This Week at the Shala

Spring is finally (hopefully) under way and the sun should start shining any moment. To celebrate this spirit of growth and renewal, Yoga Shala PDX has some pretty exciting new happenings.

The Late Spring/Summer schedule is now on our website. http://www.yogashalapdx.com/schedule.html In addition to these fun, energizing, and meaningful classes, we have immersions every morning- a great way to start the day! Shadow, Vinyasa, and Iyengar are the styles of yoga offered. http://www.yogashalapdx.com/immersions.html

We are continuing to offer our Beginners’ Yoga Sampler. This gives students a chance to explore teachers and styles, a chance to discover what is right for them. For those who wish to learn more about a particular style and teacher, we offer a four-week Yoga Fundamentals course. Michael Stirling will be teaching Ragas of Springtime, a six-week course dedicated to the exploration of North Indian Classical Music. Sign up for these fantastic courses now! http://www.yogashalapdx.com/courses.html

The Shala is so happy to have welcomed six teachers to the our family in the past few months: Adriane, Danielle L, Erin, Jennifer, Mary, and Shawn. http://www.yogashalapdx.com/instructors.html Come explore their teaching styles and personalities through our May Special- Purchase a 5-class card during the month of May for only $25. That’s a $30 savings! The card is to be used for taking classes with these six teachers. It can be used to take one class with each of them, all five with one of them, or mix-and-match. After purchasing the card, just drop by any of their classes within 30 days. You don’t have to be a new student to enjoy this card! 

To see or buy some fun, unique, adorable, and meaningful artwork, stop by either of our locations to view “Elephant Festival.” These colorful paintings are done by local artist Bishop Lennon. http://bishop-art.com, http://bishopart.etsy.com/ Each elephant has its own personality; enjoy getting to know them all before choosing one to take home!

 

Leslie Kaminoff at the Shala

Experience Leslie Kaminoff’s anatomy workshop. Come for one session or for all of them. However many days you decide to attend, this workshop is sure to be a wonderful and informative way to spend the weekend!

Kundalini According to Krishnamacharya: A Down-to-Earth Perspective on Spiritual Energy Lecture with Leslie Kaminoff

Thursday, June 2, 6:00 – 8:00pm  •  $10 in advance, $15 at the door

As a preeminent scholar, T. Krishnamacharya was both an unmatched authority on traditional Indian yogic practices and an iconoclastic innovator. His unique interpretation of hatha yoga terminology is a stunning example of this dual perspective. Learn the rationale behind Professor K.’s insistence that kundalini is not a dormant spiritual energy but rather an obstruction that must be removed from the system. We’ll also explore practical breathing techniques that put this powerful concept within our immediate grasp.

This will be the same lecture that Leslie is presenting at the Yoga Journal Conference in New York City in May 2011.

About Leslie Kaminoff

Yoga Anatomy: The Diaphragms & Respiratory Anatomy Workshop
with Leslie Kaminoff

Friday – Sunday, June 3 – 5, 2011  •  Friday: 6:00 – 9:00pm, Saturday + Sunday: 12:30 – 7:00pm  •  $260 before May 20, $320 thereafter

This course provides a practical grounding in the essentials of the anatomy and physiology  of yoga practice with a particular emphasis on the relationship between breathing and healthy spinal function. We will focus on the anatomy and pressure mechanics of breathing, the three diaphragms and the thoracic and abdominal muscles.

Covered topics include:
• The evolution, structure and function of the spinal column
• The evolution and function of breathing, and its relation to spinal movements
• The anatomy and physiology of the diaphragm and respiratory mechanism
• Breath as the integrating principle of posture, movement and yoga practice
• The Vocal Diaphragm – Regulating Space, Speech and Sound
• Introduction to the Bandhas – Release and Action at the Three Diaphragms

Open to all students. Yoga teachers qualify for 15 contact hours in yoga anatomy and/or teaching methodology in the Yoga Alliance.

Individualized Asana/Breath & Yoga Therapy Seminar
with Leslie Kaminoff
Monday, June 6  •  9:00am – 6:00pm  •  $140 before May 23, $165 thereafter

Students continue to learn by observing case studies and exploring anatomy and yoga concepts in depth.

Open to all students. Yoga teachers qualify for 8 contact hours in yoga anatomy and/or teaching methodology in the Yoga Alliance.

FULL WORKSHOP – Friday – Monday: $345 before May 20, $405 thereafter
All these events are held at the North Williams location

 

Journey to OneSelf with Gary Kraftsow

This is a huge event! Sign up now while space is still available. Stop by either of our locations (3808 North Williams Ave; 3249 Southeast Division), visit http://www.yogashalapdx.com/workshops.html, or call (503)963-YOGA (9642) to register. We hope to see you at this great event!

Journey to OneSelf
with GARY KRAFTSOW

Exploring the nature of human experience at every level, and the means and methods evolved in the Yogic and Tantric traditions to help us overcome suffering, achieve our goals, and realize our true nature.

Friday – Sunday, July 15 – 17
10:00am – 5:30pm  (break 1:00 – 2:30pm)
Full Workshop 
$310 before June 30, $380 thereafter
Single Day 
$120 before June 30, $140 thereafter

In this intensive with Gary Kraftsow we will study how these methods were designed to function in an integrated way, rather than as discrete and separate practices. Teachings will draw from: the Upanisads, Sankhya Karika, Patanjali Yoga Sutra, and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. A comprehensive set of yoga techniques will be used including: asana, pranayama, mantra japa, and meditation. Although designed to be taken in its entirety, students will be able to participate on select days if their schedule prohibits full participation.

Harnessing the Power of the Body  •  Friday, July 15
For many of us today, asana practice has been a valuable tool to help us understand our anatomy and achieve a greater degree of structural integrity including: stability, strength, and flexibility.  Asana in the context of the integrated practices of Yoga and Tantra offers more than this valuable anatomical integration. The Ancients conceived of asana as a sort of “prana pump,” designed to deepen our breathing and remove obstructions to the flow of prana throughout our body, building and freeing our energy so that it can be directed inward and utilized for the inner Journey to OneSelf. In these sessions we will explore both the exoteric and esoteric practice of asana.

Harnessing the Power of the Breath  •  Saturday, July 16
Pranayama practice is one of the greatest and most unique methods developed by the yoga and tantric traditions. Pranayama helps us create sympathetic/parasympathetic balance and thereby optimize our physiological well-being. Pranayama in the context of the integrated practices of Yoga and Tantra offers more than this valuable physiological optimization. The Ancients conceived of Pranayama as a means to help us gain control over our mind’s ever-changing thoughts and emotions. In these sessions we will explore both the exoteric and esoteric practice of pranayama.

Harnessing the Power of Mood and Thought  •  Sunday, July 17
As we become more proficient with asana and pranayama, the next step is to gain control of our thoughts and feelings. Using the energy cultivated through asana and pranayama, and directing that energy through the cultivation of one-pointed focus, we can begin to free ourselves from the incessant internal dialogue and twisted journey of thoughts, desires, feelings, conflicts and distractions which dissipate our energy. Once the mind is brought under control, we can use the methods of inquiry and self-reflection that will lead us to deeper understanding and contentment.    Towards these goals, the Ancients utilized mantra japa and various forms of meditation. In these sessions, we will use the integrated practice of asana, pranayama, mantra and meditation to support us on our personal Journey to OneSelf.

Continuing Education CEU’s available. Yoga Shala Teacher Training Elective • 18 hours