Enjoy this immersion in the beautiful Yoga style known as Iyengar, named after it’s founder.
“Yoga allows you to find a new kind of freedom that you may not have known ever existed.” – BKS Iyengar
This is a weekend to explore Iyengar yoga asana (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and restoratives (just like it sounds – relax:) within the theme of “Cultivation of the opposite”. In this past year of covid chaos, emotions have been allover. This weekend will focus on yoga teachings which encourage, “When disturbed by negative thoughts, cultivate the opposite mental attitude”. Cultivating the opposite, means that we will work in a dynamic way to promote stillness in the mind, body and breath. The practice will be creative and organic but also structured and methodical, using the concepts of being active and passive in the physical practice, along with the concepts of action and counteraction to create a sense of balance and equanimity.
As we work on cultivating the opposite, we start to recognize how we automatically react to life events and cultivate a more conscious way to respond to ourselves and others both on and off of the mat. This intentional practce enhances our awareness and consciousness and teaches us that we can choose how we respond to things we cannot control. When we can learn to reframe the way we see ourselves, we can experience the essence of living in our own true nature.
Asana and Pranayama provide great tools to cultivate awareness of opposites both in our practice and our daily lives. No experience is necessary to begin this practice.
Iyengar Yoga was created by world-renowned yogi BKS Iyengar, who was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world in 2004. He was one of the first teachers to introduce yoga to the West, and there are now hundreds of centres around the world where Iyengar yoga is taught.
The Iyengar method places special focus on developing strength, endurance and correct body alignment – in addition to flexibility and relaxation. Standing poses unique to this system of yoga build strong legs, increase general vitality and improve circulation, coordination and balance.
Certified Iyengar Yoga teachers are extremely well trained. Teacher training is rigorous and spans a three to five year period in which teachers follow a program based on the standards set by B.K.S. Iyengar.
Lori Berenz, your teacher for the weekend, has studied with Iyengar and his senior teachers since 1998.