Saturday and Sunday, October 11 & 12
These four workshops
take us on a journey to help us with our personal transformation. Max
Strom, whose teachings are known for inspiring and enriching his students,
integrates Vinyasa-Yoga with non-dogmatic philosophy, Sufism, Qi Gong,
and movement therapy.
“The yoga
postures and breath are tools to rebuild and transform ourselves. The
goal is not to tie ourselves in knots - we’re already tied in
knots. The aim is to untie the knots in our hearts. The aim is to unite
with the ultimate, loving, and peaceful power in the universe.” – Max
Strom
Saturday, October 11, 12:00-14:00
Is it possible that your hard body, so rigorously constructed, is really a means of building armor, to protect yourself?
This class will not only focus on core strength and healthy physical alignment, but will also invoke the question of our "life alignment". An aligned body is healthy - an aligned heart and mind is even healthier. This unique practice is designed to awaken the strength of the body and the healing power of the heart. Class will include a short talk, vinyasa-flow, non-dogmatic philosophy, breathing, and meditation. This workshop issuitable for intermediate level students.
Hidden Power
and Peace of Breath
Saturday, October 11, 15:00-17:00
In our breath there is so much power to be harnessed, so much grace to be
found. It is the fuel for our internal blacksmith’s furnace, our tapas
(discipline). For the meridian system the breath is what ignites and nourishes
the nervous system. It is the creator of healthy lungs and inspiration, and the
destroyer of disease and toxins. And last but far from least, the breath is the
liberator of the heart, the wind that blows through our center casting out the
demons and ghosts from our core essence. This workshop will first move through
a vinyasa flow class. The second half of the class will focus on special breathing
practices to open the door to transformation. Workshop includes: Lecture, pranayama,
asana, chanting. This workshop is suitable for intermediate level students.
Workshop includes: Lecture, pranayama, asana, chanting
Helpful reminders:
- Do not eat at least two hours before practice and eat lightly.
- Before class, inform Max of any preexisting injury or special condition.
- It is not advisable to do this workshop if pregnant.
Vinyasa,
Grace, and the Music Within
Sunday, October 12, 12:00-14:00
Known for the moving music he plays in his classes, Max offers
this flow class sequenced to a particular body of music aimed at evoking
grace and beauty within. This workshop is appropriate for all levels.
"Today, music has often been made a pastime, a means of forgetting God instead of realizing God. It is the use one makes of things which constitutes their fault or their virtue." - Hazrat Inayat Khan
Workshop includes: Standing postures, twists, backbends, meditation.
The Healing Power of Forgiveness
Sunday, October 12, 15:00-17:00
“Forgiveness is perhaps the most powerful tool we have for healing
ourselves. To forgive another, heals oneself, just as anger toward
another poisons oneself.” - Max Strom.
Anger and resentment destroy our lives. For the body to heal, often times what is most vital is to heal the broken heart or spirit. Failure to forgive affects our stress level, power to heal the body, discernment, and all our relationships. This class will integrate non-dogmatic philosophy, gentle yoga movement, breathing exercises, and meditation. This workshop is appropriate for all levels.
Max Strom visited Beijing and Yoga Yard for the first time in November 2006, where he led a 5-day workshop, Yoga: An Act of Remembrance. He has led two teacher training programs at Yoga Yard since then. He is the founder of Sacred Movement Yoga in Los Angeles, and known for inspiring and impacting the lives of his students with his soulful, gregarious nature, and profound integrity. His method integrates Vinyasa-Yoga with Sufism, qi gong, and movement therapy. Max created and led the Sacred Movement Teacher training program which he now leads nationally. He has released two groundbreaking DVDs and also published several articles on Yoga and personal transformation. He is currently finishing his book on Yoga. Max is recognized by the Yoga Alliance at their Advanced Teacher Level (ERYT 500).
With an imperative to understand life’s meaning, Max had by the young age of nineteen studied Taoism, esoteric Christianity, and Sufism, and was practicing meditation and qi gong diligently. Over the next twelve years, however, his passion for music and writing gradually eclipsed his spiritual quest and he became immersed in two careers, first in music as a singer-songwriter, and then film as a working screenwriter. His spiritual quest was re-ignited when he was introduced to Hatha Yoga. The practice affected him so deeply it ultimately became a “system of embodiment” for all of his studies. Max has now been devoted to Yoga since 1991 and has experienced a profound life-change through his practice. You can see more of his work on his DVDs, Learn to Breathe, to Heal Yourself and Your Relationships, and, Max Strom Yoga – Strength, Grace, Healing.
