What began as a young man’s desire to heal years of personal rage and low self worth has grown into Shayne’s lifelong mission to share his ongoing pilgrimage to personal freedom. He has been called on by leaders from every walk of life to share his wisdom and knowledge in the areas of psychology, leadership, human potential, bio-mechanincs, kinetics, athletic performance, yoga, and martial arts science. He serves on the Board of Mind/Body arts for SCLA. He has produced five award winning home training system DVD’s and the #1-selling yoga/martial arts DVD of all time. He is also an author, international speaker, corporate chairman overseeing 4 companies, founder and creator of the Budokon Yogic/Martial/Living Arts System, and considered the world authority on yoga/martial arts integration.
Cameron’s determination to teach people young and old that they have choices in the way that they move their minds and bodies has brought him honor and praise from a world audience. His clients have included; world-class entertainers, Olympic gold medalists, professional athletes, top industry leaders, and corporate moguls.
“The way we move reflects the way we think. The way we think reflects the way we live. The way we live reflects the world we create. Therefore the art of our movement is always and forever will be affecting the art of our living.”?- Cameron Shayne
Class Description:
- BUDOKON YOGA
Budokon Flow & Flexibility is breaking molds and traditional perceptions of hatha yoga. This dynamic blend of traditional yoga asana and martial arts builds upon the yoga practitioner’s base knowledge of traditional hatha yoga while challenging the practitioner to push past conventional ideologies in order to find an authentic expression of movement. If you love power or vinyasa flow yoga and want to see their evolutionary potential, this is the class for you. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- BUDOKON MMA (Mixed Movement Arts)
This is the perfect workshop for anyone brand new or just getting started with the Budokon practice. Students will cover the fundamental yogic and martial techniques that comprise the system at a slow and steady pace. The theme of this workshop is slowing down to master the basics. All levels welcome. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- FLOATING AND INVERTING
If you love to play upside down and defy gravity or just really want to learn how, this workshop will blow your mind and your fears away. If you would like to learn or perfect handstands, arm balances and floating the answers are in this 2 hour exploration of the mechanics of inversion and deceleration. Learn the science of floating and inversion from one of the most renown masters of yogic floating today. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- PRIMAL MOVEMENT
The Human species is an animal, an animal that can leap, spin, swim, crawl, and run with a grace as beautiful and free as a leopard or as dynamic and powerful as a gorilla. But years of sitting at desks and in chairs has put to sleep our natural gifts of movement. This workshop is all about reawakening these gifts. Learn to play and pretend while challenging your body in ways you thought were long lost. This is Cameron Shayne’s favorite workshop and one that you don’t want to miss. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
John Ogilvie is one of Australia’s most respected and experienced teachers, and founder of Byron Bay’s long-time yoga school, Byron Yoga Centre, now celebrating its 23rd year. John’s classes are a celebration of life – fun and dynamic, bringing out your inner joy. John has been practicing yoga for 30 years and teaching for 25, and was a student of both philosophy and comparative religions from a very early age. It was with the bringing together of the asana practice, the pranayama, the meditation and the yogic philosophy that the style of Purna Yoga was born.
Byron Yoga Centre teaches John’s signature Purna Yoga. Purna Yoga means integrated or complete, and represents a holistic approach to yoga, integrating not just the physical postures but also philosophy, meditation, pranayama breath control and the yogic personal and social code of ethics. Sequences range from gentle restorative to dynamic vinyasa. John encourages students at all levels to build flexibility, strength and stamina of body, mind and spirit. Many students discover, as a consequence, that yoga becomes a way of life.
John Ogilvie’s foundation training was in the Iyengar yoga lineage, therefore his instructions always focus on correct alignment. In his class the basics will be covered with additional emphasis placed on refining alignment, corrections and adjustments. John’s teaching style is entertaining and completely accessible. His instructions are clear and simple, always with a focus on keeping his students safe and encouraging you to listen to your own body’s needs and only work at a level appropriate to you, at any given time.
