Swami Ashokananda (USA)
Master-classes:
1. The spiritual dimension of Hatha Yoga
In this workshop we will explore how the physical practices of Hatha Yoga can be directly linked to Yoga’s ultimate spiritual goal—discovering the radiance of our true Self. Through deepening our awareness of the energy that underlies and animates the body, we can use the physical body as a jumping point to discover more subtle dimensions of our being. By learning to work more consciously with Prana (Life-Energy), we will find it easier to:
-Find the right level of muscular effort in an asana
-Move into a witnessing attitude
-Find the alignment of an asana from the inside out
2. Diving Deeper into Meditation
If you tend to grit your teeth to try to get the mind to stop thinking or your meditations feel stagnant at a certain plateau, this workshop will bring new life, ease and enjoyment to your practice. We will learn how to best prepare for dharana (concentration), move more deeply into dhyana (meditation), and get a taste of going beyond the mind, without having to do battle with it. The program will offer a balance of theory and practice, and there will be time to address the individual questions, concerns and challenges you may be facing on the Path.
Swami Asokananda, a monk of Saraswati order since 1973, is one of Integral Yoga’s foremost teachers, known for his warmth, intelligence and good humor. His teaching comes out of his own practice and experience, having absorbed the wisdom of his Guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda, since the age of nineteen. While he enjoys sharing the practical wisdom of the yogic philosophy (especially the great Indian scripture, the Bhagavad Gita), he also loves his practice of Hatha Yoga and is one of our primary instructors for Intermediate and Advanced Hatha Yoga Teacher Training. In the past, he has served as the President of Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville® and Integral Yoga® International and he is currently the President of the New York Integral Yoga Institute.
Web: www.iyiny.org