Sorry it took me so long to get these up, but here are my highlights from the conference:
Fri.--All-day "From Mind to Body & Body to Mind" Yoga Therapy intensive w/ Kelly McGonigal and Matthew Taylor
[Really enjoyed this one--Kelly is a student of Erich's, editor of International Journal of Yoga Therapy & I think she's also posted in these forums here and there. ]
4 principles of yoga therapy:
(1) Relationship: non-judgemental, can sit w/ own discomfort, compassionate model souj students can see how they might have that for themselves
(2) Process: experiential, direct experience of experience that you are giving
(3) Less is More: "just do yoga" then you can offer yoga in a healing way, don't necessarily have to be physical therapist, etc., principles are style-neutral & applicable to all styles of yoga
(4) Community: teaching in a group setting, individualized sessions to those already rooted in community
Kelly's approach grounded in psychology/Buddhist meditation background, Desikachar lineage
purpose of yoga: to end suffering. Fastest way to change body, is through the mind
gets away from the idea that something needs to change--everything is as it should be in this moment
practice must be meaningful for individual, infused w/ breath, notice what resonates or not, practice proceeded by ?s
We went through a series of practices including, visualization techniques, moving in basic poses w/ different hand mudras, pranayama, and mantras. We also did a progressive meditation through different parts of the body, staying w/ any pain, attending to it, visualize being pain free
Meditations: "May I be free of fear and full of the selfless strength and courage of a yogic warrior (bodhi satva)" "I am already whole and already here"
Sat. AM session (continuation of Kelly's intensive): We went through a discovery process to the purpose of the yoga practice to remove suffering in body & mind, realize that you are a being that is whole and not in need of changing in this moment. Sounds simple, but it's such a scary concept for me to feel like nothing needs "fixing" and I am ok
Kelly took us through a number of questions to guide us to developing a personal practice that keeps this objective in mind: "What are you ready to be free of? What is keeping you separate? What do you want to experience more of/want more of in your life? What parts of your practice help faciliate this?
We then explored different aspects of the practice as different means for experiencing this (setting an intention, prana, mudra, mantra, asana and vinyasa, yantra, etc.) and how these can help you stay w/ your intention, what you want to get out of the practice.
I had a very cool experience of getting into the "feeling" of my practice and less of the mental ideas of what practice should look like & I found myself spontaneously moving into different postures. Kelly pointed out that its when we don't know what to expect that new variations/unexpected can arise & enjoyment can follow. I walked away feeling like I had a very complete toolkit of developing an effective, meaningful, self-practice of discovery
Session #2: Shiva Rea Prana Vinyasa Flow
I have to say Shiva just didn't resonate with me for some reason. Though I must say I appreciated Shiva's creative sequencing and unorthodox approach to vinyasa. She very much continued the theme of "feeling" a pose through the flow of the breath and getting away from a set way that practice has to look/be structured. We did a little trance dance at the end that took a little bit for me to get into, but was a lot of fun just moving w/ the music when I could just let go & flow with it.
Session #3: Yogic Arts: Duncan Wang
Duncan was an unexpected hit with his session. I really didn't know what to expect coming in, but Duncan is hysterically funny, full of one-liners and loaded with energy. He taught a strong class that gave some basic principles and tips for arm balances, jump throughs, etc. He really had a lot of effective techniques & gave me lots of points to work on in my own practice. The pumping dance music, flowing high-energy class packed with humor definitely wasn't for everyone, but I left sweaty and laughing with a big grin on my face.
Session #4: Power & Precision of Yoga: Lisa & Charles Matkin
I'd heard of Lisa after hearing an interview w/ her on Yoga Peeps, but I think they were less well-known then many of the teachers there so they seemed so excited and honored to be there (almost made me think of the warm-up band that is so excited to be touring w/ a headliner they admire). Well they were far from a warm-up act--I really enjoyed their session that consisted of a moving vinyasa practice, some partner adjustments, and a guided meditation. One point that really struck me was a little story that Charles told about their two year old son and how everything at that age is something new and fascinating to discover. Charles likened this to what yoga should be like!
And then a wonderful dinner w/ Marianne & an absolutely amazing concert that night with Deva Premal, Mitten & Manose. We got seats right up front so we had a fantastic view. Marianne had the great idea of bringing down extra pillows from our hotel rooms to sit on so we stayed pretty comfy during the concert.
Sun.:
I was absolutely zonked on Sun., jet lag and lack of sleep from the red eye flight and late nights catching up to me & I was less excited about my morning session, so I skipped out on that in favor of a little much-needed shut eye. I woke up much refreshed and rarin' for the next session.