Class Description:
- Dynamic Introduction to Purna Yoga
This workshop combines level 1 and 2 asanas into the dynamic Purna yoga sequence. John has done substantial research on the chakras and their connection to our endocrine system. The sequence balances the chakras, addressing hormonal imbalances, and leaving you feeling energised and joyful! John will keep you safe in the postures while encouraging you to listen to your own body’s needs and work at a level appropriate to you, from beginner to advanced. 3 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Purna Yoga Power Sequence
In this workshop John will focus on the integration of inversions and back bending sequences. John encourages you to go to your potential, supporting and helping you to deepen your practice by expertly progressing through posture variations. Suitable for all levels, John always provides options so no student will be left out or unchallenged while encouraging you with knowledge and humour. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Purna Yoga focusing on Strengthening
This strong, dynamic workshop will focus on building strength. Using a power sequence the arms, shoulders, core and pelvic floor will be strengthened while the bandhas, or locks, will be activated. John will show you how to progress from the most basic balances and move safely toward arm balances. This sequence will encourage students at all levels to build strength and stamina of body, mind and spirit. You’ll find yourself safely experimenting with some of the more challenging yoga postures with a smile and an attitude of fun and joy! 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Purna Yoga focusing on Arm Balances
This is a fun yet challenging workshop. John’s depth of knowledge of arm balances is extensive. He will show you how to progress from the most basic balance and move safely into some arm balances you might not have tried before and may never even have seen before in class. Suitable for beginner to advanced students. John Ogilvie encourages you to go to your potential while supporting you with knowledge and humour. In this class, you’ll be experimenting with some of the more challenging yoga postures with a smile and an attitude of fun! 3 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Purna Yoga – Inversions and Backbends
This strong, dynamic workshop will focus on using all the major inversions and backbends to fully awaken the spine. The sequence moves quickly from warm up postures into inversions and then backbends, and then combining the two together. Variations are given for all levels of students. The sequence culminates in using restorative inversions and backbends to calm both the spine and the central nervous system. 3 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Purna Yoga – A Level 1 yoga class
A Level 1 beginners class, which would be suitable for everybody at all levels, even as an introduction to yoga for a first timer. In this class John takes participants through a 90 minute sequence, offering simple asanas for the less experiences, with options for those with more yoga experience to take each pose to a deeper level. John’s emphasis on correct posture and alignment keeps beginners safe in the practice, and his sense of fun and light-hearted teaching style will have beginners coming back for more. 90 min – ALL LEVEL
Jules Febre, nephew of Sharon Gannon and David Life, has been practising Jivamukti Yoga since the age of 6 and is an advanced certified Jivamukti Teacher. He is a mentor at the Jivamukti Teacher Training course and the Apprentice course at the NYC Jivamukti School, and teaches at workshops around the world. Having grown up in New York City, Jules has an eclectic style of teaching that has brought him into the public school system, homeless shelters and youth development centres, inspiring young people as well as seasoned practitioners from all walks of life.
Class Description:
- Jivamukti Yoga – Hip Hop Asana
Hip Hop Asana is Jules’s union of Jivamukti Yoga and Hip Hop Culture. Jules teaches a vigorous Jivamukti Open class with all forms of hip hop from the new and popular rap to classic reggae and jazz. Each class explores our connection to the earth (asana) through music and movement. Fun sequencing distinct to the Jivamukti Yoga method will warm you up and keep you cookin’. Come prepared for an upbeat session with great music and sequences. This is classic Jivamukti: original, sequential, inspired with spirit, and a little wild. A vigorous Jivamukti Yoga class for all levels of practitioner. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Jivamukti Yoga – Standing Asana Focus
Standing poses are the building blocks of a yoga practice. They are representative of our ability to be grounded, to be standing on our own two feet. The alignment we strive to perfect in Tadasana is reflected throughout every asana in our practice. If the student can master Tadasana, then all of the other asanas are like building blocks on a strong foundation. A vigorous Jivamukti Yoga class for all levels of practitioner. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Jivamukti Yoga – Forward Bending Asana Focus
This sequence of forward bending will lead you easily from simple postures to more advanced possibilities. Forward bending is our most common movement and its improvement can bring ease to our lives. This vigorous Jivamukti Yoga class for all levels will focus on forward bends while giving a balanced and complete experience of asana, meditation, chanting and breath awareness. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Jivamukti Yoga – Bird Poses Focus
A Jivamukti vinyasa warm-up prepares us for several potent asanas, chosen for their ability to inspire compassion for winged beings. We’ll review Eagle, Peacock, Crow, Crane, and Pigeon, and see how assuming the vibrational essence of another being helps awareness grow. This vigorous Jivamukti Yoga class for all levels will focus on bird poses. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Jivamukti Yoga – Living Liberated
Learn the essence of Jivamukti Yoga with Jules Febre. We will explore how to utilize the ancient teachings of yoga in a modern city, to bring us closer to enlightenment. How can we use our asana practice to strengthen our resolve and focus on the mat and draw it out into the rest of our life making the poses of life come and pass with ease. 3 hours – All levels
“It’s all about coming out of the box, rather than jumping from one box into another” –Kosta
Konstantin is an international yoga teacher and owner of Zen Garden Yoga studio based in Koh Samui, Thailand. He has been passionately learning, practicing, and teaching Yoga for over six years, and his passion has lead him to search out his own personal development throughout the world. This quest has brought him into contact with many different schools and masters all over the world, in places such as Rishi-kesh, Uttar Kashi, Gangotri, Kerala, Goa, Canada, Thailand, Hong Kong and Ukraine to name a few. Such an overwhelming wealth of knowledge has led to a deeper understanding of yoga practice as an ever evolving process – rather than a finalized system, as a tool for evolution of a human being – rather than a goal in itself. Hence, the concept of “Evolution of Yoga” was born.
