July
23-24
PRANAYAMA &
THE CHAKRAS
Techniques for
Spontaneous Meditation
with
Christopher Ken Baxter (Devananda)
7 hours
Techniques, 4 hours Anatomy & Physiology,
4 hours Practicum
TUITION: $190
The
aim of all yoga is to
reunite soul with Spirit. The integrated use
of asana, pranayama and guided visualization on the chakras is the
classical yogic way to induce states of heightened energy and
meditative awareness. Prana, focused in the chakras, can lead us
towards the awakening of our soul potential. This seminar will empower
you with pranayama techniques that purify, concentrate and raise energy
in the chakras, inducing spontaneous states of meditation.
The pranayamas we will study include:
• Nadi Shodhana - purifying breath
• Kapalabhati - skull shining breath
• Suryabheda and Chandrabheda - sun and moon breath
• Seetkari and Sheetali - cooling breaths
• Bhastrika - breath of fire
• Bhramari - humming bee breath;
• Anuloma Viloma - alternate nostril with kumbhak
To enhance the pranayamas we will also explore:
• Kumbhak - internal and external breath retention
• Bhandas or seals:
mula bandha - root seal
uddiyana bandha - abdominal seal
jalandhara bandha - throat seal.
• Madhya - the gap between breaths
Guided meditations on the chakras will include:
• orientation to the chakras
• use of bija mantras - the awakening sounds
• simple asanas that enhance contact with the chakras
Also included will be an overview of:
• the five pranas - the life energies in the body
• the nadis - the web of subtle energy conduits
• the chakras - the stages of energy evolution
Recommended
text:
Notes on Hatha Yoga
Pradipika
by Swami Muktibodhananda (Thompson Press (India) Limited)
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October
29-30
MEDITATION RETREAT
Integrating
Yoga, Buddhism
and Breath
with
Christopher Ken Baxter (Devananda)
15 hours Techniques
TUITION:
$190
In
both the Buddhist and Yogic traditions, meditation is they key
to release our suffering and awaken our hidden potential for
unlimited
joy, compassion and kindness. In this retreat, we will explore a realm
of meditation that is common to both traditions - the awareness of
breathing. From the Buddhist tradition, the Anapanasati Sutra gives the
Buddha's own instructions on how to use the breath to enter the realm
of profound awareness. From the yogic tradition the multitude of
pranayama techniques strengthen and heighten the awareness of the life
force. Combined together the mix of Buddhist and Yogic techniques
provides an easily accessible yet wonderfully powerful method to bring
us to our
own true self. When enhanced with a moderate amount of asana practice,
the integrated experience of ourselves is one of relaxed energy, joyful
and free.
In this seminar we will be in retreat mode, with the emphasis on self
nurturing practices. There will be some time for the presentation of
the simple techniques used, and also for question/answer and dialogue.
However, we will be primarily focused on direct experiences of the
meditative state.
Recommended text
Breath by Breath - The
Liberating Practice of Insight Meditation
by Larry Rosenberg (Shambhala Press)
DOWNLOAD
REGISTRATION FORM
(Word Document)
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ACCOMMODATIONS
COMING SOON!
Renovations are
underway on
Discovery Yoga's
"old city" hostel. Completion is expected in
Spring or Summer, 2006. (In the meantime, we recommend
the Ocean
Sands Inn on Vilano Beach.
Discounts available to Discovery Yoga students.)
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Christopher
Ken
Baxter (Devananda), a founding member of
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health,
lived 12 of
his 20 years there in a vowed yogic lifestyle, augmented by rigorous
trainings in India. During his tenure as Kripalu's Director of Yoga
Teacher Training, he co-developed many of their yoga curricula,
including yoga teacher training. While Kripalu's Director of Yoga
Development, he authored