The Mystical Path of Yoga

Director(s): Yoganand Michael Carroll
Dates: August 24-26, 2018

Location: The Yoga Center

For students with min. 6 months yoga or meditation experience.

We practice yoga for many reasons: health, vitality, a sense of well-being, strength, flexibility. In its earliest stages of development, however, yoga was created as a path to the soul. It was designed to lead us to the direct experience of spirit.

In this retreat for experienced practitioners, we look at applications of asana, pranayama, and meditation that have been lost from many traditions—techniques that were once central to yoga practice as a path to the mystery within. We focus on techniques that can easily be taken home and incorporated into a daily practice.

This program includes:

• Morning practice just for our group
• The study of ancient yoga symbols and stories that hold meaningful secrets
• Esoteric asana and pranayama techniques.

Come practice in a safe community with like-minded seekers as together we explore the mystical path of yoga.

Cost: $325, Earlybird: $275 by July 24, 2018

Igniting the Fire of Yoga: A Transformational Retreat

Director(s): Yoganand Michael Carroll
Dates: October 12-14, 2018

Location: Salt Tree Yoga

Yoganand Michael Carroll, E-RYT 500, is Dean of the Kripalu School of Yoga. Through many years of intensive study and practice, he has gained a profound ability to distill and interpret esoteric yoga texts and… For all levels. In the company of supportive community, experience a life-changing retreat skillfully guided by longtime practitioner and teacher Yoganand Michael Carroll.

Ancient yoga texts speak of two lights within the body: the moon in the crown of the head, symbolizing the rational self, and the sun in the pelvis, representing the emotions. The conflict between these two forces causes all of life’s pain and suffering. Through postures and pranayama, the yogi converts sun energy into yogagni, the fire of yoga. This fire rises up and dissolves the moon back into the witness, the seed of the self. When the sun and moon disappear, the yogi becomes the whole universe.

This transformational retreat include:

• Plenty of asana and pranayama practice
• Esoteric teachings that make a lot of sense
• Information and techniques to deepen your practice when you return home
• Hope and inspiration for your spiritual journey.

Program Times:  Friday 6-9:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 9:00-4:00pm

Cost:

• Friday only: $35
• Full Weekend:  $275
• Earlybird Full Weekend by September 12, 2018:  $250

Yoga from India to the West

Director(s): Yoganand Michael Carroll
Dates: October 20-21, 2018

Location: FUN Yoga Studio

We pick up the history of yoga with the development of Hatha Yoga in 1000 a.d., and follow its development, decline and revival through the Muslim conquests, the British Raj, the Indian Renaissance, and its ultimate transmission to the West.  We will compare hatha yoga then and now, consider the western changes to the practices and goals of hatha yoga, and explore what a hybrid path might look like that straddles both the old and new in the development of an authentic yoga in the 21st century.  Practice sessions will be interspersed with lecture and discussion sessions.  Practices will introduce and include pranayama, khumbaks, the bandhas and incorporate these into the asana practices where appropriate.  Those already familiar with the practices will be encouraged to move and practice at a depth that supports them, while those new to the practices will be led in a guided and structured experience.

Program Times:  Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 10am-4:00pm

Program Cost:

• $350 Full Price
• $250 Early bird price for entire weekend by 8 weeks out (August 20, 2018)
• $300 Earlybird price for entire weekend by 4 weeks out (September 20, 2018)

Fight Stress & Find Serenity: A Yoga for Stress Management Weekend (16 hours)

Director(s): Jacci Gruninger
Dates: January 26-27, 2019

Did you know… stress is a factor in five out of six leading causes of death and an estimated 90% of all doctor visits are for stress-related issues?  Peter Schnall, author of Unhealthy Work and Director of the Center for Social Epidemiology, worked out the numbers and found that stress is a $1 trillion epidemic.  Many, many studies over the years have shown yoga, breathwork and meditation to be some of the most effective ways to relieve and manage stress.

In this two-day intensive we will define what stress is, the brain’s relationship to stress, how the nervous system works with stress, the General Adaptation Syndrome, the concept of “fight, flight or freeze” and current research on using yoga, pranayama and meditation to combat stress.

Through a variety of activities, students in this workshop will investigate their own stress triggers and stress personalities; enjoy yoga practices and techniques designed specifically to manage stress, on the mat and off; and will leave with the ability to manage their own stress more effectively.

Program Times:  Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm
Program Cost:

• $350 for entire weekend
• $315 Earlybird price for entire weekend by December 15th
• $190 one day (Saturday only)

Yoga As Play, Yoga As Practice

Director(s): Jacci Gruninger
Dates: February 9-10, 2019
Location: FUN Yoga Studio

Join Jacci for a retreat weekend filled with fun, laughter and yoga. We’ll add some spice to your yoga practice, look at the yamas and niyamas (the ethical precepts of yoga) and learn how to design a home practice .  We will spice up our practice with humor, fun yoga postures and yoga games in addition to practicing pranayama (breathwork) and meditation. We will eat a delicious potluck lunch together each day as well as enjoy a walking meditation after lunch.  Take a yoga sta-cation with us!