The concept of “evolution of yoga” is based on the notion that everything in the world evolves constantly, including human beings. Our primary goal as a human race and that of any living organism is evolution, and yoga can be seen as a tool to facilitate such evolution in any given individual. However, as the practice of yoga itself changes with time and place, as new techniques are being introduced, the approach is becoming more technical, precise and scientific, any definition of it as a system or style seems to be a limitation in itself. Therefore, the “Evolution of Yoga” approach has to be seen as an ever-evolving process, which anyone can be a part of, rather than a complete static system.
Class Description:
- Evolution of Yoga: form
This is an essential all level workshop of the series that will focus on alignment fundamentals for deepening any pose (form), and using geometric alignment principles to advance your asana practice. We will practice building a static form and precision-tuning it with movement connected to breathing within that form to quickly advance towards perfection.Students will be introduced to the use of metronome to time their breathing to become aware of their breath and learn to control it. The emphasis will be on the geometry of asana, with each form explained thoroughly with special techniques to enter each posture, and the precision of breath during the asana practice. Though a beginner level training, it can be interesting for practitioners of different levels, since many techniques are implemented and used together. 3 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Evolution of Yoga: breath
In this workshop, you will learn to bring the awareness to different parts of your body using your breath – helping to overcome stress and release tension, working through the key areas of your body.We’ll start with a slow-paced yet strong and deep asana practice, and then move onto the pranayama sequence, where we will explore the effects of different breathing techniques leading to a state of deep relaxation and concentration. You’ll have the opportunity to deepen your experience of asana practice as you exploreand optimizeyour breath’s patterns, as well as experience the effects of some breathing techniques on your state of mind and awareness. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Evolution of Yoga: core
Awakening and integrating our core is one of the most important principles in all self-development practices, such as yoga, tai-chi, chi-gong, martial arts and all others. Developing strength and awareness in your core is not only rewarding, it leads to greater depth, stillness, and ease in the rest of your practice. In this workshop you’ll learn how to strengthen and integrate your mid-section in creative, effective, and lasting ways. You can expect a thorough, intelligent sequence that includes plenty of abdominal work designed to support your standing poses, twists, arm-balances, and forward bends. (all-levels, mostly asana). 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Evolution of Yoga: intuition
This unique workshop is a fusion of traditional hatha yoga techniques and some very special suffi meditation and energy work techniques specifically aimed at awakening and realizing your intuitive potential. Awakening our intuition and getting reconnected is very important in our modern structured societies. You will learn special exercises for unlocking your intuition and manifestation abilities, balancing your energetic body and structuring your information matrix. Recommended for inquisitive students willing to go beyond the physical form of asana and explore other aspects of practice. These techniques can be applied to your every day activities and can be useful for any lifestyle. 3 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Evolution of Yoga: intuition
In this workshop we will explore how to tap into your chi energy to get more strength, focus, and power in your yoga. You will find out how to use yogic breath for strength & power. You will find out about plyometric exercises, and learn the principles of hyper compensation, and the importance of alternating dynamic and static exercises for maximum strength and flexibility results in the minimal amount of time. The method’s high efficiency lies in the exercise selection as well as in the optimal method of sequencing. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
Mark has been practicing and teaching yoga for over 15 years now. He was granted an Advanced B Ashtanga certificate by the late Shri K. Pattabhi Jois from Mysore, India; and is qualified to teach beginners to advanced practitioners. He advocates a simple, body-centred approach to the practice of yoga. He is also an avid practitioner of Thai massage and often uses its principles of energy flow and relaxation in movement in his classes.
Class Description:
- Mysore-style classes
These classes are essentially self-practice sessions in which the practitioner receives assistance and adjustments from the instructor as and when necessary to help deepen their understanding and practice of the Ashtanga vinyasa method. If you are at least semi-familiar with any of the Ashtanga series’, then this class is for you.
- Led classes
These classes will be based on the Ashtanga vinyasa method but with enough variations to keep things different and interesting… The focus will be on opening the lower joints and a short introductory meditation session will also be included.
