Saturday Morning
Precision of Intention, Clarity of Aim: Standing Pose Emphasis
This all-levels class will begin with intention setting to create a conscious connection to the thread of intention physically and attitudinally. Although alignment instructions can sound rigid or infused with “right and wrong” modes of thinking, most instructions are fundamentally about creating precise, clear directionality in which to move over time, not a perfectionistic set of standards to conform to.
Saturday Afternoon
The Sacred Middle Ground: Hip Opening, Twisting, Arm Balancing
No matter how much yoga philosophy we study, how adept we become at making physical shapes, or how many limitations we face, yoga practice can best be described as an “inside job”– a deeply internal, personal process that calls us to clarify and enliven our inner life, not to conform to outer standards or expectations. This internal middle place can hold the balance between inner work and outer action, between outside help and self-determination, between solitude and community involvement. This afternoon class will weave the thread of the midline into hip opening, twisting, and arm balancing postures for an inspiring foray into both familiar and less-commonly practiced postures.
Sunday Morning
Grounding the Sacred: Back Bending Postures
When our spiritual aims and intentions are grounded and stable, we can access a thread of connection between reality just as it is, and our aspirations to grow, expand and evolve beyond our current limitations. Acceptance and aspiration need not fight with one another, humanity need not be in conflict with divinity and the ground can give rise to the heights of our potential. This dynamic class will weave the thread of strong rooting action to create length, freedom and new possibilities in back bends. Whether you are an enthusiastic or a reluctant back bender, this class is for you.
Sunday Afternoon
Sweet Surrender: Forward Bends, Mantra, Pranayama
While surrender may be sweet, the process of getting there is often filled with difficulty. This forward bend class will incorporate supportive prop techniques, and clear explanation to create space inside that facilitates greater release and letting go in these sometimes-challenging postures. A perfect wrap-up to the dynamic work of the weekend, this class will conclude with chanting, breathwork and a long savasana.
Christina Sell is a certified Ansuara® yoga teacher and author of three books on yoga and body image: Yoga From the Inside Out: Making Peace with Your Body Through Yoga, My Body is a Temple: Yoga as a Path to Wholeness and A Deeper Yoga: Moving Beyond Body Image to Wholeness and Freedom. Known for her clear and precise teaching style, Christina masterfully synthesizes her studies in numerous yoga traditions, bodywork modalities, and personal growth techniques in offerings designed to assist people of all ages and abilities find an authentic connection to yogic practice.