Program Times:  Saturday – Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm
Program Cost:

• $350 Full Price
• $250 Earlybrid price for entire weekend by 8 weeks out (December 9, 2018)
• $300 Earlybird price for entire weekend by 4 weeks out (January 9, 2018)

The Deep Roots of Yoga

Director(s): Yoganand Michael Carroll
Dates: April 26-28, 2019
Location: Evolation Yoga

“Yoga is 6,000 years old, right?”  We will explore the historical beginnings of yoga, the early yogis and their Upanishadic philosophy, influences of Samkyhya and Buddhism, and the medieval development and decline of Tantra Yoga and its ultimate reformation into Hatha Yoga.  While the yogic practices have changed dramatically over the millennia, the goals of the practitioners have remained remarkably stable; and so we find these philosophies rich and fertile areas for the development of a meaningful and dynamic context and personal intention for practice today.  Practice sessions will be interspersed with lecture and discussion sessions.  Practices will introduce and include pranayama, khumbaks, the bandhas and incorporate these into the asana practices where appropriate.  Those already familiar with the practices will be encouraged to move and practice at a depth that supports them, while those new to the practices will be led in a guided and structured experience.

Program Times:  Friday 6-9:00pm, Saturday – Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm
Program Cost:

• $350 for entire weekend
• $35 Friday Evening
• $190 per day
• $300 Earlybird price by March 26, 2019

Illuminating Your Yoga Practice With the Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita

Director(s): Yoganand Michael Carroll
Dates: May 10-12, 2019
Location: Bodywork Bistro Living Arts Center

Many yoga practitioners respect the Bhagavad Gita as a source of inspiration. It offers the metaphor of the “spiritual battle,” and presents the yoga path as having three aspects that must be balanced: action, knowledge, and devotion.

But the Gita has much more to offer. Swami Kripalu believed that it detailed both the willful and surrender paths of hatha yoga. He wrote that every sincere practitioner would someday need to ask a teacher the same questions Arjuna asks Krishna on the mythological battlefield.

Each session of this immersion begins with a teaching from the Bhagavad Gita that adds insight to the practice of asana and pranayama. This discussion will be followed with an in-depth practice of asana and pranayama.  We’ll close each day with an integration exercise to support digesting the experience and material so students will leave grounded and inspired for further practice.

Program Times:  Friday 6:30-9:00pm, Saturday – Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm
Program Cost:

• $350 for entire weekend
• $35 Friday Evening
• $150 per day ($300 if register for both)
• $300 Earlybird price for entire weekend by 4 weeks out April 10, 2019

The Deep Roots of Yoga

Director(s): Yoganand Michael Carroll
Dates: June 21-23, 2019
Location: Main Line Yoga Shala

“Yoga is 6,000 years old, right?”  We will explore the historical beginnings of yoga, the early yogis and their Upanishadic philosophy, influences of Samkyhya and Buddhism, and the medieval development and decline of Tantra Yoga and its ultimate reformation into Hatha Yoga.  While the yogic practices have changed dramatically over the millennia, the goals of the practitioners have remained remarkably stable; and so we find these philosophies rich and fertile areas for the development of a meaningful and dynamic context and personal intention for practice today.  Practice sessions will be interspersed with lecture and discussion sessions.  Practices will introduce and include pranayama, khumbaks, the bandhas and incorporate these into the asana practices where appropriate.  Those already familiar with the practices will be encouraged to move and practice at a depth that supports them, while those new to the practices will be led in a guided and structured experience.

Program Times:  Friday 6-9:00pm, Saturday – Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm
Program Cost:

• $35 Friday Evening
• $175 per day ($350 if register for both)
• $350 for entire weekend
• $300 Earlybird price for entire weekend by 4 weeks out by May 21, 2019

Illuminating Your Yoga Practice With the Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita

Director(s): Yoganand Michael Carroll
Dates: October 25-27, 2019
Location: Whole Body Yoga

Many yoga practitioners respect the Bhagavad Gita as a source of inspiration. It offers the metaphor of the “spiritual battle,” and presents the yoga path as having three aspects that must be balanced: action, knowledge, and devotion.

But the Gita has much more to offer. Swami Kripalu believed that it detailed both the willful and surrender paths of hatha yoga. He wrote that every sincere practitioner would someday need to ask a teacher the same questions Arjuna asks Krishna on the mythological battlefield.

Each session of this immersion begins with a teaching from the Bhagavad Gita that adds insight to the practice of asana and pranayama. This discussion will be followed with an in-depth practice of asana and pranayama.  We’ll close each day with an integration exercise to support digesting the experience and material so students will leave grounded and inspired for further practice.

Program Times:  Friday 6-9:00pm, Saturday – Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm
Program Cost:

• $35 Friday Evening
• $150 per day ($300 if register for both)
• $300 Earlybird price for entire weekend by September 25, 2019

The Deep Roots of Yoga

Director(s): Yoganand Michael Carroll
Dates: November 1-3, 2019
Location: Salt Tree Yoga

“Yoga is 6,000 years old, right?”  We will explore the historical beginnings of yoga, the early yogis and their Upanishadic philosophy, influences of Samkyhya and Buddhism, and the medieval development and decline of Tantra Yoga and its ultimate reformation into Hatha Yoga.  While the yogic practices have changed dramatically over the millennia, the goals of the practitioners have remained remarkably stable; and so we find these philosophies rich and fertile areas for the development of a meaningful and dynamic context and personal intention for practice today.  Practice sessions will be interspersed with lecture and discussion sessions.  Practices will introduce and include pranayama, khumbaks, the bandhas and incorporate these into the asana practices where appropriate.  Those already familiar with the practices will be encouraged to move and practice at a depth that supports them, while those new to the practices will be led in a guided and structured experience.

Program Times:  Friday 6-9:00pm, Saturday – Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm
Program Cost:

• $35 Friday Evening
• $175 per day ($350 if register for both)
• $350 for entire weekend
• $300 Earlybird price for entire weekend by 4 weeks out October 13, 2019