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Workshops and Events

Workshop Policies

• Pre-pay at least one week in advance for the lower price. We encourage you to pre-register to guarantee your space in the workshop.  Also, workshops with insufficient pre-registration may be cancelled.
  
• If you cancel more than 24 hours prior to the start of the workshop, you will receive a full refund. With less than 24 hours notice, you will receive a store credit. After the workshop has started, no refunds or credits are issued.
  
• For courses which meet more than once (series), restrictions apply to the series as a whole, and cancellations must be made prior to the first meeting.   No credit or make-ups are given for missed sessions.

Free Yoga Orientation
First Saturday of Each Month, 12:30 - 2:00 PM

July 5, August 2

Planned Location: North Studio

Santa Monica Yoga welcomes new students to our studio for a free orientation.  Learn about what yoga is, where it came from and basic guidelines for practice.  We also help you find classes that suit your needs and answer any questions you may have.  A beginning level class will be included. Anyone who attends a free orientation, who has not previously purchased a pass at Santa Monica Yoga,  may purchase a 5, 10, 15, or 20-class pass at a 20% discount that day.

To pre-register for the Free Orientation, please call us at 310.396.4040, with your name and phone number and/or e-mail address, or e-mail your registration.

Three Week Introduction to Yoga Series

July 12, 19, 26 - Saturdays 12:45-2:15 pm
August 9, 16, 23 - Saturdays 12:45-2:15 pm

$70 Pre-register Now

This is an in-depth course which provides a solid foundation for practicing yoga either on your own or in group/class setting.  Step-by-step instruction is given for basic yoga postures and breathing techniques; allowing you to move at your own pace in a comfortable setting.

Intro also includes two additional classes from our regular schedule to be taken within 60 days. Intro students recieve a 20% discount on a pass for 5, 10, 15, or 20 classes. No make-ups for missed sessions.

Prenatal & Postnatal Series
with Deborah Raoult

Opening the Body to Birth (prenatal)

Fridays 10:45 am -12:30 pm

New Series: August 15, 22, 29, September 5, 19, 26 Pre-register Now
$120 for 6 sessions (price will be prorated for those joining a series in progress)

A unique yoga and breath program with essential practices for living fully the experiences of pregnancy and labor.

The sessions will include:

• Yoga asana for a more comfortable pregnancy and labor
• Experiential anatomy, with attention to spine, pelvic diaphragm and how to find support through the feet and the legs to ease common discomforts
• Relaxation and mindfulness practices to develop the voyage inward

As you go it to labor, your greatest ally is your breath; Breath frees you to connect with your greatest strength- the ability to respond instinctively from the realm of primordial knowing.

Mother Well (postnatal with babies)

Fridays 2:00 - 3:45 pm

New Series: August 15, 22, 29, September 5, 19, 26 Pre-register Now
$120 for 6 sessions (price will be prorated for those joining a series in progress)

An exploration of yoga, breath, movement and community building for women and their babies with an age range of 10 weeks through crawling.

Student Comments:

"Deborah's method helped me quickly get back to my pre-pregnancy shape by using a combination of small yoga/continuum movements and sound. Deborah also offered a nurturing environment that cater to the needs of both mother and child. From demonstrating how to hold a baby correctly so that mothers can alleviate back pain, to learning how to "connect" to your baby by celebrating developmental milestones, Deborah continually encourages me to 'enjoy the moment'." 
    ~ Deborah K.  

"The class is a safe, relaxing environment to focus on yourself while remaining responsive to baby's needs...I feel my core growing stronger with each class and the complete acceptance of all the activity, sounds, smells that go with a wee baby is encouraging. I always leave feeling stronger mentally and physically, and in a good mood to boot. I really appreciate Deborah's deep understanding of babies and the needs of new moms' much changed bodies."
     ~ Karen L. 

"For me, I like that we are building every week poses/stretches that we can easily take home and integrate into our routines. Also getting feedback from the other mothers offers really nice support. It's also been a fun change to interact with our babies in a new way."
     ~ Cait

Deborah Raoult is a yoga and Continuum Movement teacher whose primary interest is exploring the dynamics of breath and motion as gateways to freedom. Continuum process activates the Fluid System through breath, sound and intrinsic movement. This work combined with yoga is a unique and powerful way to free the breath, release tension and deepen your relationship with your body. A certified Practitioner of Body-Mind Centering movement education, Deborah's training also includes over twenty years of yoga with senior Iyengar teachers and with the Iyengar family in India.  She co-founded a developed the yoga and movement center, Open Sky, in upstate New York for 18 years.  In addition, she has taught at the Yoga Journal’s Conference in Estes Park, Colorado. She continues to teach workshops nationally. 

Deborah's focus in pre and postnatal work supports women and their families, celebrating pregnancy, labor and parenting as powerful rites of passage that transform our relationship to body, community and the Earth. Through various asana, movement, breath explorations and informed discussion Deborah assists families to realize their greatest potential. For more information visit www.unfoldingbody.com

The Spine: The Structural and Energetic Core
A Monthly Workshop with Leslie Bogart

Saturdays 11:00-1:00 pm, $25 Pre-register Now
July 26

The spine is the structural core of the body. It houses the nervous system that connects body and brain. The nerves that emerge from the spinal cord innervate all systems and if the cord is severed or severely injured, the body below that point will be unable to function.

