Heretic Yogas

 

Off the Beaten Track

3Gems Clients

TURN ON TO HERETIC YOGAS

Heretic yogas move off the beaten track to include more circular and twisting movements, alternative sequencing, and anatomically sound techniques that work the body in a more comprehensive and functional, not to mention safe, way. Studio yogas today, on the other hand, too often are stuck in a particular set of linear poses based on sun salutations, repeated over and over in class after class, with quasi-religious devotion and a dose of spiritual fluff. Emphasizing strength as much as flexibility, heretic yogas include influences from eastern martial arts and western medical science, while keeping an open, conciliatory mind toward the energetic and philosophical positions of classical yoga. In general these are training forms that prepare the western body for yoga.

Yogasynergy

Yogasynergy advocates the co-activation of muscle groups (bandhas) that greatly facilitate the safety and effectiveness of Krishnamacharya-based asana. There are 13 such co-activations around the joints that, combined with knowledge of stretch reflexes and the major nerves and nerve plexes, allow one to approach any yoga pose intelligently and progressively develop strength, stability and ease in the pose.

Vyayam (yogic exercise)

Many forms of yogic exercise develop the physical and energetic bodies. Vyayam here refers to flowing choreographed movements lead by the breath, a form of dynamic pranayama that develops balance and coordination in the body and calmness and alacrity in the mind. The forms are particularly useful for the elderly, infirm, injured, and those new to yoga who are put off by the studio yoga emphasis on gymnastics.

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Shadow Yoga (Preludes)

A set of three challenging sequences based on classical Indian marma theory, martial arts training, and dance, which also happens to fit in well with modern kinesiology and myofascial meridian theories. The "prelude" forms consist of unique spiraling and twisting movements that focus on building strength in the legs and core as well as increasing flexibility in the hips, spine, shoulders, wrists and ankles.

TUNE IN TO SUBTLE ENERGIES

These yogas incorporate the more subtle or esoteric aspects of yoga into how asanas are sequenced and performed. The goal of these yogas are specific physical, mental, and emotional effects. Often specific breathing patterns, special bandhas, and frequent periods of rest are incorporated. Increased flexibility or physical fitness concerns are secondary to the energetic effects created. These yogas are typically useful in preparation for further meditative or contemplative explorations in consciousness.

Depth Yoga

A slower vinyasa style for practitioners who have achieved a certain ease and stability in their physical practice and are ready to work with specific breath patterns, bandhas, longer holds, and energy manipulation. Advancing in this form of yoga is not based on increased flexibility, but rather moving deeper into the energy fields that lie dormant in the body.

Ayurvedic Yoga

As a complete and comprehensive system for living in accord with the ever-changing flux of natural and cosmic forces, Ayurveda informs and explains the purpose of yogic practices beyond basic anatomy concerns. Asana practice is sequenced according to dosha, and includes dietary and herbal recommendations to optimize practice.

Sivananda Yoga

A simple but demanding system of Hatha Yoga focused on the spine / chakra theory. Twelve floor poses starting with headstand / shoulderstand and including fish, seated forward bend, backbends, peackcock, and crow poses. Fantastic series for overall health and seated meditation.

DROP OUT OF MINDLESS CONDITIONING

The outcome of yogic meditation is clear perception of both the inner and outer worlds, from which peace, contentment, and right action arise naturally. Yoga asserts that true meditation evolves from the ability to concentrate, which requires effort to develop. In the yogic system, meditation can be defined as effortless concentration.

Calm, Sustained Focus

For westerners, Tratak and Nidra are the most accessible methods for focusing and clearing the mind for westerners. Tratak (gazing) trains you how to really look, to hold the mind in sustained visualization, beyond words and labels. Yoga nidra, a process of dissolving deeply seated stress and ignorance, also depends on visualization, so the two practices complement each other perfectly.

Calm, Sustained Energy

Sanskrit mantras are sound / energy formulas that are said to realign the bodymind with specific subtle energies. Simply performing them appropriately and consistently helps energize the mind's higher potentials. Combined with simple pranayama techniques, visualization, and mudras, mantra can rapidly change your consciousness in any way you choose.

