Thursday, September 11, 2008

Monday, September 1, 2008

Fall Yoga Classes

Jake's Hatha Yoga Teaching Style:
My practice and teaching style is inspired by the kosha model, a wholistic, multi-faceted perspective of the person. I also incorporate Ayurveda, and some subtler aspects of yoga from the tantric tradition (mudra, yoga nidra, subtle pranayama, chakras). I create each class starting with a theme (chakras, grounding, self, elements, strength...) and teach the class using the most relevant practices, and language for that theme. Each yoga class begins with body/self awareness, pranayama, warm ups, asanas, relaxation/yoga nidra and meditation. I am most interested in teaching the subtler aspects of yoga, using asana as one of many practices, to uncover the ground of Being that underlies our physical, energetic, emotional, cognitive, personal qualities.

Where:
Classes will be held at La Parfumerie (145 Evanson St), here in the heart of Wolseley.

When:
Classes will be at 6:30pm or 8pm Wednesday and Thursday. Let me know which days you prefer, since I have not finalized the schedule. I'm hoping to start classes on the 10th or 11th of September.

Fees:
$9 per 75 minute class, and a 10 week session is $75.

Private Classes:
I welcome private classes for you alone, or for a group of upto 4 of your friends. Fees are $36, per 75 minute class (divided amongst your private group). I am enthusiastic about catering to your needs, and interests, whether they be to emphasize specific parts of the body, or to incorporate more subtle aspects of yoga (mantra, mudra, subtle pranayama, chakras).

Yoga Therapy:
I have received certification from 2 schools of yoga therapy, and would love to cater a yoga practice for your physical, emotional or spiritual needs.

Yoga Nidra:
see June posts for more information about this practice.


Contact Information:
Jake
yoganidra204@gmail.com

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Individual Yoga Nidra

The practice of individual yoga nidra differs somewhat to a group class. In some ways, it even resembles some styles of psychotherapy, though a very body centred form.

I will encourage you to settle your body, and we will scan through the body, sensing what is present, then would guide you to create an 'inner resource', or imagined sanctuary. Then we would follow whatever arises, whether it be a sensation, an emotion, a belief, an image, thought, or even the personality itself.

I would guide you to feel whatever arises, in your body, and to flesh out the details (sharp, soft, heavy, tingly, pulsing, colours, shapes, images, metaphors...). You can invite a specific issue, or be open to whatever arises in you.

Then I may guide you to step back and be aware of what's present, and to alternate feeling, and being the awareness in which it's arising. Other times, it may be more appropriate to locate the original perception's opposite (sadness-loneliness) and to move between those experiences.

Some sessions we will explore one item, other times 3 or 4.

Email me, or comment if this is something of interest to you.

Monday, June 16, 2008

For those attending the yoga nidra classes...

Notice any physical, emotional or spiritual issues, and any limiting beliefs that may be coming up for you,
so that you can inquire into those during yoga nidra.

Also, remember or imagine a sanctuary of sorts: a place where you feel completely secure and at ease, to be who you are.

For any others interested, there are a few places left for Tuesday's class.

Namaste

Jake

Friday, June 13, 2008

Openings for Tuesday evening's yoga nidra class

Hello everyone!

Wednesday's class is now full. There's room for some more people on Tuesday night's class.

Om Shanti Om peace

Jake

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The sequence of a Yoga Nidra class

A typical yoga nidra class may linger a little longer on one layer, and therefore not touch on all the levels. 

1a.   Intention (what you wish to gain in this specific practice)
1b. Heartfelt Desire (health, happiness, enlightenment...)
1c. Inner Resource (a memory or imagined sanctuary where you would feel secure)

2. Physical Sensation (scanning through the body, sensing fully until your body radiates with awareness).

3.  Breath and Energy (sensing the breath, and energy in the body)

4.  Feelings and Emotions (hot, cold, anger, happiness...  And sensing it in the body itself)

5.  Cognition and Imagery (thoughts, memories, images, and locating it in body)

6.  Joy (pure uncaused joy)

7. Witness: I-Ness (who is aware, anyway?)

8.   Pure Being, Presence, Awareness (resting as Awaring Presence, Witnessing)

9.  Heartfelt Desire (repeat it again from this perspective)

10. Coming back to the body and to eyes open state, ideally with more awareness.

This is paraphrased from the Integrative Restoration textbook.

Links about yoga nidra & integrative restoration

There may be more articulate explanations of yoga nidra.  I'll keep trying though.

http://www.nondual.org
www.integrativerest.com
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2921276447

Free Introductory Yoga Nidra classes

As a way to practice what I learned at my recent training, as well as introduce the practice to Winnipeg, I will be offering free yoga nidra classes.  Classes will be on Tuesday, June 17th, and Wednesday, June 18th, from 7pm to 8:15, right in the heart of Wolseley. Choose which date works best for you.  

Comment to this post, or email me (yoganidra204@gmail.com) to reserve your place (space is limited).   Bring a yoga mat, pillow, blanket, (journal and eyemask).  

Yoga Nidra can also be taught one on one, in a verbal, interactive format.  If this is more to your liking, I would be pleased to guide you on your journey.  This would also be free of charge during the month of June.

Namaste

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Greetings

My training, in Chicago, ended at the beginning of May, and I would welcome the opportunity to guide yoga nidra practices, so that I may better integrate what I have learned.

During the month of June, I will be offering yoga nidra practices free of charge (or by donation- if that suits your fancy).

If this is of interest, or you have questions, send me a comment, or email at yoganidra204@gmail.com

Namaste

Jake