Prana Mastering Our Life Force
with Lauren Toolin

February 20-21
$65

Mastering our Life Force:  Our very existence is animated through the accumulation and utilization of primal energy, called Prana.  

Although the word prana is mentioned frequently in the yoga world, it is rarely
examined in depth.  This lively class will give you the experience of how
and why prana flows, and its effect on your body and mind.

Lauren Toolin, E-RYT, is a nationally recognized yoga instructor and ParaYoga Senior Teacher. She is a senior student and teaching assistant to ParaYoga founder, Yogarupa Rod Stryker. She also apprenticed with and was a lead assistant teacher to Rodney Yee for many years.Lauren conceptualized and associate produced "The Practical Power of Yoga," a public television special starring Rodney Yee, which debuted nationwide in December 2008.
Lauren has been teaching for 15 years and is an initiated practitioner in the tradition of Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Her instruction is an engaging synthesis of the clarity and precision of the Iyengar system and the joyful, energetic inquiry of Tantra. Always insightful, inspirational, and infused with humor, Lauren's teaching conveys her passionate belief in Yoga's boundless potential for creating a healthy, successful and loving existence. Lauren's classes often include instruction in kriya, mantra, bandha, pranayama and meditation—profound techniques which are rarely taught in group yoga classes today. She teaches public classes in the Spencer, Mass. area and is a respected mentor to other yoga teachers. She directs teacher training and leads workshops and retreats regionally and in Belize and Puerto Rico.

Restorative Workshop
with Barbara

February 27
2pm to 4pm
$35.00

PRENATAL YOGA TEACHER TRAINING & CERTIFICATION
for conscious birthing
with international teacher
Janice Clarfield

Feb 26-28
9:30am to 5:30pm
$500 includes course materials

This Internationally  well known  and wel respected program is for yoga teachers and teachers in training
And: Professionals who wor k with pregnant women
(childbirth educators, doctors, doulas, massage/shiatsu therapists, midwives, nurses)
who have an established yoga practice 
 
Students can expect to complete this comprehensive training and have the knowledge, understanding, techniques and inspiration to support pregnant women to birth as consciously, naturally, actively and normally as possible. Feel confident to assess specific therapeutic needs and address them safely with yoga. If you are already working with pregnant women, this training will provide a deeper appreciation and understanding of working holistically while integrating physical, emotional, energetic and spiritual well being
 
The course will include:
• training to be a responsible professional working with pregnant women
• how to inspire and support women to birth from their own empowerment
• physiological, energetic and emotional considerations during pregnancy, labor & delivery
• posture, breath work, vocal toning, relaxation, meditation, visualization & massage
• how to assess specific therapeutic needs & address them safely with yoga &  modifications
• how to work with women at different stages of pregnancy and experience with yoga
• how to work with couples for birth preparation
• post natal considerations and practice
• client and business management
• practice teaching
• comprehensive study guide
• certificate upon completion
• 20 hours applicable towards Yoga Alliance CEU's
 
To register please call:  305-567-9812
www.pranayogamiami.com

Moving from Basic Level Yoga to Levels I & II
4 Week Course with Chanti

Every Monday Night at 7:30pm
Next Course Starts February 15
$125
Pre-registration required
Limited to 12 students

“Fearlessness, joyfulness and the power to manifest ones dreams means you are getting further in your practice”
~Swami Rama

The Aim of this course is to:
1.Understand the basic poses and work at your level on each pose.
2.Breath awareness in each pose and new breathing techniques.
3.Learning the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.
4.Learn new, more challenging  poses and how to work deeper, safely  at your own level.
5.What it means to be an advanced yogi: Sukha (good space), Sthira (stability/stillness & Tantra (aspiration/ expansion).

The aim of the Asanas in a yoga practice is to prepare the body physically and mentally in order to sit comfortably in meditation and to stay focused on anything we decide to set our minds on doing.

