Good news!There is so much we want to share with you that we have decided to issue new Newsletters every month, starting with this edition. Also, you will find in this edition the beginning of a series of excerpts of Bernie’s latest book From the Gita to the Grail: Exploring Yoga Stories & Western Myths. It starts, naturally enough, with the beginning of all things. We hope you enjoy all of it.
In the Beginning Was the Self
The yogi shouts, “Shivoham!” – I am Shiva. I am the creative intelligence that is the subject observing the whole world. In the West, that creative intelligence is forever distant, and we are the objects that it has created. Two very different maps: but a street map that tells what is real right now is not better or worse than a weather map that tells what will soon be real. There just two very different maps and we can use them both as our intentions dictate. So, let’s look more closely at the Eastern map which leads the yogi to shout …
Pins and needles, or a burning sensation running down the leg, or just a bit of tingling in the fingers? Many meditators and yogis have had them too: should you be worried? What is causing these sensations, and what should you do about them? Certainly, the way we move and hold our body can cause these uncomfortable sensations, but there may be a more serious problem lurking that you will want to investigate further.
Yin is In! And, it is growing in popularity. Yin Yoga has been with us since the beginning of Hatha Yoga centuries ago. But since the early 19th century, yoga has become more and more yang-like in nature. Everything requires balance: yin completes yang. Yin Yoga is the balancing practice for the more active, muscular yang yogas. There are more and more teachers offering Yin Yoga today, and more workshops and opportunities to learn how to become a Yin Yoga teacher. If diving deeper into the yin-side of life is on your bucket list, there are lots of opportunities for you.
Upcoming Trainings and Retreats with Bernie Clark
50-hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings August 25th-31st, 2014; (Sorry: sold out) November 10th-16th, 2014; Feb 9th-15th, 2015; May 11th-17th, 2015; August 23rd-30th, 2015; November 9th-15th, 2015.
All of these will be at the Semperviva Yoga Studios, in Vancouver, Canada. The Yin Yoga Teacher Training Program offered at the Semperviva Yoga College is a unique way to deepen your yoga practice and touch tissues rarely worked in a more active yang style of yoga. For 200 hour certified teachers the credits of the course can be applied towards the 500 hour certification, and are eligible for CEUs with Yoga Alliance. (CEUs = Continuing Education Units and are required to maintain your status as a Registered Yoga Teacher).
For more details or to register, check the Semperviva web page or call them at 604-739-2009.
MEDITATION REVEALED With Bernie Clark & Nathalie Keiller November 16th – 23rd, 2014; May 17th-24th, 2015; November 15th-22nd, 2015.
This course will examine what meditation is, why we do it (its many benefits, spiritually, psychologically and physically), and how to do it, from a variety of viewpoints: From Eastern Yogic and Buddhist views to Western Psychotherapeutic understanding. The course will include personal, one-on-one training in Deep Meditation, as well as group instruction, to give the student an experiential basis for the practice of meditation. Held at the Semperviva Yoga Studios – Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Learn More
The forum is available for anyone to ask questions about Yin Yoga in particular or Yoga in general, but the forum is not just for those who “don’t know” – it is also available for everyone who already know, and have stories and information to share with others. A great thread, one that often get read and added to, is a discussion on what kind of music goes well with Yin Yoga. Add your voice, or just try out some of the suggestions found in this post.
If you are having trouble finding a Yin Yoga teacher near you, or if you are traveling to somewhere new, try checking out the Directory of Yin Yoga teachers. We have hundreds of teachers registered from all over the world. If you are a teacher and are not in the directory, just send us your information and we’ll be happy to add you.
Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, and Biff Mithoefer are each planning a full load of workshops all over the world. You can check out their schedules at their home web pages:
Many teachers around the world are creating Yin Yoga based workshops and retreats. Some of them are posting these activities on our Forum page. Check it out. There may be one happening near you. (If you are a teacher, feel free to add yours to the page!)
In the Beginning Was the Self Read the first of an ongoing series of excerpts from Bernie’s latest book: From the Gita to the Grail. This first excerpt starts at the Beginning.
Tingling & Numbness in Yoga Poses What causes those tingling feelings in your palms and fingers, or in the legs and feet? Should you be worried, or is there something you can do about them?