Description:
Embodying the Flow is open to intermediate students and aspiring teachers to experience the essential teachings of vinyasa - much more than a technique or style of yoga. This weekend is a paradigm-shift into experiencing the currents of prana as the underlying moving intelligence guiding the flow of our body, practice and life.

You will learn:

• Universal Vinyasa - the cycles, sequences and patterns of nature
• Introduction to the Tantric Embodiment and the five movements of prana underlying all of the asanas and movements of nature.
• Learn Shiva's innovative Wave Sequencing™ methodology and apply it to teaching.
• Learning energetic alignment and hands-on assist for 14 core asanas os sun salutations
• Learning classical namaskars and Shiva's innovative dancing warrior and rhythmic vinyasa sequences that are practiced around the world
• Solar and Lunar Practices - Learning class sequences to creatively adapt to all levels and energetic states.

Required Reading & Materials:

• View and become familiar with Shiva's DVD "Yoga Shakti" - understand and know how to teach all of the Namaskars and write a teaching script for each one.
• Read Shiva's Thesis (download at bottom of page)
• Read: The Heart of Yoga" by TKV Desikachar

Description:
Learn the energetic alignment of yoga asanas based upon an integrated understanding of the movements of prana, lines of energy, relationship of opposites in the body and how to open and strengthen the core structures of embodiment from head to toe, skin to subtle body.

• Work with the family tree of asanas and see how the alignment of the main asanas from the core energetics which evolve and branch from the primary pattern.
• Learn to teach five primary alignment actions in any pose including foot patterns, spiral actions of the legs, position of the pelvis, spinal alignment and support of the neck.
• Acquire an interrelated understanding of this energetic alignment, actions, functions, and somatic qualities of a base of 108 postures from which to sequence vinyasa combinations with skill, effectiveness, fluency, and creativity.
• Applying Shiva's three-part vinyasa methodology to the standing poses, backbends, arm balances, core abdominals, forward bends and hip openers, twists and inversions as a base for more complex sequencing.

Required Reading & Materials:

• Read and bring "Scientific Keys Volume 1: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga" by Ray Long
• Read: Articles on Yoga Injuries (download at bottom of page)

Description:
Calling all those adventurers willing to dive into the flow and integrate a liberating, philosophically and physiologically grounded approach to fluid movement and flow into their practice and teaching.

Morning practices are fertile, creative explorations that catalyze afternoon and evening interactive practicums and discussions.

There will be a focus on:

• Development of class openings and mini-vinyasas for beginning and mixed-level classes that cultivate wave motion and fluid body
• Experience and learn Prana Flow® sequences for developing your own effective and creative flows for teaching
• Integration of mantra, pranayama, chanting and music to release the vibratory song of the body
• Understanding of the fluid/pranic body for balancing and healing the stresses of life in the twenty-first century
• Accessible exploration of yogic philosophy through the celebrated tantric texts, Vijnana Bhairava Tantra and Spanda Karikas, as well as poetry to deepen the living connection to prana-shakti, life force
• Micro-meditations to stay connected to the flow while living yoga

Come learn Shiva's fluid, dynamic approaches to yoga, movement, and healing and participate in the creative quantum intelligence that guides our evolution from within as a natural path to freedom.

Required Reading & Materials:

• Read "The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy" by Cyndi Dale
• View and become familiar with Shiva's DVD "Fluid Power - Vinyasa Flow Yoga" - understand and know how to teach all of the Namaskars and write a teaching script for each one.

Description:
This exploration and practical awakening that evolves the core teachings of the Fluid Power cycle with ever-renewing inspiration, new sequences, and creative applications to awaken and enliven fluid power in our bodies and our lives. In this most popular intensive by pioneering yoga teacher Shiva Rea, you will learn to integrate mandalas (circular) namaskars, sahaja (spontaneous movement), and enlivening approaches to challenges on the mat, such as handstands and core work, with creativity and fluid power.

During the intensive we will focus on:

• Learning three mandala namaskars and mandala sequencing
• Awakening chanting and mantra within asana, pranayama, and meditation
• Shiva's integration of sahaja flow within yogasanas to experience to the spontaneous guidance of authentic movement
• Fluid approaches to teaching beginners and releasing stiffness of body, mind, and culture
• Accessible exploration of yogic philosophy through meditation and study of sacred tantric texts
• Flow Arts of Poi and Kalarippayatu (Indian martial art) for beginners and continuing students.

Required Reading & Materials:

• Read "The Body Quantum: The New Physics of Body, Mind and Health" by Fred Alan Wolf
• Read "Ageless Body, Timeless Mind: The Quantum Alternative to Growing Old" by Deepak Chopra
• Read "Spanda-Karikas: The Divine Creative Pulsation" by Jaideva Singh

Description:
This exploration and practical awakening that evolves the core teachings of the Fluid Power cycle with ever-renewing inspiration, new sequences, and creative applications to awaken and enliven fluid power in our bodies and our lives. In this most popular intensive by pioneering yoga teacher Shiva Rea, you will learn to integrate mandalas (circular) namaskars, sahaja (spontaneous movement), and enlivening approaches to challenges on the mat, such as handstands and core work, with creativity and fluid power.

During the intensive we will focus on:

• Learning three mandala namaskars and mandala sequencing
• Awakening chanting and mantra within asana, pranayama, and meditation
• Shiva's integration of sahaja flow within yogasanas to experience to the spontaneous guidance of authentic movement
• Fluid approaches to teaching beginners and releasing stiffness of body, mind, and culture
• Accessible exploration of yogic philosophy through meditation and study of sacred tantric texts
• Flow Arts of Poi and Kalarippayatu (Indian martial art) for beginners and continuing students.