Session #2: The Inner Life of Asanas: Opening to the Mystical: Swami Lalitananda
Swami Lalitananda was another teacher I wasn't familiar with. she had a very gentle way about her as we went through an explorative practice, in particlar finding stillness in poses w/o needing to go anywhere/accomplish something in particular. We did a series of poses that led up to kurmasana (a very modified version, where your legs are in badha konasana and your arms are threaded through and holding onto the feet while the feet move out slightly and the head drops down to the feet). We held this pose for awhile and at one point Swami had us "peek out from our shells and look around" and then share our observations from the pose afterward. It was fascinating to hear everyone's experiences of the pose, one that combines a centering, protective, supportive pose that is also strengthening and self-directed. This touched on that theme again for me of moving consciously and purposefully through one's practice.
Session #3: Portable, Compact, Real & Immediate: How to Teach Yoga to Anyone, Anywhere: Mark Lilly & Katie Arrants
This session was run by two teachers who are a part of the Street Yoga program that teaches yoga to underprivileged youth. The intention of the class was to explore basic principles of teaching yoga to any group of people, be it a group of teenagers, prison inmates, co-workers, etc.
--sometimes just showing up, your presence is the most important thing you are giving so the clearer you are on your intention, the better you can impart this.
--important to breathe, pause, awareness of energy, community, group dynamics
--what makes these practices yoga, not just play, activity: bound with breath, community
--plant seed of yoga, feel good right now in own body, how to distill this in a few minutes
--you can't teach yoga to everyone; a single yoga teacher can't be everything to everybody, find a niche that plays on your strengths to spread yoga teaching as seva. There are students for every teacher and there is a right teacher for every student
--not about asana, about a change in conciousness
--largely instinctive, have to often improv depending on situation, transform existing energy into something postive
--care for the students' space and comfort, expand your idea of what yoga practice can be, many things people CAN do & different ways of experiencing intention
We broke up into smaller groups and came up with a teaching scenario (i.e. teaching to inmates at a prison, teaching at a senior center, etc.) and brainstormed different practices, language, approaches that would be appropriate for the situation. Then one person from each group moved to another group and taught them according to this scenario & then we shared experiences. I really got a lot out of this exercise especially in terms of the importance of planning approaches/techniques for class, but also being flexible & willing to switch gears and "wing it" depending on what you observe from the students.
All in all, a useful conference, despite the "corporate" feel of the conference facilities. I'll have to get the Omega campus one of these days! After the conference I got to briefly visit w/ some friends of mine in New Jersey, which was a nice ending to my east coast excursion.
Fri.--All-day "From Mind to Body & Body to Mind" Yoga Therapy intensive w/ Kelly McGonigal and Matthew Taylor
[Really enjoyed this one--Kelly is a student of Erich's, editor of International Journal of Yoga Therapy & I think she's also posted in these forums here and there. ]
4 principles of yoga therapy:
(1) Relationship: non-judgemental, can sit w/ own discomfort, compassionate model souj students can see how they might have that for themselves
(2) Process: experiential, direct experience of experience that you are giving
(3) Less is More: "just do yoga" then you can offer yoga in a healing way, don't necessarily have to be physical therapist, etc., principles are style-neutral & applicable to all styles of yoga
(4) Community: teaching in a group setting, individualized sessions to those already rooted in community
Kelly's approach grounded in psychology/Buddhist meditation background, Desikachar lineage
purpose of yoga: to end suffering. Fastest way to change body, is through the mind
gets away from the idea that something needs to change--everything is as it should be in this moment
practice must be meaningful for individual, infused w/ breath, notice what resonates or not, practice proceeded by ?s
We went through a series of practices including, visualization techniques, moving in basic poses w/ different hand mudras, pranayama, and mantras. We also did a progressive meditation through different parts of the body, staying w/ any pain, attending to it, visualize being pain free
Meditations: "May I be free of fear and full of the selfless strength and courage of a yogic warrior (bodhi satva)" "I am already whole and already here"
Sat. AM session (continuation of Kelly's intensive): We went through a discovery process to the purpose of the yoga practice to remove suffering in body & mind, realize that you are a being that is whole and not in need of changing in this moment. Sounds simple, but it's such a scary concept for me to feel like nothing needs "fixing" and I am ok
Kelly took us through a number of questions to guide us to developing a personal practice that keeps this objective in mind: "What are you ready to be free of? What is keeping you separate? What do you want to experience more of/want more of in your life? What parts of your practice help faciliate this?
We then explored different aspects of the practice as different means for experiencing this (setting an intention, prana, mudra, mantra, asana and vinyasa, yantra, etc.) and how these can help you stay w/ your intention, what you want to get out of the practice.
