Yoga.
From ancient origins to modern expressions.
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Yoga is a practice of bringing the physical and mental bodies into alignment, restoring awareness of our connection to all living beings.
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Yoga is not religious - it is a set of methods that can support aspirants of any theistic or atheistic tradition on their journey to know themselves.​
I was trained as a yoga teacher in Rishikesh, India - the birthplace of yoga. This training, along with a lifelong and ancestral connection to the practice, has gifted me with an acute awareness of the roots of yoga. It has been my privilege to serve as a bridge between the traditional practices and their Western interpretations, both emphasizing the original teachings and also encouraging creativity in today's practitioners. In addition to group classes in a studio setting, I offer workshops and private instruction as well.
I am currently offering 2 workshops. Each one is thoughtfully crafted to be both accessible to beginners and rewarding for those with more experience. They can be a great fit individually (or together!) as a special event for a yoga or dance studio, wellness retreat, festival, or any gathering of mindful movers.
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Workshop: The Philosophy of Yoga
While it has come to be synonymous with stretching and physical exercise in the West, the roots of yoga are deeply spiritual. This workshop will introduce participants to the four yogas described in the Upanishads and the 8-fold conception of yoga detailed by Patanjali over 2000 years ago in the Yoga Sutras. We will fast forward in time to the 20th century and discover the relatively new rise to prominence of vinyasa-based yoga that has come to be so ubiquitous. Asana, pranayama, and meditation will be incorporated throughout this workshop, to prepare participants' minds for learning and to show, in real-time, how these practices fit together and complement one another. By the conclusion of this workshop, participants will gain a birds-eye view on the philosophical outlook of yoga and be able to understand the modern expressions of yoga with a historical context.
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Workshop: The 8 Brocades of Silk Qigong
Qi -- "...the vital energy or life force that flows through all living beings and the universe."
Gong -- "...achievement, merit, work, or skill."
Qigong is a traditional Chinese art of cultivating holistic wellbeing. Although rooted in a different culture and cosmology, it runs parallel to yoga in its emphasis upon mindfulness, movement, and meditation.
My teacher has given me his blessing to share one of the most ancient and famous Qigong series: The 8 Brocades of Silk. This practice both softens and strengthens the body, bringing vitality to internal organs, while also calming and focusing the mind. Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of Qigong, guided through each of the movements in the Brocades, and leave the workshop with a foundation to continue their Qigong practice.
Private yoga instruction presents an opportunity for a deep and individualized learning experience.
You will learn yoga in a systematic way, setting you up for a more fruitful studio practice and home practice.
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It is perfect for students of all levels.
Beginners will be presented with an introduction to the limbs of yoga and develop a thorough foundation.
Experienced practitioners will have the gaps in their knowledge filled and be empowered to further cultivate expressiveness, strength and grace in their practice.
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Learning can build directly toward your goals - be it a drive towards mastery of postures or a calling towards breathwork and meditation.
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Private instruction offers the opportunity for tailored lessons to suit your physical and spiritual backgrounds. I want to make yoga relevant to you, that its movements and philosophies may become integrated within your authentic expression and daily life.
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Private yoga instruction synergizes with studio practice. In private instruction, you will learn the principles of alignment that make learning new asana easy.
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We all need a little nudge from time to time; private instruction encourages consistency and accountability.
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My goal is to make myself redundant, by giving you the tools to continue growing in an intuitive, expressive, and skillful yoga practice.
