We are so pleased to welcome Nicki Doane, an internationally recognized yoga teacher, known for her ability to make the practice of yoga accessible to every body. Beginning her yoga study at 18, she knew she had found something special and deeply familiar. In 1991, Nicki traveled to Mysore, India to study with Sri K Pattabhi Jois, the master of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. She fell in love with the practice and continued her studies with Pattabhi Jois until his death in 2009. What she experienced on that first trip was a radical realization that yoga is much more than a physical practice.

Join Nicki this July for a weekend full of handcrafted workshops exploring the full spectum of yoga's offerings of asana, pranayama, meditation and philosophy.

Now Where Do We Go? A Maya Yoga Weekend Workshop with Nicki Doane

Are you feeling that something is missing in modern yoga today? Are you craving a practice that both honors and offers insights into you and your experience? A practice that is not focused solely on the poses, but also on the process of yoga as seen through the poses? If you answered yes to any of the above, then this workshop is for you. Through Nicki’s experienced teaching of Maya Yoga, learn to make the connection between the alignment of the poses and the alignment of the mind. Maya is a Sanskrit word that means “illusion” and refers to what we think and perceive as real in this world. Patanjali, the original OG yoga psychologist said that the easiest way to access our psyche is through our physical tissue. The asanas(poses) are a means and a vehicle to transformation because they give us practical tools that we can use everyday in our yoga practice.

Through both Dynamic and restorative yoga practices Nicki will lead you through an experience of yoga in an intelligent, compassionate, supportive, and often humorous way that will leave you transformed.

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY, JULY 21st 5:30-8p

Drop In and Let Go - Deep Restorative Yoga

Life is so busy these days and in spite of all the technological gadgets we all have to help us manage our lives, we all experience some level of stress at some point. We often do not take the time to rest and reset our nervous systems and our brains and this can lead to even more stress. Our nervous system has two parts; sympathetic and parasympathetic. Sympathetic is the flight or fight response- the active side, and the Parasympathetic is the more calming quieting side. It is vital to nourish both sides and this class is for the support of the parasympathetic. Please make the time for this class and let Nicki guide you into an experience where you learn to drop in, get quiet inside, and let go into deep relaxation. It is truly an art to be able to make the space and time for self care and you deserve it. This class is restorative in nature with bolsters and props and Nicki’s reading of the ancient Yoga myths. *asana pranayama, restorative*

SATURDAY, JULY 22nd 12:30-3:30

Maya Yoga Vinyasa Fusion Flow

This is a strong dynamic yoga class that incorporates all aspects of Maya Yoga including asana, pranayama, chanting, meditation, prayer, and deep relaxation, to leave you feeling recharged and inspired about your practice. Nicki likes to start the class slowly with poses that support the parasympathetic nervous system and then move slowly into seated chanting and pranayama. From there we will wake the body from the ground up, starting at the feet and moving through the legs, trunk, arms, and head. Sun salutations will be practiced to build internal heat and establish the harmonious flow of breath and movement known as “Vinyasa”.

Standing poses are linked with the sun salutations to create a dynamic flow that is both detoxifying and rejuvenating. What happens from there is organic and may include backbends, forward bends, arm balances, inversions, or hip openers depending on the students and the energy of the day. The end of the class will bring you back to yourself and leave you feeling more centered and grounded, especially after a long savasana with Nicki reading poetry to you. *asana, pranayama, chanting, props when needed*

SATURDAY, JULY 22nd 4:30-6:30p

Passport to Your Core - A Yoga Practice to Guide You into Yourself While Turning Yourself Upside Down

What is Yoga? If we look at the literal meaning of the Sanskrit word, it means to yoke or to bring together. Real yoga is about calming the mind with all its fluctuations and agitations. Most of our suffering and fears as human beings is between our ears, right in the middle of our consciousness. Of course there is also plenty of suffering and pain that we experience in our physical and emotional bodies as well. The poses of yoga are great because they not only lengthen and strengthen the muscles in our body but they offer us key insights into the workings of our minds. The poses reveal what is already there. It is a beautiful mystery how the poses become keys that unlock deep hidden parts of ourselves, parts that we have kept locked way and that we repress. It is the dark areas of our consciousness that have so much to teach us about ourselves. Maya Yoga teaches a way of practicing yoga that is as much about aligning the physical body as it is about learning how to love yourself more everyday. This class will use asana and pranayama to examine the mind body connection more deeply. The focus will be on the group of poses known as the Inversions - the upside-down poses. Through an intelligent sequence of poses, we will practice Handstands at the wall whether you are a pro already or a complete novice. Forearm balance will be done at the wall as well and headstand and shoulderstand will be introduced and shared as well. We will complete the class with the most restful pose, Viparita Karani, legs up against the wall.

This class will be taught in a supportive compassionate environment with the focus on the process of yoga and not necessarily on the final pose. All are welcome! *asana, pranayama, some partner work, props used for sure*

SUNDAY, JULY 23rd 12:30-3:30p

Embracing the Unknown - Backward Bending Postures

Some of the most important and effective yoga poses are the ones that extend the spine and bring freedom to the back. They of course are known as backbends and many people can be intimidated by them. Allow Nicki to lead you through a safe and effective yoga practice that will prepare you for the backward bending poses very well. Through Sun Salutations, standing poses, and lunges, your body will be ready to do backbends as you’ve never done them before. Some poses that will be included, but not limited to, are standing back arch, salabhasana, dhanurasana, setu bandha sarvangasana, and urdhva dhanurasana. If needed, Nicki has an intelligent way of working with the props so they both support and propel you deeper into the pose in a safe way. This class will end with twisting postures to relieve the spine and a deep restful savasana to realign your body and mind.*asana, pranayama, props when needed*