workshops & retreats

Weekend Yoga Intensive with Beryl Bender Birch

Friday, April 27 - Sunday, April 29, 2012

Beryl Bender Birch, an avid student of classical yoga and the study of consciousness since 1971, is the best-selling author of Power Yoga, Beyond Power Yoga, and the newly published Boomer Yoga. With degrees in philosophy and comparative religion, Beryl has traveled extensively in India and has been training yoga students and teachers as "spiritual revolutionaries" for 35 years; her down-to-earth and lighthearted teachings of this brilliant methodology will help you to probe the secret teaching of classical yoga's inner limbs and discover a storehouse of wellness within. Beryl is the founder of The Hard & Soft Yoga Institute in New York and founder of the Give Back Yoga Foundation.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Beryl at her website.

Description:

Friday, April 27, 2012 - 5:30-8:30pm | Setting foot on the Yoga Path: The Early Years of Practice
We will enjoy a discussion on the philosophical foundation and the spiritual intention of the rajasic (active) asana practices like ashtanga, power, vinyasa flow, boomer, and hot yoga and why those new to yoga need to enter these practices slowly and safely. Teachers, as well as students, need to understand the importance of avoiding philosophical and physiological overload. (Yoga is an introspective method for personal evolution and to work as intended it needs to be regarded as a discipline.) Developing a regular, progressive practice early in the path helps us to enjoy the benefits of greater awareness that accrue from refined attention. This class includes lecture, discussion and a good sweaty asana (yoga) practice with modifications and options for all levels.

Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 9:00-12:00am | Bandhas, Breath, and Drishti
Enjoy an ashtanga full primary yoga class and learn to use the three techniques of bandhas, breath, and drishti to catapult your own practice beyond asana to the outer edges of your spiritual potential. These three aspects of yoga practice are not just incidental additions to asana, they are profound and powerful aids to the development of mindfulness, and designed to bring the attention into focus in the here and now. That alone is where we will find lasting Joy and the true experience of yoga. This class is mostly asana (yoga) with modifications and some discussion.

Saturday, April 28, 2012 -1:30-4:30pm | The Next Level: Yoga as a System of Energy Medicine
The classical path of raja yoga is an ancient and powerful system of energy medicine for body, mind, and spirit. The 8 limbs of yoga offer techniques for personal growth and healing that can increase your storehouse of prana and awaken the body's energy systems, bringing vitality and joyfulness to your life. Know your True Self as a field of limitless energy and get to know the subtle energy bodies surrounding your physical body. Shift energy patterns to balance and strengthen the immune system and heal your body and mind. Learn how therapeutic asana, meditation, and pranayama practices we can literally shift our brain's chemistry and create healing transformation, allowing our hearts to open. This class includes breath work, meditation, lecture and discussion but not asana.

Sunday, April 29, 2012 - 9:30-12:30 | Boomer Yoga for All
Drawing from her latest book, Boomer Yoga, Beryl will introduce a dynamic yoga practice that is especially designed for boomers to accommodate our changing bodies and minds. This is an opportunity for boomers who are active and adventuresome to experience an energetic yet doable approach to asana (yoga) practice that will both rejuvenate and detoxify your system. Yoga teachers and experienced yoga practitioners will find this boomer sequence of yoga postures fun, unique, effective and a wonderful tool for staying healthy and fit. Anyone new to yoga or who has been doing a more gentle practice, will also feel welcome, safe and comfortable with boomer yoga. If you can breathe, you can do this! This class includes lecture, a 75-minute boomer yoga practice and finish with question and answer time. Carpe Diem! See you there!!

How to Register: This special training with Beryl will fill up, so please register early to avoid disappointment.
- Registration is now open for attending the full weekend 12 hour intensive.
- Starting April 14, 2012 - any available spaces will be opened for INDIVIDUAL SESSION purchase at $65 per session

Step 1: Click here to fill out the Online Registration Form | Weekend Yoga Intensive with Beryl Bender Birch
Step 2: Click the "Add to Cart" button below to pay

LOCATION: This workshop will be held at the Union Bluff Hotel at Short Sands Beach in York, Maine

REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY: Full payment is required to secure your space in this workshop. Payments will be refunded less a $25. processing fee if you cancell via wirtten email by April 1, 2012. No refunds will be granted after April 21, 2012.

"Beryl is my kind of woman, a pragmatic practitioner of yoga...someone who takes you on a spiritual and physical journey with the proper mix of realism, compassion, joy and laughter. She is the perfect guide to help us all appreciate the rewards of yoga and everything our 'more mature' bodies and souls can continue to do for years to come." - Katie Couric