Yoga Mind – course overview Yoga Mind – course overview An exploration of yoga philosophy, psychology and the process of awakening. This programme follows on from the Yoga Body series and continues the exploration of the process of personal evolution through yoga. It combines elements of asana, pranayama and meditation practice with an accessible and practical introduction to the philosophy and psychology of yoga. It is grounded in personal practice and is intended to inform and deepen your practice and understanding of yoga. Please note that the course is not intended to be an authoritative academic programme relating to yoga philosophy or psychology. It is rather a pragmatic exploration of selected texts, concepts and practices organised around the central principle provided by Patanjali (amongst others) that : ‘Generally as humans we have a skewed view of our universe that leads to us living in ways that are often self-limiting in some way. But equally it is possible to shift our view to a way of seeing that is more supportive of contentment and peace in our lives and in the universe as a whole.’ Programme format Starting in September 2013, the course will comprise six standalone one day workshops (see below for exact dates) spread over 9 months. The venue will be the Yoga Studio, Rhyd Lanau Barn, Forest Coalpit, Abergavenny. Outlines for each workshop are provided below. Participants will be given a series of suggested inquiries between workshops. These will involve some practices, contemplations and reading suggestions. There is no assessment or mandatory nature to these inquiries but participants attending all of the workshops and engaging with the interworkshop inquiries can expect to get most from the course. Yoga Body 2013-14– course dates Sundays 9.30am-4.00pm - 29-Sept, 17-Nov, 12-Jan, 16-Mar, 27-Apr, 8-Jun Yoga Body 2013-14 – course cost and payment terms Workshops are booked individually via our normal website booking process and places are confirmed on receipt of payment by cheque or BACS (£50 per person per workshop). Cheques should be made payable to A. Belcham. Students wishing to book places on the whole programme are encouraged to do so immediately so that we have an idea of workshop numbers. You may then send in payment for each date individually – please do so by one month prior to each workshop date to confirm your place. Students who set up a standing order system to do this will receive a 10% discount ie £45 per workshop. The payments would be spread over 9 monthly instalments of £30 paid on the 1st of the month commencing 1st September 2013 and ending 1st May 2014. If you wish to take advantage of this arrangement please send a single e-mail confirming your intention and then set up the standing order to the following account commencing 1st September. We will enter your details into the website booking system. Bank details for BACs payments and standing orders : Account name - A. Belcham Sort code - 51 61 02 Account no. - 69295506 The Yoga Studio, Rhyd Lanau Barn, Forest Coalpit, Abergavenny, NP7 7LH www.adebelchamashtanga.co.uk 1 Document1 Yoga Mind – course overview Tutor qualifications Yoga experience I have been practicing the Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga form daily since 2000 and teaching regularly since 2004 after completing the British Wheel of Yoga Teacher Training Diploma. I have spent extended periods studying with very experienced teachers, initially John and Lucy Scott and since 2004 with Nancy Gilgoff. From 2009-11 I spent several months each year practicing with the sangha at Richard Freeman’s Yoga Workshop in Boulder, Colorado. I also studied mindfulness meditation and Buddhist philosophy under the guidance of Sonia Moriceau, a blessing which touched me deeply and for which I am immensely grateful. Bodywork experience From August 2009 to March 2010 I trained at the Guild for Structural Integration in Boulder, Colorado and was awarded their Diploma qualification. Since then I have worked as a Structural Integrator using the pioneering ideas and methods developed by Dr. Ida Rolf. In July 2012 I completed a two year part time training in biodynamic cranio-sacral therapy with the Karuna Institute in Devon and now employ both modalities in my bodywork practice (see www.mettahouse.co.uk for details). My understanding of the human system and the role of asana is constantly evolving but integrates elements from the esoteric and ayurvedic understanding of yoga, the western anatomy and innovative connective tissue models from Structural Integration and the energetic ideas and subtle perceptions of cranio-sacral biodynamics. Non-yoga teaching experience For the past 15 years I have been lead tutor with Cambio Environmental Ltd responsible for the development and delivery of environmental training courses to public and private sector organisations. I still regularly deliver classroom based courses to environmental professionals. My experience in setting up and running multi-week training programmes provides a solid grounding for the planning and delivery of an extended training set in the yoga context. