Archives

Weekend Retreat: The Full Scope of Yoga

Notice 01.25.24: Unfortunately, a pipe burst this week at Kripalu which caused flooding, and as a result our weekend retreat, originally scheduled for late January, has been moved to June 7-9. 

Embrace the Joy that Exists Within.

“Transitions between yoga poses are metaphors for transitions in life.” —Colleen Saidman Yee

Follow the circadian rhythms of your body in this dymanic program with acclaimed yoga teachers Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee.

Learn how to be more present, release the tension of your body, and energize your body to be more alert. Rodney and Colleen will will utilize a combination of philosophy, asana sequences, pranayama, and meditation as powerful tools to enhance your practice and reveal your joy.

Through a seamless journey that includes everything from invigorating asanas to soothing meditations, you will:

  • Explore ways to focus and quiet your mind.
  • Align your yoga practice with the natural rhythms of your body.
  • Experience the full essence of what yoga has to offer.
  • Embrace the joy that exists within your own aliveness.

Return home feeling more alert, focused, and calm.

Included in your stay:

  • Daily Yoga Classes
  • 3 All-Natural Meals
  • Access to the Kripalu Grounds

 

 

YOGA SHANTI GOLD: Inversion Modifications

Sometimes practicing inversions is not going to happen for a myriad of reasons. We believe that these are important poses and should not be skipped. But, how can you teach them safely in a public class? Also, many will just never feel safe being upside down with the weight on their arms. We will show modifications and alternative poses that will give you the essential effects of each basic inversion. There is an internal journey that these inversions and their replacements will open the door to. Never be left out again in a class that includes inversions!

Submitting any questions relating the topic above by midnight on Saturday, June 25th to sagharbor@yogashanti.com with “Gold Question” in the subject line of the email.

YOGA SHANTI GOLD: Janu Sirsasana

Iyengar says that if you understand Janu Sirsasana (one-legged seated forward bend) that you will understand the essence of all of the forward bends.  What are the elements that make up this important pose? Where does it belong in sequences? We will break it down and make you fall even more in love with this crescent shaped, asymmetrical closed twist and forward bend.  Come and open up the treasure chest of Janu Sirsasana.

Participate in this discussion by submitting your questions relating to the topic above by midnight on Saturday, April 30th to sagharbor@yogashanti.com with “Gold Question” in the subject line of the email.

YOGA SHANTI GOLD: Jalandhara Bandha

  1. What is Jalandhara Bandha?
  2. What is the architecture?
  3. What is the action?
  4. How do we prepare for it?
  5. Why bother?
These are some of the questions that will guide our inquiry into Jalandhara Banha. Join us for this upcoming Gold session where together we illuminate and experience the power and subtlety of the valve at the base of the throat.

Participate in this discussion by submitting your questions relating to the topic above by midnight on Saturday, March 19th to sagharbor@yogashanti.com with “Gold Question” in the subject line of the email.

YOGA SHANTI GOLD: Peak Pose Sequencing (An Exploration for Teachers and Students)

1. How and why do you pick a peak pose?
2. What are you trying to learn from the peak pose?
3. What alignment points will set you up for accessibility to the peak pose and why?
4. What are the basic elements of the pose and which of those elements cause difficulty or lack of understanding?
5. What other poses are similar in shape and in action?
These are some of the questions that will guide our inquiry into “peak pose sequencing”. Join us as we play with different ways to break the yoga sequencing code by playing with the pieces of the asana puzzle. We will be architect, builder, interior designer, and occupant.

Participate in this discussion by submitting your questions relating to the topic above by midnight on Saturday, February 19th to sagharbor@yogashanti.com with “Gold Question” in the subject line of the email.

YOGA SHANTI GOLD: What is Pranayama, the Fourth Limb of Ashtanga Yoga (the Eight-Limbed Path)? 

Can pranayama be translated as breath control? What is the relationship between pranayama and Sutra 1.2, “Yogash Chitta Vritti Nirodaha,” which translates to “Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind”? Why is breath considered to be the bridge between the body and the mind and how do we work with it in asana practice? Should different pranayama practices be done at different times of the day or different times of our lives? How long and how often should one practice pranayama? These are some of the questions that will fuel our inquiry into Pranayama. We will do a practice that includes a few different types of breathwork and we will take the time to notice the effects of each one. You may think of it as a “breath sampler”. Join us for this experience and inquiry into one of the vital yoga practices. Your questions are encouraged.

Participate in this discussion by submitting your questions relating to the topic above by midnight on Saturday, January 15th to sagharbor@yogashanti.com with “Gold Question” in the subject line of the email.

YOGA SHANTI GOLD: Ganesh, Bhujapidansana, Mayurasana, and Kapalabati Breath

Ganesh: The Remover of Obstacles. Bhujapidansana and mayurasana will serve as our asana obstacles in this session. We will use them as a way to understand how our perspective and attitude about these arm balances can get in the way of our play and experimentation.  Finding our path back to an open mind and our natural curiosity is our class topic for this Shanti Gold session. Kapalabati will be our breath focus to help clear the Nadis, providing an easy breath in the midst of challenge.

Participate in this discussion by submitting your questions by midnight on August 13th to sagharbor@yogashanti.com with “Gold Question” in the subject line of the email.

YOGA SHANTI GOLD: Marichyasana 2, Viloma 2 and the Weaving of Opposites

The western chair has created physical, psychological and emotional blockages. Instead of squatting and sitting in cross-legged position, like for most of the history and evolution of the human body, we sit slouching in our good-intentioned, well-designed chairs. Separated from the ground with our legs dangling and our spines collapsing, the feelings of isolation and separation are inevitable. Working with Marichyasana 2 helps us to regain some of our innate connectivity. Join us for the investigation.

You will be led through an asana practice with a sequence leading you to the understanding of Marichyasana 2 (half squat, half lotus, forward bend and a bind). We will explore the energetics of Apana and Prana in both asana and pranayama. Viloma 2 (three part exhalation) will be taught as the perfect partner to this pose. Colleen and Rodney will discuss the weaving of opposites and answer questions. Participate in this discussion by submitting your questions by midnight on July 16th to sagharbor@yogashanti.com with “Gold Question” in the subject line of the email.