Cohesion Intensive (5 days) & Three Yoga Clinics with Donna Farhi

	Cohesion: Finding Strength & Stability in Practice A Yoga Intensive with Donna Farhi Saturday, October 22 – Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Time: 9:30 – 12:30 and 2:00 – 4:00pm daily Yoga Sutra II:46: Sthira sukham asanam. “Through steadfastly abiding in the part of the self that is unchanging one fnds ease within the posture of the moment.” ~ Donna Farhi Cohesion: “The molecular force between particles within a body that acts to unite them.” In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra the practice of asana is defned as a means to bring stability to the body, the heart and the mind. This is a very different understanding of the purpose of asana than is often practiced today, where the extreme emphasis on fexibility tends to eclipse the greater vision of Yoga as a practice of equanimity that can support our everyday lives. In this intensive we will explore how to balance strength and fexibility as a precursor to stability in practice. A central theme of this workshop will be learning how to safely mobilize inherently stable structures in the body (such as the upper back), while strengthening vulnerable structures (such as the lower back and neck) to prevent injury. We will learn gentle yet effective ways to prepare the body for deeper movements, systematically relaxing, lengthening and creating space within the structure. This new mobility must then be accompanied by work to support maximal spacing and integrity in the joints. This intensive is an essential investment for Yoga students and teachers wanting to learn how to use stability and strength as a foundation for developing mobility, flexibility and life-long integrated function of the body.Whether you have a "tight" body or struggle with issues around hypermobility the universal movement principles for easeful movement are the same. Each day of this intensive will be divided into two sessions. In the morning session we will explore fnding stability and ease within the practice of asana, working with a different movement principle each day. During some of the afternoon sessions Donna will present anatomical Powerpoints as a way of letting the “truth of the structure” guide us in working with rather than in opposition to the body. Afternoon sessions will also include the practice of sitting meditation and restorative asanas. This intensive is suitable for anyone with at least one year of consistent Yoga experience up to teacher level.   Moving Outside the Square: Twist, Sidebends and Spirals. Friday, October 28. Time: 1:00 – 4:00pm We usually think of twists and side-bends as counter poses for the practice of back bends, often practiced incorrectly after the back is a little irritated from backbends. In this clinic we will look at the powerful application of lateral extension movements as preparatory movements before moving the spine into extension. When the intervertebral spaces are open this creates the conditions for moving into extension with ease and agility. Lateral movements and twists also encourage a sequential movement of impulse through the organs, which is essential not only for ease of movement but also for the vibrant health of our inner operating systems! We will explore adding lateral extension variations into the classical Sun Salutation cycle as well as other asanas that move the spine in multiple planes of movement. This is a class for anyone wanting to learn how to gently but effectively prepare the spine for deeper practices and will be of particular relevance to teachers wanting to learn how to condition the body for safe increased range of motion. Back Bending with Ease Saturday, October 29. Time: 1:00 – 4:00pm In order to maintain a graceful posture throughout our lives we need to do a little extension everyday to counter the tendency of the spine to progressively become more flexed or slouched. From an evolutionary prospective, the human spine has no need for the practice of extreme back bends, and indeed there has yet to be a relevant everyday application for placing the head on the bottom of the foot! What we do need is regular, gentle and integrated mild extension that maintains the fluid uprightness of the spine and keeps the spine strong for vertical activities. In this clinic we explore the support of human developmental movement patterns in creating ease and spinal integration during back bending. We will look at the organ systems and connections that underlie stress-free extension. Donna would like to assure all participants that she herself has limited extension of her spine and is more interested in helping you learn how to extend YOUR back in a way that is safe and enjoyable, rather than in entertaining (or injuring you) with extreme back bending postures. You will come away from this clinic with invaluable tools for both correcting imbalances of the spine and improving postural alignment. Preparing for Headstand: Clever Alternatives to the Classics. Sunday, October 30. Time: 1:00 – 4:00pm In this three hour clinic we will move through a series of warm-up practices and prerequisite skills tha are necessary building blocks for the safe and comfortable practice of Sirsasana (Headstand). Even if you cannot or do not go upside down, the preparatory movements may be of great benefit to you physically and many of the restorative postures replicate the physiological benefits of Headstand without the risk. Students who have spinal or health conditions that preclude bearing the full weight of the body through the head will come away with a treasure trove of alternatives that can be woven into everyday practice. This clinic is suitable for any student who has had at least one year of consistent instruction up to teacher level. There will be absolutely no pressure for you to do the classic Headstand. Rather you will be encouraged to find the practice that feels comfortable and safe for you. Numbers will be limited so please register your interst early to avoid disappointment (N.B. Students who are menstruating or have health conditions such as high blood pressure, detached retina, glaucoma, hiatal hernia or acute neck injuries may observe but not participate in this clinic).
