with Lori Berenz

Saturday April 9th, 2016

1-4pm

The beginning phases of an Iyengar Yoga practice place great emphasis on focusing on the foundation, on stability; believing that once this is established mobility and proper action will follow.
This workshop will cover detailed information on the placement of the feet in preparation for standing and other asanas. Detailed instruction will be provided on the proper use of the muscles of the legs, how to not strain and put undue weight on the joints (particularly ankle, knee and hip) and how to find a position of “neutral” or alignment in the legs (correcting supination — rolling the feet out or pronation — rolling the feet in and dropping the arches).

Introduction of props — belts, blocks and blankets will be made along with how to modify the use of the props for individual body shapes, sizes and ranges of motion. This  Iyengar yoga workshop will foster an understanding of what the props are meant to be in practice, when to insert them and when to go without.

Introductory poses lay the foundation for all other (seemingly more difficult) poses. If you cultivate a sense of awareness and understanding in the foundation you can carry this without throughout your practice — irrespective of the level you are practicing at.

Investment: $50 + HST

Meet Lori Berenz

Lori Berenz is a certified Iyengar yoga teacher at the Junior Intermediate II level. She has been studying with Senior Iyengar yoga teachers since 1998.  Over the years, Lori’s love of yoga inspired her to focus on teaching yoga and leave behind her corporate career of fifteen years in the field of Human Resources Management. She understands the challenges of balancing family, career and trying to implement yogic practices into a modern lifestyle.  Yoga has given Lori numerous benefits and has transformed every aspect of her life.  She is truly grateful for the gift of yoga and is passionate about the continuous learning it provides.

As a teacher, Lori draws from her own personal experiences to work with each individual student at a level that is appropriate for them.  Through detailed instruction and personal attention, she encourages each student to challenge themselves so that they can reap the benefits of a robust yoga asana and pranayama practice.  Lori regularly attends workshops, Pranayama and Sadhana intensives to hone and deepen her understanding and learning. Lorihas studied several times with the Iyengar family at RIMYI (Iyengar Institute) in Pune, India and continues to participate in the teacher training program at Yoga Centre Toronto in preparation for her next level of certification.

ABOUT IYENGAR YOGA

Iyengar Yoga is a form of alignment-based Hatha Yoga and was created by world renowned yogi B.K.S. Iyengar and is based on the eight-limbed path of astanga yoga. B.K.S. Iyengar (1918 to 2014) is one of the world’s leading teachers of yoga and the author of the bestselling yoga book of all time, Light on Yoga. He has taught cultural icons and world leaders as well as thousands of teachers who have taken his modernization and refinement of yoga to every corner of the world.

His classic and bestselling books also include Light on Pranayama, Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health. He was one of the first teachers to introduce yoga to the West, and there are now hundreds of centres around the world where Iyengar yoga is taught. B.K.S. Iyengar was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world in 2004.

Iyengar Yoga emphasizes the importance of regulated breathing; the use of blocks, chairs, and other props; and the therapeutic value of adapting the poses to the needs of individual students. Iyengar Yoga emphasizes correct alignment and right actions, which develop flexibility, strength, stamina and balance.

The Iyengar method places special focus on developing strength, endurance and correct body alignment – in addition to flexibility and relaxation. Standing poses unique to this system of yoga build strong legs, increase general vitality and improve circulation, coordination and balance.

Poses are individualized to each person’s body type and special physical needs by teachers trained in anatomy and physiology. To address these needs, props such as wood blocks, bolsters, blankets and belts are commonly used in yoga classes. Certified Iyengar Yoga teachers are extremely well trained. Teacher training is rigorous and spans a three to five year period in which teachers follow a program based on an international syllabus and standards set by B.K.S. Iyengar.

Iyengar Yoga is ever evolving. In Pune, India the Iyengar family continues to teach in fresh and exciting ways. Theories are tested and different approaches to teaching are then disseminated throughout the Iyengar community.

Iyengar Yoga is meditation in action; the self is explored through discovery and release of physical tension patterns and psychological resistances. As practice continues, a student’s ability to relax and to concentrate generally improves markedly, and his or her inner awareness is enhanced.