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Workshop Descriptions
Amy teaches a variety of yoga workshops for beginning to advanced students as well as special intensives specifically for Yoga teachers/trainees. Below you will find descriptions of past, present and future offerings. Visit the Workshop Calendar page for Amy's current schedule.
Yoga for Global Change
Let your yoga practice propel you forward in your own life and support the evolution of the planet! During this workshop we will explore what it means to stand in your personal power on your own two feet through a comprehensive standing sequence. Attention will be given to developing our foundation-the feet and the engagement of Mula Bandha to elicit core strength. Additional floor core-work and meditation will follow to facilitate development of personal consciousness.
You will:
- Access your personal power and stand firmly on your own two feet
- Unbury and let go of old conscious and unconscious trauma (false beliefs, illusions, blockages) in the body-mind that keep your soul from fulfilling its life purpose and evolving.
- Learn about personal and collective consciousness and how they are one in the same
Yoga for a Stronger Core
A strong core not only supports us in moving gracefully through yoga asana, it also helps us stand firmly in our personal power no matter what the world delivers us. During this intensive class we will embark on a journey to the center of our being where our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual selves merge igniting a potency that elicits true core strength.
You will:
- Learn about and explore your physical and energetic core through discussion, asana, pranayama and meditation
- Practice key techniques in asana that efficiently engages and strengthens core structures of the body
- Experience how asana practice can help you move beyond personal limitations--physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
Yoga for a Stronger Core: Focused Intensives
These workshops explore in-depth one "core" area of the body through anatomy and yoga.
I. Awakening Mula Bandha: Power in the Pelvic Floor
III. Uddiyana Bandha: Activate the Abdominals
IV. Kundalini Rising: Moving from Your Center
V. The Secret Psoas: Inner Integrity and Strength
Yoga and the Nadis
Align-Open-Purify-Transcend Shift your attention and intention to the inner flow of energy central to the teachings of Yoga. There are an estimated 72,000 nadis (sublte/energetic nerve channels) that run throughout the body delivering prana (life force energy). Often, these energetic pathways are blocked inhibiting health on all levels (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual). During this workshop you will partake in asana, pranayama and meditation to support your inner energetic alignment. As our Nadis align and open, the flow of prana is unimpeded, blockages release and we are purified.
You will:
- Learn about the nadi energetic channels and explore in depth the three main nadis: Ida, Pingala and Sushumna through asana, pranayama and meditation
- Gain more understanding about your personal blockages and learn ways to release them while cultivating a free flow of prana (energy) during your yoga practice
- Discover and learn about the rising of Kundalini
- Experience the subtler layers of asana practice that have less to do with outer physical alignment and more to do with inner energetic alignment
The Yoga of Balance
Shiva and Shakti, Male and Female, Yin and Yang, Left and Right. Many spiritual traditions refer to these two differentiated, yet complimentary aspects of our being. When these two aspects of ourselves unite in equality true spiritual evolution is possible. In this workshop we will cultivate physical and energetic balance of our shiva and shakti energies through asana, pranayama and meditation.
You will:
- Discover how the left and right sides of your body can cooperate allowing for greater ease, freedom and strength in asana practice.
- Support the healing of injuries and/or areas of weakness.
- Learn how we need the balance of both energies to be able to function in life with objectivity and receptivity, assertiveness and sensitivity, strength and compassion.
Detox Yoga
Change your body, Change your mind and let your soul shine through! During this workshop you will experience a detoxifying sequence of postures, breathing practices and meditation to activate the cleansing of your body and mind so your essential self, your soul, can shine through. You will learn current and pioneering views on the body-mind connection and the physiological effects that your mind (thoughts, emotions, beliefs, etc) has on your body. Be prepared to shake up your body-mind system and move forward in your own personal evolution.
You will:
- Learn how modern science is now acknowledging the body-mind connection that yoga has always known
- Experience a detoxifying yoga practice for the body-mind
- Practice the art of setting intention and consciously letting go to what no longer serves you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
- Explore your own physical blockages/toxicity (injuries, disease, tightness, etc) and facilitate their release through consciously uncovering the mind connection.
Yoga for an Open Heart
At the root of yoga practice and all spiritual traditions is the returning of oneself to the ultimate source of creation. The heart can be a bridge and gateway to this experience of oneness. As the heart center is enlivened, healed and balanced we open to the authentic state of being love.