Donna Farhi is a Yoga teacher who has been practicing for 35 years and teaching since 1982. She is one of the most sought after guest teachers in the world, leading intensives and teacher training programs internationally. Donna is best known for her unique ability to help students and teachers embody their spiritual practice. Her work focuses on the refinement of natural and universal movement principles that underlie all Yoga practice. This concentration on fundamental principles allows student of all levels of experience and from all traditions to build their own authentic Yoga practice. Considered the “teacher of teachers,” students return to Donna’s intensives again and again to be a part of the inspiring evolution of Donna’s own practice and teaching. Donna has been the asana columnist for both Yoga Journal and Yoga International Magazine (U.S.A.), and has been profiled in four separate publications on exceptional contemporary teachers of our time, including Yogini: The Power of Women in Yoga. Donna is the author of the contemporary classics, The Breathing Book, Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit: A Return to Wholeness and Bringing Yoga to Life: The Everyday Practice of Enlightened Living. Her fourth book Teaching Yoga: Exploring the Teacher-Student Relationship is used as a curricular text in teacher training programs worldwide. American born, Donna now lives on a 30-acre farm in Christchurch, New Zealand where she pursues her passionate study of dressage and horsemanship.
Date/Time: Cohesion: Finding Strength & Stability in Practice (5-day Intensive) October 22 - 26,2011(5 days, Saturday - Wednesday). Time: 9:30 - 12:30, 2:00 - 4:00 daily. Three Clinics: Moving Outside the Square. Friday, October 28,2011. Back Bending with Ease. Saturday, October 29,2011. Preparing for Headstand. Sunday, October 30,2011. Time: 1:00 – 4:00pm each day Cost: Cohesion Intensive: Early-bird discount price: 3600 CNY (if paid before August 28, 2011) Full price: 4000 CNY. Three Clinics: 430 CNY per clinic. All 3 clinics = 1150 CNY *** Package price for Donna’s Cohesion Intensive + 3 Clinics = 4650 CNY (if paid in full before August 28, 2011) "Please note: We expect this Intensive and Clinics will fill early. Please register and pay early to make sure your space is reserved." Payment must be made at Yoga Yard by major credit card or cash, or by bank wire transfer. Should you wish to pay by bank wire transfer please email info@yogayard.com for details and instructions. tion:   What to Bring: Yoga mat, belt, block, 2 blankets, 1 bath towel, 1 wash cloth and a bolster (if you have one). Registration: Please register with Yoga Yard at info@yogayard.com, or on our website at www.yogayard.com. Please note: Registration for the Yoga Clinics is almost full, and the Intensive is filling as well. To make sure your space is reserved, please complete your registration and payment as soon as possible. Cancellations: If cancelling 30 days prior to the workshop, payment minus 10% of total workshop fee will be refunded. If cancelling 10 - 29 days prior to the workshop, 50% of total amount paid will be refunded. If cancelling made within 10 days prior to the workshop, no payment will be refunded. Please register below. Payment must be received in full to confirm space. All clinics require attendees to have at least one year of consistent Yoga practice.