UPCOMING EVENTS

Hanuman in the Ramayana!

A Free Online Event

Saturday, July 29, 2023
8:00-9:30 AM PT
Online

The Rāmāyaṇa is considered an Ādikavya. Meaning it is not just known as our first poem (the verse came spontaneously to the sage), nor just the story of an avatar destined to be known as the dharma king, and not just a story that reaches deep into our souls and pulls out the best in us, but also as a tonic for anyone who is in existential pain.

This then is the story within which we find this humble servant of the Lord who transforms into a legend and who has even traversed the seas to become almost a household name here in the West, where even the US President Obama carried his statuette in his pocket!

Maria and I would be thrilled if you were to join us for tales regaling this vānara devatā, pavan putra Hanumān! And how, as long as he sits amongst us, dharma lives on!!
Jai Hanumān!
Register Now »


ANNOUNCING:

RASA INDIA RETREAT 2024!

Join Anjali and me for our second father-daughter India Retreat!
Register before August 15 and get in a very Special Incentive Price!
www.rasaindiaretreat.com

Read Testimonials from last years’ Retreat here »


Panchakarma at Sivananda Yoga Farm!

Sivananda Yoga Farm, Sept 5-13, 2023

If this calls you, register soon  to make sure you start your pre-cleanse protocol on time!

Pancha is Sanskrit for 5. Karma is Sanskrit for action. Join the two words and you understand the heart of Ayurvedic detoxification. Using the intelligent design of the body-mind complex, the ancients created a brilliant practice for cleansing that includes preparation, intensification, removal of potentially toxic matter, and rebalancing of the constitutional forces that govern our lives. But it does not end there. In following the traditional guidelines, the rejuvenation of the tissues of the body must also be initiated to have a successful cleanse. I can think of very few places that have a more desirable setting for achieving this. Spaces are limited. Find out more here »


SAVE THE DATE!

Ayurvedic Psychology Series

Sitting with MahaDeva

Free Introduction Workshop: Oct 14! Register Now »

UPCOMING COURSE:
Requires basic Ayurvedic understanding and the Free Intro
*Registration coming soon for the full course

OCT 21: Ayurvedic Psychiatry: The Farmacopeia
OCT 28: Ayurvedic Psychology: The Divine Principle
NOV 11: Ayurvedic Psychotherapy: Victory of Truth
NOV 18: Ayurvedic Psychosomatics: Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy

Details coming soon! Intro and all four online classes will be 1.5 hours each.

—————————PAST WORKSHOPS————————-

SŪRYA NAMASKĀRA:

An exploration of the tradition, the meaning and the practice of Sun Salutations.

Sunday, January 8th, 8AM Pacific/11AM Eastern
Early Bird $27 ends December 31st • $36 from January 1st

REGISTER HERE!


Exploring Sun Salutations

Sūrya Namaskāra can be found in the ancient texts as a simple prostration, known as Sūrya Daṇḍāsana: a prostration to the sun, rarely practiced anymore!

Over time it has morphed into a vinyāsa of 12 steps to honor the 12 houses of the Sun. With the original prostration mostly left out.

There is what we now call the classical method (pictured above), fairly recent in origin, and then there are the various versions that we get from the students of TKV Kṛṣṇamācārya, all vinyāsas that explore the primary movements and controls of the human body. And if practiced with a teacher in the tradition, to include Sūrya Daṇḍāsana along with adjustments specific to women.

The fact that there is more than one version itself is a testimony to Kṛṣṇamācārya’s genius in adjusting flows and postures to the student. Thus making sūrya namaskāra once again a personal practice.

In this brief workshop we will examine a few versions, with the goal of aligning individually; from simple movements to artful movements, and to where the postures can be done with mantras (samantra) to honor the original intent: of offering namaskāram to Āditya, the Sun God.

We will context it all with a powerful chant to Āditya that was used in ancient times to conquer our closest enemies: diseased states.

And we will end with another namaskāram: one we offer to the various directions. Ding Namāskaram

Sunday January 8th, 8AM Pacific/11AM Eastern
Early Bird $27 ends December 31st • $36 from January 1st


REGISTER HERE!


INDIA RETREAT 2023
is now SOLD OUT!

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!

Anjali and I are overwhelmed by the response we have received to this daughter-father led Retreat to India. If you had been contemplating joining us, we would love to hear from you and offer you a big incentive to share an India journey with us in 2024!
CONTACT US


YOGA THERAPY HOUR PODCAST

PODCAST WITH AMY WHEELER:
Amy and I discuss Ãyurvedic Yoga Therapy!

Listen to the episode on all major podcasting apps:
Apple Podcasts »
Spotify »
Audible »
Sticher »
Google Podcasts »

Vinyāsa Therapeutics

THE KRAMA OF HEALING THROUGH ĀSANA

Vinyāsa is the art form of yoga. In vinyāsa, the practice of yoga stakes its place as one of the 64 arts of India.

As such, it is about structuring our practice in a way that a pathway is created into an āsana, so that the āsana becomes steady and comfortable, and then creates a safe pathway back out.