These intensive workshops include anatomy and asana experience
I. Fluid Flow--Cleanse the Heart: Activate the Circulatory system
II. Backbending---Uncage the Heart: Opening the ribcage and thoracic spine
III. Arm Balances--Heart Connections: Linking the heart, hands and eyes
Yoga for Free Breathing
These intensive workshops include anatomy and yoga practice
I. Breathe Deep: Anatomy of the Breath and 3-Part/Yogic Breathing
II. Yoga and Breathing for Internal Cleansing and Health
III. Yoga and Breathing for Meditation
Harness Your Prana
Prana is the underlying vital life force that imbues who we are and everything we do. In addition to our 'primal prana' inherent within us, there is an abundance of additional prana available through breathing, eating alive foods, being outdoors, and intentional living. As our bodies open and purify through the practice of yoga we are able to harness more and more prana-- increasing overall health, personal power and the clear radiance of our soul.
In this workshop you will:
- Learn to harness your prana through intention, visualization, pranayama and meditation
- Explore a challenging asana practice to elicit personal power and strength
- Utilize prana harnessing techniques in asana to overcome fears, weaknesses and distractions from being present
- Experience the activation of your own 'primal prana' so you can radiate your own essential/authentic/soul self with confidence, acceptance, love and ease.
The Secret Psoas
Establish inner integrity and strength. The Psoas is a potent core muscle that connects our spine to our legs. When this muscle physically engages appropriately we access the quality of groundedness, a feeling of our legs being deeply connected to the rest of our body, greater hip mobility, less low back pain, ease in digestion and overall healthier alignment of our entire body. On an energetic and emotional level, the psoas relates to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd chakras and fuels our ability to feel safe and secure expressing who we are in the world in a strong and unlimited way. Essentially, it supports us in standing in our power. Many people in our desk-ridden culture have deep holding patterns in their psoas which is revealed in the abundance of low back pain, tight hips, poor digestion and disconnect from one's core self (body and mind).
You will:
- Learn the anatomy of the psoas muscle
- Practice techniques for enlivening this muscle, releasing it and strengthening it
- Enjoy a full asana practice that focuses on accessing the integrity and strength of this potent muscle.
Yoga for Internal Cleansing and Health
Yoga asana practice is one of the most potent ways to cleanse the body and maintain optimal health. A major reason for this is the focus on deep breathing. During this workshop you will learn the inside-outs of how to use a variety of breathing techniques while practicing asana to increase overall benefits and support the healing of any dis-ease.
You will:
- Be introduced to your inner body anatomy: cells, organs, circulatory and lymphatic systems
- Enjoy an intensive hatha-style yoga practice
- Explore a variety of breathing techniques while practicing asana that heighten the internal cleansing effects of the postures
- Learn breathing practices that can support the healing of injuries and dis-eases of any sort
Therapeutic Yoga I--Healing the Physical Body
More and more, people are coming to yoga as a prescription for their pain and dis-ease. Whether you are suffering with a chronic health issue, healing an injury, someone who works with physically-ill people or a Yoga teacher desiring a more in-depth understanding of how Yoga heals the physical body, this workshop is for you.
You will:
- Learn about cellular intelligence and how the body maintains physical health
- Understand how stress, in all of its various disguises, disrupts our essential health
- Experience a yoga and breathing practice that de-stresses the physical body and supports healing of any dis-ease.
- Explore the body-mind-spirit connection for further healing and integration
Therapeutic Yoga II--Healing the Emotional-Mental Bodies
The practice of Yoga allows for deep healing and transformation on all levels of our being: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This integrative healing is possible because Yoga views the body and mind as one; intimately connected and influencing one another. By changing our body, we change our mind, by changing the mind, we change the body. Whether you directly suffer from emotional-mental dis-ease such as anxiety or depression, have an interest in integrating these aspects of yourself on your mat or desire greater understanding of your own body-mind connection this workshop is for you.
You will:
- Learn how emotions and mental thought patterns physiologically express in the body
- Explore Yogic philosophy, asana, pranayama and meditation for integrating and healing our emotional-mental selves on the mat
- Be guided in a therapeutic yoga practice/process that will enrich your sense of self, heal your emotional and mental bodies and leave you will simple and effective tools for managing your health.
