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Our guided
classes are based on the Ashtanga - Vinyasa principle of
movement linked to the breath.
Ashtanga Style
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An aerobic, muscle shaping, mind-sculpting,
and physically demanding practice. Move
through a series of challenging postures
connected through the breath. This practice
generates a strong mind-body connection and
becomes a moving meditation. |
Capoeira
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Afro-Brazilian art form that combines
elements of music, dance and martial arts.
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Flow
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An integrated sequence of energising and
revitalising movements linked to the breath
to develop strength & flexibility while
detoxifying and balancing.
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Iyengar
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This form of yoga is known for its use of
props as aids in
performing supported postures and is
characterised by great attention to detail
and precise focus on body alignment. It
emphasises the development of strength,
stamina, flexibility and balance, as well as
concentration.
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Lotus
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Hatha style of yoga focusing on traditional series of
postures to strengthen and align the body and quiet the
mind. Suitable for all levels.
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Prana Shot
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This hour
long practice offers a revitalising
energy boost to start the day feeling
refreshed, balanced and focused.
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Rolfing Clinic
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Rolfing addresses the constrictions within
the fascial (or connective tissue) network
of the body in a skillful and systematic way
and works towards the goal of organising and
integrating the body structurally.
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Stretch & Breathe
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A meditative practice focusing on using the
breath to increase flexibility through a
sequence of gentle movement and breathing
exercises.
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WORKSHOPS |
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We offer regular workshops by local and
international teachers. Please visit this
page or email us to join our mailing list
for regular updates. |
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About Karen
Karen is a fully
qualified yoga
teacher in the
method and
teachings of
Vanda Scaravelli
who developed
her unique
practice of yoga
in Italy after
learning
privately for
many years with
B.K.S Iyengar
and later
Desikachar, both
highly respected
teachers from
India. Karen
started
exploring yoga
seriously in
1993, starting
out with Ana
Forrest’s Yoga
in Los Angeles
and after
returning to
Brighton in the
UK and trying
various other
yoga approaches,
she felt she had
finally “come
home” when she
found this
approach to
yoga. She has
since continued
to learn and
study with
teachers that
were taught
privately by
Vanda and
continues,
through her own
practice, to
explore and
discover new
wonders of the
body and mind.
She has
dedicated the
last 17 years of
her life to the
practice and
sharing of this
innovative
approach that
brings enjoyment
to yoga and a
vitality to
life.
Karen is based
in North London
where she
teaches weekly
classes and
workshops from
her studio, The
Lotus Health
Studio. She also
teaches in
Brighton, India
and in South
Africa where she
was born and
lived till she
was 30 years
old. If you have
any questions
for Karen she
can be contacted
at
lotushealthstudio@yahoo.co.uk
A personal note
from Nicki: I
was lucky enough
to enjoy a short
workshop with
Karen in
Plettenberg Bay
last year. I
found this style
of practice and
Karen's
encouragement
and clear
direction made
for a nurturing
but powerful
experience that
subsequently had
a profound
effect on my own
practice,
particularly in
developing
strong, safe and
joyous
backbending!
About Vanda
Scaravelli
Vanda Scaravelli
was an inspired
and inspiring
woman, who came
to yoga
relatively late
in life. The
daughter of
artistic Italian
parents, wife of
a professor of
philosophy, and
an accomplished
pianist, Vanda
Scaravelli was
accustomed
throughout her
life to meeting
creative
artists,
intellectuals,
and literati.
Through her own
explorations she
realised
something so
simple yet
almost
impossible to
fully
understand: that
the force of
gravity is the
very thing that
supports us
upright, and
that if we are
balanced, the
wave of our
exhalation
elongates the
spine. Vanda
played host to
her friend Sri J
Krishnamurti
during his stays
in Italy, and
subsequently in
Switzerland. He
was a student of
Sri B.K.S
Iyengar, and it
was Iyengar who
introduced Vanda
to yoga when she
was in her
forties. She
also took to
heart the
teachings of
T.K.V.
Desikachar,
whose methods
became known as
viniyoga. She
went on to teach
yoga herself for
many years, and
shared her
wisdom in her
insightful book
Awakening the
Spine.
