Sports
Weekend Intensive with Beryl Bender Birch
BelovedYoga is pleased to welcome Beryl back! Beryl Bender Birch's work bridges the traditions of Classical Raja Yoga, Buddhism, and Jainism. She has practiced Buddhist and Jain meditation since 1971 when she began studies with Krishnamurti, Chogyam Trungpa Rimpoche and Munishree Chitrabhanu. Beryl has been a teacher in the tradition of classical yoga (Krishnamacharya) for over 35 years and a long time leader in speaking out on the critical importance of spiritual revolution. Beryl is the author of 3 books on yoga and the director-founder of The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institiute and the founder of the Give Back Yoga Foundation.
Fri, Nov 11 7-9:30 p.m. From Sweat to Samadhi: The miracle of the astanga yoga methodology! (Asana & Meditation)
The true experience of yoga is the experience of Samadhi, or the True Self and it comes out of the simple but constant effort to pay attention. This is the secret yoga code: get your attention in present time and the future will take care of itself. This is what we learn to do in our asana practice, in pranayama, in meditation, and in every moment of our lives - we work to pay attention and be present. This is what Beryl calls "doing the work". This makes your yoga practice a 24/7 activity and it is this effort that begins to expand our awareness and initiate our transformation. We must transform ourselves - the planet, our communities, our species, all species, need our best effort! Includes asana practice, short meditation and discussion.
Sat, Nov 12, 9 a.m. - 12 pm Detox for Mind and Body: The combined cleansing of sweat, breath, and attention (strong asana practice)
A strong, rajasic (active) astanga vinyasa flow yoga practice is a powerful ally in keeping the vital organs in good physical shape and the immune system strong. Using the tools that classical yoga provides - ujjayi breathing, drishti, and the bandhas, we can consciously work to eliminate toxins and pollutants from our mind and body!! Healthy diet and organic foods are critical but so is a method of strengthening the immune system and cleansing the tightness, toxins, and tension that we endure in our environment day after day. Join us for a sweaty, focused, cleansing asana practice. Includes pranayama and short discussion.
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Sat, Nov 12, 1 - 4 p.m. Who Am I: the Search for the True Self (philosophy and Sutra)
Ever since Swami Vivekananda came to the United States in 1893 to speak at the World Parliament of Religions, Indian spirituality has been slowly influencing the way American seekers search for the Truth. Some of America's best known writers, poets, artists, musicians, religious leaders and intellectuals have all been enthusiastic students of the wisdom traditions of the East in their quest to realize the Self. See how the universal principles of Vedanta and the methodology of classical yoga encourage our journey, identify the causes of our suffering, offer a map to freedom, while promoting interfaith tolerance through the wisdom of "One Truth, Many Paths."
Sun, Nov 13, 9 - 12 p.m. Clearing the Chakras: Why Alignment Matters!! (asana and short meditation)
Without proper physical alignment in the practice of asana energetic alignment cannot happen, and the energy and benefits we hope to gain from our breathing and effort is limited. Proper biomechanical alignment opens the channels (nadis) that carry prana through the body, and not only can physical tension and toxins be released, but samskaras(impressions; old patterns and habits) can be rooted out from the pranamaya kosha (the energy sheath of the body). With mindful biomechanical awareness, prana can flow easily through the nadis, and chakras that are blocked or stagnant can be balanced and energized. Through an opening meditation, find areas in your practice where energy is blocked and your awareness might be a little "off." Bring an empty cup and an open mind.
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Sun, Nov 13, 1 - 4 p.m. The Next Level: Yoga as a System of Energy Medicine (asana, pranayama, meditation)
The classical path of raja yoga is an ancient and powerful system of energy medicine for body, mind, and spirit. The 8 limbs of yoga offer techniques for personal growth and healing that can increase your storehouse of prana and awaken the body's energy systems, bringing vitality and joyfulness to your life. Know your True Self as a field of limitless energy and get to know the subtle energy bodies surrounding your physical body. Shift energy patterns to balance and strengthen the immune system and to heal your body and mind. Through therapeutic asana, meditation, and pranayama practices we can literally shift the brain's chemistry and experience healing transformation, allowing our hearts to open. Classes will include asana practice, breath work, and meditation as well as lecture and discussion.