In one way or another, the spine is intricately involved in all yoga asana. Anatomically, the spine has the ability to function in eight unique directions – forward and back bending; left and right side bending; left and right spinal rotation (twisting); extension and compression. Within the various forms of Yoga Asana, the shape and structure of the poses have been formed to encourage greater range of motion, flexibility and strength for all the infinite possibilities a spine is capable of moving, and only limited by what we think is possible.

In this in-depth workshop, five fundamentals will be explored which assist movement in the spine – a.) Elongation; b.) Chest Dropping; c.) Belly Consciousness; d.) Bone Softening; and e.) Levity. Comparing these movements with anatomical function of the spine, many of the misconceptions about how the spine works will be demonstrated and discussed.

The class is designed for teachers and intermediate practitioners, and will be part lecture, part practice. This program satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for 1) Techniques, Training and Practice; 2) Teaching Methodology; 3) Anatomy and Physiology; or E) Electives.

As adults, we often take for granted the balance required to stand. It is a very familiar task, from the moment we abandoned crawling, and literally pulled ourselves up from the floor. How does the brain develop the tools to keep an infant from falling? It comes through a slow, incremental process, mostly trial and error, and regular practice, with a healthy but not limiting dose of fear. In many ways, mastering inversions is an adult version of mastering standing, something we as 2 year olds did without any formal “technique” or training, in a relatively short amount of time.

In this retrospective course, starting with the most basic forms of inversions – Handstand (Adho Mukha Vrksasana); Forearm Balance (Vrschikasana); Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana); and Headstand (Sirsasana), methodologies for each pose presented will be explored and redefined in terms how the mind and body coordinate to create unfamiliar movement. Balance will be developed through a very similar process as the infant, relying on the more intuitive parts of the brain and feeling organs of the body (heart and gut). This process refines our sense of balance, through a release of unnecessary muscular effort and a profound intimacy with gravity, which produces lightness in body and clearness of mind.

The instruction is designed for teachers and intermediate practitioners, and will be part lecture, part practice. For those who have pre-existing conditions, such as high or low blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck or spine weakness, glaucoma, etc, modifications will be given to help each student work within their means. This program satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for 1) Techniques, Training and Practice; 2) Teaching Methodology; or E) Electives.

In this unique workshop, learn how to source inspiration for choreographing your practice and your classes on a daily basis. By understanding the benefits and limitations found in different styles of yoga, you can begin to develop a more personal approach to practicing, which then reflects in your sequencing for classes, with a new way of seeing your own practice. Guided by the inner voice of your own intuition, discover the creative transitions that are possible when each pose is understood from its inner energetic essence which bears the seeds for the external, physical form.

Forms of practice will be shown, with ideas presented on how the influence of limitations is the seed of creativity, one that is found in the evolution of Nature – specifically, the outer Nature we dwell in, and our own inner Nature. Integrating Nature awareness into our practice helps support growth through our connection to it.

The class is designed for teachers and intermediate practitioners, and will be part lecture, part practice. This program satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for 1) Techniques, Training and Practice; 2) Teaching Methodology; 4) Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics; or E) Electives.

In today’s age of modern yoga teachers, busy lives and full schedules make setting aside time for self practice, not to mention potent and vigorous practice, more than challenging. Yet the very thing necessary for avoiding teacher “burn-out” and classes that drag, is to develop practices and habits that revive the spirit, motivate the mind, support creativity and keep the desire and curiosity for yoga intact. By shifting the way we see and experience our current practice, find new ways of maintaining balance, in your teaching and your life.

This course will re-introduce the wonder of beginner’s mind as a catalyst for creativity, and recognize how the subtle forces of Gravity and Grace are seeds for creative yoga. No matter the style of yoga practiced, simple principles will be introduced to re-engage the part of the mind responsible for the stimulation and response of intuition.

The class is designed for teachers and intermediate practitioners, and will be part lecture, part practice. This program satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for 1) Techniques, Training and Practice; 2) Teaching Methodology; 4) Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics; or E) Electives.

Everyone, even yogis, injure themselves at some point in life – often unconsciously, through an accident, or repetitive overuse. When injured, our body automatically uses a variety of natural healing mechanisms to aid in recovery. Often, we ignore or discount these forces, and choose quicker remedies (drugs or surgery) to relieve the pain or symptoms. These quick remedies may heal the physical body, but leave the “memory” of the injury in the “psychology” of the person – the nervous system and connective tissues, which can create reoccurring problems.

In this practical workshop, antidotes using asana will be shown, for a variety of common injuries, including those that often show up in yoga practitioners. With volunteers from class, types of yogic movement will be explored that support the body’s natural healing forces over the different stages of an injury. This knowledge will help students heal existing or old injuries – physically and physiologically, and also provide tools for future injuries.

The instruction is designed for teachers and intermediate practitioners, and will be part lecture, part practice. For those with current injuries, modifications will be shown to help with those conditions. This program satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for the categories of 1) Techniques, Training and Practice; 2) Teaching Methodology; 4) Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics; or E) Electives.

In this comprehensive course, learn how to recognize common blockages and areas of resistance beginning students experience – physically and psychologically. Through a variety of poses and direct contact, discover subtle techniques for assessing what you see in a student’s practice, and intelligent forms of touch to awaken the necessary energy within them for safer, more in-lightened poses. This course will be a hands-on laboratory on the effects you can create with great adjustments!

The program will first discuss how physical and psychological blockages occur in the body, and the body’s natural forces inherent for releasing them; followed by teacher-student demonstrations with hands-on work to give each attendee an opportunity to connect with a variety of conditions. Ideas and forms of adjustments will be shared, to show how appropriate touch can guide students to a personal understanding of their own physical and psychological nature while on the mat, with clues to guide them off the mat.

The instruction is designed for teachers and intermediate practitioners, and will be part lecture, part practice. This program satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for the categories of 1) Techniques, Training and Practice; 2) Teaching Methodology; 4) Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics; or E) Electives.

The use of props has many applications in yoga instruction, from one-on-one privates to group class settings. Props allow beginning students, or those with limited mobility, an opportunity to be in poses with more manageable presence, and feelings of safety and repose. Yet, the overreliance on props can have the opposite effect, creating dependency, mental absence, and fear of change. The knowledgeable and timely application of props is an extremely rare skill that can be a powerful teaching tool for the benefit of your students.

In this hands-on program, a variety of basic props will be employed (blocks, straps, bolsters, blankets, and tennis balls) in a range of different class settings and styles of practice (vinyasa vs. restorative), to help create a context for incorporating props in your classes. Unique applications of props with their benefits and contra-indications will be presented, and followed by interactive partner work to build confidence in applying the use of props with first-hand experience in a variety of situations.

The instruction is designed for teachers and intermediate practitioners, and will be part lecture, part practice. This program satisfies Yoga Alliance requirements for 1) Techniques, Training and Practice; 2) Teaching Methodology; or E) Electives.