wrong way, pranayama can even cause harm to the practitioner. This workshop will aim to give students the basic tools and understanding needed to safely benefit from the practice of pranayama.
Specifically, it will focus on:
* What is pranayama;
* The use of the basic components and techniques of pranayama;
* How to plan a pranayama practice;
* How to use pranayama to achieve different effects; and
* Tools used to support a pranayama practice - mantra, bhavana, etc.
This workshop includes lectures, practical experiences of the ideas presented, and group discussion.
The Secrets of Yoga: Unveiling the Yoga Rahasya
The text "Yoga Rahasya" is one of the most important contributions of the ninth century yogi Nathamuni to the field of Yoga. Meaning "Secrets of Yoga" this wonderful masterpiece offers many deep insights into the use and application of Yoga. This work formed an especially important source of reference for T. Krishnamacharya’s teaching and has touched many lives. The following important concepts from the text will be discussed during this workshop:
* Importance of Yoga for women;
* Yoga for pregnancy;
* Yoga for different stages of life; and
* How to apply Yoga as a therapeutic tool.
This workshop includes lectures, practices, meditative experiences, and group discussion.
The Subtle Anatomy of Yoga: Chakras, Nadis, and Prana
The ancient Yoga masters developed a detailed and precise anatomy of the human body to explain how it functions. Though quite different from the way modern science views the body, the Yoga’s symbolic, subtle anatomy is an effective and useful way of understanding the human system. For Yoga students, it is especially important since it is the conceptual framework guiding the practice of asana. And it is the foundation by which to understand and interpret the way our system functions (or malfunctions). The ideas in this presentation are taken from important Yoga texts such as Hathayoga Pradipika, Yoga Yajnavalkya Samhita, Yoga Rahasya, and Yoga Taravali among others. In this workshop participants will:
* Explore the Yogi's conception of our subtle human anatomy;
* Understand the concepts of prana, nadis, chakras, agni, and jalam;
* Learn how the tools of yoga use this anatomy to deal with sickness;
* Discover how asanas are classified and how they should be applied; and
* Experience some of the subtle yet powerful meditative practices that have been designed around this timeless model.
This workshop includes lectures, practices, meditative experiences, and group discussion.
Foundations of Yoga Therapy
Though Yoga has today gained wide acceptance as a physical exercise, Yoga is primarily a healing art that can be practiced just as well by the sick as by the healthy. Of course, a sick person cannot be expected to do the same practices physically that a healthy person can, so the practice must be modified to accommodate each person’s limitations. But almost all of Yoga’s subtle yet powerful tools are flexible enough to be employed in different healing situations, enabling the knowledgeable healer to act on many different levels: physical, mental, emotional, and even beyond. The key is to understand how to correctly utilize and apply yoga’s healing tools. In this workshop participants will:
* Discover Yoga’s definition of sickness and health;
* Learn the interrelationship between the body, breath, and mind;
* Explore Yoga’s understanding of the human system; and
* Study and learn to apply Yoga’s therapeutic model to facilitate the healing process.
This workshop includes presentations, experiential practices, and group discussion.
Vedic Chanting: The Art of Sound and Silence
The Vedas are the oldest and most authoritative of Indian scriptures and they continue to be considered sacred by millions who chant them daily with great reverence and attention to detail. Traditionally handed down from generation to generation through a process of careful listening and exact recitation of the teacher’s lead. This demanding practice develops concentration, listening skills, and peace of mind. Though deceptively simple, Vedic chanting is a highly refined art governed by precise rules of pronunciation, timing and pitch that is very different from singing. In this workshop participants will:
* Discover the evolution and presentation of the Vedas;
* Understand the difference between Vedic chanting and other chanting;
* Learn and practice the six main rules of Vedic chanting;
* Understand the importance of pitch and pace in Vedic chanting; and
* Explore the art of listening and chanting in Sanskrit.
This workshop includes presentations, listening and chanting practices, and group discussion.
Introduction to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Though most well known for it's physical aspects, Yoga is actually more concerned with the mind than it is with the body. In fact, in addition to asana, Yoga offers many tools that influence different levels of our human system. One major source of these tools is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the most important and authoritative text on Yoga, and a text that presents Yoga as a comprehensive, practical philosophy for living. Patanjali says that a mind that is agitated, distracted, or conditioned by habit will lead to suffering, but that a mind that is disciplined, focused, and free from conditioning will tend toward peace and contentment. The text then presents many different ideas and tools for achieving a disciplined mind free of conditioning. In this transformative workshop participants will:
* Discover Patanjali's symbolic form;
* Study important concepts from the Yoga Sutras;
* Learn how to use important tools from the text;
* Experience an introduction to sutra chanting;
* Understand the philosophical foundation of Yoga and its meaning; and
* Examine Yoga's philosophical perspective vis-a-vis other Indian philosophies.