Olop resonated with Iyengar Yoga for it’s precision, attention to detail and deep understanding of internal movement. His Yoga School in Seminyak, Bali has become an international hub for students from all over the world. He has also been teaching in USA, Australia, and Europe. He teaches a very unique and dynamic form of Iyengar Yoga. His teaching is very deep work, with a focus on breath and alignment, yet a vigoruos physical practice.
Class Description :
In practice Iyengar yoga, focuses particularly on three aspects: technique, sequence and timing. Correct body alignment allows the body to develop harmoniously in an anatomically aligned manner so that the student suffers no injury or pain. When practising correctly, Iyengar yoga helps to spread awareness to the smallest part of the body simultaneously so the mind becomes alert, attentive and sharp, harmonising with the breath and enabling energy (prana) to move and flow without obstruction. Sometimes props are used to work within a range of motion that is safe & effective. Iyengar sequences can have a powerful cumulative effect which is achieved by practicing asana in a particular order and combined with the concept of timing, postures are held for considerable lengths of time to allow the effects of the poses to work deeply within the body as meditation in action!
In the 3 day workshop, we will concentrate on opening of the chest through standing poses, using gravity to move the energy from the base of the spine towards the chest, lengthening the spine to prepare for Twisting Dynamic asanas, from surya namaskar sequences “Yoga in Action”. Concentrate on hips opening & forward bends.
- Concentrate on opening of the chest through standing poses. Using gravity to move the energy from the base of the spine towards the chest.
- Lengthening the spine to prepare for twisting.
- Dynamic asanas- from surya namaskar sequences ” Yoga in action”.
- Concentrate on Hips opening and Forward Bends.
Patrick Creelman teaches in the tradition of Anusara Yoga. His classes are known to be playful, challenging and steeped in progress with a smile. Blessed to be introduced to the teachings of Ram Dass early in his life, he has been curiously exploring the spirit of yoga for over 10 years. Patrick met his teacher John Friend in a chance encounter in 2002 and has since studied with him throughout the world.
Class Description:
- (Lecture) History + Philosophy for the Modern Yogi
- (Asana) Adbuta – Piercing the mundane with curiosity and wonderment to experience the sacred of ourselves. Hip Openers + Pranayama + Meditation
- (Asana) Lightness of Being: Arm Balances + Backbends
- (Asana) Mastery of Headstand and Shoulder stand as pinnacle practices for good health and clarity of mind.
- (Asana) Strong and Simple: Asana for an elevated state.
Paul is a senior teacher of Pranayama, Asana and the meditative art and science of Yoga. He has been a dedicated student for over a decade of both Sri O.P.Tiwari, one of the few remaining classical yogis and masters of Pranayama, and the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in ashtanga vinyasa. Both of these great teachers have personally certified Paul in these practices, a unique position as the only one to receive this double honor. One of his main gifts is to be able to relate the teachings in a very down-to-earth way for the modern seeker. He does not take life or yoga too seriously and as a result the discussions and philosophical sessions are lively and humorous, helping to explain the meaning behind the practices and philosophy.
Class Description:
- Intensive One Classical Yoga – Pranayama: The Development of a Practice
You do not need to be advanced in Asana to start Pranayama but some key aspects of posture need to be addressed. Certain preparatory practices focus on this in addition to a regular asana practice. The ability to sit correctly will help the position of the diaphragm and the capacity to breathe. This sets us up to explore the practices of Pranayama. These techniques can be learned and continued as part of a personal practice. This intensive will also include some lecture and time for questions and answers. 70% practice, 30% discussion.
- Intensive Two Classical Yoga – Pranayama: From Practice to Sharing it
Pre-requisite – Intensive One
To really practice Pranayama does require a more committed and mature attitude. It is not about doing more but learning how to deepen and more fully connect. Kapalabhati is the keystone to this practice and it directly affects the capacity of breath. From there it is the ability to manage the pressure from the breath. More learning is needed than these two sessions. Paul will offer key advice on what to continue with practice and what is appropriate to share with different levels of students. Really, it is time to expand your practice beyond the realm of asana and grow to a new level. But it takes committed, regular practice. This is a time to start it. This intensive will also include some lecture and time for questions and answers. 70% practice, 30% discussion.
- Workshop One: Classical Yoga – The Universal Principles of Asana and Vinyasa
There are many asanas and a multitude of classes mixing them, praising them and explaining them. When you distill asana down you find a key set of principles that lay at the base of all. To connect with these is to connect with the asana, is to do the asana, is yoga itself, albeit at the foundational stage. Vinyasa offers the building blocks to asana, respecting the integrity of breath and posture. The key to this system is the skillful management of the breath which can deepen the experience and cultivate mindfulness. However it is often used to just jump around to. In this class the aim is to learn the principles through the practice of some key asanas with vinyasas. 80% practice, 20% discussion.
