Yogis at the Lotus Flow Teacher Training, Sydney 2018
I had a fun-filled yogi weekend participating in a professional development workshop with Jasmine Tarkeshi, the co-founder of Laughing Lotus Yoga Centers in New York City and San Francisco and co-creator of Lotus FlowTM Vinyasa Yoga and Teacher Training. The workshop was promoted by the Sukha Mukha Yoga Studio in Bronte where I received my initial 200-hour yoga teacher certification.
Jasmine Tarkeshi is a high-energy, pocket-rocket with a zest for life and passion for spreading the knowledge of Yoga. She is well-known in the Yoga world for her Lotus Flow signature moves as well as her plethora of knowledge when it comes to Yogic philosophy. She has inspired many by bridging Yoga and activism, she has been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers and has published the book, Yoga Body and Mind Handbook: Easy Poses, Guided Meditations, Perfect Peace, Wherever You Are.
Lotus Flow Teacher Training in Sydney, 2018
During the three-day course we learned some creative ways to approach sequencing a Yoga class, some postures trademarked by Jasmine and we studied the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. My favourite times over the last few days were when we explored new ways to sequence a class. For example, in a lot of Yoga classes out there, we traditionally move from Warrior I to Warrior II to Warior III poses, or Warrior I to Warrior II to Devotional Warrior. These are classic moves, the backbone of standing sequences, but there is a tendency to mill through them in a robotic fashion since the body and mind can get used to them after awhile. In the course, Jasmine allowed us to break from this tradition and sequence new ways to move between these classic Warrior poses. Why not move from Warrior I to Diver’s pose, to standing splits and then to Warrior II?
Why is it important to shake up our sequencing? Well, if you’re like me, you like change and you like to keep the body guessing. By getting out of the routine, the body, bones, muscles and mind stay alert and continue to adapt. The brain is creating new neural pathways. One of the teachers at the workshop referred to the physical practice of Yoga as a ‘cosmic dance.’ You figure dances such as hip hop, break and modern ballet are always changing and new moves are constantly being invented and modified, so why can’t we do the same in Yoga?
Please contact me if you’re looking to experience a Yoga class that challenges the body and mind to get out of its comfort zone and dance a new ‘cosmic dance.’