I had a very cool experience of getting into the "feeling" of my practice and less of the mental ideas of what practice should look like & I found myself spontaneously moving into different postures. Kelly pointed out that its when we don't know what to expect that new variations/unexpected can arise & enjoyment can follow. I walked away feeling like I had a very complete toolkit of developing an effective, meaningful, self-practice of discovery
Session #2: Shiva Rea Prana Vinyasa Flow
I have to say Shiva just didn't resonate with me for some reason. Though I must say I appreciated Shiva's creative sequencing and unorthodox approach to vinyasa. She very much continued the theme of "feeling" a pose through the flow of the breath and getting away from a set way that practice has to look/be structured. We did a little trance dance at the end that took a little bit for me to get into, but was a lot of fun just moving w/ the music when I could just let go & flow with it.
Session #3: Yogic Arts: Duncan Wang
Duncan was an unexpected hit with his session. I really didn't know what to expect coming in, but Duncan is hysterically funny, full of one-liners and loaded with energy. He taught a strong class that gave some basic principles and tips for arm balances, jump throughs, etc. He really had a lot of effective techniques & gave me lots of points to work on in my own practice. The pumping dance music, flowing high-energy class packed with humor definitely wasn't for everyone, but I left sweaty and laughing with a big grin on my face.
Session #4: Power & Precision of Yoga: Lisa & Charles Matkin
I'd heard of Lisa after hearing an interview w/ her on Yoga Peeps, but I think they were less well-known then many of the teachers there so they seemed so excited and honored to be there (almost made me think of the warm-up band that is so excited to be touring w/ a headliner they admire). Well they were far from a warm-up act--I really enjoyed their session that consisted of a moving vinyasa practice, some partner adjustments, and a guided meditation. One point that really struck me was a little story that Charles told about their two year old son and how everything at that age is something new and fascinating to discover. Charles likened this to what yoga should be like!
And then a wonderful dinner w/ Marianne & an absolutely amazing concert that night with Deva Premal, Mitten & Manose. We got seats right up front so we had a fantastic view. Marianne had the great idea of bringing down extra pillows from our hotel rooms to sit on so we stayed pretty comfy during the concert.
Sun.:
I was absolutely zonked on Sun., jet lag and lack of sleep from the red eye flight and late nights catching up to me & I was less excited about my morning session, so I skipped out on that in favor of a little much-needed shut eye. I woke up much refreshed and rarin' for the next session.
Session #2: The Inner Life of Asanas: Opening to the Mystical: Swami Lalitananda
Swami Lalitananda was another teacher I wasn't familiar with. she had a very gentle way about her as we went through an explorative practice, in particlar finding stillness in poses w/o needing to go anywhere/accomplish something in particular. We did a series of poses that led up to kurmasana (a very modified version, where your legs are in badha konasana and your arms are threaded through and holding onto the feet while the feet move out slightly and the head drops down to the feet). We held this pose for awhile and at one point Swami had us "peek out from our shells and look around" and then share our observations from the pose afterward. It was fascinating to hear everyone's experiences of the pose, one that combines a centering, protective, supportive pose that is also strengthening and self-directed. This touched on that theme again for me of moving consciously and purposefully through one's practice.
Session #3: Portable, Compact, Real & Immediate: How to Teach Yoga to Anyone, Anywhere: Mark Lilly & Katie Arrants
This session was run by two teachers who are a part of the Street Yoga program that teaches yoga to underprivileged youth. The intention of the class was to explore basic principles of teaching yoga to any group of people, be it a group of teenagers, prison inmates, co-workers, etc.
--sometimes just showing up, your presence is the most important thing you are giving so the clearer you are on your intention, the better you can impart this.
--important to breathe, pause, awareness of energy, community, group dynamics
--what makes these practices yoga, not just play, activity: bound with breath, community
--plant seed of yoga, feel good right now in own body, how to distill this in a few minutes
--you can't teach yoga to everyone; a single yoga teacher can't be everything to everybody, find a niche that plays on your strengths to spread yoga teaching as seva. There are students for every teacher and there is a right teacher for every student
--not about asana, about a change in conciousness
--largely instinctive, have to often improv depending on situation, transform existing energy into something postive
--care for the students' space and comfort, expand your idea of what yoga practice can be, many things people CAN do & different ways of experiencing intention
We broke up into smaller groups and came up with a teaching scenario (i.e. teaching to inmates at a prison, teaching at a senior center, etc.) and brainstormed different practices, language, approaches that would be appropriate for the situation. Then one person from each group moved to another group and taught them according to this scenario & then we shared experiences. I really got a lot out of this exercise especially in terms of the importance of planning approaches/techniques for class, but also being flexible & willing to switch gears and "wing it" depending on what you observe from the students.
All in all, a useful conference, despite the "corporate" feel of the conference facilities. I'll have to get the Omega campus one of these days! After the conference I got to briefly visit w/ some friends of mine in New Jersey, which was a nice ending to my east coast excursion.
sandy
Sri