There was a
kindness to her
teaching that
has been
translated into
the concept of
working with the
body's
tendencies in
order to unravel
them, rather
than against
them. This is a
method
successfully
employed by
osteopaths and
Rolfers. The
value of working
with gravity
instead of
against it is
obvious. It
makes sense
philosophically
as well as
intellectually,
allowing us to
move away from
the
no-pain-no-gain
paradigm towards
a more Taoist
sensibility of
going with the
natural flow of
things.
The beauty of
Vanda’s
teachings burns
bright in
everyone she has
worked with and
inspired, but
the
revolutionary
aspect was that
yoga ceased
being the
passing on of a
tradition, and
became the
beginning of an
open-ended,
ever-expanding
exploration of
what is going on
right now.
(Source: UK
YOGA)
About the
Workshop
Karen’s approach
to yoga will
bring you closer
to the earth,
gravity, your
breath and the
beautiful
movement of your
spine. You will
learn to
elongate and
extend, creating
openness and
space. Through
listening to
your body and
your breath,
rather than to
push and pull,
you will
discover that it
responds in an
incredible way,
giving life and
suppleness to
the spine. In
this process,
you develop
health and
vitality.
Karen conveys
this subtle and
very dynamic
style with a
hands-on
approach to
invite your body
to undo beyond
its limitations.
There is
precision and
grounding in
teaching the
asanas so that
your posture is
realigned, and
the focus is on
awakening the
whole body in
all the asanas
through
engagement of
all the muscles
of the body. The
breath is the
essence of yoga
and is an
integral part of
her teaching.
Her approach
brings a
lightness and
ease to the body
and the mind.
In this workshop
Karen will go
through some of
the basic
principles of
Scaravelli yoga:
in the morning
session
connecting to
the earth with
special emphasis
on the
engagement of
the feet,
gravity, the
breath and
awakening the
spine and then
moving into a
slightly more
intense practice
with some
backbending in
the afternoon.
She will also
include
pranayama in
both sessions.
Both sessions of
the workshop are
open to all
levels of
practitioners of
yoga including
beginners and
advanced. For a
full
appreciation and
feel of the
effects of this
style of yoga,
the full day
workshop is
recommended
though not
essential.
Morning
Session:
10:30-13:00 (2.5
hours) |
Afternoon
Session
13:30-16:00 (2.5
hours)
Cost per session
R250 or R450 for
the full day |
50% deposit to
confirm your
place (banking
details in green
bar below)
Cost includes
fruit & nuts to
snack on during
the short break.
Spaces are
limited so
please contact
Nicki at your
earliest
convenience to
book yourself a
mat space.
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A Senior
Certified
Iyengar Yoga
teacher with
a diploma in
physical
education,
David Jacobs
has
dedicated
his life to
studying the
art and
science of
yoga. David
travelled to
Pune, India
to study
under BKS
Iyengar and
his daughter
Geeta, first
in 1994 and
then several
monthly
visits
thereafter. David
has recently
pulled back
from his
public
teaching
classes to
focus more
deeply on
his practice
and to begin
teaching
around
Southern
Africa and
internationally.
David Jacobs
is the
founder and
co-director
of the BKS
Iyengar Yoga
Centre, Cape
Town - South
Africa.
David makes
annual trips
to India and
still
studies
intensively
with the
world-renowned
teachers BKS
Iyengar,
Geeta and
Prashant
Iyengar in
Pune, India.
David began
his study of
the Iyengar
method in
1990 and
attended the
first
Intensive in
Pune, India
in 1994. It
was after
this
Intensive
that, (with
Mr.
Iyengar's
approval) he
founded the
BKS Iyengar
Yoga Centre
in Cape
Town, the
first one of
its kind in
Southern
Africa.
Along with
more than 20
years of
personal
practice,
his teaching
style
conveys the
Iyengar
method with
authenticity,
passion and
precision.
Methodical
in his
approach,
David
establishes
a solid
foundation
for each
asana and
progressively
refines
them. His
dynamic and
challenging
style of
teaching
inspires his
students
beyond their
perceived
limits.