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me by e-mail (ade@adebelchamashtanga.co.uk) or phone 05603 152215. Overview of the 6 session Yoga Mind programme : Each day (9.30-4.00) starts with an assisted self practice (approximately 1 ½ hours) – students undertake their daily asana practice and I will assist each person as required. Although I practice and teach in the Ashtanga Vinyasa lineage, practitioners from other schools of yoga are welcome to follow their own asana practice in this time period. The rest of each day will be a mix of tutor presentation, group exercises, discussion and practical sessions on and off the mat. The whole course is firmly based around the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali but is heavily influenced by western science and anatomy, the holistic bodywork approaches of Structural Integration and Cranio-Sacral Therapy, and my own eclectic mix of inspirations (from Buddhism to Hollywood!). The Yoga Studio, Rhyd Lanau Barn, Forest Coalpit, Abergavenny, NP7 7LH www.adebelchamashtanga.co.uk 2 Document1 Yoga Mind – course overview Session 1 Sleepwalking, misperception and suffering Content Goals Links to yoga body programme The human state – a story around a line Scope and limits of the YM programme – an inquiry at a personal level not an academic philosophy / psychology course Yoga as philosophy vs yoga as a tool for living The yogic concept of ignorance Seeds and karma – the cause and effect / ‘free will’ debate Summarise the physical, psychological and emotional evolution that occurs through a human life Summarise the yogic and Buddhist concepts that everyday perception is generally flawed or partial Summarise the law of karma and its influence on how we see and respond to the universe Summarises and builds on the idea of personal evolution introduced throughout YB and then focuses on Patanjali’s view of ignorance (the Great Mistake) and karma Mind vs consciousness – the metaphor of the layers of seeing I.6 patterns of perception II.3 Kleshas – examples focusing on i-ness and mental constructs Granthis, chakras and bandha – the psycho-energetic world and its blockages Finding the key obstacles in our particular story Ashtanga yoga as presented in the sutras with an explanation of the expanded role of asana Samyoga as a state of being and seeing Focus on pranayama as an additional limb / practice Acknowledging the human tendencies that funnel our perception and feed the process of karma Step back and see which are particularly relevant to us Builds on the concepts of : Develop a view that there are paths to overcoming the obstacles and that it is possible for us to walk them All paths in a sense involve a cultivation of mindfulness and a ‘letting go’ of the stories that define us Revisits the 8 limbs introduced in YB3 and then focuses on pranayama as a practice development Session 2 The human dilemma – obstacles to awakening Session 3 The path (I) – ashtanga yoga The Yoga Studio, Rhyd Lanau Barn, Forest Coalpit, Abergavenny, NP7 7LH www.adebelchamashtanga.co.uk body-mind and function of mind introduced in YB2 Kleshas introduced in YB3 Purusha-prakritti introduced in YB5 3 Document1 Yoga Mind – course overview Session 4 The path (II) – kriya yoga and the yogas of the Gita Content Goals Links to yoga body programme A clear view that there are many paths leading to a refined view of the human state A clear understanding that the different paths do not represent distinct options but might be best thought of as varying recipes for living wisely A sense of the possibility of a personal path Revisits 8 limbs introduced YB3 and then focuses on mantra as a practice development – linked to the cultivation of pratyahara and dharana A deepening sense of what it means on a day to day basis to tread a spiritual path Consideration of the practicalities of practice and change in our lives and relationships Revisits 8 limbs introduced YB3 and then focuses on meditation as a practice development – linked to the cultivation of samyama A bringing together of the process of awakening in a way that allows each person their own view of where they are and what their next step might be Consideration of the awakened state and what that might mean Returns to the brahmavihara (introduced in YB3 as a tool) but now considers them as an outcome or state of wise living. Samyama as a doorway to awakening focus on mantra as an additional practice The path of kriya yoga from Patanjali – discipline, self-study and surrender The different yogas of the Bhagavad Gita Session 5 The path (III) – the 8 fold path of Buddhism Session 6 Awakening – watching the patterns and resting in the brahmavihara Samyama as a doorway to awakening focus on meditation as an additional practice An outline of the 8 fold path presented by the Buddha An exploration of the links between yoga and Buddhism and the pros and cons of considering them as complementary paths Flower symbols of Buddhism and Yoga practice seen together The image of spirals of awakening The fruits of awakening – dwelling in the sublime abodes – seedless existence – freedom to be here now. The Yoga Studio, Rhyd Lanau Barn, Forest Coalpit, Abergavenny, NP7 7LH www.adebelchamashtanga.co.uk 4 Document1