hatha yoga classes will involve physical poses and breathing techniques (pranayama). These poses are typically practiced more slowly and with static posture holds for 3-5 breaths.

Yoga origins can be traced to Northern India over 5,000 years ago. The Hatha practice we know and study looks nothing like what's described in the original texts. In this workshop, we will discover Yoga's roots and how the discipline has changed as it made its way from East to West.

This workshop will be mostly lecture, dress comfortably.

Recommended reading: How Yoga Works, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

hatha yoga classes will involve physical poses and breathing techniques (pranayama). These poses are typically practiced more slowly and with static posture holds for 3-5 breaths.

yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga incorporating principles of traditional Chinese medicine with poses that are held for longer periods of time (3-5 min.).

vinyasa flow yoga emphasizes the sequential movement between physical poses guided by intentional breath. Vinyasa is a quicker paced class that incorporates cardio, strength, and stretch.

hatha yoga classes will involve physical poses and breathing techniques (pranayama). These poses are typically practiced more slowly and with static posture holds for 3-5 breaths.

vinyasa flow yoga emphasizes the sequential movement between physical poses guided by intentional breath. Vinyasa is a quicker paced class that incorporates cardio, strength, and stretch.

restorative yoga is a gentle, slow, still style of yoga that involves long, passive holds in a series of 4-6 restful poses.

What are the 8 Limbs of Yoga? Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, & Samadhi.

In this workshop we will explore Pratyahara & Dharana.

Pratyahara is "withdrawal of the senses". Pratya = withdraw, draw in, or draw back. Ahara = anything we 'take in' to ourselves by sight, smell, & sounds.
The ancient practice of Pratyahara teaches us to become absorbed in what we are focusing on and frees us from distraction during meditation. This foundational practice, while applied to meditation in this instance, is also applicable to daily life today. How many of us struggle with distraction? By learning this wisdom and becoming aware of our wandering mind, we can begin to powerfully shift our thoughts to guide our life with intention.

Dharana means "focused concentration". Dha = holding or maintaining. Ana = other or something else.
In order to focus on something, our practice of Pratyahara becomes critical because how will we focus our consciousness on one particular object, place, thought or idea if we are unable to understand the withdrawal of the senses? These are crucial partners in meditation and can also inform our life and our ability to be in the present moment.

This workshop is mostly lecture, dress comfortably.
Led by Angie Cherry