- Workshop Two: Classical Yoga – Open the Hips and Deepen Backbends in Classical Yoga
To open the hips requires more than just hip oriented poses that make you feel your tight hips. In fact, a more effective approach is to explore how the psoas relates to the body and encourage that to release. The psoas muscle is the key to both hip and back flexibility and support. We will engage in poses that directly impact the hips but also build in to them through a mixture of other asanas to both warm up and give relief. As the stiffness that exist in the hips and back is a much a psychological experience as it is physical we then encourage a holistic approach with full body awareness. 80% practice, 20% discussion.
Pujiastuti Sindhu – Hatha Vinyasa Yogawww.yogaleaf.com
A founder of Yoga Leaf – Be Leaf Community. Born in 1977, started her first journey of learning yoga when she found an old dusty book entitled ‘ Yoga, Meaning, Value, and Practice ‘ by Phulgenda Sinha at a flea market. This book immediately captured her attention, inspired and led her to learn yoga further from various yoga schools and masters in Indonesia and abroad that have deeply influenced her own way of teaching – among others are Yogamurthi Murnianda ( Hatha Yoga ), Didi Jyoti Prabha ( Hatha Yoga & Meditation ), Goel Neeraj ( Hatha Yoga ), Gurmukh Khaur Khalsa, ( Kundalini Yoga ) , Karyn O Bannon ( Iyengar Yoga ), Jacqueline Koay ( Asthanga and Kundalini ), Sadhvi Abha Saraswati ( Nada Yoga, Meditation, and Yoga Nidra ), and Cyndi Lee ( Vinyasa ). With the background of education from Fine Art, Faculty of Art and Design Institut Teknologi Bandung, Ujie received her yoga teaching certifications from Sivananda Vedanta Yoga Center India, Sun Yoga Kids International Kuala Lumpur, Gaia Sun Prenatal Yoga Kuala Lumpur, YogaKids International USA, Aura Hatha Yoga USA, and certification as Registered Yoga Teacher ( RYT ) from Yoga Alliance. Ujie believes to teach yoga is her life mission, and her way to become a true yogini.
Ujie dreams of spreading the practice of yoga in Indonesia; conducting an affordable yoga class of good quality; and promoting good and healthy lifestyle through yoga as an effort to empower the community. To achieve her aims, Ujie tried to socialize yoga through media ( print, radio, television ), talked about yoga in public and religious forum, conducted yoga workshops and trainings in cities in Indonesia, and has written 2 yoga books in Bahasa Indonesia entitled Hidup Sehat dan Seimbang Dengan Yoga ( a Healthy and balanced living through yoga, Best Seller, 2006 ), and Yoga untuk Kehamilan Sehat, Bahagia, dan Penuh Makna ( Yoga for a healthy, happy, and meaningful pregnancy, 2009 ). For Ujie, writing a yoga book is her way to continue her yoga journey which is ‘ inspired by book, and continue giving inspiration through book.’ At the moment, Ujie is writing her next book.
Class Description:
- YOGA FOR A BETTER SLEEP
Get enough rest is a requirement for a healthy quality of life. On average, each person requires a one third time in a day, about 6-8 hours, to rest. During sleep, the body will release its tension and rejuvenate body – mind – spirit to refreshed and ready back to work in the next day. Lack of sleep will only make a person feel tired, difficult to concentrate, and irritability. Causes of insomnia symptoms closely related to the tension in the body, or in the mind, or emotion.
Yoga is referred to as ‘the art of relaxation’, or the art to release the tension. Some yoga techniques will squeeze tension of the physical body effectively and thoroughly, deepen the breath, and calm the busy mind, to slowly entered the realm of sleep and get a deeper rest. In this class you will learn about pranayama, restorative yoga, and yoga nidra as stages toward a deeper night’s rest. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- CULTIVATING GRATITUDE THROUGH BODY & BREATH MASTERY
Some of the reasons for Indonesia people to practice yoga is to calm the mind, release tension, and enhance concentration to reach contemplation ( khusyuk ) in their prayer.
In fact, practicing yoga is a mean to silence the mind, Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodhaha. When practiced continually, such awareness will widespread and lasting, which becomes a means for the presence of serenity, peace, gratitude and happiness unconditionally. As a way to connect with the Highest One and as an intro to a sincere and deeper prayer.
