Friday October 25 6:00pm-8:30pm Mantra Recitation — Exploration into Sacred Sounds
Mantra is a vibration that produces an energetic effect. They can range from tiny, single-syllable seed mantras whose effect is quite specific, to large shloka verses that produce a more general effect. We will practice many different kinds of mantra and unpack their constituent sounds to discover how they work.
Saturday October 26 9:30am-12:00pm Yoga Sutras Unraveled: The 8 Limbs—Outer Behavior
Yamas, Shaucha and Santosha
How we interact with others affects our heart-mind and those around us. Cultivating ethical behavior is essential for a civil society to flourish. Part and parcel with healthy social relationships is taking care of oneself.
Saturday October 26 1:00pm-3:30pm Yoga Sutras Unraveled: The 8 Limbs—Turning Inward
Pratyanhara and Samyama
Focusing our attention on a single place centers our heart-mind, ending outer sensory distractions and moving us deep into our inner light of awareness. The final four limbs cultivate a sattvic heart-mind and a higher state of consciousness.
Sunday October 27 9:30am-12:00pm The Elemental Chakras — Subtle Body Evolution
After an explanation of terms like nadi, chakra, and kundalini shakti, we will cover each chakra’s primary characteristics as stated in the ancient Sanskrit text titled “Shat Chakra Nirupana.” These include the chakra’s element and what it represents, colors of each part of the chakra, the element’s shape and primary syllable, and all secondary syllables that support it. Using verses from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika we will discuss the theory of awakening the dormant kundalini and how it flows upwards through the sushumna nadi. We then apply the theory by chanting and resonating the seed (bija) and petal sounds from the root chakra through the crown, focusing our attention and breath at the location of each chakra.
Sunday October 27 1:00pm-3:30pm Yoga and Ayurveda Parallels: Integrating Two Powerful Healing Sciences
The natural principles of Ayurveda are integrated into certain systems of yoga. This synergistic combination provides powerful tools for radiant health and personal self-development. Just as diet and lifestyle can be tailored to one’s individual constitution, so too asana and pranayama can be adapted to one’s unique body, breath and mind. Through lecture, discussion and yoga practicum, students will learn and experience how to ascertain their current state of health, consciously set intentions and then make appropriate choices. Ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle as well as principles for adapting yoga practice to the individual will be covered, drawing from Sanskrit texts such as the Ashtanga Hridayam, Yoga Sutras and Yoga Rahasya.
Nicolai Bachman has been teaching Sanskrit, chanting, yoga philosophy and Ayurveda since 1994. His education combines informal, traditional study with the academic rigor of university classes. He holds an M.A. in Eastern Philosophy, an M.S. in Nutrition, and is eRYT500 certified. His publications at Sounds True include The Language of Yoga, The Path of the Yoga Sutras, and The Yoga Sutras Desk Reference.
Workshop Cost: $250.00 or $225.00 if registered by October 11th.
Individual Classes: $55.00
Registration is available under “Workshops”.