According to Yoga Philosophy, there are energy channels that run from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. It is said that through these channels the “prana” or life force circulates. The use of breath in asana stimulates the deep muscles of the spine, increasing circulation and opening the body to its inherent life force. Through awareness of the spine and body through the breath, yoga can help to strengthen the cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems and balance hormones and the nervous system.

Each month, with breath and movement, the practice will strengthen the core muscles and release tension in the areas around the spine. As you work in this way you will notice strength as well as stability increasing in your body. The workshop is appropriate for all students, including those individuals with neck or back injuries. There will be lecture, question time and discussion.

Kirtan (call and response chanting) with Travis Eliot

Saturday 8:00 - 9:30 PM

July 26
with Travis Eliot & Friends

Donation

Big Sky Yoga Series

With Julian Walker

New 3-Part Workshop Series for the Summer!

Sundays 2:00-5:00 pm
June 8, July 20 and August 17
Note: Attendance in prior workshops is not required.

$60 per workshop at the door

$50 per workshop pre-registered by the preceding Monday Pre-register Now

This Big Sky Yoga Series emphasizes mind-body yoga, energetic anatomy and offers an opportunity to experience Julian's unique background in yoga, psychology, bodywork and holding sacred space for healing.

Format: Lecture, Focused Big Sky Yoga Sequences and Techniques, Personal Writing Meditations to integrate the process.

June 8

Big Sky Yoga: Hips, Low Back, Grounding and Pleasure

The health of the low-back is defined in many ways by the relationships between pelvis, spine and hips. Come and experience a three-hour workshop that focuses on the anatomy and mind-body energetics of this important area of your body. What does it mean to be grounded and alive to your own potential for pleasurable existence? Something like 80% of Americans will suffer from low-back pain in their lives - learn how to support the health of this vulnerable area. From a mind-body perspective we say that if the story of your life is written in your body, whole chapters are stored in the hips - and as the hips open, the psyche heals and the relationship between pelvis and spine becomes more fluid and healthy.

Anatomy Focus: lower spine, piriformis, sciatic nerve, ileo-psoas, hamstrings, quadriceps & hip flexors.
Mind-Body Focus: inhabiting the lower body with groundedness and pleasurable aliveness.
Energetic Focus: Chakras One and Two.

We'll explore through exciting illustrated lecture, tailor-made Big Sky Yoga sequences and personal writing meditations.

July 20

Big Sky Yoga: Breath, Energy, Power and The Open Heart

Your physical tension patterns define your breath-capacity and your breath-capacity defines how much energy you have available. The diaphragm breathes your breath and is the doorway into energetic awakening but also to opening the heart. The physical heart sits on the diaphragm and is moved by deep breath. In mind-body terms, the heart is the center of emotional operations. We'll look at the relationships between boundaries, personal power and love and the all important distinctions between healthy vs. toxic anger, and compassion vs. codependence.

Anatomy Focus: diaphragm, erectors, the heart, pectoralis minor, brachial plexus, rhomboids.
Mind-Body Focus: bringing self-worth, healthy power and boundaries into relationship with genuine compassion and the capacity to love deeply.
Energetic Focus: Chakras Three and Four.

We'll explore through exciting illustrated lecture, tailor-made Big Sky Yoga sequences and personal writing meditations.

Aug 17

Big Sky Yoga: Neck, Shoulders, Jaw and Becoming Who You Are

The jaw is the last line of defense against speaking your truth, expressing your emotions and putting your creative voice into the world. The neck is the passageway from heart to mind to voice and the bridge between the brain and the rest of the body. Most of us carry extraordinary amounts of tension in the jaw, neck and shoulders. This can be reflected down into the low back and hips as well as through the entire head and have an effect on the flow of cerebro-spinal fluid and nervous system. What does it mean to be emotionally, intuitively and creatively open and speak your truth? What are the implications for your sense of self-actualization - becoming who you are professionally, personally and spiritually?

Anatomy Focus: upper trapezius, levater scapulae, scalenes, brachial plexus, scl, masseter, pteragoids, dura.
Mind-Body Focus: integrating thinking, feeling, intuition and self expression.
Energetic Focus: Chakras Five, Six and Seven.

We'll explore through exciting illustrated lecture, tailor-made Big Sky Yoga sequences and personal writing meditations.

Backward Bending & Prana with William Duprey

Saturday, August 9, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
$35 pre-registered by August 4 Pre-register Now
$45 after August 4 

Although they can be initially challenging, practicing backbends can help to increase energy and counteract depression, stimulate the nervous system, massage the heart and lungs, adjust the vertebral column and help to regulate the menstrual cycle. The abdominal muscles receive a stretch in back bending postures, encouraging prana vayu (in breath), stimulating samana vayu (the middle breath) and purifying the solar plexus - commonly referred to as the abdominal brain. When the solar plexus is healthy and strong then the body and mind will have the same vitality. 

This worksop will focus on accessing prana while learning to move safely and receptively through various back bending postures. We will move through more comfortable sequences to find our way to the middle breath and more advanced sequences to redirect the in breath. Suitable for yogis with an ongoing practice.

Asanas and Meditation Series with Shari Friedrichsen

Three Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 pm
August 14, 21 and 28
$60 for all three if pre-registered by Aug. 11 Pre-register Now
or $25 per class.

These classes focus on ways to use the asanas and pranayama to support and enhance meditation. To quiet the mind and bring it to a simple focus we will use postures, breathing practices and different styles of meditation. We will use this time to learn how to allow our practices to nurture us, rather than just adding one more resolution to our long to-do list. 

Shari Friedrichsen has been teaching yoga for 30 years. She is deeply interested in exploring the relationship between body and soul. She has studied numerous times in India and is a long time meditator. Though seemingly simple, her classes can be daunting for students as she leads them on a journey into themselves. Through Shari’s unique and inspired teaching, students leave with an enhanced understanding and greater appreciation of their own simple beauty and grace.

The Yin and Yang of Taoist Yoga
Teacher Training/Student Intensive Workshop
with Master Paulie Zink

September 13 and 14
Saturday and Sunday 1:00-5:00 pm
$220 pre-registered by September 2 Pre-register Now
$245 after September 2

Taoist Yoga Drop-in Class
Tuesday September 16, 7:00-8:30 pm
$30 pre-registered by September 8 Pre-register Now
$35 at the door 

Taoist yoga is an earth-honoring tradition born out of the indigenous health practices and spiritual philosophies of ancient China. Taoist principles follow the way of simplicity and living in harmony with nature. In this all-levels workshop we learn to let go of concepts to free ourselves from the constraints of the thinking mind, grow the body supple, flow with movement, and be in harmony with our own Tao, or way of being. 

We explore specific yoga postures that invoke the spiritual essence of various creatures and activate the vital properties of the five alchemical elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), thus enlivening the body and consciousness with these energetic qualities. 

Through this process of renewal we balance emotions, restore bodily systems, clear energetic obstructions, increase vitality, and enhance self-awareness. By returning to our true state of being we awaken to our primal power and playful spirit. 

Participants learn a variety of yin and yang postures which blend and balance the body's yin and yang energies. Instruction also includes methods of flowing with movement, how to grow the body to optimize flexibility, visualization exercises and breathing meditations. In addition, the properties of the five elements are explained and demonstrated as Master Zink leads students through the cycle of energy transformation. 

Students find Taoist yoga to be an excellent compliment to other styles of yoga. Teachers of other styles regularly attend Paulie's seminars to enhance not only their own personal practice, but also their classroom skills. Paulie is known as a teacher's teacher. 

Students who attend Paulie's seminars are invited to practice at their own level of skill. There is absolutely no pressure to perform beyond one's comfort and limits. 

In this workshop we will explore: 

• Yin Yoga: Postures of stillness for promoting growth, clearing energetic blockages, and enhancing circulation.
• Yang Yoga: Postures for developing core strength and muscle tone, balance, and stamina.
• Taoist Flow Yoga: Including both Yin and Yang yoga, Taoist Flow is more than just a sequence of postures. In Taoist Flow the process of transition from pose to pose is as much a part of the practice as the postures themselves. Taoist movement incorporates continuous, smooth and circular motion designed to develop fluidity and grace in the body and a relaxed confident demeanor. 

The Five Elements Birthing Cycle

• The Five Elements: Theory, Energetic qualities, The cycle of transmutation
• The origins of Taoist yoga
• Philosophy of Taoist yoga- the concept of non-interference
• Relationship of the microcosmic self to the macrocosmic universe
• The natural breath cycle and the circulation of energy
• Taoist meditations for grounding and relaxation 

The Five Elements Yielding Cycle

• The Five Elements: The Yin and Yang aspects, Health and balance of the emotions and internal organs
• The Taoist way of spontaneity and receptivity
• Being in harmony with our individual Tao
• Relaxing the thinking mind to awaken to our primal and intuitive natures
• How to grow the body supple
• Taoist visualizations for deepening your practice

Master Paulie Zink received intensive private training for ten years as the sole protégé of a Chinese martial arts and Taoist yoga master, Cho Chat Ling. A three time international martial arts grand-champion, Zink is renowned for his fluidity, flexibility and artistry of motion. With his relaxed and playful demeanor, students find him to be a very approachable and enjoyable teacher. Zink is the founder of his own style of Toaist yoga and the original source of "Yin" yoga. He has been teaching for over 30 years. 

Certificate:   Participants who complete the two-day seminar and its requirements earn a 12-hour teacher training certificate towards teacher certification in Taoist Yoga. To earn a certificate, students must attend both days plus read two translations of the Tao Te Ching and write a personal reflection of at least 100 words on a chapter of their choice. Attendees who do not wish to earn the certificate are not required to write an essay.