WORKSHOP IN WEXFORD, IRELAND
Are you considering a Yoga Teacher Training but aren’t sure if it’s for you? Would you like to get an insight into all of the aspects of Yoga, beyond Asana, that are only taught in Yoga Teacher Trainings? Then this workshop is for you.
Content:
- Yoga Class
- Yoga Philosophy/Ayurveda
- Yoga Anatomy
- Pranayama
- Meditation
INTRODUCTORY YOGA TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP
on August 1, 6pm – 9pm
With Denise Dunne & myself, @ Labyrinth Yoga Studio, Barntown, Wexford.
Cost: Euro 80 (refundable for anyone signing up to our Yoga Teacher Training).
YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
in Wexford/Ireland
Exciting News!
I am joining forces with the lovely Denise Dunne from Labyrinth Yoga in Wexford. From October 2024 we will offer our first Yoga Alliance certified 250 hour Yoga Teacher Training in Ireland.
It will consist of 6 weekends online (zoom) and a 10 day intensive immersion during the Easter holidays 2025. In between, you will have our ongoing support, plus, you will get full access to all online content of “The Little School of Happiness”, with almost 100 hours of audio & video and reading material for free.
You will benefit greatly from having 2 teachers on this course. Denise, who is also a trained fitness instructor and an expert on anatomy, and my own experience on Vedic Philosophy, Ayurveda and movement therapy combine to give you the best possible training.
I have put together a PDF file for you that includes all important information (content & overview, price, dates, etc), so if you are interested please look through it carefully and then contact me or Denise for a chat on WhatsApp or over zoom (email me at info@sandrahayes.eu or contact me on 004915128917170).
You can also join us at our live introduction class in August at Labyrinth Yoga Studio in Wexford.
I am very much looking forward to begin this wonderful journey with you in Ireland!
Would you like to know a little bit of background about Yoga? What is it, where does it come from and how did it develop into the styles we know today?
Watch the two clips below and you may understand this wonderful practice a little bit more…
The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word Yuj, meaning “to yolk” or “to unite”. But what is it that we are trying to unite?
Our whole being consists of layers of conscious intelligence – the body, our vital energy, our emotions, our discerning mind and personality, our spiritual consciousness, our soul. Often, we are not aware of what is going on in all of these layers, they seem disconnected – our body breaks out in disease, our emotions are out of balance and we react to the world around us through fear and trauma that is stored deep inside our mind. Our spiritual consciousness is limited to religious belief or disbelief and our soul feels lost because we do not feel safe to be who we truly want to be in this world.
Yoga aims to connect all of these layers again, bringing us back into alignment with our own authenticity and thus with the whole world.
Yoga refers to the union between body, mind and our innermost self. The union between us, and the whole universe.
Through Yoga practice, we can achieve a state of equilibrium by re-setting our nervous system, bringing peace and wellbeing to our mind.
Of course there is a lot more to Yoga than the physical practice we do on the mat in a class – but here is where most of us begin.
It all starts with some simple postures, breath-work and concentration.
But in the end, it will transform your life.
AyuYoga - Yoga according to Ayurvedic Principles
AyuYoga workshops (Yoga according to Ayurvedic Principles) are based on the principles of Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali. I use the primary Series as a guideline, because it was perfectly built on Ayurvedic knowledge. However it can only truly be healing and balancing, when it is adapted to individual needs. Even in a class, that can be done by using one’s perception and common sense.
AyuYoga focuses on body awareness and developing a good relationship with our own body. Learning to trust one’s intuition while still having a guideline to follow, that is stable enough to provide security and flexible enough to provide room for change.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is a method, utilising the eight limbs of Yoga according to Patantali:
1. Yama (Mindfully living in the world)
2. Niyama (mindful treating ourselves)
3. Asana (Posture practice)
4. Pranayama (Breathing practices)
5. Pratyahara (Sense-withdrawal/inner awareness)
6. Dharana (Concentration)
7.Dhyana (Meditation)
8. Samadhi
It uses a system of posture that focuses on
– increasing awareness of inner sensations and the feeling of being in the moment (mindfulness)
– the spine and practices Mula Bhanda (the “root lock”) to hold energy in and keep the spine erected (Asana)
– the lengthening of the breath, using a certain breathing technique, in order to calm the nervous system during practice (Pranayama)
– the awareness of the inner senses (Pratyahara)
– the concentration on certain energy points of the body (drishti) in order to focus or move energy in certain directions (dharana)
– the flow of movement and breath while concentration prevails will eventually result in a moving meditation
– During the final relaxation (Shavasana) this moving meditation will leave us feeling blissful and whole, glimpsing a state of unification of all of our layers of conscious intelligence.
Most people associate Ashtanga Yoga also with some specific series of postures put together by Sri Pattabhi Jois and his Teachers before him.
The first and primary series is called Yoga Cikitsa (Yoga Therapy) for good reason – the body will be challenged and moved in all possible directions, the breath is controlled and will influence the nervous system positively and directly, so that the whole system is re-set, your metabolism is encouraged to detoxify each cell in your body and your mind will be focused and concentrated until you will experience a beautiful sense of calm, strength, freedom and well-being.
The hormone and Chakra system is balanced in a systematic way and each organ is strengthened, circulated and flushed through a well organised series of postures. Even the eyes are part of the practice through specific gazing points.
The primary series is a great basis from where to begin our practice – it provides us with a thread we can follow. However – as tempting as it is – it should never be practiced rigidly and without intelligently adapting the postures to the needs of the individual, which should be assessed by a teacher and/or Ayurvedic practitioner.
Testimonials:
“I find Sandra to be an amazing teacher: passionate, holistic and knowledgeable.”
Brenda Harkin
“Sandra is an excellent teacher and has created a Yoga class that is accommodating to all levels. Always a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommended.”
Caolan Barron
“Brilliant class and amazing teacher! I still can’t believe the change in my flexibility, strength and balance. And the best thing – it keeps on getting better!”
Alexandra Drafilova
““I actually feel taller! Brilliant class! I’ll be back for sure!”
Leanne Sheridan
“Good atmosphere, wonderful location, awesome teacher!”
Agnes Wo
“Great class, felt fab after, just what I needed, great teacher too. It went by too quickly. Really looking forward to the next class and the next and the next…”
Siobhan Donohue