Anatomy of the Energetic Yogi

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During this in-depth and comprehensive series, we will delve into the anatomy and physiology of our yoga practice. We won’t just learn about the muscles and systems, but we will directly apply this knowledge to many of the postures and pranayama we utilize in our day-to-day practice. What muscles are being strengthened, lengthened, or helping in each posture? How are our body systems affected? What energizes us and why? All of these questions and more will be answered with this series. In each workshop, we will go over a series of postures in each workshop, not just discussing the theory, but really exploring the movement in each of our own bodies, followed by a 30 minute practice to allow you to fully immerse yourself in your new knowledge. Small class sizes will guarantee one on one time, and lots of room for everyone to contribute to the discussions. This series is great for students and teacher alike, and 4 Contact Hour Continuing Education Credits are available for Yoga Alliance accredited teachers for each workshop. Each workshop is 4 hours and from 2-6pm, and takes place at In Your Space Yoga Collective in London, Ontario.

June 3 – Standing Postures

In this segment, we will discuss the benefits of standing postures on the body and mind, and how to adapt and modify these postures for yourself and potentially your students. Moving through 4 of our more common standing postures, discussing which muscles are strengthening, lengthening, and stabilizing, and how best to find overall muscle balance within your standing practice. If time allows, we may explore other standing postures as well! We will also move through the affects of standing postures on our bodily systems, better understanding the purpose of these postures in our practice. The workshop will end with a 30 minute practice incorporating what we learned, to fully integrate our new knowledge!

June 16 – Forward Bends

In this segment, we will discuss the benefits of forward bend postures on the body and mind, and how to adapt and modify these postures for yourself and potentially your students. Moving through 4 of our more common forward bend postures, discussing which muscles are strengthening, lengthening, and stabilizing, and how best to find overall muscle balance within your folding practice. If time allows, we may explore other postures as well! We will also move through the affects of forward bend postures on our bodily systems, better understanding the purpose of these postures in our practice. The workshop will end with a 30 minute practice incorporating what we learned, to fully integrate our new knowledge!

July 8 – Backbends

In this segment, we will discuss the benefits of backbending postures on the body and mind, and how to adapt and modify these postures for yourself and potentially your students. Moving through 4 of our more common heart opening postures, discussing which muscles are strengthening, lengthening, and stabilizing, and how best to find overall muscle balance within your standing practice. If time allows, we may explore other postures as well! We will also move through the affects of backbending postures on our bodily systems, better understanding the purpose of these postures in our practice. The workshop will end with a 30 minute practice incorporating what we learned, to fully integrate our new knowledge!

July 15 – Twists

In this segment, we will discuss the benefits of twisting postures on the body and mind, and how to adapt and modify these postures for yourself and potentially your students. Moving through some of our more common twists, discussing which muscles are strengthening, lengthening, and stabilizing, and how best to find overall muscle balance within your twist practice. If time allows, we may explore other postures as well! We will also move through the affects of twisting postures on our bodily systems, better understanding the purpose of these postures in our practice. The workshop will end with a 30 minute practice incorporating what we learned, to fully integrate our new knowledge!

August 12 – Inversions

In this segment, we will discuss the benefits of getting upside down on the body and mind, and how to adapt and modify these postures for yourself and potentially your students. Moving through some of our more common inversions, discussing which muscles are strengthening, lengthening, and stabilizing, and how best to find overall muscle balance within your inverted practice. If time allows, we may explore other postures as well! We will also move through the affects of inversion postures on our bodily systems, better understanding the purpose of these postures in our practice. The workshop will end with a 30 minute practice incorporating what we learned, to fully integrate our new knowledge!

August 19 – Bandhas

In this segment, we will discuss the Bandhas! This foundational aspect of asana is vitally important to the practice, and yet it is often left unspoken in many yoga classes. Together we will discuss the importance of the bandhas, how to properly engage, their effects on the body, and how they incorporate into your regular practice. The anatomy of the pelvic floor, core, throat, hands, and feet will all be explored, and we will move through postures with bandhas engaged and disengaged to understand the difference and importance. The workshop will end with a 30 minute practice incorporating what we learned, to fully integrate our new knowledge!

August 26 – Chakras

In this segment, we will begin to move into the fascinating world of energy anatomy. There is still much unknown about our energy system, but what we do know is there is a large system of energetic vortexes within each of us called the Chakras. During this workshop, we will discuss the 7 Major Chakras as well as the 21 Minor Chakras, their energetic properties and anatomy, and how best to apply this knowledge to your yoga practice. Developing a deeper understanding will help us to understand the strengths and weaknesses of our systems, allowing us to better aid ourselves, and our students, in full body health within our yoga practice. The workshop will end with a 30 minute practice incorporating what we learned, to fully integrate our new knowledge!

September 9 – Meridians Part One

Did you know that each yoga asana is designed to open at least one of the major 12 meridians? In this segment, we will be delving into 6 of the Meridians, understanding their pathways, energetic properties and principles, and the importance of yin and yang. We will move through postures that stimulate energy flow in each of the 6 Meridians, better understanding the purpose behind these postures, and why we sometimes have emotional and physical responses in these posture. The workshop will end with a 30 minute practice incorporating what we learned, to fully integrate our new knowledge!

September 16 – Meridians Part Two

September 23 – Pranayama

In this segment, we will delve into the very essence of the physical practice – breath. Whether moving through asana, bandhas, or becoming quiet in meditation, the breath is our guide. Together we explore the anatomy of our respiratory system, how breath affects our bodily systems, and why we breathe the way we do throughout our practice. We will move through 6 different aspects of pranayama, learning how to adjust the breath for different purposes, such as creating more fire in the body, or cooling down. Proper application of these pranayama will also be practiced, and how to incorporate each one into your asana and meditation practice. The workshop will end with a 30 minute practice incorporating what we learned, to fully integrate our new knowledge!

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