Kala Krama: The Art of Asana

starts Saturday 11 may 2019 at 09:00

Kala Krama is the approach in which “yoga is treated as an art and as a complete physical culture (sarvanga sadhana). The many asanas and their variations, along with coordinated breathing, are what make it an art, and it is considered one of the sixty-four arts (kalas or vidyas). This physical culture is fascinating to many.”

Srivatsa Ramaswami - Yoga for the Three Stages of Life

Vinyasa Krama Yoga is an art form of practicing yogasanas, based on the parameters given in the Yoga Sutras. Sri Krishnamacharya taught this method of asana practice in which numerous asana movements or vinyasas are practiced in succession, slowly and with synchronization of breath. The asanas are taught in a thorough and systematic way to master the full spectrum of classical asana. The various asana can then be placed in sequences to give a varied daily practice session that will deliver the fruits of classical Hatha and Raja Yoga practice.

This workshop will cover a number of important asana sequences combined with some integral sequences to illustrate the key elements of sequencing.

Recommended Texts:

The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga by Srivatsa Ramaswami
The Vinyasa Krama Yoga Practice Manual by Steve Brandon & Charles Cox

Day/Time	Activity
Saturday 9:00-12:30	On your Feet Asanas - Tadasana, Trikonasana, Eka Pada asana, Visesha Vinyasas The standing sequences of Vinyasa Krama will be covered in detail including the Visesha (special) sequences.
12:30-14:15	lunch
Saturday 14:15-17:30	Supine asanas and Paschimottanasana
Sunday 9:00-12:30	Part 1: Sarvangasana and Dhanurasana Sequences Part 2: Vinyasa Krama Yoga Sequence - The Essential Elements of a Practice Session A practice session will follow a logical, intelligent sequence and include the Yoga techniques in a balanced and integrated way. This session will give an example of the fundamental elements and structure of a sequence. “Astanga Yoga is the best method that would lead to total health, longevity and peace of mind.” – Yogacharya Sri T. Krishnamacharya
12:30-14:15	lunch
Sunday 14:15-16:30	Part 1: Vinyasa Krama Yoga Sequence - Focus on Hatha Yoga: Asana, Mudra, Bandha & Pranayama Asana is a method that conditions the body and breath to practice mudras and a seated posture with associated breathing. Control of the body, breath and mind is a prerequisite to mastering and directing the vital forces. This sequence will demonstrate the key elements of Hatha Yoga. "Automatic activities of the vital forces and organs of action can be stopped by means of Hatha - Yoga by conscious effort." - Shankara, Vivarana on Yoga Sutras Part 2: Vinyasa Krama Yoga Sequence - The Outer & Inner Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga Hatha Yoga is a stairway to Raja Yoga we are told by the author of Hathayogapradipika. There is a gradual transformation of the mind through the practice of Yoga leading to peace of mind and concentration. This session will demonstrate the progress of a session through the stages indicated by the eight limbs of classical Yoga. “The philosophy of yoga is to withdraw the mind from external activities, to draw its focus inwards, and to bring it into deep concentration.” - Yogacharya Sri T. Krisnamacharya How focusing the senses inward concentrates the mind for effective meditation.

Day/Time

Activity

Saturday

9:00-12:30

On your Feet Asanas - Tadasana, Trikonasana, Eka Pada asana, Visesha Vinyasas

The standing sequences of Vinyasa Krama will be covered in detail including the Visesha (special) sequences.

12:30-14:15

lunch

Saturday

14:15-17:30

Supine asanas and Paschimottanasana

Sunday

9:00-12:30

Part 1: Sarvangasana and Dhanurasana Sequences

Part 2: Vinyasa Krama Yoga Sequence - The Essential Elements of a Practice Session

A practice session will follow a logical, intelligent sequence and include the Yoga techniques in a balanced and integrated way. This session will give an example of the fundamental elements and structure of a sequence.

“Astanga Yoga is the best method that would lead to total health, longevity and peace of mind.” – Yogacharya Sri T. Krishnamacharya

12:30-14:15

lunch

Sunday

14:15-16:30

Part 1: Vinyasa Krama Yoga Sequence - Focus on Hatha Yoga: Asana, Mudra, Bandha & Pranayama

Asana is a method that conditions the body and breath to practice mudras and a seated posture with associated breathing. Control of the body, breath and mind is a prerequisite to mastering and directing the vital forces. This sequence will demonstrate the key elements of Hatha Yoga.

"Automatic activities of the vital forces and organs of action can be stopped by means of Hatha - Yoga by conscious effort." - Shankara, Vivarana on Yoga Sutras

Part 2: Vinyasa Krama Yoga Sequence - The Outer & Inner Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga

Hatha Yoga is a stairway to Raja Yoga we are told by the author of Hathayogapradipika. There is a gradual transformation of the mind through the practice of Yoga leading to peace of mind and concentration. This session will demonstrate the progress of a session through the stages indicated by the eight limbs of classical Yoga.

“The philosophy of yoga is to withdraw the mind from external activities, to draw its focus inwards, and to bring it into deep concentration.” - Yogacharya Sri T. Krisnamacharya

How focusing the senses inward concentrates the mind for effective meditation.

There will be a 15-20 minute break in each session at an appropriate time to suit practice and student comfort.

Participation

You can participate whole day Saturday or whole day Sunday or both. Save 50 Euros with full workshop early-bird registration by April 11th. Payment must be made at time of registration for early-birders!

This workshop is run under the auspices of INFINY asbl and only publicized by Centre de Yoga - La Source. Payment is made to INFINY, not La Source.

There is a 5 € once-a-calendar-year INFINY membership fee even if you are only attending a single session. The 5 € membership fee is necessary for insurance purposes.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations are subject to a 20-Euro administration fee. Payment is fully refundable (less the administration fee) if cancellation is done no later than June 6th. 50% lost if canceled by April 11th. If you cancel after April 11th, you may only be refunded if you are able to find a replacement for your place even if your cancellation is due to an illness.

Style: Vinyasa Krama Yoga

Vinyasa Krama Yoga develops strength and flexibility. It improves circulation of blood, lymph and life energy (prana). It's a simple, enjoyable and effective way of exercising all joints, muscles and tissues of the body without stressing the heart. The movements are slow and synchronised with ujjayi breathing which concentrates the mind and brings it into a state of peace. With its emphasis on synchronised breathing and moving, the system prepares the person to sit with steadiness and comfort for the more subtle practices of pranayama and meditation which are included in each class. The whole process gradually transforms the body and mind, releasing old patterns of mental tension and dysfunctional patterns of movement. Go to the Vinyasa Krama Yoga page.

Teacher: Stephen Brandon

Stephen Brandon has studied Yoga under some outstanding teachers from Sri T. Krishnamacharya’s lineage since 1999, including TKV Desikachar, T.K. Sribhashyam, A.G. and Indra Mohan, Srivatsa Ramaswami (Krishnamacharya’s student for 34 years). Stephen trained in Viniyoga with Ranju Roy and Paul Harvey. Since 2007, Stephen has trained extensively in Vinyasa Krama Yoga and Yoga Philosophy with Srivatsa Ramaswami in India, the USA and the UK and maintains a personal practice in Yoga and Ayurveda. Go to Stephen's page.

Location: Walferdange

25, rue Josy Welter, Walferdange. This warm and cozy setting provides an intimate and wonderful atmosphere for the practice of yoga. Easy to get to, with a bus stop 100 meters away and parking in the Mairie and the cemetery. Entrance is to the left of the house. Go to the Walferdange page.