Session 1:  Happy Hips with an Introduction to pranayama & meditation

Open hips makes many asanas more accessible. This session will explore several restorative, passive stretching postures that can help to open the hips outside of the practice. Pranayama is the expansion of the vital life energy within. Expanding our yoga practice into this fourth limb of practice deepens our concentration and improves our health.

Session 2: Bhagavad Gita – Ancient Wisdom for Everyday Living

The Bhagavad Gita discuses four primary paths of yoga practice, and describes them as different methods for uniting with the Divine.  Jnana Yoga – the path of self-knowledge; Karma Yoga – the path of action in the world; Raja Yoga – the path of meditation; and Bhakti Yoga – the path of devotion. We will look at how each of these paths can be experienced and practiced within our day to day lives, and how each is actually an integral part of the Ashtanga Yoga method.

Session 3: Handstands Begin in Primary Series

Learning to balance on your hands begins right from the first sun-salutation. If you want to start to build up the strength through the arms and core to practice handstands, the foundations are found right in the postures of primary series, starting with every Vinyasa – learning to jump back and jump through.

Session 4: The Journey of the Ashtanga Practitioner

The journey of practice is often not linear. We will look at the different stages we might travel through as a student of yoga. Learn about the foundations of the practice, what’s most important, and how to modify your physical practice in the transitional stages of life. This is an opportunity for students to ask practice related questions or other yoga related questions.