Somatic Theories I Class

I started teaching Somatic Theories I to dance majors at Elon University on September 1. The first semester of the course covers Classical Pilates, Hatha Yoga, and Alignment-Based Yoga.  They will be writing their responses to various questions I’m posting under the Somatics I Page. Stay Tuned!

End of Elon Class and Beginning of Beach Yoga Week

I enjoyed teaching the recent yoga intensive class at Elon and can’t believe how quickly three weeks went! I was very pleased with the overall growth of the students not only in terms of their physical alignment, strength, and flexibility improvement but with their deepened understanding of Yoga philosophy and theory. I’m hoping that they will continue with their Yoga practice. Please take a moment to read their blog responses to questions inspired by their reading of Donna Farhi – very interesting.

I’m heading to the beautiful beaches of North Carolina where I’ll be practicing every morning on the deck overlooking the Atlantic. Check back for beach yoga updates and photo’s!

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

I enjoyed teaching three of my favorite sutras today:

I:2 Yogas Citta Vrtii Nirodhah (yoga stills the fluctuations in one’s consciousness)

II:46 Sthira Sukham Asanam (Asana has the dual qualities of stability and comfort)

II:29 Yama Niyamasana Pranayama Pratyahara Dharana Dhyana Samdhayo Stavanagaini (the eight limbs of yoga are wise characteristics, codes for living soulfully, physical posture, breath regulation, sense withdrawal/inner focus, concentration, meditation, and enlightenment)

The students learned them in Sanskrit the traditional way – repeating after the teacher. While there was genuine laughter initially, they all seemed to be grasping the language fairly well towards the end. We had some good discussion about the readings and I’m looking forward to their group presentations on Monday.

First Day of Elon Yoga Philosophy, Theory & Practice

Great first day of class! The students were very focused, interested, and engaged. I have a number of student athletes in the class and I think they especially enjoyed the physical practice. Many of the students remarked they felt “longer and like Jell-O” after the practice. Our discussion time was too short as most of our time was spent on reviewing the syllabus, discussing the class blackboard issue, and determining the groups. Tomorrow’s discussion will be longer. I have a feeling that all of the students were a bit taken aback with the reading assignment tonight but it should make for some lively conversation tomorrow.  I’m always amazed at how much I learn from teaching – I’m looking forward to the next few weeks!

Elon Yoga Class Starting Soon

I am teaching “Yoga Philosophy, Theory, and Practice” at Elon University beginning on Thursday, July 9. The class will run for three hours per day, five days a week. It will be a great immersion into the dynamic practice of Yoga!  I am looking forward to meeting all eighteen students and working with them intensely over the next few weeks. I’ll be asking the students to blog on specific Yoga topics – be sure to check out their responses on the Elon Yoga Class – summer 09 page (posted on the sidebar.)

The course interweaves the intellectual, spiritual, and experiential aspects of classical yoga. Students will be introduced to: the philosophies of ancient India that led to the development of the practice of yoga; the physiological and esoteric yogic theories; the physical embodiment of the postures, breathing techniques, and meditative tools. Students will become familiar with some of the sacred and secular texts of ancient India as well as contemporary commentary on yoga. An introduction to Sanskrit terms and definitions will be covered. The physical practice will focus on Alignment-based Yoga and Vinyasa Flow Yoga. This course is appropriate for students who are new to yoga as well as students who like to deepen their philosophical and physical understanding of Yoga.

I’ve compiled a great reading list for the course: Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar, Yoga Mind, Body and Spirit and Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi and The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga by Georg Feurstein.

Stay tuned!

I’m Twittering…

I’m now on Twitter – my user name is lkearnsyoga. Follow me for daily yoga tweets!

Down Dog

Down dog is a “cure all” after a long day of sitting in a car.

Welcome!

Improve Your Health

Improve Your Well-Being

Welcome to my Yoga Blog Site where you’ll read about my ongoing yogic journey, my yoga training, teaching, and movement background. You’ll also receive updates about a new private practice I’m starting in Burlington, N.C., my teaching schedule, and upcoming workshops and classes. I will be posting excerpts of articles I’m working on, photographs, and video’s soon.

Grace, Beauty, Strength, Energy, and Firmness Adorn the Body through Yoga. Yoga Sutra, III.47

Photo Credit: Steve Clarke