Ashtanga workshop with Harmony Lichty (May 2015)
May 13th
Friday Evening – 3 Keys to Deepening Your Sadhana
May 14th
Saturday AM – Discovering The Foundations of Practice: Breath & Bandhas
Saturday PM – The Myth of Backbending: Transitioning to Intermediate
May 15th
Sunday AM – Introduction to Pranayama & Primary Series
Sunday PM-Â
Patanjali Yoga Sutras: Integrating All Eight Limbs into daily life
3 Keys to Deepening Your Sadhana
Yoga is the science of experience and a philosophy for living. Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras over 2000 years ago, but this text is still relevant and holds the keys for deepening our practice of Yoga even in today’s world!
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali gives us three essential components to Sadhana (Spiritual Discipline) that address issues arising in the body, mind and spirit.
Using the Sutras as a guide, we will see how these ancient techniques are related to our current practice of yoga, and how they are an essential component of what is at the heart of the Ashtanga Yoga practice.
Discovering The Foundations of Practice: Breath & Bandhas
Rediscover the 3 energetic locks that correspond to actions in our Yoga practice and how we can use them to enhance our energy.
This session will take a closer look at the Breathing System and these Energetic locks using the Foundational elements of Primary Series.
This will be a gentle practice good for all levels of students.
The myth of back bending: Transiting into Intermediate Series
We will look at what is Yoga Chikitsa & Nadi Shodana and how we can purify our energy channels
What kinds of physical & psychological preparations do we need to do to prepare for Intermediate Series.
We will explore some back-bending enhancements: looking at the principles of opening the heart, being vulnerable, and the importance to cultivate great strength in the foundation of our lives (and legs).
Introduction to Pranayama & Primary Series
This class will introduce students to the practice of pranayama and the complete sequence of postures in the Primary Series. We will build on the work from the previous morning by continuing to develop more awareness of both Mula and Uddiyana bandha. This will help to create a greater sense of lightness and ease of movement as we move through the vinyasa system.
Patanjali Yoga Sutras: Integrating All Eight Limbs into daily life
– The eight limbs provide us with a guide for how to lead a fulfilling and powerful life. When we integrate them into each area of our daily experience we cultivate a deeper connection to our true identity, and a deeper understanding of yoga in action.
May 16 – 20 Mysore Intensive
A focused week of mysore with Harmony is a great way to breathe new life into your Ashtanga Yoga practice. Mysore Style is the heart of Ashtanga Yoga.
In the Mysore method, students are met as individuals. Each person is taught progressively according to his or her readiness. The student-teacher relationship is central to this approach. The Mysore method of teaching and practice is very effective, and through her, students will feel the energy of the direct transmission received by Harmony from Guruji and Sharath Jois at the Source in Mysore, India.
BIO
Harmony is one of 17 women in the world Certified by the K.Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI) in Mysore, India. Her search for spirituality, health and balance brought her to Ashtanga Yoga after being a dancer for many years. She studied Sanskrit at University, holds double degrees in Philosophy and Eastern Religious Studies. During the years she lived in Asia, Harmony also cultivated a deep knowledge of Ayurveda, the sister science to Yoga.