Exploring Pratyahara--Yoga for the Sense Organs
The 5 major senses: eyes, ears, nose, mouth and skin are the tools in which we perceive the world with. They are necessary, but often over-stimulated, sending our body-mind on a never-ending search outside of ourselves for true happiness. During this workshop we will explore practices that support Pratyahara-the 5th limb of Raja/Classical Ashtanga Yoga, meaning sense withdrawl. As we purify our senses and redirect their energy inward we find ease in meditation while gaining access to the well of wisdom within. This inner wisdom guides us to live a life of integrity.
You will:
- Learn about the five major senses and how their openness or lack thereof effect how we perceive reality
- Explore a variety of practices to support pratyahara-sense withdrawl, including asana, pranayama (breathing practices) and meditation
- Practice a gentle yoga sequence that prepares the body for seated meditation
- Experience deep meditation that naturally occurs as the senses are turned inward onto oneself.
- Learn how to work with your senses to support making good choices in life.
The Art of Listening--Advanced Teacher Training
A 3-Day Intensive: Touch Practicum for Advanced Practitioners and Yoga Teachers/Trainees
Yoga teaches us how to become a witness to the constantly changing body-mind-self. As we cultivate the ability to observe ourselves and our yoga students with compassion, acceptance and love, we create a safe and sacred practice space in which blocked energies-- trauma, repressed emotions, negative thought patterns, etc. can surface and release. As a result, deep healing occurs and we are able to arrive more fully in the present moment and be empowered in our authentic selves.
Day 1--Cultivating Presence, 3 hours
A teacher, at their best, always remains a student. Therefore, our weekend together begins with an intensive practice of un-doing the body-mind-self. As we slow down, breathe, embrace gravity and our ability to bond with the earth we will arrive more fully in the present moment. Anchoring ourselves in "being" mode, we will discuss and explore how trauma-physical, mental, emotional and spiritual--reveal themselves in yoga practice and experience simple, empowering techniques for self-healing.
Day 2--Entering the Divine Abode, 3 hours
We are spiritual beings living in a human body. The essential nature of our spirit vibrates love, joy, acceptance, compassion, truth and oneness. This essential vibration is programmed into every cell of our body but is often blocked by trauma. During this afternoon workshop, we will awaken cellular/divine consciousness through hands-on techniques, breathing practices and asana. We will begin to access the wisdom of the body and deepen our intuition from this inner seat of knowing.
Day 3--Yoga as an Integrative Healing Journey, 3 hours
Most everyone who practices yoga experiences physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing, regardless of what their beginning intentions were. In this workshop we will begin to utilize our divine presence to facilitate others on their healing journey through yoga. Class will include asana, pranayama, meditation, and the practice of amazingly simple, yet deeply powerful hands-on healing/adjustments (giving and receiving).
Quieting the Monkey Mind
Learn about your brain and the thinking aspect of yourself to propel you forward in your own personal evolution. The monkey mind, also referred to as our ego, can dictate our lives unknowingly. During this workshop begin to differentiate ego from essence/spirit and train your monkey mind to serve you versus the other way around. Lecture, asana, pranayama and meditation.
Yoga and the Breathing Body
Awareness of your breath fuels an ongoing intimate relationship with all aspects of yourself. How you breathe in any given moment reflects what you are thinking, how you are living in the body as well as how you are relating to All That Is. During this workshop you will practice an asana sequence specifically designed for freeing restrictions that limit deep, complete breathing as well as explore a variety of breathing techniques to help release blockages in both our physical and energetic bodies. You-ll come to experience how an uninhibited, breathing body underlies health and happiness in your entire being.
Ida and Pingala are energetic nerve channels that run along your central axis. When our prana (life force energy) flows freely through these two nadis we achieve a balanced state of being in which the lunar (Ida) and solar (Pingala) aspects of ourselves are in equilibrium. When this energetic balance occurs, Sushumna, the central and "most gracious" nadi extending from the root chakra to the crown of the head, opens and Kundalini (a powerful shakti or intelligent energy) begins to rise upward propelling self-realization. During this workshop we'll explore asana, pranayama (breathing), visualization and meditation to clear blockages along the nadis while establishing a balanced flow of energy.
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