In its its logical sequencing, we identify the āsana/postures that are reflective of the natural postures of our bodies. And this allows us to dance within them, by following the laws of placement and movement.

Being eternally grateful to Ramaswami Srivatsa for his teachings, I offer here a therapeutic approach to the practice of these postures and the variations they flower into. Therapy being one of the 6 ways of practice, its need is the need of our times.

The intent of the practice is to bring us back to health. To bring us back to our yoga.

(Check the workshop(s) you want to register for on the form)

SATURDAY EVENINGS ONLINE

JUNE 18, 25, JULY 9, 16, 23, 30, 3-5:30PM PDT

Recordings provided to attendees

$180 early bird (ends June 11) • $210 after

Price is for the series (no individual classes please)

PRANAYAMA:
THE BREATH IN YOGA:

From beginning to end: overview and practice.

Prāṇāyāma is a very particular breath practice, found mid-way within the eightfold path of yoga. It is not, however, the full spectrum of the understanding and use of breath in the practices of yoga.

There are at least three other areas where correct manners of breathing, appropriate specifically to that modality, are essential. Thus, to realize the full spectrum of the breath in yoga we need to look at its correct usage in all its practices: kriyā, āsana, prāṇāyāma and saṃyama.

With this knowledge, breathwork through yoga can become an incredibly powerful tool for bringing balance to all five levels of our health paradigm: the pañca maya kośa.

Especially as yoga tells us that the breath is the link between the physical sheath and the mental sheath and then by extension, the key to our intelligence; our emotional sheath and our blissful spirit.

In this two-part workshop, we will first explore the breath in kriyā and āsana. Then sequentially, we will delve into prāṇāyāma and all its intricacies: from balanced breath to alternating nostrils to amantra and samantra and finally the breath in samyama, including in chanting and visualization.

This workshop includes practice. No yoga mat is needed nor is your Lululemon clothing. However, please check and see if you can inhale for a count of 5 and exhale for a count of 10. If you cannot, you are still welcome, just let us know so we can guide you individually prior to.

Session One: Classical definition of prānāyāma. Breath in āsana, kriyā, prānāyāma and meditative states (dhāraṇā, dhyāna, samādhi, saṃyama) Focus on āsana and kriyā breathwork.

Session Two: Focus on prāṇāyāma practices. Including various alternate nostril practices, amantra and samantra and mudras. Breath and japa in meditative practices.

March 19-20 (Saturday/Sunday)

8:00 – 10:30am PDT
$60 early bird (ends March 12) • $70
ONLINE

HEALING THE CHAKRAS USING YOGA & AYURVEDA

Saturday, February 26, 2022

8-11am PST

Online with Zoom, Early Bird: $45 • After Feb 19: $55

If we symbolize the chakras, after all, for the most part, the best most of us get to do is imagine them; then we need to understand the concept of the wheel. A wheel is something that can be put into motion by utilizing energy and then it may begin to generate the energy itself.

Take for example a water wheel: a machine for converting the energy of flowing or falling water into useful forms of power.

A chakra, whether symbolized, or truly experienced, has the power to shift the energy of our consciousness upwards into higher realms. This takes a special kind of energy. Like a fountain. Or Kuṇḍalini.

In this workshop we look at how over time the chakras have come to be associated with different deities, planets, mantras, elements, emotions, foods and medicines, sexual energy and of course, the seven energies created by time, space and intention.

And then we delve into a yoga practice that offers us an opportunity to move into higher symbology. We will use kriya, āsana, prānāyāma, mantra and finally, meditation, to allow the possibility of higher states of consciousness.

No prior yoga experience necessary and no one to judge your level of expertise nor of your resulting experience.

Study Ayurveda with
Anjali Deva

STARTS FEBRUARY 24!
3 Spaces left!

A chance to study Āyurveda through the lenses of trauma-informed and compassion-based practices. Anjali (my daughter:) and her expert team of teachers will prepare you to be an Āyurvedic Wellness Counselor with skills in dealing with trauma through the lens of Āyurveda.

Sign up now!

VĪRABHADRĀSANA

The Dimensions of Warrior Pose!

A WARRIOR POSE WORKSHOP
Vīra: Fierce.
Bhadra: Friend.
Āsana: To embody.
To embody your warrior. To make it a friend to the oppressed.
In this workshop, we will explore the various dimensions of Warrior Pose.
We will begin with its mythological roots. Understand its healing, strengthening, and physical benefits through practical explorations: 4 versions! Explore the pose dimensionally: as therapeutic, as protective, as strengthening, as disciplined, and finally we will end in the prayer of the warrior.

ONLINE. RECORDING PROVIDED.

Sat Nov 5th. 8AM PT/9AM MT
$27 Early Bird  / $36 after Oct 31st.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
REGISTER HERE!

Āsana in Yoga: Relevance of Yoga Sutras

Relevance of the Yoga Sutras

Starts April 9 2020!

Is āsana yoga?
Of course not, says, well, everybody? But really? If that is so, why do we act as though it is? Why is a yoga class all āsana, with perhaps a little lip service to prānāyāma, a little somber chanting and sitting for, umm, 5 minutes, trying to look serene?