The word asana comes from the root asan, which means easy. The primary goal of asana practice is to develop ease and comfort in the body. If the body is a source of distraction, pain, or discomfort, how can you meditate? If you cannot sit motionless without strain, you’ll have a hard time being successful in any endeavor—meditation, word processing, counseling, or even watching TV, discomfort, disease, weakness, and the inability to pay attention become obstacles not only to the higher practices of yoga, but also to the performance of family or professional duties, and even recreation.Although the focus in asanas on the body, Swami Rama explains; "Those who are ignorant of raja yoga and practice only hatha, will in my opinion waste their energy fruitlessly."  From the perspective of raja yoga, the goal of hatha yoga is to achieve a healthy  body and a stable, comfortable meditation posture. You might say we are using the body to ensure the breath and the mind and to gradually become aware of deeper levels of our being. Awareness leads to understanding, understanding to control, and control to mastery. As asana practice deepens, it leads to breath awareness
 

The Foundation: Standing & Salutations
I. Breath
Nadi Sodhana -alternate nostril breathing
II. Practice
Firm understanding of Sun Salutation A.
How to use even breathing in Sun Salutation A.
Discover your body in standing poses
Challenging poses:
Chaturanga Dandasana
III. Chant
Begin to learn the Mahā Mrityunjaya Mantra

Forward Bends:
I. Breath
Continue Nadi Sodhana -alternate nostril breathing-Feeling
II. Practice
Forward Bending Practice
Challenging poses:
Bhakasana
Shoulder stand
III. Chant
Chanting the Mahā Mrityunjaya Mantra
IV. Meditation
So-Hum

Twists:
I. Breath
Kapalabathi
II. Practice
Twist Practice
Challenging poses:
Parivritta Trikonasana
III. Chant
Chanting the Mahā Mrityunjaya Mantra
IV. Meditation
Grounding Meditation 5 min

Back Bends:
I. Breath
Kapalabhati  Skull shining breath
III. Practice
Backbend Practice Focusing on Inhale
Challenging poses:
Dhanurasana
Urdhva Dhanurasana
III. Chant
Chanting the Mahā Mrityunjaya Mantra
IV. Meditation
Meditation 7 min

Laterals:
I. Breath/ Bandha
Agni Sara & Uddiyana Bandha
III. Practice
Lateral Practice
Challenging poses:
Vasistasana
Pincha Mayurasana Forearm Stand
III. Chant
Chanting the Mahā Mrityunjaya Mantra
IV. Meditation
So-Hum 10 min meditation

Inversions:
I. Breath
Bhastrika bellows breath
II. Practice
Challenging poses:
Sirsasana Head stand
Adho Mukha Vrksasana Hand Stand
III. Chant
Chanting the Mahā Mrityunjaya Mantra
IV. Meditation
So-Hum Meditation 13 min

SANSKRIT Level 1: The Language of Yoga and Mantra
with Manorama

March 6-7, 2010
9:30am to 4:30pm
$225 (plus materials)
 

This course is part of our Teacher Training Program which counts towards Yoga Alliance CEU"s

Level: Appropriate for all students, Yoga teachers and anyone interested to deepen their practice of Self Knowledge through chanting, Sanskrit & Yoga.


“Level 1 is An Introduction to Sanskrit and teaches students how sound can become a doorway to freedom, through light and awareness.”                                                                                        ~ Manorama

Description: This course is an immersion into the Path of Luminous Shabda (“sound as light and awareness”) through study of the Sanskrit alphabet, Meditation, Yogic life principles and Mantras.
In this course students learn to:

* Develop insight into the unique relationship between breath and sound, which is energy and consciousness.
* Practice Yoga meditation and the Yoga of Sound to soothe the mind and return it to a natural energized state of   tranquility.
* Understand how and why Sanskrit sounds are energetically healing.
* Experience the harmonious circularity of Sanskrit sounds. 


 Elements of the course include:
* Learning proper pronunciation of Sanskrit through study of the five mouth positions.
* Developing understanding of breath patterns and how to work with them in mantras.
* Develop a practice of silent conscious listening.
* Introduction to select Mantras, practice of Yoga Meditation, and discovery of key elements in the Yoga of sound.
* Reading the Devanagari and Transliteration script. * Light homework exercises support the course material.
 

