Ashtanga Yoga Weekend
with Greg Nardi

September 20th-21st, 2014
At Native Yoga Center

Register for Full Weekend $150

Saturday, September 20th ~ 8:00-9:45am Mysore Practice w/ Greg – $30
(Native Yoga Members only $20)
Click here to register
Join Greg for his second time teaching a Mysore Ashtanga session at NYC. Students should have memorized at least 1/2 primary to participate in Mysore style classes. There are 10 spaces available every 30 minutes. The first 10 people to sign up will start at 8:00am. The following 10 students to register will begin at 7:30am. The third start time will be at 7:00am for the next group of 10. This will insure Greg’s ability to assist you.

Saturday, September 20th ~ 12:00-3:00pm The Jewels of the Lotus – $60
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Deconstructing 5 of the most challenging poses in the Primary Series. Are you intimidated or struggling with Marychiasana D, Bhujapidasana, Supta Kurmasana, Garbha Pindasana and/or Setu Bandhasana? You’re not the only one! This workshop is structured to alleviate the anxiety and fear that can come to the surface when we think of practicing these challenging asana. We will discuss the fundamental principles of these asanas and develop a safe and effective plan to take the posture, or prepare the body for the posture one day!

Sunday, September 21st ~ 8:00-9:45am Full Primary Series – $30
(Native Yoga Members only $20)
Click here to register
Guided Full Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga. All levels are welcome to attend.

Sunday, September 21st ~ 12:00-3:00pm Philosophy & Sanskrit Mantra Chanting – $60
click here to register
This workshop is designed to give context to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Through discussion we will explore basic theory of yogic thought drawing from the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras, placing our practice in the Yoga tradition dating back thousands of years while exploring the development and relevance of Yoga in the modern world. We will use sanskrit chanting to see asana practice as part of a larger system of inquiry into consciousness.

Greg Nardi has spent many years of dedicated practice under the guidance of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. In 2003 he was given authorization to teach from Pattabhi Jois, and in 2009, he completed a level 2 authorization course from Sharath Jois. He is currently learning the advanced series under Sharath’s guidance at the KPJAYI.
Greg perpetually studies and practices Yoga, Eastern philosophy and Sanskrit mantra chanting. He participates in Georg Feuerstein’s Traditional Yoga Studies course and has studied with Vyaas Houston of the American Sanskrit Institute.
Greg founded Ashtanga Yoga Worldwide, a resource which strives to explore the traditions that give rise to modern Yoga methods; to maintain the Ashtanga Yoga system as taught by Pattabhi Jois; and to make these traditions and methods intelligible to the Western practitioner.

Register today by calling 561-296-7996
or sign up online at http://www.nativeyogacenter.com
Native Yoga Center
833 Donald Ross
Juno Beach, FL 33408

http://www.nativeyogacenter.com/ap-save-date-greg-nardi-ashtanga-yoga-weekend-w-authorized-instructor-september-1921-2014-1389660823.php

http://www.icontact-archive.com/FBkbi1IUxiFHjTLRSZCCsf4Q3OlhvGqy.

An aspiring yogi saw his guru practicing a posture and he was completely inspired to try to imitate his teacher’s ability. The student quickly realized the posture was much more challenging than it looked. Feeling frustrated he asked his guru what it was like to be able to do that pose. His teacher replied, “what was it like for you to practice the last pose you were in?” The student reflected and responded that it was quite miserable, full of anxiety, and that it was a difficult experience. The teacher said, “this pose you saw me perform is also very miserable and difficult to breath in, I don’t think you will like it!” The student thought, “oh great, I have so much to look forward to!” A second student saw the same teacher performing the same pose and also felt inspired to give it a try. She also noticed it was a bit beyond her ability level and asked her teacher what it was like to experience such an advanced position. He asked her, “what was the last pose you practiced like?” She said, “It was the most profoundly liberating moment for me. I felt I could breath deeper than ever and I felt so calm and relaxed I almost forgot I was trying to perform the pose. The teacher responded, “this pose you saw is the most enjoyable posture and you will feel so happy and at peace that you will forget you are trying to master any certain position at all!” The student so responded, “oh great, I have so much to look forward to!”

Below is a response to a question a yogini asked for those of you interested in meditation.

Hi Todd,
Writing to ask for the titles of the meditation books that you referenced this weekend at training.
Thanks so much
Carole

Hi Carol,
The Buddhist text I was referring to is the Mahasatipatthana Sutta published by Vipassana Research Institute. Although you could find other interpretations by other authors I do like this one. Probably you could find at pariyatti.org To be honest this one makes a lot of sense when immersed in a 10 day sit. Not the easiest to read first time in. Would take a couple of reads…. It is simple language and geared toward the renunciate path. It is a bit of an enigma in the sense that it is easy and challenging at the same time.

The other Yoga Sutra book is The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali~A New Translation and Commentary by Georg Feuerstein – this one is great! A bit more scholarly than the one we are using by Satchitananda. I did find that reading easy version of the Sutra first(Satchitananda) and then this one would be smart. 🙂

The other one was Man’s Eternal Quest by Paramahansa Yogananda – This can be very interesting. It took me several years to finish but I did read it through. This is good for really getting one to think! He is very God oriented which is great yet I tend to lean a bit toward Emptiness.

The last one which I didn’t talk about yet is what inspired our laying down on the beach mediation session is The Radiance Sutra by Lorin Roche, PH.D. I have practiced with Lorin and appreciate his translation. This is a Tantric text which really celebrates life and encourages an open mind and heart. No judgement and a lot of appreciation for the simple beauties in life.

One foot in front of the other. Happy reading!

Todd

Todd McLaughlin
http://www.nativeyogacenter.com

Purvottanasana can translate as East Intense Stretching Pose and is often associated with inspiring new beginnings or facing the present with enthusiasm. This pose is quite challenging and presents an even greater demand when we try to hold it for any length of time. When we are faced with a difficult challenge in life, how we react to that challenge defines who we are. Purvottanasana can be a great way to train our focus to remain strong under pressure and see the sun beyond the clouds.

The practice of yoga can transform the perspective of limited thinking and lack of ability to move freely in our bodies. The process of practice is such that our perception of what is possible is constantly challenged therefore leading us toward greater potential. The connection between the thought and the action becomes so clear one comes face to face with reality. Therefore, reality is a construct of thought patterns that are in essence only that, our thoughts. The goal can then become to release thought and move with the natural “flow.” It is here that our yoga is truly alive and well!