Doug
Keller Yoga Workshop
Jun. 17-19, 2010
Living and Learning Yoga As Therapy
Hatha Yoga is a dynamic art of movement that re-educates the body while accommodating our own individual limitations. All it takes is some simple insight, refined by practice, into reading the "story" behind therapeutic problems to fully realize the power of yoga as a therapeutic practice. Doug will be bringing a broad but well-integrated range of resources to make the most of this effort at refinement.
Each day will begin with a full, flowing and rollicking practice centered around the therapeutic theme, followed afterward by an in-depth look at the therapeutic issue itself.
This year Doug will be focusing especially upon incorporating the "muscle energy techniques" as well as "postural release" techniques of Leon Chaitow, incorporating them into asana, modified asana, and adjustment techniques for overcoming pain arising from movement problems.
This will include a deep look into breathing patterns -- and their roots in emotional issues -- and how to address these through yoga via asana, pranayama, and intentional meditation.
Thursday June 17th: Teacher’s Training Focus, Noon to 3 pm $90
(we start late for out of towners to arrive)
Tools for Reading the ‘Story’ Behind Therapeutic Problems: Special Emphasis Upon Principles of the ‘Core’ and of Sacral Health
As tools for understanding patterns of dysfunction, we will start with the "upper crossed” and ‘lower crossed" syndromes that typically affect our movement and give rise to specific patterns of trigger point pain. This starting point will help us to read the nuances of the "story" behind individual pain, and we will build an asana program that works from the core outward to rewrite the story behind the pain.
Thursday, June l7, 6 to 8 pm - Open Session all Levels $75
Our special focus will be upon the sacrum and low back on this first day. We’ll explore the support system for the health of the sacrum and low back, assessment techniques which include inquiry into the health of the psoas muscle, and the specific actions and adjustments we can teach through asana that will improve the health of the low back and sacrum.
Friday, June l8, l0:30 to 12:30 and Friday, June 18, 4 to 6:30 Individual Sessions $75
The SHOULDERS: CORE SUPPORT FOR SHOULDER HEALTH
We will introduce a great deal of refinement into our tools for assessing shoulder problems, with special emphasis on muscle energy techniques for activating and releasing the muscles involved, incorporating them into asana practice. The relationship between core strength and shoulder health will also be explored, with exercises for developing this kind of core strength.
The anatomy of the shoulders will be covered in depth, with specific attention given to the principle muscles involved in healthy function, and the many ways in which they can be specifically addressed.
Saturday, June 19, l0:30 to 1:00 $75
HEALTH and breath: the mechanics and energetics of healing through breath
An in-depth look at the all-important role of breathing patterns -- the sources of harmful patterns of breathing, and how to address them in both asana and pranayama practice. This will include a look at assessing the health of the psoas in its specific relationship to the diaphragm. Turning directly to the breath, we will cover tools for assessing limited breathing patterns and habits that diminish health, as well as the types of health problems that arise from these patterns. We’ll explore how to overcome them through asana and pranayama techniques — how to teach, guide and empower students to continue in their own practice.
The asana practice will include principles of practice for awakening and liberating the breath; the teaching portion will focus on principles for teaching the major forms of pranayama practice with the intention to maximize physical and emotional benefits.
This will include discussion of the koshas and of the deeper work through pranayama specifically intended and directed by the tantras.
Closing talk: “Swatantrya — the Philosophy of Freedom and a New Paradigm for the Learning and Teaching of Yoga”
