This year my annual workshop at Mount Madonna Center will focus on our yoga practice, including Active poses in the first session of the day, and Restorative poses in the afternoon session.
But our special focus will be on pranayama, the practice that uses the breath as a vehicle to carry us “toward our center” in a subtle and powerful way.
Both our Active and Restorative poses will therefore be selected specifically to open us to our breathing. While it is not well-known, in traditional yoga training pranayama practice was much more important than asana practice. We will approach the topic first from breathing awareness techniques that are suitable for all levels of students, and then move into traditional pranayama practice. Classic yoga teachings state that pranayama is the gateway to meditation.
In addition to the classical techniques of practice, we will explore ourselves through discussion, short writing assignments, and the cultivation of an introspective attitude.
This intensive is for you if:
- You regularly practice pranayama.
- You do not presently practice pranayama regularly but really want to.
- You are curious about the effects of the regular practice of pranayama.
- You want to understand better the relationship of the effects of asana on pranayama practice.
"What I appreciated most about Judith's Pranayama Intensive was the thoughtful, progressive structure of the workshop. Each class segment was organized thematically around principles of practice and respiratory physiology, asana to prepare for Pranayama, and restoratives to integrate. My understanding of asana and pranayama sequencing grew by leaps and bounds. One of my favorite workshops!" - Mary E. Richards, M.S.
"Judith's Pranayama Intensive was a tremendous experience for me. After years of studying pranayama from a distance its safe to say that I had my best experiences of this practice over this Intensive. The practice felt organic, gentle and profound rather than technical. The week left me with a deep sense of clarity and enthusiasm for the power of the practice of pranayama. I now have a personal pranayama practice that I feel joyful about. Judith's asana classes connected directly to the breath and left me with new and refreshing insights into this relationship. I would recommend this workshop to anyone curious about pranayama and also the relationship of asana to the breath: its a wonderful chance to explore, heal and learn.” - Andrea Peloso, Yoga Teacher and Teacher trainer
"Judith’s discussion and carefully sequenced preparatory asana enabled me to have much more profound experiences during pranayama. I didn’t think an entire workshop of breathing would hold my attention. But, Judith’s discussion and preparatory sequences not only changed my perspective on pranayama but enabled me to comfortably sustain longer and more profound meditations. I’ve practiced breath awareness for decades but the approaches I learned at Judith’s pranayama workshop refined and improved my breathing in daily life and my practice. Judith’s pranayama workshop was not dominated by formulas. Instead, it was inwardly focused and her expert discussion and preparatory work, enabled me to connect with a profound origin of my breath and release subtle tension I had been holding between my exhales and inhales. The workshop would benefit both new and experienced practitioners." - Bernadette Unger, Teaching yoga since 2002
The suggestion is that you register early as this workshop is limited to 50 people and is expected to fill quickly.
TO REGISTER AND OBTAIN HOUSING FOR THIS RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOP YOU NEED TO DO TWO THINGS.
1. TO REGISTER FOR THE CLASSES, send a check for $799 dollars (in US Funds only) made out to:
Judith Hanson Lasater
156 Madrone Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
*BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
- Your full name
- Your mailing address
- Your email address
- Your phone number
Refunds: Please note that there will be NO REFUNDS for the workshop portion of this course after December 1, 2017, FOR ANY REASON.
This is about six weeks before the workshop, which is the minimum time needed for people on the Wait List to make plans to attend
Please respect this deadline.
2. REGISTER FOR HOUSING AND MEALS AT MOUNT MADONNA CENTER: