Workshops

A REAWAKENED CORE THROUGH PELVIC FLOOR:

Arm Balancing & Inversions

The pelvic floor is the foundation for every movement of the body. Contrary to popular belief, it takes more than doing Kegel exercises and squats to maintain a healthy pelvis-both female and male. The pelvic floor in general, including the inner and outer thighs tend to be weak or gripped leading to lumbar sacroiliac instability, hip and sciatic pain, bladder weakness, menstrual and sexual challenges. Learn specific poses and exercises to isolate, soften, and strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, as well as inner and outer thighs: increasing their flexibility, strength, and coordination. Once the foundation of pelvic floor awareness is created including: flexibility, strength and coordination we will move onto the INTEGRATION of Pelvic Floor and CORE in ARM BALANCES & INVERSIONS. As we playfully explore the gross and subtle actions of each arm balance and inversion, breaking down component parts and infusing pelvic floor awareness and core strength we will find lightness and lift-off. Making arm balancing and inverting accessible and fun for all! Find out the real reasons why BALANCING in handstand and jumping into CROW are achieved through Pelvic Floor work! And why a strong pelvic floor and core are the most essential pieces along with breath in creating equanimity, balance and flight in a strong yogic practice. This WORKSHOP is for Level 2 practitioners and UP.

PELVIC FLOOR FLOW™

“Integrity • Strength • Stability” “From the Inside Out™”

Learn to create strength, flexibility and integrity to your pelvic floor with inquiry and meaningful direct experiences. This workshop is facilitated through experiential learning and action based discovery. Each individual student is actively involved in the process of creating “PELVIC FLOOR” awareness.

REFINING THE FLOW™

Refine & Create Awareness in Your Flow

Discover the building blocks of Asana & delve deeper into the refining actions that create “Mindful Vinyasa Flow™. Learn the proper “foundations” and proper alignment for your individual body in each asana to create strength and integrity to your muscles and joints, as well as equanimity to the “whole” body. We’ll look at the major building blocks of each asana, break them down, and RE-DEFINE them in each individual body.In this workshop we’ll review through inquiry, reflection and action each asana (posture) and the elements that create Mind-FULL Vinyasa Flow™. We’ll further explore transitions unique to Vinyasa Flow and refine the elements of breath, bandha (gentle lifts & holds in the body) and movement between them. Move past the shell of the pose and cultivate “Depth of the pose”. This WORKSHOP is for Level 2 practitioners and UP

PREPARING THE FLOW

Create the DEPTH of the Pose Refine & Create Awareness in Your Flow

Mr. Iyengar says “all of the secrets of ALL of the poses are in the standing poses”. Indeed, standing poses are the foundation for understanding fundamental and subtle actions in all asanas. Come explore the truth of this statement. Find out why mastering a pose like Warrior 1 will profoundly change your backbends or how Downward Facing Dog teaches the pelvis and legs to work in the deep forward bends. When we deconstruct the poses, noting similarities and differences with more challenging poses, we find the best way to order postures (sequence them) to open the body methodically, and create equanimity and balance in the body–thus cultivating new postures with awareness and depth. We’ll further explore transitions unique to Vinyasa Flow and refine the elements of breath, bandha (gentle lifts & holds in the body) and movement between them. Move past the shell of the pose and cultivate “Depth of the pose”. This workshop will deconstruct all commonly mis-aligned asanas, challenging advanced asanas, and include a question & answer portion (please bring your questions), as well as provide a time to partner up and work on adjusting for safe alignment. Join Elinore for an afternoon of Asana UNCOVERED! This WORKSHOP is recommended for EVERYONE

ADVANCED ARM BALANCES

Beyond Crow & Into Creative Transitions!

Where do you go from CROW….? Join Elinore for a fun, challenging exploration of advanced arm balances! This workshop also includes transitions between multiple arm balances, as well as into and out of advanced arm balances by way of inversions and MORE! Covering the Following: 1. Lolasana, Crow-Bakasana, Eka Pada Bakasana 1 2. Bhujapidasana, Eka Pada Bakasana 2, Tittibhasana 3. Vasistasana & ALL variations 4. Eka Pada Koundinyasana 2 5. Dwi Pada Koundinyasana 6. Eka Hasta Bhujasana 7. Astavakrasana, (transition) Eka Pada Koundinyasana 2 8. Parsva Bakasana, (transition) Eka Pada Koundinyasana 1 9. Fallen Angel 10. Eka Pada Galavasana (with variations & transitions) 11. Grasshopper (with variations & transitions) 12. Visvamitrasana, (transition) Eka Pada Koundinyasana 2 13. Kasyapasana, Kapilasana 14. Tolasana 15. Mayurasana, Padma Mayurasana 16. Kukkutasana, Parsva Kukkutasana This workshop is intended for Level 2/3 Yoga Practitioners with a strong arm balance “Foundation.”

HARMONIOUS HIPS

Out with the Old… In with the NEW Hips!

“Slowly and mindfully release old tensions and holding patterns in the hips to bring more freedom to our movement and rediscover our emotions and creative energies.” When our hips aren’t working properly… When they’re stiff, tight, injured or out of balance-it’s as if they’re clogged. When this area is blocked, things get stuck, emotional and physical messes piles up, and we face a myriad of issues surrounding intimacy, and change. To cleanse this part of the body, we first have to open it up. In this workshop, we’ll do just that, delving deep into the entire pelvic region through some of the most generous hip openers-gomukhasana (cow face pose), eka pada rajakapotasana (pigeon pose), frog, and a whole host of others. We’ll also use deep breath work and meditation to rebalance the nervous system and calm our emotions, bringing us back into equilibrium. In addition, this area is the home of the svadisthana chakra, our pelvic floor… An emotional region, and is closely tied to the spleen and our digestive system. When the second chakra is out of balance, we suffer low back and hip pain, in addition to issues in our relationships with others and ourselves, but when unobstructed, we are free to be playful, present, and receptive. We are unstuck! The activities and stresses of our daily lives can often lead to tightness & discomfort in our hips. But, in this workshop our specifically focused practice on easing that tension and cultivating hip flexibility and strength will bring you to joy and bliss. If you are interested in exploring ways to improve hip mobility or simply deepen your yoga practice then this workshop is for you. There will be modifications and progressions of poses suitable for anyone with a level 1/2, level 2, or level 2/3 practice.

BACKBENDING WITH GRACE

The Art of Joyful Backbends – Setting your Spine Free

Journey towards the full expression of dancing with your spine, opening your body and unleashing your emotions with freedom and control.

Experience the bliss of a healthy backbend. Backbends are rejuvenating, provide energy, courage, and combat depression. They open the chest, upper back and shoulder girdle while creating integrity and flexibility in the spine. In addition, backbends strengthen the upper outer arms and shoulders, while opening the inner arm-pit chest. The key to developing a healthy backbend is learning how to take pressure off the spine. Through a creative sequence leading up to simple and challenging backbends, we’ll explore the principles of alignment, and the preparatory poses that allow the spine to move freely.

“Metaphorically, backbends move us from the past into the future, as our back body opens – our front body, it propels us forward. Backbends help us cultivate better posture and can help us feel optimistic and joyous! Fear, pain and misunderstanding often hold us back from the true healing nature of these most energizing postures. In this workshop we will explore and learn the full range of “safe” techniques and alignment in backbending and explore how to free parts of the body that may be holding us back from more challenging ones.” ~Elinore Cohen

Enjoy an afternoon of opening your heart and upper back! “Experience the GRACE & JOY of Backbending” This workshop is recommended for EVERYONE with a level 2 & 2/3 yoga practice

FLOW INTO NEW BEGINNINGS

Twist, Detox & Set Intentions for the New Year

Celebrate & start anew your practice of self-healing and presence.

Get a fresh start to the new year with a deep de-toxifying yoga practice that includes deep twists for purification, pranayama for mental clarity, and wisdom from ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles on creating positive, meaningful intentions for the new year.

We’ll use yogic wisdom to lead us “with Intention” INTO our new
year:
– Satya (Truth): Turning inward to practice Satya. Telling ourselves the truth about where we really stand.
– Santosha (contentment): Say Good-Bye to Yesterday. Let that final
assessment of the previous year be an exercise of letting it go.
– Aparigraha (non-grasping): Pack light for the new year. Recognize when “enough is enough”. Know when you have enough, and what knowing when “enough” is to positively guide intention setting.

This workshop is recommended for EVERYONE!

WINTER SOLSTICE

Preparing & Transitioning the Body & Mind

The Return of the Spiritual Light Open the body to grace and… Radiate from within!

Celebrate the shortest day and the longest night of the year!

When the seasons change, so do our bodies. In this workshop, you will learn how to prepare the body for winter through yoga asana while creating greater emotional, spiritual and physical well-being throughout the season. Winter is a time for contemplation and reflection; a time to find a sense of inner peace. We will focus on the primary organs of winter, the kidneys and adrenal glands while using asanas (postures), pranayama (breath work) and visualizations to come back into balance.

Join Elinore for a delightful transition into winter with a Flow & Yin fusion practice!

This workshop is recommended for EVERYONE!

SPRING EQUINOX

A Celebration of Cleansing & New Beginnings

The Vernal Equinox which happens each spring, is an auspicious time for beginnings, and a time for renewal, both in nature and in home. More than just a physical activity, “spring cleaning” removes any negative energy accumulated over the dark winter months and prepares the body for the positive growing energy of spring and summer.

Celebrate the joy of the Spring Equinox with a flowing journey filled with cleansing and rejuvenation. We’ll detox body & mind with twists, inversions, and backbends to stimulate digestion and release mucus and the general congestion of winter.

Treat yourself to a much needed break as we end our cleansing with restorative yoga. Enjoy the pure relaxation your mind and body will receive through the prop supported release as we facilitate and promote the relaxation response in the body. Research has shown that the relaxation response is highly effective at relieving symptoms of stress, anxiety, and insomnia; positively effecting hypertension, mild to moderate forms of depression, and various forms of pain; promoting healthy digestion, fertility and immunity–facilitating relaxation and restful sleep.

Leave feeling rested, rejuvenated, lighter and calmer… Renewed and ready to take advantage of the longer days.

Join Elinore for an afternoon of internal cleansing and BLISS!

This workshop is recommended for EVERYONE with a level 1/2, 2 & 2/3 yoga practice

“Empower-FULL” 2 DAY MASTER CLASS EVENT

– Day 2

Immerse yourself in the awareness of power-FULL alignment driven vinyasa flow! Dissect the practice, examining alignment, adjustments, breathing and core awareness… delve beyond the body, into the spiritual and mystical symbolism of the evolution of the soul, and how it translates into our life path. Learning the dance of vinyasa in its most powerful and effective form is the foundation to that awareness and this workshop will give tools on mastering that very expression.

Although these classes can be taken separately, the workshop is intended to be taken as a whole. The benefits of taking the classes consecutively can enhance the positive physical, mental and psychological possibilities you will create as a result of doing the practice.

The SECOND class cultivates the integration of core strength and support in a fusion of arm balances and inversions. These known empowering mudras embody our intention: courage, fearless flying and floating, the pranic body of power, agility, lightness and lift-off.

Learn how to STRENGTHEN • SUPPORT • & EMPOWER your way through the pathways of strong arm balancing and inverting within a powerful vinyasa flow, so you can evolve to enjoying handstand in the center of the room with creative energy and empowered vitality. Join Elinore for this special two-day master class and experience the pure joy of opening the body methodically to create and receive what we want, as we stand in the grounded energy of the acceptance of ourselves NOW.

This workshop is recommended for EVERYONE with a level 2 & 2/3 yoga practice.

“Empower-FULL” 2 DAY MASTER CLASS EVENT

– Day 1

Immerse yourself in the awareness of power-FULL alignment driven vinyasa flow! Dissect the practice, examining alignment, adjustments, breathing and core awareness… delve beyond the body, into the spiritual and mystical symbolism of the evolution of the soul, and how it translates into our life path. Learning the dance of vinyasa in its most powerful and effective form is the foundation to that awareness and this workshop will give tools on mastering that very expression.

Although these classes can be taken separately, the workshop is intended to be taken as a whole. The benefits of taking the classes consecutively can enhance the positive physical, mental and psychological possibilities you will create as a result of doing the practice.

The FIRST class creates the foundation of a solid practice through alignment, core awareness and breathing techniques. Understand the basic principles of sun salutes A and B and how this is the cornerstone of every vinyasa practice. As the foundation is solid we’ll focus on cleansing the vital organs through a special vinyasa sequence that utilizes three internal components: compression, decompression and twists to stimulate the purification process within the body. Join Elinore for this special two-day master class and experience the pure joy of opening the body methodically to create and receive what we want, as we stand in the grounded energy of the acceptance of ourselves NOW.

This workshop is recommended for EVERYONE with a level 2 & 2/3 yoga practice.