yoga

The Yoga Wheel's mission is to in-courage awareness of the sacredness of life, while keeping the body awake, the mind open, and the heart present.

YogaPg-3

ON-LINE SCHEDULE

July 1- August 31, 2024   

 

We are diving deep into our Embryological origins and the formation of senses and early reflexes, which are the the baseline that holds us from the inside, physically, psychologically and (according to embryologist Jaap van Der Wal) also spiritually.  

 All the movements come from that early developmental stage.

Each class, whether yoga , restorative practice or chi kung inspired movements,  starts with visualization and somatisation, followed by a subtle, progressively deepening practice and ending with integrating in stillness.  

Suited for beginners and experienced practitioners. 

Everyone is welcome.  

We are on the Pacific Standard Time ( same as Los Angeles).

 

MONDAYS

 RESTORE, ENERGIZE and MAGNETIZE ( NO CLASS JULY 1, 2024)

12 p.m..-1: 30 pm 

~ All about the embodiment of the Breath, from it’s  inception in utero ( Vayu Breath) to the Diaphragmatic Breathing , Ribcage Breathing and dynamics of developing Reflective Core.

 

WEDNESDAYS 

 INTERMEDIATE YOGA FLOW, 9:15 -11:15 a.m. 

First half hour FREE,  meditation instructions and breath practice (pranayama)

~ Vijnana Yogainspired practice, that applies seven vital principles of movement. Strengthening and Balancing. Starts with meditation and breath practices. 

 FRIDAYS

EMBODY YOUR BIO-TENSEGRITY,  9-10:30  a.m. 

~Connect the internal fascial web through the layers and systems of the body, with mindful presence while cultivating stability and ease.

 

                                                     CLASS PRICES:

Drop in- $25 

If paid monthly, group price per class ( multiply classes you will attend in advance) is $22. 

(5% tax included in all pricing).   Payment method: e-transfer or pay-pall. 

 The class pass is valid only for the month paid. No transferring of the classes. If you missed the session you paid for, you’ll get a video recording. 

                                 Inspirations:

– Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Nervous System.

– Jaap van der Wal Interview

– Radiance of Dark, Joan Sutherland, Roshi

– Can my fingers help my shoulders?

Yoga is not a workout. Its a work-in.

~ Gioia Irwin

 I founded The Yoga Wheel inspired by the practice of Yoga and Buddhist Dharma. This is our 21th anniversary.

 I approach movement ( San. Asanas and Pranayama) through experiential anatomy and dynamic principles of movement, rather than the mechanics of postures alone. 

In yoga, we inquire and explore into two main pillars of Yoga: Structural Stability and Effortlessness of the body and mind (San. Sthiram Sukham Asanam). 
Using mindfulness as a vehicle for the practice, as somatic practitioners, we “anchor” through three paradigms of the embodiment process: Visualization, Somatization and Embodiment. 
In the first two, the witnessing mind is present. In the last, it’s a direct experience, initiated from the cells themselves. 
 
  • “The Source of this process is Love”. B.Bainbridge Cohen
 
In a landscape of the yoga practice, we enquire into deeper layers ( organs and bones), as well as the intricate web and layers of fascia, the connective tissue which surrounds literally everything; from miniature cells, organs, bones and muscles, to the adipose layer, adhered to the skin, covering the entire body surface. I hold special curiosity to the movement patterns and sequences,  we- humans were formed by, during embryogenesis, the first 8 week of our mother’s pregnancy. Thereafter, following the movement of fetus around the umbilicus and placenta, as well as movement processes of our own birth, postnatal care and subsequent movement stages (volitional limb movements, crawling and creeping) up to finally walking on our own two feet, which will remain throughout the life.
 
In a sense, the “goal” of the practice is in the path itself. Through both stillness and movement we are braiding the practice of wholeness, which in the essence is the practice of Yoga.
 

Much like Tai Chi and Chi Kung, this approach to Yoga stimulates the subtle flow of energy through meridians, hence providing health benefits such as balance, coordination, agility, flexibility and reflexes, as well as helping to release stress, enhance the elimination of waste and overall strengthen the immune system.

In my  practice, I recommend  regular Yoga and Pranayama practice as an adjunct to the therapeutic process.

 

See appendix below for my lineages.

TENSEGITY REPAIR SERIES channel

Styles of Yoga

My speciality is “braiding” the knowledge, experience and wisdom of all the schools I studied and practiced, while keeping the integrity of each and every style.

This Yoga style is named by Jnana (Sanskrit “awareness-wisdom”). Vijnana is one of the inherent sheaths (koshas) of the body-mind-heart. It is also known as a practice of being present to the deep non-conceptual and unhindered intelligence, which is the inherent nature of our mind; ultimately awake and open.

There are four main practices of Vijnana Yoga: The Seven vital principles are guidelines for the asana practice; an extensive practice of pranayama (attending the prana trough intentional techniqu: Just Sitting practice of meditation; and the study of Yogic texts.

Yoga in the Vijnana style can be traced back through the lineage of T. Krishnamacharya, and more recently B.K.S. Iyengar, Dona Holleman, Orit Sen-Gupta and Gioia Irwin. It involves intermediate and advanced practices.

BENEFITS:

– Increased body-mind connection.

– Groundedness.

– Strengthening.

– Equal tension while keeping the skeletal integrity. 

This style of Yoga is a restoring, repairing, as well as a relaxing practice, consisting of a few long-held and well-supported postures, thus suitable for bodies of all sizes and strengths.

Postures are held anywhere from 5-20 minutes allowing the body to relax and release long held tension as well as strengthen weak areas. It is a great introduction for those who have never practiced Yoga and/or have trouble with breathing.

BENEFITS:

– Increased body-mind connection.

– Relief from muscle tension and joint discomfort. 

– Groundedness.

– Nervous system balancing.

– Psycho-somatic integration. 

Yoga Nidra implies complete relaxation in non-movement (often just laying on the floor) while maintaining consciousness. This allows our dormant layers of creativity and healing energies to come to the surface.

While enhancing awareness while relaxed, Yoga Nidra harmonizes the deep layers of the mind.

BENEFITS:

– Deepen Relaxation.

– Helps relieving symptoms of stress.

– Increases the inter-connectedness.

 

Apparently, biotensegrity is our most optimal and strongest structure which, in the body,  balances the stability of compression elements ( bones) with flexibility of the tensile elements (connective tissue). 
 
This Tensegrity Repair Series is a series of 18-20 precise repetitive movements developed by a master Yoga practitioner and teacher Gioia Irwin, and used after meditation and before any standing postures. With time and consistent practice,  it will balance the fascial connections and bring stability and ease in any movement. I recommend practicing little bit every day, to find a fluid repetition and oscillation, retrain the pathway in the nervous system, and support stability and calm with mobility and ease. 
Principles:
– No force.
– Stability before Mobility.
– Moving from the inside (viscera).
– ALL joints need to be neutral, and slightly curved, like bows.
– Tension is global rather than local.
– Six end- points ( head, tail, fingers and toes) are engaged.
– Fluid as a kelp rater than rigid as a brick.
– The Goal is the Path itself.

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