In this class you will practice some yoga techniques that will withdraw the attention – Pratyahara – and cultivate the presence of self-acceptance, contentment, and gratitude through the practice of pranayama, asanas, yoga nidra, and guided meditation. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Yoga & Surrender (Community Class – Pujiastuti Sindhu & Sebastian Pucelle)
This class is a combination of Yin-Yoga and Yoga Nidra.
The Yin energy ultimately is an energy of surrender, acceptance and letting-go…It is with this mind-set and heart quality that we will approach this practice. Whenever we start to feel stress or tension building in our system, we will try to divert our attention to the breath awareness and the heart center cultivating relaxation and surrender.
Yoga Nidra is a psychic sleep and a method of meditation done in Savasana, In Yoga Nidra, oneself is lying down resting between sleepiness and wakefulness, in a state of inner awareness oneself stay in touch with the subconscious mind and higher consciousness. It has been used by yogis since time immemorial as a medium for introspection, surrender, and transformation.
The class will enter in a space of softness of the heart, and alertness of the breath, accepting everything, holding onto nothing attitude, combining Yin poses Pranayama and Yoga Nidra. 2 Hours – ALL LEVEL
Sebastian has been studying yoga internationally; in Europe and Asia since 1995. His personal journey through Yoga started under the guidance of Gingi Lee with Asthanga Yoga at the Sangam Studio (London) and Hatha Yoga at the Sivananda Center ( London), following a 200 hours Teacher training Course (T.T.C) at the Sivananda Ashram in 09/2004 (Austria). Then studied further in Hatha Yoga with Archaya Venkatesh at the Atma Vikasa School following a 2 months International T.T.C in Mysore 02-03/2007 (India). Discovering Yin Yoga in his early years in London with Sarah Power, Sebastian undertook a 170 hours T.T.C in Yin Yoga with Victor Chng in 09/2009-04/2011 (Singapore). Lately completing a 30 hours Yin-Yoga Alliance teacher training with Paul Grilley 02/2011 (Singapore). With extensive training in a broad spectrum of yogic disciplines, Sebastian’s teaching blends both Yin & Yang sequences with guided breath-work and meditation. To create session that ranges from intense and vigorous to relaxing and deeply meditative. Sebastian’s teaching is enhanced by 8 years experience as a Qualified Shiatsu Practitioner, and 10 years as a Martial art Instructor holding a black Belt 2nd Dan in Taido. Another major influence is until now the study of Buddhism and especially the Practice of Vipassana & Jhanas Meditation. Sebastian is now based in Indonesia teaching regularly in the city of Yogayakarta and giving workshop throughout Indonesia and abroad to familiarize people with the practice of Yin Yoga.
Class Description:
- YANG-YIN FLOW (From Strenght to Softness)
This class will first focus on building the strenght of the body by challenging you with a Vinyasa (flow) practice combining balancing Asanas (postures) and back-bend. Following the Yang practice participants will be taken to a soft place within, where time will be allowed for a more contemplative and mind-clearing practice that helps practitioners to learn how to focus on the moment. The practice will start with some Pranayama (breath-work), and will finish with a guided relaxation.
- YIN & MEDITATION (The Quiet Practice)
This Intensive practice will be taking it slow & deep, holding Asanas (postures) for longer time in a relaxed manner, allowing the practitionner breath integration and combining seated meditation as a result of this quiet practice, you may experience peacefulness deep at you core while achieving a sense of heightened energy throughout the entire body.
Simon Borg-Olivier MSc BAppSc (Physiotherapy) is a director of YogaSynergy, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected yoga schools with a style based on a deep understanding of yoga anatomy, yoga physiology and traditional hatha yoga. Simon has been teaching since 1982. He is a registered physiotherapist, a research scientist and a University lecturer. Simon has been regularly invited to teach at special workshops and conferences interstate and overseas since 1990.
Simon was introduced to yoga at age six, learning breath retentions from his father and the main bandhas (internal locks) by Basil Brown (an Olympic athletic). At age 17, Simon studied for one year with a Tibetan Lama who introduced Simon to the philosophy and practice of tantric yoga. In 1980, Simon started the postures and movements of hatha yoga, eventually learning with BKS Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois and TKV Desikachar.Simon met his main teacher Natanaga Zhander (Shandor Remete) in 1985 and had the privilege of studying intensively with him for almost two decades. Simon credits Zhander as being the most important person in his pursuit, passion and understanding of hatha yoga. To this day, Zhander remains as Simon’s foremost yoga inspiration and mentor.