Manorama
The director of the School of Sanskrit Studies in NYC, Manorama leads workshops on the Path of Luminous Shabda, a path that combines Sanskrit, Meditation and Yoga philosophy. She leads workshops nationally, as well as internationally.
Manorama's mix of earthy charm, deep scholarship and humorous teaching style were born from years of close study with her Guru, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati.  She is a graduate of Columbia University.  In 2005, Sanskrit Studies released the acclaimed Learn to Pronounce Yoga Poses, an invaluable tool for yoga teachers & students.  Manorama is committed to affecting the world in a positive way through Sanskrit, language of awareness and love.
www.sanskritstudies.org

Vedic Fire Ceremony with Manorama                 

March 5, 2010                      
7:30pm
by donation

 
Everyone welcome!
Join us as we welcome Manorama back to Miami for a spiritually uplifting evening of chanting, music and meditation.
Bring your Sankalpa (resolution) with you and offer it to the sacred fire (Satvir)!

Come chant healing mantras that gently coax the mind towards a natural joyful state.
Meditate on the flame of awareness and watch how the union of sound and light draw the mind towards inner silence.
We offer reverence to the elements beginning with the fire, Satvir, the source, the lord of tranquility as well as invoking peace in all aspects of our life.

These ancient vedic sounds are used to purify the atmosphere, quiet the mind and energize the heart.

http://www.sanskritstudies.org

4 Week Introduction To Yoga For Beginners
Every Tuesday night at 7:30pm

Next Course begins March  2, 2010

Pre-registration required

If you are a basic student and want a little more attention or if you have never done yoga before, join Anamargret for this in-depth introduction as she teaches you to understand your practice in a slower paced environment. At the end of the series students always feel better prepared to move into a basic level class.

Class size is limited to 10 students for more individual attention

There are no drop-ins so please pre-register.

Investment is $80 which will include: 4 week Intro to Yoga

and....2 free basic classes

Living Tantra
Unlock the complete power of Yoga, Ayurveda & Meditation
with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

April 23 -25

What is Tantra? Why is Tantra so important in the 21st century? How does Tantra complement Yoga, Ayurveda, and other forms of healing? Why are the promises made by the texts and teachers of these traditions not fully coming true? And how can Tantra help these promises to be realized once again? Invest in your personal practice. Living Tantra offers the perfect balance between intellectual and experiential learning. It will complete our study of Yoga, Ayurveda, and other paradigms of health and healing, and empower us to put our knowledge to work in the world around us.

By taking part in the experience you will:
Experience and learn to practice principles of tantra that will accelerate your personal transformation and healing
Become proficient in tantric techniques for healing and nurturing your family, community,and the natural world
Create an enlightened lifestyle where worldly achievement and spiritual fulfillment go hand in hand
Significantly enhance your existing knowledge and experience of yoga, meditation, spirituality, ayurveda, and holistic health

 
Tantra is the key to a life of fulfillment and prosperity. This seminar is the gateway to a comprehensive understanding of Tantra and how the tantric approach to health, healing, spirituality, and religion empowers us to excel in every aspect of life. The underlying theme is the awakening of Kundalini Shakti at the navel center, the foundation for the entire range of tantric practice. We’ll lay the groundwork for this crucial awakening by learning the key tantric practice of prana dharana. We’ll also explore the difference between tantric and non-tantric versions of yoga, meditation, spirituality, and religion, and discover Tantra has infused both astrology and Ayurveda.  And we’ll see how Tantra has influenced the art, dance, music, and architecture of India, Tibet, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
 

Major topics include:
The Enchanted World of Tantra: Where personal power and trustful surrender, sensory pleasure and spiritual freedom, the awakening of kundalini and the vision of the Goddess, spiritual attainment and material prosperity go hand in hand.
Tantra in the heartland: Tantric adepts, their miraculous powers, selfless service, and unique style of working with students.
The Tantra of Charlatans: A personal account of how the power of Tantra can be misused, abused, or exploited to promote illicit activities.
The Tantric Pursuit of Power and Freedom: Transcending right and wrong, good and bad, virtue and vice, and heaven and hell.
The higher purpose of human birth and the sacred nature of the human body.
Prana Dharana: The tantric practice that is the prelude to awakening of kundalini at the navel center.
Charging our practice of yoga and meditation with the power of Tantra.


Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D
Spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait is the successor of Sri Swami Rama. He holds two doctorates, one from the University of Allahabad in India and the other from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a regular contributor to Yoga + Joyful Living magazine (formerly Yoga International), the author of fourteen books including his autobiography Touched by Fire: The Ongoing Journey of a Spiritual Seeker, and the best-selling At the Eleventh Hour: The Biography of Swami Rama, and the force behind Sacred Link®—The Healing Revolution.