David has
grown
substantially
in the past
few years
and enhances
his studies
by attending
Intensives
with Faeq
Biria in
Blacons,
France. He
also
attended
workshops
with
visiting
international
teachers
such as John
Schumacher,
Mary Dunn,
Dean Lerner
and Lois
Steinberg.
David just
returned
from his
visit to the
Institute in
Pune during
October
2006. In
addition to
teaching
public and
private
classes in
Cape Town,
David
teaches yoga
seminars
throughout
South Africa
and
internationally.
As a
certified
Senior
Intermediate
III Iyengar
yoga
Instructor,
David’s
unique and
dynamic
presentation
integrates
the Eastern
practice of
yoga with
our Western
lifestyle.This
weekend
workshop is
open to all
students of
yoga. During
the 2 days
David will
offer an
intensive in
Iyengar
Yoga. Each
day session
will include
asana and
pranayama.
This is a
rare
opportunity
to work with
a senior
teacher and
develop
precision
and
alignment in
your
practice.
Booking
The
investment
for this
workshop
is R600
per day.
For
bookings
or
further
information,
please
contact
Nicki on
083 410
1320 or
at yoga@lotusstudio.co.za.
Terms:
Bookings
will only be
accepted
with a 50%
deposit
payment
(non-refundable).
Balance of
payment is
required by
end June
2010 and
made by
cash, cheque
or EFT. No
credit
facilities. Payments
to Lotus
Studio |
Nedbank
Knysna
108914 |
Account
Number:
1089064233 |
Ref: DJ
Workshop-
Your name
Please
note: A
minimum
of 15
students
will be
required
for each
course
to take
place.
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Lotus
Studio
looks
forward
to
welcoming
back the
inimitable
Patrick
Oancia,
Director
of
YogaJaya,
Japan as
he
visits
South
Africa
on his
2010
yoga
world
tour.
Patrick
has been
immersed
in
practicing
yoga
since
1996. He
has
traveled
around
the
world
attending
advanced
intensive
workshops,
study
and
specialised
training
programs
to
continually
deepen
his
knowledge.
He has
studied
various
hatha
yoga
asana
traditions
including
Iyengar,
Sivananda,
and
Ashtanga
and has
also
studied
yoga,
Indian,
Taoist,
Sufi and
Buddhist
philosophy
in the
relation
to
contemporary
lifestyle.
Not
knowing
much
about
yoga
at
the
start,
Patrick
has
seen
his
practice
gradually
generate
a
complete
transformation
in
the
way
he
leads
his
life.
He
moved
into
a
style
of
living
that
has
increased
his
level
of
awareness
to
the
point
that
it
has
revolutionised
the
way
he
feels
about
being
alive.
He
has
become
fascinated
with
the
intelligence
within
the
physical
body
and
the
powerful
insights
that
can
be
brought
forth
through
regular
yoga
practice.
He
spent
many
years
as a
performing
guitar
player,
singer/songwriter
in
alternative
pop/rock
bands
in
Tokyo
and
abroad,
and
is
still
active
in
music
production,
performance,
composition
and
DJ-ing,
as
well
as
pursuing
interests
in
all
facets
of
design.
Patrick
has
completed
thousands
of
hours
of
specialised
yoga
training
with
teachers
all
over
the
world
and
is
registered
as
an
E-RYT
at
the
500
hour
level
(Experienced
Registered
Yoga
Teacher)
with
the
International
Yoga
Alliance.
He
presently
develops
curriculum
and
writes
essays
based
on a
contemporary
interpretation
of
yoga
lifestyle,
facilitates
on
teacher
training
programs,
and
holds
workshops
and
retreats
internationally. Patrick
advocates
yoga
to
enhance
his
own
creative
lifestyle,
as
well
as
to
complement
his
love
for
living
a
life
full
of
interesting
and
new
challenges.
He
sees
advocating
yoga
practice
primarily
as a
pleasure
of
sharing
a
profound
knowledge.
Patrick
chose
the
name
YogaJaya
(union
vanquishes)
for
the
Tokyo
studio
in
order
to
focus
on
the
way
that
yoga
has
helped
him
to
overcome
and
then
move
beyond
the
limiting
factors
in
his
own
life. Patrick
believes
that
all
the
yoga
practices
only
provide
the
foundations
for
the
journey
to
self-realisation.
