Yogic view of the mind

Allan Watts had a lot to say. Here's a sample....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXmz605GAnc&feature=player_embedded#!

IMAGES FROM THE THAI WORKSHOP

GETTING STARTED

Shambhava School of Yoga
200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
On-Line Preparation

1. Print or download a copy of the Level One Manual from the online library.
	If you print the manual, 3-hole punch it, and keep it in a 3-ring binder with 10 tab dividers. Bring the printed manual with you for the onsite training. If using an electronic version, you will need to bring your computer with you for the on-site training.
2. Establish a regular asana practice.
	We suggest you begin a regular, daily practice 4 weeks before the on-site portion of the training. Your asana practice should evolve during this period, reflecting new understandings you gain from the readings, video library materials and study questions. Set a regular time (one that accommodates your schedule) to do practice every day. Asana (Chapter 5) – Familiarize yourself with the poses that will be covered in the training (review Chapter 5 and the on-line video materials). Choose from the list of 45 foundational asanas located in Chapter 1 (Level 1 Asana Chart). Create a balanced practice for yourself by selecting a variety of poses, including some from each group. If you are new to yoga, be patient with yourself and work gradually. If there are poses you find particularly challenging, modify them or save them for the interactive portion of the training altogether. Pay attention to correct spinal alignment, biomechanics of the pose and your breathing. Asanas should be practiced for 20-30 minutes a day.
3. Establish a regular meditation practice.
	Develop a daily meditation practice, ideally right after your asana practice. We recommend that you work towards sitting for 10-15 minutes per day using either the breath awareness or ham sah practices outlined in Chapter 10 or pranayama techniques described in Chapter 6. Sitting regularly before the on-site training will also help to loosen your hips and help you to be more comfortable during seated meditation after you arrive.
4. Basic Anatomy
	It will be helpful to begin the on-site training with an understanding of some very basic concepts and structures of the body. Chapter 2 provides relevant information for your review prior to the on-site portion of the training, allowing you to focus on the alignment and biomechanical aspects of the postures while in class. Think of this chapter as a source for background information to be previewed before and referenced during the training. Generally speaking, you will not be tested on the material in this chapter, nor will the class lectures go over it in detail. We suggest that you read the Anatomy Reference Chapter 2 prior to the on-site training. Try the Anatomy Self tests located in on the library page to assess how much you know! The questions in these self-tests are for your benefit and will not be collected or evaluated by an instructor. The material covered on the self-test is background information that will be helpful for the training.
5. Required Reading
	You are expected to read the following sections from your manual and have a basic understanding of the material presented. Asana (Chapter 5) – include biomechanics and on-line video Foundations of Spinal Alignment (Chapter 3) Cueing (Chapter 4)
6. Listening and Cue Card Assignment: Learning Sanskrit Names
	You will be required to know the Sanskrit name for each posture and pronounce it correctly. Listen to the Sanskrit pronunciation of each pose name (available on the individual pose web pages in the “poses” section of the website) and say it out loud several times. Create a set of “yoga flashcards.” On a large index card write the English name on one side along with a simple stick diagram of the pose. (You can be creative and use a picture or other illustration.) On the other side of the card, neatly print the Sanskrit name. Use these cards at home to test yourself on the Sanskrit names, or have a friend quiz you. In the on-site portion of training, you will write cues for getting into, out of and working in the posture on these cards. (Be sure to bring them with you!)
7. Ayurveda Dosha Questionnaire
	Complete the “Questionnaire to Determine Ayurvedic Constitution” in Chapter 7. This is another assignment you need to bring with you.
Before you begin the onsite training please:
	Make sure you feel comfortable with the biomechanics, Sanskrit name, and breath cues for each of the poses Be ready to teach from the beginning Arrive ready to learn and have fun!

Thinking about the fall

I am thinking about September and beginning to consider options. I was thinking if there were 3 or 4 of you who would like to complete Level II, we should find a way to do it, even if it took Sept--April again. Level II focuses on the hips, so that should be fun. One option for me is to offer this Wed and Th. afternoons (2 hrs apiece) for 15 weeks, with a break at Christmas.

I am also thinking I will do Level I similarly to what I did last year, if you have friends who are interested. I would greatly appreciate it if you feel as if you can personally contact anyone who might be interested.

I want to continue to maintain a beautiful space for all of us to learn and grow, but I do need a little help from my friends!

Love and blessings,
Susan

Yoga for the rest of us

Here's a sweet article about yoga for big bodies. Susan, it refers to Yoga for Round bodies and some others.

Special Class prices for graduates

I would like to offer you a special price for classes, as graduates of our school.
$10/ class, or unlimited classes for $70/month.

Also, check out the www.shambhavayoga.org website for Level II and III trainings at Shoshoni.
Each one of those is 60 hours.

I am also putting together Level II, and would be happy to listen to any of you who want to tell me how to organize it. (ex: 60 hours = 12 Saturdays, done every other week.) OR.......?????????
Level II focuses on the Hips; Level III focuses on the shoulders.

If you have any questions, please call me.
I miss you guys!!! ...and hope you are taking good care of yourselves.

I will let you know when the weekend is rescheduled.

website

Hi everyone,

My new website is up.

www.breathemassageandyoga.com

Please, please, if you have suggestions, modifications, feedback, please tell me.

Blessings,

Sarah