It's time to change our limited understanding of who can practice yoga asana and start exploring its true purpose! Within the context of yoga, asana is the tool for cultivating and circulating energy within the structure of the physical body. By shifting our understanding of yoga away from form (a pose or posture to imitate) and toward function (a purpose to work toward), we can expand our perception of asana and how it can serve real people with diverse bodies that have a variety of shapes, sizes, limitations, and abilities.
A consistent asana practice creates a balance of strength and flexibility while releasing muscular tension. Standing poses are vigorous postures that awaken your entire body. In postures like Warrior 1, Warrior 2, triangle, and side angle, we attempt to find stability without rigidness and relaxation without laziness. Standing postures also awaken our physical connection to the earth – they are naturally grounding. This connection is essential to cultivating presence of mind and our connection to the present moment.
In this workshop, we'll get creative and explore standing asanas in different ways: lying on our mat, seated in a chair, kneeling, using the wall for support, and standing on our mat in the middle of the room using traditional modifications and variations, while practicing hands-on assists. More than simply learning to modify a practice, this workshop is designed to help change your perspective on asana!
Although this workshop is geared toward yoga teachers, anyone wishing to learn how to adapt standing postures is welcome to attend. We will take a one-hour lunch break. RYTs can earn 6 contact CEUs.
If you are someone who would like to practice yoga asana but feel you're limited right now due to an injury or particular condition, please contact Angela (mainstreetyogafmt@gmail.com) about how you might be able to attend this workshop free of charge.