Class Description:
- [asana / pranayama 1] – Creating Outer Power and Inner Bliss with Yoga Synergy
In this presentation, Simon Borg-Olivier, a research scientist and physiotherapist who has practiced yoga for 40 years, describes how to use YogaSynergy posture and breathing techniques to simultaneously generate increased physical power with a blissful inner state. This practice brings you to a calm and happy state by using diaphragmatic breathing into an abdomen firmed through posture. Practical application of these principles in everyday life can help you stabilise and nourish your joints and muscles, prevent and heal injuries, and relieve physical and emotional pain. Simon demonstrates simple YogaSynergy methods that help to improve circulation and allow the joints and organs to function at their optimum health. He also shows advanced YogaSynergy techniques that demonstrate remarkable strength, flexibility and fitness.
- [anatomy / physiology 1] – Controlling Your Body From Your Arms and Legs
This session outlines the essential and practical aspects of the applied anatomy and physiology of yoga that allows you to safely increase the strength and flexibility of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. You will be shown how to use the limbs to stabilise and control the trunk and neck, as well as to regulate breathing, circulation, nerves and internal organs. You will learn how to generate physical strength and power with the secrets of yogic core stabilization.Yogic power allows you to be toned, relaxed and happy. This is Sthira Sukam Asanam (firm but calm) explained and put into practice.
- (asana / pranayama 2) – Enliven Your Spine to Enrich Your Life
In this workshop, Simon Borg-Olivier shows ways to free up your spine and energise and strengthen the body while remaining calm. Simon teaches how to move your entire spine naturally in order to activate key energy centres for health and vitality. This also gives stability and nourishment to your joints and muscles, preventing and healing injuries, and relieving physical pain. The practice allows you to remain calm by using diaphragmatic breathing into an abdomen firmed through posture. Techniques taught in this workshop help improve the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, elimination of waste and stored toxins, and the health of the reproductive system.
- [anatomy / physiology 2] – Controlling Your Body From Your Spine
This session outlines the essential and practical aspects of the applied anatomy and physiology of yoga that allow you to safely increase the strength and flexibility of the spine with special focus on the lower back and neck. You will be shown how to use the spine to control the arms and legs as well as regulate breathing and circulation (enhancing energy and fitness), the nervous system (health, strength and calmness) and internal organs (digestion and sexual function). You will also be shown the subtle yogic art of how to extract maximum nutrients and energy from the food you eat and even the air you breathe. This is the secret link between abdominal breathing and tantric methods of reproductive health.
- [nutrition] – Yogic Nutrition and the Art of Learning How to Eat Less With Correct Breathing
This lecture, highly recommended for all yoga teachers and practitioners but also beneficial for non-yoga practitioners, literally turns upside-down many common myths and misconceptions about nutrition and exercise. The yogic art of being content to eat less than normal while enhancing healthand longevity will be explained. In this lecture Simon explains in simple terms: -
Competition at schools, constant activities, constant testing, problems at home are make them stress. Yoga is well known as for being one of the few things that can effectively reduce stress. By offering yoga to children, we are providing them with a tool that they can use for the rest of their lives. -
Kids are increasingly suffering from poor diets, polluted environment and lack of physical activity.Yoga is a holistic approach for health problems. -
Some of the children suffer from learning disorder, such as ADD, ADHD, dyslexia or combination of these problems. Yoga class is a perfect way to integrate therapy in a fun way.
- (asana / pranayama 3) – Free Your Body and Free Your Mind with Yoga Synergy
In this presentation, Simon Borg-Olivier MScBAppSc (Physiotherapy) shows YogaSynergy techniques than can help you move more freely in everyday life. When you are in yoga it should not feel like you are stretching, it should feel like you simply moving in a natural way. When you understand how to free your body you adopt a relaxed and flexible approach to your yoga, your exercise and your life which promotes relaxed and flexible thinking.Appropriate natural movement can rejuvenate you by improving circulation while simultaneously inducing relaxation of nerves and muscles thus reducing your need for sleep and food. These techniques can also be very useful in the relief of pain in any part of the body. Simon explains how the most important thing to be flexible with in yoga and life is not your body but your mind. Simon will introduce a flowing meditative YogaSynergy sequence that may look very energetic and strong from the outside but is actually very nurturing; gathering energy rather than using energy, and having the same effect as healing sleep and food.
The Buddhist term Bodhisattva means “truth-realized one”, resulting from an intense desire to seek for the oneness of beings. A Bodhisattva by nature will seek liberation for all beings (without any exclusion), before themselves. As a Buddhist, Will practices loving, kindness and compassionate towards all beings, and aims to serve all devotees along the path towards enlightenment. Will believes there is no yoga without observing the first Yama, Ahimsa (non-violence), this is the prime teachings from his gurus, Sharon Gannon and David Life and Andrey Lappa.
