The practice taught at our retreat center is based around the first series and the second series, taught in a way that allows young and old, experienced, inexperienced practitioners to enjoy a detailed led practice. We teach in a way that allows conscious awareness of the breath, bandha's and the relationship between the muscles, tendons, ligaments involvement in our movement. When using Drishti, Ujjayi breathing and the bandha's correctly we begin to fan our internal fire (Agni) which allows the muscles to become more malleable and the postures less of an effort. As we move through the asana series each and every organ in the body gets stimulated, this enables stagnant blood to be put back in to circulation wthin the body and allows the organs to be flushed with fresh oxygenated blood improving the function of our organs and ultimately clarity to our minds.
The postures and your own edge
Many of the postures of the primary series can be quite intense and if not accessed in the correct way can cause serious injury to the practitioner. Finding correct alignment in all of the postures is of paramount importance as this is the only way that creates freedom for the movement of the diaphragm . Variations will be given if a posture is too intense.
Assists and Adjustments
During the practise Peter will be giving assists to those who are ready to move a little deeper into a posture or are having difficulty in aligning the body correctly to access a posture. Peter takes great care and is very sensitive and intuitive when working with your body and its capabilities, to experience the posture fully, you must feel safe and nurtured and not pushed or pulled. Adjustments are given to everybody and may be verbal or physical.
Meditation practice
Everyday we will be cultivating a meditation practice. Peter teaches different forms of meditation and we will choose one for the week, including mindfulness, vipassana, antar mouna, spontaneous, visualization or object meditation walking meditation. The practice is guided and builds as the week progresses.
Pranayama (expanding the dimensions of the breath)
For one morning session during the week we have a therapeutic breathing with awareness class. This practice helps balance the mind and emotions, directly effecting the pranamaya kosha or our energy body.
Core strength vinyasa
Peter teaches this class at the end of the week and this is his own practise that he has developed over the years. When working the core we are directly affecting the Hara (power centre) and then direct this energy through the body allowing entry to a new experience of vinyasa as we distribute the prana.
Shamanic Drumming & chanting
Our last practice on a Friday will be to listen to the beat of the drum as we delve deeper into our internal experience and look at the possibility of allowing the spirit to journey to other dimensions. This journey will be led by Peter
Sue will be holding a closing chant for all to join in and create a vibration to be felt right through your own consciousness.