Calm your mind right now >>

Calm, Sustained Action

For Yogis, introspection (vichara) involves first becoming aware of and then questioning the validity and source of one's own thoughts, emotions, perceptions, and beliefs with the intention of removing ignorance from the mind. Over time, vichara cuts through the mental bullshit most of us constantly manufacture, and allows a clearer picture of reality to emerge.

 

My Certifications

The primary qualification of any teacher arises from the depth of their personal practice. Techniques can only be transmitted authentically if the instructor has internalized them in his or her own experience. Still, a listing of certifications can be indicative of what one can expect from a particular instructor. Here are mine, starting with the most recent: 

 

 

Yogasynergy
w/ Simon Borg-Olivier
yogasynergy.com  (An interview with Simon)

120 hr Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga Certification
Traditional yoga for the modern body. This demanding course adapts the teaching of asana to the realities of the modern western body and mind using the latest from exercise-based physiotherapy and medical science. Implementing yogasynergy principles, one learns to approach asana with clarity, precision, intelligence, and safety. Awarded July 2016.

Ayurvedic Yoga
w/ Dr. David Frawley
American Institute of Vedic Studies (vedanet.com)

400 hrs Ayurvedic Yoga Certification
The Yoga, Ayurveda, Mantra, and Meditation Course  confers the title "Yoga and Ayurveda Wellness Consultant." The course interprets and explains all eight limbs of Yoga and Yoga philosophical perspectives according to Ayurvedic principles. It advocates an Ayurvedic Yoga approach for the full healing of consciousness. 300 hours of study (plus many more of personal practice) with 100 contact hours with Mr. Frawley. Awarded Oct. 2014.

 

Para Yoga Trainings
w/ Rod Stryker
Interview w/ Rod

280 hrs of ParaYoga Master 5-Day Intensives
→ Prana Shakti: The Power and Path of Yoga (2014)
→ Kosha: Unleashing the Science of the Soul (2010)
→ Yoga Sutras: Light on Self Mastery (2009)
→ The Yoga of Fulfillment: The Four Desires (2009)
→ Tantra: The Radiant Soul of Yoga (2008)
→ Yoga Marma: Principles of Teaching/Adjustments (2008)
→ Vinyasa Krama: The Energetics of Sequencing (2006)

Vyayam Yoga
w/ Chaitanya Rudrani
(Vedic Foundation of the Himalayas)

120 hrs of Vyayam Training
Instructor certifications earned in Rishikesh, India, and Granada, Spain 2011-2012, from Chaitanya Rudrani and other disciples of Swami Saraswati Tilakanada. Vyayam Yoga is an Indian strength, balance, and energy development system from South India. It combines simple flowing movements with dynamic forms of pranayama. As such, it is suitable preparation for a standard asana practice, or a complete practice in itself for older folks or those with injuries.

Shadow Yoga
w/ Mark Horner
(horneryoga.com) 

300 hours Shadow & Hatha Yoga training 
Based on the methods, practices, and theory of Shadow Yoga, classical Hatha Yoga, and Ayurveda, Mark's comprehensive Hatha Yoga Practitioner Training program is focused on helping dedicated students and aspiring teachers deepen their practice both physically and energetically in order to become solid, self-directed, and skillful practitioners — the foundation for a rich and effective personal practice, and the sine qua non of skillful instruction. Walnut Creek, CA. 09.2009 – 04.2010

Sivananda Yoga
w/ Sivananda Yoga Farm Ashram
(sivananda yoga farm)

200 hr Sivananda Yoga Teacher certification 
Sivananda Yoga is a traditional advaita vedanta 8-limbed  approach to Yoga which integrates the four main paths of yoga (Karma, Bhakti, Raja, Jnana). The ashram develops a well-balanced Sadhana (spiritual discipline) including asana, pranayama, vegetarianism, and meditation as the basis for balanced living. Their asana sequence is chakra-based, begins with headstand, and is not for the faint of heart. Grass Valley, CA. 06.2007

 

 

My Area of Service

Clients generally live in neighborhoods bounded by the 70 in the North, the 25 in the west, Santa Fe Dr. / 470 in the southwest, and the 225 in the east.