A 2-part module, over four days, covering classical yoga pranayama techniques.

Topics will also include the anatomy & physiology of breathing, bandhas & how to apply them correctly during your pranayama practice as well as how to build a regular personal practice & how to progress.

Topics Covered:

Current breath assessment

Anatomy & physiology of breath.

Technique: Ujjayi breathing (Victorious breath)

Technique: Nadi shuddhi (alternate nostril breathing).

Technique: Kapalabathi (Skull shining)

Technique: Nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing with breath hold)

Technique: Shitali and Sitkari (cooling)

Bandhas: Jalandhara, Uddiyana, Mula

Pratyahara, pranayama, mantra, visualisation, digital counting, gaze & mudra

Dosha changing practices: Chandra and Surya Bhedhana

Building a daily practice

Ratio progression path

How to teach

Summer

Part 1 Jul 27-28

Part 2 Oct 5-6

Online follow ups

Saturdays Aug 10, Aug 31, Sep 21

OR

Autumn

Part 1 Sep 14-15

Part 2 Dec 7-8

Online follow ups

Saturdays Oct 12, Nov 2, Nov 23

Two & a Half Hours Studying Yoga Poses that reduce stress.

This is an physical exploration of yoga poses said to useful to the intended focus - it is not a therapeutic workshop

This workshop will look at poses that are familiar simply because they are commonplace & their benefits are clear - we feel better after practicing them. Being stressed is not a prerequisite for attendance! Feeling good afterwards will be a by-product.

A great feelgood workshop for those who love to hold poses & perfect their understanding. Teachers, trainees & students welcome.

Yoga practice taught with inward focus as the guide boosts mental & physical self-awareness. We can learn to feel physical sensations & the minute physiological changes within. From there, we can start to feel the physiological changes associated with emotions & certain yoga poses lend themselves to experiencing these emotions. Meditation practice helps us observe emotions without judgment, which can help us explore them instead of perhaps shutting them away.

Backbends & hip openers are the primary asanas that help release emotional tension. Asanas that work on the throat, chest, shoulders & hips are commonly used to release emotions, although you can use any posture that feels right for you.

Example: Poses on the list...

1. Big toe pose
2. Boat Pose
3. Forearm Plank | Dolphin Plank Pose
4. Happy Baby Pose
5. Plow Pose
6. Seated Forward Bend
7. Standing Forward Bend
8. Supported Shoulderstand

Advanced Anatomy with Ananda Mello-Costa

A 3 day module in the studio

In this module, we will build on the fundamental anatomical concepts covered in the 200h anatomy course. Applying those concepts to specific yoga poses and deconstructing asanas so that you can build the necessary skills to meet and assist students wherever they are in their physical practice.

Topics covered:

• Anatomy of Forward Bending, variations and common patterns
• Anatomy of External Hip Rotation, Lotus and beyond
• Anatomy of Twisting, variation on Seated Twists
• Anatomy of Arm Balancing and how to take it Upside Down
• Anatomy of Backbending and setting the patterns for Upward Facing Dog and Wheel Pose

An in-depth immersion in the classical origins of Yoga, its true meaning, its original purpose and how we can adapt these profound teachings to serve ourselves and society in the modern world.

We will explore the earliest classical definitions of Yoga and how the teachings we have available today developed from these ancient texts.From the first textual reference to Yoga through the first definitions of Yoga, looking at models of the human system and how to use Yoga to establish wholistic health and allow each of us to realise our very highest potential!

Day 1 - Reference to the Upanisads to explore and discuss the first textual reference to Yoga in the Taitirriya Upanisad and the first definitions of Yoga in the Katha Upanisad and the Maitri Upanisad.

Day 2 - Explore the role of sound in Yoga, how mantra was used to transmit the teachings orally for millenia before the teachings were written down. Also, how sound can be used to develop the breath, initially lengthening the exhalation and then stimulating the inhale as a result. Finally, the use of sound/mantra in meditation

Day 3 - Meditation in theory based on the teachings of Patanjali, Yoga Sutra chapter 3. Sutra 1-4. Presentation on the classical yoga model for meditation and the relationship between asana, pranayama and meditation. Purpose and application of meditation classically and in the modern context.

Each day begins with an hour of Yoga taught by Andy, which will be open to the public.