This workshop includes lectures, practices, meditative experiences, and group discussion.
Yoga Course Planning Fundamentals
By far the most well known aspect of Yoga is the physical practice of postures (called asana). This practice is guided by a complete set of principles that dictates not only the sequencing of specific postures, but also the overall organization of the asana course. A complete asana course begins with the selection of a goal pose, and includes a movement toward and preparation for the goal pose (or poses) with a gentle return back to everyday life afterward. The organization and sequencing of these postures matters, not only in preventing injury, but also in ensuring the desired affect that the posture has on the practitioner. A poorly planned yoga practice can have drastic results both physically and mentally. In this workshop participants will:
* Understand the foundational concepts underpinning the practice of asana;
* Explore the different classifications of asana;
* Examine the process for analyzing and dissecting individual poses;
* Learn how to properly organize and plan an asana course; and
* Know how to implement the important concept of counter poses in a practice.
This workshop includes lectures, practices, group discussion, and exercises.
Meditation Models from Yoga: Theory and Practice
Though Yoga is most well known for its physical aspects, the primary focus of Yoga is actually the mind, and not the body. In fact, meditation is one of Yoga's most emphasized concepts and most potent tools, and one of the meanings of the word Yoga is simply meditation (dhyanam in Sanskrit). Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, which in many ways is a manual for meditation, presents a very thorough and complete picture of what meditation is, what during meditation, and how to meditate. So come join us for a practical exploration of Meditation as it is understood in Yoga. This workshop will provide a comprehensive understanding (both theoretical and practical) of Yoga's views regarding what is meditation, what is its purpose, and how to practice it. All concepts will be supported by guided experiential practices. Appropriate for all levels. In this workshop participants will:
* Become familiar with Yoga's ideas about meditation and mind;
* Learn how to meditate, and how to improve your meditations; and
* Be lead step-by-step through practices that make the ideas discussed a practical reality.
Yoga and Spirituality
Throughout the world practitioners of Yoga are discovering that Yoga is much more than flexibility of body and a nice way to relax. They are discovering that in many ways and on many levels, Yoga has a big impact in their daily lives. One of the areas where Yoga's impact is particularly powerful is spirituality, but what does this word spirituality mean? What does Yoga have to do with it? The teachings and practices of Yoga provide simple, yet profound, experiential answers to these questions about spirituality and meaning in our lives, so please join us as we look at the way Yoga provides answers to these questions and more. In this workshop based on the timeless principles of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra participants will:
* Understand Yoga's ideas regarding the nature of spirituality;
* Learn how to connect with their spiritual side;
* Be led through practices that make these ideas a practical reality; and
* Learn how to utilize Yoga's principles to bring spirituality into their daily lives.
The Breathing Body
Learn how to effectively use the breath to deepen your Yoga and spiritual practice. Yoga means something different to everyone, but ancient masters prescribed Yoga as a tool to unite the body, breath, and mind as a means to long-term health. Today, modern Yoga in America does not fully emphasize this relationship. This workshop will explore the connection between movement, the breath, and your state of mind. You will learn how to develop a deeper connection with your breath and how to use it as an effective tool to deepen your practice.
The Power of Breath & Sound: Yoga’s Subtle Transformational Tools
Part I - Pranayama is one of Yoga’s most underestimated tools. When used correctly, the breath becomes long and subtle, and the mind steady. Through this practice it’s possible to achieve deep states of focus, relaxation, and healing. This course will teach advanced breathing techniques and methods to enhance a pranayama practice. We will learn the application of basic and advanced techniques in a one-on-one teaching environment.
Part II - Incorporating sound or mantra in a yoga practice can be very powerful. Sound or vibration not only adds an energetic influence to a practice, but by chanting meaningful mantras one can influence the quality and focus of their mind. This course will explore the powerful influence of sound and illustrate methods of incorporating sound or mantra into one’s yoga teaching practice.
Personalized Transformation Working Individuals in A Private Setting
Part I - Yoga is not a one size fits all discipline, each student is viewed as a unique individual taking into consideration their strengths, weaknesses, current health, and lifestyle. Applying yoga in a one-on-one environment requires knowledge to assess the student’s capacity as well as an understanding of how to adapt yoga’s varied tools to meet the needs and goals of the individual. This course will explore many commonly used yogic tools and present practical methods of adapting or modifying them for an individual. Several case studies will be presented to support our understanding of these methods.
Part II - Teaching yoga on an individual basis requires a different skill set from a group class environment. Among other things, a one-on-one relationship with the teacher and the student must be developed. This course will take an in depth view of the first session with a student. Using ancient healing models as a guide we will begin with the intake process, collect data through observation, and then define an appropriate goal. Course preparation, progress monitoring and follow-up, and general business practices will be covered.