He
feels
it
is
up
to
the
individual
to
interpret
what
works
best
at
any
given
time
on
that
very
road
to
personal
discovery,
be
it
yoga,
or
any
alternative
lifestyle
which
can
potentially
challenge
continual
change,
and
natural
growth
based
on
dynamic
life
experience.
Patrick
offers
a
progressive
and
open
approach
to
yoga
that
combines
traditional
practices
and
modern
artistic
disciplines
to
convey
an
eternal
message
in a
unique
and
refreshingly
creative
way.
He
is
not
to
be
missed! Visit www.yogajaya.com for
more
information
about
Patrick
and
YogaJaya.
About
the
Workshop
The diverse Yoga philosophy can be interpreted as a fusion of an integrated understanding of current and contemporary lifestyle, freedom from fear and social regimentation. An individual’s maximum potential lies in an ability to re-discover the intelligence that we call intuition and use it as a compass to navigate freely through everyday life.
One of
the main
purposes
of yoga
is to
first
balance
and
optimize
health
and well
being in
order to
raise
this
intuition.
This
workshop
aims to
consolidate
the
integrated
aspects
of the
physical
yoga
practice
in a way
that is
connected
with
subtle
steps to
raise
awareness
in order
to help
us
become
more
sensitive
in all
aspects
of life.
The
workshop
objective
is to
help
ensure
that we
are
engaged
in a
life-long,
continually
evolving
and
essentially
healthy
yoga
practice.
This
workshop
is open
to all
levels,
including
teachers,
intermediate
and
advanced
practitioners.
It is
also
recommended
for
those
who
regularly
practice
any
modern
hatha
yoga
asana
tradition
including
Ashtanga
(Mysore
or led),
YogaSynergy,
Jivamukti,
Iyengar,
Ishta,
Sivananda,
Anusara
etc…
Important
note:
Whilst
you can
book for
individual
modules
it is
highly
recommended
that you
attend
at least
one full
day and
preferably
the
entire
weekend
to gain
full
benefit
from
immersion
into
both the
content
of the
sessions
and your
own
process.
S aturday
20
March:
Module 1
(Morning)-
Prana
Shakti
(2.5
Hours) |
09:00-11:30
This
module
will
emphasize
pranayama
(breathing
practice)
to
cultivate
concentration,
economize
energy,
slow the
aging
process,
raise
awareness
and tone
all
aspects
of human
physiology.
Lecture
will
include
information
related
to the
fundamental
attributes
of the
breathing
practices
as a
preface
to the
deeper
insights
in yoga
practice. There
will be
a short
video
presentation
on the
aspects
of human
existence
in
relation
to the
psychic
energy
system.
Module 2
(Afternoon)-
Fundamentals
(2.5
Hours) |
13:30-16:00
This
afternoon
asana
session
will
consist
of a
flowing
active
hatha
yoga
sequence
with
information
about the
utilization
of Mula,
Uddiyana,
and
Jalandhara
bandha
(energy
locks)
to
promote
core
stability
and
efficient
movement
of
energy
in the
body. The
various
posture
groups
will be
practiced
with
additional
emphasis
on
alignment
and
refined
breath.
Module
will
include
extended
pranayama
and
guided
meditation.
Sunday
21
March:
Module 3
(Morning)-
Devotion
(2.5
Hours) |
09:00-11:30
Where it
is often
a
perception
that
yoga is
about
achieving
physical
perfection,
this
module
will
take a
different
approach
to
physical
practice
in
bringing
deeper
insight
on how
to
extend
the
natural
evolution
of
practice
This
yoga
sequence
will
focus on
refining
the
breath
rather
than the
beauty
of the
posture.
In this
way a
practitioner
works
more on
cultivating
the
interpersonal
and
devotional
qualities
needed
to
sustain
a
lifelong
practice.
Alignment
and
detail
will not
be
emphasized
much, so
as to
create
space
for a
deeper
contemplative
experience.
Module
will
include
extended
pranayama
and
guided
meditation.
Module 4
(Afternoon)-
Viparita
Karani
Mudra to
Yoga
Nidra (3
Hours) |
13:30-16:30
"Viparita
Karani
Mudra"
represents
all
inverted
yoga
postures.
