It sounds so simple: stop, do nothing, let go. But if it is so simple – why is it so hard? Why is it a struggle to not do something, to just let things be? Why is it so hard to not think about that drama occurring in my life, to let go of the stress of my job or relationship problems? Probably because letting go is not valued in our culture, and what is not valued is not practiced. It does take practice to learn how to let go and let things be. Letting go is a very yin-like quality.
Your Body – Your Yoga: Part 4a The Hips: Abduction
In our previous articles we have been looking at variations in our skeletons that affect how far we can move into certain yoga postures. We are all unique, and our yoga practice will reflect this uniqueness. Not everyone can do every pose: understanding where your limits are, and why they are, is essential for developing a safe and long lasting yoga practice. We have looked at the tibia and the femur. We will continue our investigation into human variations as we look now at the pelvis.
In a previous Newsletter, (The Planes of Movement) we asked what movements are occurring at the three joints labeled here in the yoga pose known as Cowface (Gomukhasana). Ready for the answers?
From the Gita to the Grail A Video Intro by Bernie
In this multimedia presentation, Bernie Clark presents several stories from the East and the West that highlight what base maps we have created and follow unknowingly through our daily life. Stories entertain us and entrance us, but even more importantly they guide us through life. Our stories soak deep into our unconscious mind and form these base maps that we follow. Stories from other cultures can sometimes be even more useful for us, better than our current stories, but only if we understand what they mean. By getting to know what great mythic themes you base your life on, you can start to make skilful choices as to which stories really work for you.
Yin is In! And, it is growing in popularity. Yin Yoga has been with us since the beginning of Hatha Yoga centuries ago. But since the early 19th century, yoga has become more and more yang-like in nature. Everything requires balance: yin completes yang. Yin Yoga is the balancing practice for the more active, muscular yang yogas. There are more and more teachers offering Yin Yoga today, and more workshops and opportunities to learn how to become a Yin Yoga teacher. If diving deeper into the yin-side of life is on your bucket list, there are lots of opportunities for you.
Upcoming Trainings and Retreats with Bernie Clark
50-hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings August 25th-31st, 2014; November 10th-16th, 2014; Feb 9th-15th, 2015; May 11th-17th, 2015; August 23rd-30th, 2015; November 9th-15th, 2015.
All of these will be at the Semperviva Yoga Studios, in Vancouver, Canada. The Yin Yoga Teacher Training Program offered at the Semperviva Yoga College is a unique way to deepen your yoga practice and touch tissues rarely worked in a more active yang style of yoga. For 200 hour certified teachers the credits of the course can be applied towards the 500 hour certification, and are eligible for CEUs with Yoga Alliance. (CEUs = Continuing Education Units and are required to maintain your status as a Registered Yoga Teacher).
For more details or to register, check the Semperviva web page or call them at 604-739-2009.
MEDITATION REVEALED With Bernie Clark & Nathalie Keiller
November 16th – 23rd, 2014; May 17th-24th, 2015; November 15th-22nd, 2015.
This course will examine what meditation is, why we do it (its many benefits, spiritually, psychologically and physically), and how to do it, from a variety of viewpoints: From Eastern Yogic and Buddhist views to Western Psychotherapeutic understanding. The course will include personal, one-on-one training in Deep Meditation, as well as group instruction, to give the student an experiential basis for the practice of meditation. Held at the Semperviva Yoga Studios – Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Learn More
The forum is available for anyone to ask questions about Yin Yoga in particular or Yoga in general, but the forum is not just for those who “don’t know” – it is also available for everyone who already know, and have stories and information to share with others. Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the knees, knee pain, osteoarthritis and several ways in which Yin Yoga may help with these conditions. If knees are on your mind, check out some of these posts.
If you are having trouble finding a Yin Yoga teacher near you, or if you are traveling to somewhere new, try checking out the Directory of Yin Yoga teachers. We have hundreds of teachers registered from all over the world. If you are a teacher and are not in the directory, just send us your information and we’ll be happy to add you.
Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, and Biff Mithoefer are each planning a full load of workshops all over the world. You can check out their schedules at their home web pages:
Many teachers around the world are creating Yin Yoga based workshops and retreats. Some of them are posting these activities on our Forum page. Check it out. There may be one happening near you. (If you are a teacher, feel free to add yours to the page!)
The Art of Letting Go
One of the major causes of stress, which in turn exacerbates poor health, is our inability to stop, to let go. We struggle to do nothing, and yet – doing nothing can be a very natural and healthy state of being.
Your Body – Your Yoga: Part 4a
The Hips: Abduction
Our pelvis is just as unique as our fingerprints and voices: discover how your uniqueness affects your ability to do postures involving abduction in the hip sockets.
Cowface Movements Explained
What movements do we make in the hips and shoulders when we come into Cowface (Gomukhasana) Pose? How does knowing this make it easier to do the posture?
From the Gita to the Grail: A Video Intro to Yogic Myths
Watch Bernie talk about the role of myths and stories in our lives, as he explores Yoga stories and key Western Myths. Many viewpoints, new and ancient/East & West, are compared and contrasted.