The truth is, we need āsana. We need it because our bodies crave movement. They even crave movement in groups of people. The sangha of it. Yes, we can exercise anywhere and in so many other ways, but āsana gives us something we do not get elsewhere and it brings a specific sense of satisfaction to the mind. A serenity, if you will. And our minds crave that as much as our bodies crave movement.

So then, imagine what all the other limbs would do for us if we practiced them just as diligently!

While the ultimate goal of the Yoga Sutras is absolute peace, within the 8 limbs lie incidental fruits. Practitioners begin to live more ethical, empathetic and kinder lives.

Yoga is not just a philosophical science, it also is a most practical one that has resisted becoming a religion and remained more of a philosophy, and a higher science!

And as a philosophy, it is very practical! As my teacher would emphasize, ‘yoga is not an armchair philosophy’

To truly understand this, one must study the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Wherein, for those who are so seeking, lie answers to our day to day dilemmas.

This relevance is found mostly in the second chapter. But it is meaningless without the context of the beginning of the first chapter and the beginning of the third. When read this way, it gives us the motivation to begin, continue, or go deeper; into our practice of yoga.

Whether you have never heard of them but wish to now or whether you have been practicing for years and are searching for that one more insight that will catapult you to the next stage, that is where I want to meet you.

As my teacher did me.

Staying in our āsana

Workshop Details & Registration

The Yoga Sutras are about the tradition of yoga. They clearly define the goal, the practices and the path. Although the paths and practices are numerous, the final goal is singular. It is peace of mind.

The transformation of patterns into essence.
To find ourselves and come to peace.

  • 4 Fridays: April 9, 16, 23 (no class on 30) and May 7.
  • 5-7 pm PST / 6-8 pm MST
  • $125 for all 4 sessions. Sessions will be recorded and shared each week and available for a further month post event.
  • Focuses on select passages of Chapter I and III and the complete II

Interested?
Get in early and save 10%! $25 deposit saves your seat and gets you 10% off until April 2nd. Space limited. No refund on deposit.
TEACHERS: Please ask about special rates for your yoga and YTT students and how to get yourself comped!

REGISTER NOW »

For context on our approach to the YS, read here:
Yoga. Āyurveda. Buddhism.



SAVE THE DATE:

Masterclass in Ayurvedic Cooking.

Sunday July 11th.
3 chefs share some of their favorite easy to make dishes, prepared based on Ayurvedic principles.
Details coming soon!


HEALING THE HEART, HEALING THE MIND

Healing the Heart
is
Healing the Mind

NOW GOING ONLINE!

The heart is alive. In fact, it brings life to us with each pulsation, sending rivers of prāna flowing through our plasma, blood, muscle, fat, skeleton, marrow and finally, our vital reproductive juices. There it transforms into our very essence itself or leaves us to form a new life with another beautiful heartbeat singing its song!

This heart that is the fiery sun of our own universe, is ever producing our minds through its sensory rays and clear light! Mind as it spreads its venous tentacles to every sense organ so that we can fully experience the world around us. Mind that extends instinctively down into our bellies, so we vicariously feel each perceptive truth as a somatic experience. And mind, like a tree, sends its rising branches upwards to form our brain. Where we think, imagine, reason and occasionally perceive the highest truths.

And yet, we imprison this heart behind gates of arrogance, lust, hatred, greed, jealousy and pride. And we subject it cruelly to fears, unjustly to angers and unmercifully to grieving.

Our hearts are the key to our lives. Heal our heart and we heal our mind. In healing the mind we finally discard the undigested toxins of fear, anger and grief. And spontaneously and oh so creatively, the heart sings its joy and its simple innocent declaration- know me and know peace.

Upcoming Healing the Heart Online Workshop:

June 27. Now open for Registration. Space Limited.  Click here to Register.

July 11: Scheduled. Email adretreats@gmail.com for advance Registration!

 

 

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
In the Vedic tradition, the heart is the seat of emotions, of prāna and of our intrinsic immunity. It is also the origin of the mind and it is from the heart that the mind as emotions moves towards the brain for intellectual understanding and the gut for instinctive behavior. If we free our emotional seat from the siege of its enemies: fear, anger and grief then the rightful emotions of playfulness, innocence and joy rule supreme once again. It is a journey of remembrance. One we should all take together. Yoga and Āyurveda show us the way to do so.
WORKSHOP CURRICULA:
The Heart as Seat of Mind
The Qualities of the Heart: Creativity, Innocence and Joy
The Enemies of the Heart: Fear, Anger and Grief
The Allies of the Heart: Resolve, Patience and Faith
PLUS
Practicum: Emotional Intelligence Yoga Practice: Healing The Heart/Healing The Mind (separate practice video)
Understanding Heart Disease Through Āyurveda: Treating Through Yoga (Bonus separate video)

 A heart to heart prayer:

May we together be each others protection.
May we together nourish each other.
May we together become each others strength.
May we together become wise.
May we always be friends.
May we support each other in finding peace.

May your breath always be at peace!