In
modern
yoga,
inversions
are
sometimes
left out
as many
students
have
difficulties
in
effectively
achieving
them. This
is often
due to a
lack in
the
understanding
of the
dynamics
that
often
leads to
fear and
sometimes
injury. This
session
will
focus on
the
preparatory
details
for
inverted
postures
including
headstand,
handstand
and
forearm
balance
by
emphasis
on
utilizing
the
whole
body
stability
for a
safe,
energizing
and
empowering
experience. Session
will
wind
down
with an
extended
guided
Yoga
Nidra
practice
inspired
by the
Bihar
Yoga
Tradition.
Module
will
include
pranayama.
Notes |
Bookings
|
Payment
Although
it
is
highly
recommended
to
attend
the
entire
workshop
due
to
the
important
messages
that
will
be
layered
and
built
upon,
each
module
can
also
be
attended
separately.
It
is
recommended
that
students
not
eat
at
least
2
hours
prior
to
each
session.
We
have
built
in
an
extended
lunch
break
of 2
hours
in
order
that
you
can
enjoy
a
light
and
sustaining
snack
and
have
time
to
rest
(and
digest)
between
morning
and
afternoon
modules.
As
students
will be
doing
sitting
practice
for
extended
periods
it is
recommended
to bring
what is
needed
to sit
comfortably
with a
straight
spine (i.e.blanket,
cushion)
Explanations
on the
diverse
dynamics
of
sitting
will be
explained
in the
first
“Prana
Shakti”
module.
As the
morning
sessions
may
begin
with
more
subtle
practices,
students
will be
asked to
try and
practice
mauna
(silence)
once
entering
the yoga
space.
Interactive
Q&A Time
will be
provided
throughout
every
session.
Investment:
R350 per
session
| R600
per day
| R1100
for the
full
weekend
workshop
Terms:
Bookings
will only be
accepted
with a
50%
deposit
payment
(non-refundable).
Balance
of
payment
is
required
at least
10 days
prior to
the
workshop
by cash,
cheque
or EFT.
No
credit
facilities.
Payments
to Lotus
Studio |
Nedbank
Knysna
108914 |
Account
Number:
1089064233
| Ref:
PO
Workshop-
Your
name
|
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This short workshop
intensive is about
deepening your yoga
practice and developing
an understanding of the
amazing fascial support
in the body. This gives
you the opportunity to
develop a deep awareness
of your own alignment
and structure. This
workshop will be taught
by Brett Wearne,
physiotherapist for 17
years and experienced
Yoga instructor of more
than 12 years. Brett
uses Yoga
therapeutically for a
wide variety of
conditions in his
practice in Western
Canada.
Brett says - "It is my
hope that you will
discover that Yoga is
not about forcing
anything, it's about
letting go of tension to
discover the hidden
jewel within us." For
more information about
Brett please visit his
website
www.spacetoremember.com
Friday 22 January 2010 |
17:30-19:30 | R120
Introductory multi-level
Yoga class. Orientation
to Yoga alignment
principles and the Yoga
Vayus, core awareness,
strengthening and Yoga
asanas. Open to all.
Saturday 23 January 2010
| 08:30-12:30
Workshop intensive
focusing on Meditation,
Pranayama (working with
the breath), Core
Awareness,
strengthening, the Vayus,
and Yoga asanas. This
workshop will follow on
from the Friday evening
practice to develop a
deeper level of
understanding. The
workshop cost includes a
manual.
Saturday 23 January 2010
| 14:00-16:30
Workshop intensive
building on the work of
the morning to advance
your practice. This
session will focus on
arm balance postures and
backbends and will
incorporate a "Closing
and Sharing" and a Q & A
session.
It is highly recommended
that you complete the
Saturday morning session
if you wish to attend
the more advanced
afternoon session due to
the important messages
that will be layered and
built upon during the
intensive.
Investment: Morning only
R295 | Full day
intensive R500 | This
cost includes a manual
to take with you
Early booking is
essential as space is
limited to 20 and
Brett's last workshop
was oversubscribed!!!!
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ARCHIVES: Click here
to view some of our past events & workshops.
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