Will’s is a bi-lineage holder of two of the most influential style of yoga today. Will became an Advance certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher in 2010, first Asian ever in the East Asia region. Will serves as teaching mentor alongside David Life and Sharon Gannon in both 2010 & 2011 Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training in the Omega Institute, New York, USA. In 2010, Will also became the first certified Universal Yoga teacher in Hong Kong, a complete yoga method that has been unified by Andrey Lappa.
Will’s unique style is specially designed to access the yogi’s all subtle layers of the body, as well as stimulation to the seven charkas. He teaches vigorously in style, yet intelligently in his words. His classes will sure to provide a complete well-being experience to the physical, energetic, emotional, intellectual and karmic bodies, promising a blissful experience to the student.
Class Description:
- Jivamukti Yoga – Klesha
In the Sadhana Pada of the Yoga Sutra by Maharishi Patanjali, he describes the four truths about Klesha, which translates as suffering, affliction or emotion. Klesha makes our mind turns, vritti. During an asana practice, physical conditions such as tightness or pain or pleasure arise. Which then are immediately followed by emotions in forms of attachment, fear, anger, greed and doubt and the like. To nirodh (stop) these vrittis (invertedness), the yogi has to understand the nature and root cause of “emotion”. This class is designed by understanding the karmic relationships with various groups of asanas such as standing postures, forward-bends, twists, back-bends and inversions; and their linkage to our emotions. Yogis thereby learn to take emotion itself as the teacher, ultimately freeing the yogi from the bondage of klesha. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Jivamukti Yoga – Be the change
Traditionally the yogi has been that member of society who devoted him or herself to the pursuit of enlightenment through finding means to live harmoniously with the earth and all Her creatures. Yogis are radical, meaning they go to the root. Kindness to all beings is the root of enlightenment. War never brings peace it only brings more war. Kindness leads to peace through spiritual activism. If we truly want World Peace we must begin by embodying that peace ourselves. Speak out for peace, live peacefully and think well of others. Do what you can to uplift the lives of others. Give up the love of power for the power of love. Peace will come when we have given up hateful thoughts, cruel words and violent actions in our daily lives. The most profound act a yogi can do these days is to have the courage to care about the suffering of others. Don’t wait for a better world. Start now to create a world of harmony and peace. “Be the Change!” It is up to you. It always has been. Come for a powerful back-bending heart-opening vinyasa class with Will, learn the facts about the atrocities against Mother Nature, chant “Om Shanti” and meditate for World Peace. 2 hours – ALL LEVEL
- Jivamukti Yoga – Spiritual Warrior
“This is a brisk, guided, led vinyasa class in which the teacher calls out the asanas and provides the breath count, but gives minimal instruction as to how to do the various asanas. The class offers a well-rounded practice as a set sequence that includes a warm-up, the setting of an elevated intention, chanting, surya namaskar, standing asanas, twists, balances, backward bending, forward bending and inversions, as well as meditation and relaxation, and is designed to be completed in one hour.” “The Jivamukti Spiritual Warrior 1.5-hour sequence is a comprehensive yoga class that transforms, invigorates and energizes, while at the same time grounding and leading the student inward on an exploration of the deeper spiritual aspects of the self.” 90 minutes – ALL LEVEL
- Universal Yoga – Mandala*
This 2.0-hour Static-Dynamic Mandala Yoga class is 1 of 14 sub-styles of Universal Yoga created by Andrey Lappa. This class involves the practitioner to activate all directions of mobility of all major joints of the body, while practicing asanas, pranayama, mantra, and meditation in multiple 360o turns. The virtual Mandala space that is created from this complete and balanced sequencing will stimulate all 7 chakras and activate all 5 koshas of the subtle body. Eventually leading the practitioner into a sattvic state of stillness. The level of practice is intermediate, ideal for practitioner with at least 6 months of practice and requires 2 yoga mats! 2 hours – ALL LEVEL*Requires 2 Yoga Mats
- Universal Yoga – “THA” substyles*
One aspect of a yogic practice is non-doing, thereby minimizing the bondage of karma (action). This “tha” (yin) substyle of Universal Yoga class specifically is designed for asanas that requires the least amount of effort required by the yogi. All asanas are designed consciously using the effect of gravity, carried out in a passive manner, minimizing effort but maximizing effect. The practitioner will be required to stretch deeply their muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and fascias for their arms, legs and and spine in most major joints and especially the shoulders in all direction of mobility, while still activating all seven charkas of their subtle body. This class is especially recommended to counter balance stiff shoulder joints from power yoga practices. (Recommended for all levels of practitioners). The level of practice is beginners, ideal for practitioner and requires 2 yoga mats! 2 hours – ALL LEVEL*Requires 2 Yoga Mats
