Yogic Meditation : From Dharana (Concentration) into Dhyana (Meditation)
April 1st, 10-11h15am (offered once a month building up from the basics)

Different to Vedantic or Buddhist meditation, yogic meditation contains the same structural elements as yogic postures and breathing and was designed to form together with those an integrated whole. Meditation is the method of bringing your mind into a receptive state so that you can receive higher knowledge that is already there. Yogic meditation is a collection of scientific methods to bring about such awareness. To accelerate spiritual evolution yogic meditation employs many means amongst which the prime ones are mantra, mudra, bandha, chakra-visualization and Kundalini-raising techniques. The yogic chakras are representations of evolutionary brain circuitry with the lower three chakras representing our reptilian, mammalian and primate ancestry respectively. By understanding the chakras and skillfully meditating on them yoga offers the opportunity to activate higher brain centres and propel the evolution not only of the individual but of society as a whole. Kundalini-raising techniques consist of a combination of all other yogic means to raise the life force (prana) to a level where meditation is easy and spiritual insight becomes spontaneous.

Sirsasana & Pincha Mayurasana
Oct 9th 9h-11h, Casa Vinyasa Vevey

Sirsasana (headstand) is one of the main poses of Hatha Yoga, and referred to as the “King of asanas”, because of the abundant benefits it has on every level; physiologically, mentally, and energetically.
In this workshop we will explore proper shoulder alignment and arm strength as our foundation, defining the optimum curves of the spine, engagement of the legs, relationship of the ribs and pelvis, the role of the diaphragm, and most importantly the right sequencing of movements and coordination. To protect the cervicals for a sustainable lifelong asana practice embodying the role of the arms as support and foundation in headstand is essential.
We will start with variations of headstands and adapting the difficulty for those working on a solid Pincha Mayurasana (forearm stand) , and being able to challenge themselves further if interested.
Once we understand and embody the ABCs of headstands many other doors and challenges will be unlocked in our asana practice, and out of the headstand foundation many other shapes and forms emerge along the central axis, upside down.
We will use these inversions to cultivate strength of mind to overcome fear & doubt, to maintain full awareness, a steady mind, breath and concentration in postures that could trigger the autonomic nervous system.
Yoga is mind training, using the body as the vehicle.
To register click here

Fundamentals of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Breath, Bandhas, Drishti, Vinyasa
Feb 13, 2022   9h-11h   Casa Vinyasa

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The most visible aspect of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system is the different yoga asanas (postures), more important though is the invisible content, which consists of three fundamental techniques: Breath, Bandhas and Drishti. The postures represent beads, and the three fundamental techniques form the string that holds the beads together to create a mala (necklace). The system is designed to work as a movement meditation, where the transition from each posture to the next are as important as the postures themselves, Vinyasa.

In this workshop we will revisit and deepen our understanding of these foundations.

There will be a 45 min lecture followed by applying the foundations going through Surya Namaskar A & B 

The sun salutations are the foundation of our Asana practice. Understanding and practicing this sequence with full  awareness will allow us to understand and to properly do the asanas that proceed.

One can dig really deep in to this sequence which is taken very lightly. Many practitioners rush through the sequence and are more focused with more amusing and complicated asanas that come after. As students advance quickly they will realise that they can only go so far and that at some point they will get stuck. Unfortunately injuries and some chronic irritation and pain starts to show up somewhere in the body, leading to frustration and in some cases abandoning the practice. If we don’t have a strong foundation we can’t build a house on top and eventually it will crumble.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is an internal practice not an exercise!

Price: 50 CHF

To register click here 

Arm Balances
Foundations & Coordination
March 5, 2022  14h-16h  Yoga Flame

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* Build a solid foundation.
* Develop the prerequisite strength, coordination, mobility and awareness, for arm balances.
* Key progressions to build the correct coordination and alignment to balance on your arms

Delara will be sharing with you her expertise as a Rolfer Structural Intégration therapist and a life time student of movement working with quality of movement and perception to increase proprioception, intelligence and awareness to understand how you are assembling and activating your body in gravity to balance on your arms.

Working on muscle strength is only a part of the equation.The brain and the motor neurones do not perceive separated muscles. They understand movement. When we change our perception and intention of movement, we coordinate differently and recruit and engage distinct parts of the body.

Correct coordination and technique allows for a lifetime of sustainable practice, happy shoulders and wrists no matter how intense and complicated is your asana practice.

This workshop is suitable for practitioners with an already established yoga practice.

Price: 49 CHF

To register click here