Special Holiday Workshops with Gerald Disse & Linda Munro
December 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st

Indian Deities and Kings & Queens

During this special week we will be offering some fun topics to explore poses not easily taught in guided classes. In these workshops we will deconstruct the poses to make them accessible, giving everyone something to ‘work in the direction of’ the final version of the pose. Some will attempt the final versions; some will go away with their personal projects to work on and we will all be happy.
In addition, there will be a pranayama practice each morning and either a traditional Mysore style practice or Guided Ashtanga class. By the end of these five days you will be ready to start a brand new year full of promise and peace!

Tuesday, December 27th
Pranayama ~ Discover Your Breath: 9h00 – 9h45 every morning
It’s right under our nose, literally speaking, but we hardly know it. Each workshop will start with some breathing exercise (pranayama) to teach us how to breathe better, in order to calm our very busy minds. Your breathing will never be the same, guaranteed!!
Mysore Style Ashtanga: 9h45 – 11h45
Traditionally the Ashtanga Vinyasa system of yoga is taught individually within a group. Meaning that each student works on the section of the practice that the teacher has advised them to; while the teacher observes the room of practitioners and gives advice and hands on adjustments as needed. The benefits and beauty of this way of practicing is that the yoga student moves at the rhythm of their own breath and within their own capacities but still under the watchful eye and guidance of an experienced teacher and the comfort of a supportive community of yoga practitioners. Sharing our energies!
Hanumanāsana for Happy Hips: 13h00 – 15h00
In this class we will open the hips to be ready for this fun pose! Hanuman is the name of one of the Indian Deities. He is the monkey god and the most faithful devotee of Rama so he leapt from India to Sri Lanka to save Rama’s wife, Sita. In the pose we are imitating this great leap by working on the splits! In the workshop we’ll learn different preparation asanas to lengthen the hamstrings, the thighs and the whole pelvis area.

Wednesday, December 28th
Pranayama ~ Discover Your Breath: 9h00 – 9h45
Ashtanga Primary Series: 9h45 – 11h45
In this class a portion of the ashtanga primary series will be talked through in thorough detail. Modifications or variations will be offered to make the class accessible to all levels except complete beginners.
Shoulder Stand Sequence ~ Queen of Poses: 13h00 – 15h00
The Sanskrit names of the shoulder stand is Salamba Sarvāngāsana and it is known as the Queen of asanas (the headstand being it’s King)! Inverting the body has numerous benefits however, only if done with awareness and knowledge of technique can we reap the benefits. Therefore, in this workshop we will break down the details needed to work safely with the neck for the whole sequence of asanas at the end of the Ashtanga series.

Thursday, December 29th
Pranayama ~ Discover Your Breath: 9h00 – 9h45
Mysore Style Ashtanga: 9h45 – 11h45
Headstands ~ King of Poses: 13h00 – 15h00
Going upside down! Involved in this is discovering ways to strengthen the base of support (arms and shoulder girdle) and how to maintain straight using the core of the body. Strengthening projects will be abundant!
The Sanskrit names of the headstand is Śīrsāsana and it is known as the King of asanas! Inverting the body has numerous benefits however, only done with awareness and knowledge of technique can we reap the benefits. Therefore, in this workshop we will break down the pose to give each practitioner something safe to work on in their personal practices.

Friday, December 30th
Pranayama ~ Discover Your Breath: 9h00 – 9h45
Ashtanga Primary Series: 9h45 – 11h45
The Dance of Bliss ~ Natarājāsana Back Bending: 13h00 – 15h00
With this pose we will learn techniques to help us do back bending and standing poses in a strong, steady manner. Nataraja is the image of Lord Shiva performing the cosmic dance, which symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction. It is a marvelously unified and dynamic composition expressing the rhythm and harmony of life. He is elegantly standing upon the dwarf of forgetfulness; the personification of illusion and ignorance over whom Shiva triumphs.
So in this workshop we will destroy any preconceived notions of what we ‘can’ and ‘cannot’ do; of what we think back bending ‘is’ and what ‘it isn’t’, coming with an open and clear mind to work towards this beautiful and powerful pose!

Saturday, December 31st
Pranayama ~ Discover Your Breath: 9h00 – 9h45
Mysore Style Ashtanga: 9h45 – 11h45

Sunday, December 31st
Galettes des Rois ~ Fun for Friends & Family: 16h00 – 17h30
Start the year off with positive affirmations, the support of the yoga community and your closest friends and family. No charge, just bring something to drink or a galettes des rois to share! Everyone is welcome, not only those taking the workshops.