Why ignorance of Human Variation is a big problem in yoga and medicine. {An Excerpt}
You are unique! These three words imply something amazing. In the whole universe, there is no one like you. You are not “average” and you are not “normal” – no one is actually average, normal or regular. You may share a few similar traits with other people: you may wear a medium-sized shirt like millions of others; your shoe size may be the same as your sibling’s; you are made up of identically shaped protons, neutrons and electrons, as is everyone you know. But when you examine the whole of who you are, the ways these particular parts come together to form a “you”, you are totally and indisputably unique.
The above excerpt is from Your Body, Your Yoga written by Bernie Clark, with a foreword by Paul Grilley. Here is a new review:
Your Body, Your Yoga is a fascinating, provocative, and scientifically-informed look at the inner workings of the body as it affects the practice of asana. Bernie Clark challenges much dogma in the modern postural yoga world, including a few heretofore sacrosanct principles of alignment, to demonstrate that a healthy and effective yoga practice should be adapted to each individual’s unique needs, abilities and anatomy. Required reading for yoga teachers and yoga therapists, and highly recommended for avid practitioners.Timothy McCall, MD, author of Yoga As Medicine; U.S.A.
Your Body – Your Yoga is now available and in stock at Amazon.com. It will be in your local bookstore soon. If it isn’t, please ask them for it.
Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings
Yin is In! 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 May 9th-15th, 2016; July 25th-31st, 2016; August 22nd-28th, 2016; November 7th-13th, 2016; February 13th-19th, 2017; May 8th-14th, 2017; July 24th-30th, 2017; August 21st-27th, 2017; November 6th-12th, 2017.
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 offered by Semperviva, 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.
LEARN TO TEACH THE DRAGON DANCE A Dynamic Indian/Daoist Fusion Flow A 3.5-Hour Workshop By Bernie Clark at Semperviva Yoga Studios in Vancouver, B.C. November 5th, 2016 from 1:00 – 4:30 pm
Bernie Clark has been offering the dance since 2008 and has decided it is time to share it in a new way … by teaching teachers how to lead students through the dance. Learn More
MEDITATION REVEALED With Bernie Clark & Nathalie Keiller May 15th-22nd, 2016; November 13th-20th, 2016; February 19th-26th, 2017; November 12th-19th, 2017.
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
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!)
Ignorance of Human Variation You are unique. Consider what this means: if you are totally unique, then what you need to be healthy and whole will be very different from what someone else needs.
Teacher Trainings & Retreats There are several Yin Yoga teacher training courses being held by Bernie Clark in the coming year, including a special 40-hour course called Meditation Revealed.
Learn to teach the Dragon Dance Bernie Clark has been offering the dance since 2008 and has decided it is time to share it in a new way … by teaching teachers how to lead students through the dance.
Checking out Other Interesting Events There are many teachers leading workshops, Yin Yoga retreats and Teacher Trainings. Click here to learn more.