We all have a great need for a place of refuge. But sadly the difficulties of today’s world can invade our consciousness at any place and at any time, mainly because of the internet. It may not actually be harder to find the way and the time to live in a positive way these days, but it sure seems like it.
To help counter this, in this course we will explore the topic of refuge. What is it actually? Is it just running away? What does it mean to take refuge? And what can spiritual traditions tell us about the state of refuge?
But we will also deepen our understanding of refuge by learning about how we can find it on our mat. Refuge must not be only understood, it also must be felt in the body. What can asana, pranayama, restorative poses, and meditation specifically teach us about refuge? Our focus during the course will be on exploring, embracing, enjoying, and embodying our own Sweet Refuge.
Gateway of Transformation: Asana, Body Awareness and the Physicality of Spirituality
We tend to think of yoga as a physical practice that can improve fitness, help enhance our health and deal with minor aches and pain.
But yoga is so much more, notes Judith in this course. Asana is not just a refuge from the busyness of life, it’s a gateway to creating transformation in our life. Asana teaches us is to feel our body more, not less. Asana offers a refuge, because it teaches us presence, to be in the moment.
Judith also discusses why, if you want to change your mind or your mood, the key is to change your body. That state of our body, and even our position in space creates a specific mental state.
Judith further explores the concepts of dharana and dhyana, the 6th and 7th limbs of yoga, and the many ways yoga offers us a gateway for transformation.
What You Will Learn
- What does refuge mean and how we can find physical refuge in our asana practice
- How we can create emotional refuge on our mat
- What ultimate refuge is, and how we can create it.
- Body awareness techniques to bring into your practice
- The true meaning of 4th, 5th, and 6th limb of yoga, i.e. pranayama, pratyahara and dhyana and how we can integrate them into our practice.
Bonus! Yoga Teaching & Practice Bundle with Judith!
Philosophy of Sequencing: Why Order Matters. In this talk, Judith Hanson Lasater discusses the philosophy of sequencing, how to shape a sequence for your home practice, as well as, how to sequence both beginning and more advanced classes.
Common Yoga Injuries: Anatomy, Prevention and Help: Thousands of people are seeking health care for injuries related to yoga. In this 60-minute yoga download, Judith Hanson Lasater, a teacher of yoga therapeutics, explores several topics including how to prevent injuries, and what students may be doing to contribute to injuries.
Arm Balances and Chaturanga for the Strength Challenged: Are your triceps nonexistent? In this yoga download, Judith Hanson Lasater discusses how to make even challenging yoga poses fun and easy by learning how to slowly build strength in your arms and shoulders. Learn the secret to practicing Chaturanga Dandasana correctly and with maximum benefit.
The Sacroiliac Joint in Yoga Asanas Practice: The SI joint is one of the most commonly injured parts of the body when yoga is done without proper alignment. In this audio talk, Judith Hanson Lasater goes into the anatomy of the sacroiliac joint, common issues, and what to look out for in regards to the SI joint to create a safe yoga practice for your students.
This Course also Includes:
- Yoga Practice Video: Join Judith and her daughter Lizzie Lasater for a yoga practice designed to soothe our over-stimulated sympathetic nervous system and find refuge from the stress of our busy lives.
- Recordings of All Webinar Sessions: It’s generally acknowledged that many people only retain 10-20 percent of what they learn in a workshop. You will get access to the recordings of all webinar sessions – both MP3 (downloadable) and MP4 (streaming online), enabling you to go back and listen to the workshop as many times as you like.
- Transcripts of All Sessions: Ever wanted to refer to a certain part of a course? Even the best note takers miss a point every so often. With the transcripts of the webinar sessions, you can go back and refer to particularly important passages or clarify sections you were in doubt about.
This course qualifies for 4 non-contact CEs with Yoga Alliance.
