Tension: A System-Wide Issue

Workshop Description


​It is a fact that the tension patterns we have in our daily life always come onto the yoga mat with us.  If we want to deepen our awareness in life and on the mat, it is important we get to know our individual tension make-up.  The principles of the Alexander Technique offer clear methods for releasing what is in the way, and make our Yoga practice even more enjoyable. We can avoid perpetuating certain areas of tension and evolve on the mat.

This class is not a typical Yoga class, rather a laboratory for understanding our intentions when we are about to go into a pose, are in the pose, and come out of it.  What is happening in the body at the height of effort to "do" the pose?  Where does the effort really come from in our body when we unconsciously tense buttocks or face or shoulders just to do the last back bend or last chaturanga?  Is it where we think or hope it is? Or is our sense of self feeling cramped and tense in that moment?

The Alexander Technique offers a window into our subconscious behavior in the moment we are triggered to react to a stimulus. 
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In Yoga it could be as simple a stimulus as to wish to be stronger and then push ourselves to keep up with the teacher and therefore clench our teeth and go for it. But it could cost us pulled muscles or injured spinal disks, and worse.

We want to learn how to stop inappropriate effort in inappropriate places in the body.  We want to learn to be fluid, alert and open to the moment we reach our limits, before we loose our poise in Yoga.  This is real body wisdom originating from a clear thought the Alexander Technique can offer.

In this hands-on workshop, we will take time to understand the intent of the poses in question.  We will learn about movement anatomy so you can become aware of the hidden possibilities to fully express YOURSELF in the poses.  We will work with care and dignity on aligning mind and body in moving into, through and out of the asanas of your choice.
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Location
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This workshop is currently offered at the SF Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, 
1185 Vicente St. and  23rd Ave in San Francisco.  Please bring your Yoga mat to this workshop, and two poses you want to work on.