Why are we here? What is the purpose of my life? Where did all this come from? Has the meaning of life changed over the centuries and from place to place, culture to culture? What do the stories of the East mean for those raised in the West? Bernie Clark’s latest book is a bold jump into these questions and many more. For any student of yoga who has wondered about the Eastern stories expounded in yoga classes and trainings, here is a journey into the depth of myths and mind.
Sarah Powers remarks, “In his insightful new book, Bernie reminds us that we have a choice in how we live our lives; we can hold tight to our beliefs, allowing them to dictate our reality, or we can invite every story (or even encounter) to be a gateway into the poetic, multifaceted dimensions of truth, and the fluid nature of reality.”
From the Gita to the Grail: Exploring Yoga Stories & Western Myths is now available in bookstores and online.
Yangsters hate props – are you a yangster? The use of a prop is unconsciously equated to cheating. The inner dialogues goes something like this, “I can do this pose! I don’t need no stinking prop!” But yinsters know something that yangsters haven’t quite grasped yet – the intention of their yoga practice is not to look any particular way; it is not to get into a pose: the intention is to feel a particular way; to use the pose to get into the body. Yinsters don’t care if a little extra help is needed to get sensation into the targeted area: if props can help – let’s use props!
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
MEDITATION REVEALED With Bernie Clark & Nathalie Keiller
February 16th – 23rd, 2014
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 More50-hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings February 10th-16th, 2014; May 12th-18th, 2014; August 25th-31st, 2013; November 10th-16th, 2014.
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.
A 60 hour, 7-Day Yin Yoga Teacher Training & Retreat June 29th to July 6th, 2014
This will be at the lovely Sea-to-Sky Retreat Center (SSRC) and it always ‘sells out’ early. Visit SSRC 2014 for more information and comments from past attendees.
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. Here is just one example: if you are looking for some great music to accompany your Yin Yoga classes check out this post, which has many suggestions. Feel free to add your favourite music to the thread.
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!)
From the Gita to the Grail
Bernie Clark’s latest book is now available. You can buy From the Gita to the Grail: Exploring Yoga Stories & Western Myths in books stores or online. Check out the reviews by Sarah Powers and Paul Grilley here, and view the full table of contents.
Using Props in Yin Yoga
This article and video will describe the use of props, which can help us in many ways in Yin Yoga: they can help us get into a pose, linger longer in the pose, and they can help us increase or decrease the strength of the sensations we experience while in the poses.
Teacher Trainings & Retreats
There are several Yin Yoga teacher training courses being held by Bernie Clark in 2014, including a special 40-hour course called Meditation Revealed. These courses often sell out early, but there is still some space available for the February, 2014 training. Click here to learn more.
Checking out Other Interesting Events
There are many teachers leading workshops, Yin Yoga retreats and Teacher Trainings. Click here to learn more.
