Awareness of Being and Body: Yoga

Workshop # 1
Geeta Jyothi McGahey

Yoga Asanas (poses), Pranayama (breathing), and concentration/meditation strengthen & energize us, encouraging mental, physical & spiritual well-being (1.5 hours vigorous practice daily). Learning about various Yoga paths, and reflecting on Yoga Sutras, we will also discuss Action, Devotion, and Moderation/Discipline in our lives. Bring a mat.

Percentage of time:
Worship/worship-sharing 20; Lecture 5; Discussion 15; Experiential 60

Open to all

Participants will learn structural yoga joint freeing exercises and practice Surya Namascar (sunworship), 12-20 health enhancing yoga postures, yogic breathing exercises, and meditation techniques. Discussion will be based on Patanjali's sutras, experiences, questions, difficulties and how yoga connects with Quakerism. Especially enjoyed last year was walking meditation. There will be daily repetition so that participants can do the practices on their own at home.

All will be encouraged to be aware of their bodies and the impact of food eaten on them and to have at least one 2 hour period of silence during the week. Discussions on the types of yoga will depend on interest and level of the group.

I recommend reading Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - there are many versions - I suggest Mukumda Stiles, Christopher Isherwood, Swami Satchidananda, or Swami Venketeshananda

PLEASE BRING A MAT and a journal.

A potential schedule is below, subject to input from the group and collective energy. All of the yoga, breathing, and meditation are worship.

Sunday - Intro
Why we came,
Experience with Yoga
Shared determination of which day for 2 hours silence Wed or Thursday
Joint freeing series and surya namascar
Home time - journal what you noticed about the postures now and and your body throughout the day through the day

Monday - Bhakti Yoga: "The Practical Means of Higher Consciousness include self-discipline and purification, study and reflection, and surrrender to God. " I Yoga Sutras I1
Pranayama - deerga svasam
Check in - What did you notice about your body, Questions,
Brainstorm God, meaning of surrender devotion
Sutras on Isvara pranidhana - Surrender to God II1, II45, I23-29
Joys, sorrows - Quaker Worship (20-30 minues)
Discussion: What is the similarity/difference of Quaker Meeting for Worship and Meditation
Journal - Notice the Numinous
JFS - Yoga asanas, deep relaxations

Tuesday- Raja Yoga, Yama Observances -II 29 -31,
Pranayama - Deergam svasam, kabalabhati
Check - in - What did you notice about your spirit life,
Yama - (Self control) non-violence, truthfullness, freedom from stealing, acting from the Divine center, freedom from greed.
Sutras on Yama - II 33- 39
joys, Sorrows, Quaker Worship (20-30 min)
Journal - notice violence, , greed and stealing in what you eat.
Yoga Asanas

Wednesday - Raja Yoga - Niyama - precepts
Check- in - Negative words, thoughts, actions
niyama (Precepts) - Purity, Contentment, Self-discipline , Study, Surrender to God.
Tapasya from Bhagavat Gita
Joys and Sorrows, Walking meditation (20-30 minutes)
Yoga Asanas
Home time journal about Silence negative thoughts and words

Thursday - Karma Yoga - Yoga is skill in Action, Yoga is Equanimity
Nadi suddhi, Trataka (eye concentration) Eye exercises
Develop your sight/concentration
Check in Silence, negativity
Stages of Change: practice of meditation pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, active
Why do people meditate?
Meditation or Quaker worship (20-30 minutes)
Yoga Asanas
Journal about benefits/barriers to regular yoga, meditation

Friday - Jnana Yoga
Pranayama
Check-in - Questions
Tie up the yoga circle
Quaker worship (20-30 minutes)
Sharing what will take home
Asanas