wild and free!

Vinyasa Yoga Sessions with Ron Reid & Marla Meenakshi Joy (CAN)

fri-sun, sept 16-18, 2005

the yogaloft is thrilled to present ron & meenakshi who will be teaching a very special workshop. together they direct downward dog yoga centre in toronto, canada.
www.downwarddog.com www.swaha.ca

ron reid is one of canada’s top teachers. he has been practicing yoga for over 25 years, and ashtanga vinyasa since 1995; teaching since 1988. his approach is inspired, informed and non-dogmatic, blending tradition with innovation, and precision with grace. ron seeks to make the practice of yoga a fascinating and enjoyable journey, and considers it integral to a state of well-being. students will find his classes, both challenging and highly rewarding. ron is also a talented musician and composer, performing in the group SWAHA together with meenakshi.

marla meenakshi joy began her yogic journey in 1988, in india, the birthplace of the ancient tradition. she has a rich background in modern dance, meditation and the studies of yogic philosophy and the vedas. she has been teaching for over 10 years and incorporates philosophy, meditation and chanting, along with her positive, uplifting energy in her classes. meenakshi is a certified meditation and yoga philosophy teacher from the international meditation institute in the himalayas.

friday, sept 16th
18:30-21:00
’yoga lounge’
Yoga Lounge is a vinyasa style level 1-2 class, flowing with earthy rhythms and healing chants to lift, balance and restore your energy. This class flows with the groove of pre-recorded and/ or live music. We cover a range of yoga practices in this class, including pranayama, asana, chanting, restorative yoga, and meditation, for a grounding, energizing, relaxing and transcendental experience!!

sat, sept 17th
17:00-19:00
‘a leg to stand on-sthira sukham asanam’
Standing poses are the foundation of any yoga practice. By finding strength and stability in our legs (sthira) and how they relate to our core we develop a deeper relationship to gravity from which to explore ease or levity (sukham).

19:30-21:30pm
‘kirtan’
Together as a group, we will explore call-and-response chanting. With stories, humour, and satsang we will unite together the ancient with the modern and sing some of the original kirtan tunes compiled by SWAHA of soulful prayers and salutations to the deities. No singing experience necessary!!!
SWAHA consists of Ron & Meenakshi plus special guest muscians.

sun, sept 18th
17:00-19:00
‘bend without breaking’
Finding our way in backbends can be challenging. By using principles of leverage, energy in backbends can shift from a broken flow to a continuous flow. We will learn how to “support” backbends in our bodies to create balance, grace and control. This class will guide you into proper alignment for your hips, spine and legs in various backbends to develop length and strength.