Required Reading & Materials:

• "When the Body Becomes all Eyes (Kalarippayattu)" by Phillip Zarrilli

Description:
Experience an integrative approach to the chakra system within vinyasa and the flow of life. Through this practical and inspirational exploration of the chakra system and yogic body, we will develop an transformative approach to the body mandala - - the divine container of our interconnectedness within our Self, experiences, relationships and nature. The week will be devoted to traditional practices, innovative explorations, inward reflection, dynamic morning vinyasa sadhana and integrating specific and creative tools for transformative teaching and living of yoga.

Creative morning practices will give experiential grounding to the afternoon sessions, which will focus on:

• Five essential elemental-chakra based Prana Flow® sequences that integrate an energetic approach to asana, pranayama, mudra, chanting and movement meditation.
• Learning to teach four sun salutations or namaskars dedicated to the elements-chakras to integrate into your teaching.
• Theory and application for awakening the yogic body of the marma (108 vital energy points in the body); the nadis (energy channels), the seven primary chakras; the five elements; and the movements of prana. Essential marma points for self-massage and activation during asana practice

Required Reading & Materials:

• Read "Chakras: Energy Centers of Transformation" by Harish Johari
• View and become familiar with Shiva's DVD " Daily Energy Flow" - understand and know how to teach all of the Namaskars and write a teaching script for each one.
• Read "The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy" by Cyndi Dale

Suggested Reading & Materials:

• Read "The Radiance Sutras" by Lorin Roche
• Read "The Atlas of Mind, Body and Spirit" by Paul Hougham

Required Reading & Materials:

• Read "The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence of the Heart in the Direct Perception of Nature" by Stephen Harrd Buhner
• Read "The Seven Life Lessons of Chaos: Spiritual Wisdom of the Heart in the Direct Perception of Nature" by John Briggs and F. David Peat
• Read "Water: the Element of Life" by Theodor Schwenk and W. Shchwenk
• Read "Flowforms: The Rhythmic Power of Water" by John Wilkes

Suggested Reading & Materials:

• Read "Ayurveda and Marma Therapy: Energy Points in Yogic Healing" by David Frawley

Description:
Within Tantra, Ayurveda, and Krisnamacharya's teachings of vinyasa, we thrive when we find the form of yoga practice that fuels, nourishes, and illumines what is needed to evolve our life. How do you practice when you are experiencing natural human emotions such as feeling stuck, overwhelmed, stressed, shut-down, bored, lethargic, mechanical, tense, etc., that inhibit the flow of yoga. All of these practical realities of adult life center around the metaphor of "tending the fire."

Based on Shiva's innovative 30-day Living Yoga Sadhana program, this weekend workshop will explore Four Paths of Practice: Bhakti (the power of love and devotion), Vira (awakening the fire of one's potential), Shakti (unleashing the creative power), and Shanti Sadhana (living peace) as ways of cultivating our inner light.

Required Reading & Materials:

• Read "The Direct Path: Creating a Personal Journey to the Divine Using the World's Spiritual Traditions" by Andrew Harvey
• View and become familiar with Shiva's DVD "Daily Energy - Vinyasa Flow Yoga"

Description:
Learn to lead Trance Dance, an internationally celebrated prana yoga and free-form movement meditation to liberate your creative life-force. For yoga teachers and yogadventurers who are interested in the interconnections of yoga and dance, this Trance Dance intensive provides the basic tools to explore the foundations of yoga trance dance.

Evolving since 1994, Yoga Trance Dance is a contemporary exploration of the spirit of dance within yoga. Beginning with prana yoga or the experience of prana initiating yogasanas, yoga trance dance flows into an exploration of free-form, breath driven movement to liberate one's creative life force and cultivate embodied freedom.

Includes:

• Nataraj Cosmology of Dance within Yoga
• Archetypal themes of Yoga Trance Dance
• Connection to manashakti and pranashakti, the creative and vital lifeforces
• Prana yoga opening exercises and kriyas * Breath-initiated movement
• Talas or primary rhythms
• Guiding free-form ecstatic dance
• Communal movement
• Choreographing the musical wave of Yoga Trance Dance
• Safety and injury prevention
• The poetic language of guiding movement
• Yoga Trance Dance Reader and Music list

Required Reading & Viewing Materials:

• Read YJ Article: "The Divine Dance by Shiva Rea"
• View and become familiar with Shiva's DVD "Yoga Trance Dance"
• Read "Dancing: The Pleasure, Power, and Art of Movement" by Gerald Jones and Rhoda Grauer
• Articles by Nitin Kumar (download below)
  • Krishna's Dance: Rasa Lila
  • Dance of the Yogini
  • Dance: The Living Spirit of Indian Arts
  • Forms of Shiva
  • The Rhythm of Music
  • Delight of the Senses: Rasa
  • Shakti: Power and Femininity in Indian Art
  • Shiva Linga
  • Shiva as Nataraja

Description:
For women only. This women's retreat (with option for teacher training) is designed to open our creative power, sustain life, and dissolve what binds us. It will connect modern-day yoginis with the ancient yoga traditions that honor the shakti within all of creation. We'll create a natural collective sadhana focusing on the cyclical nature of the female body by learning movement meditations dedicated to the divine feminine or Shakti Namaskars, which sequence the empowered energy of the Goddess in a way that is accessible, universal, and effective for awakening life-energy. Our four practices will include contemplation of one's life journey.

Women of all ages, backgrounds, and experience in yoga are invited to learn:

• Shakti Namaskars for kundalini and Saraswati Ma (the creative flow), Lakshmi Ma (the abundant flow), Durga Ma (the empowered flow), and Radha (the divine sensual flow) as healing sequences expressing the full spectrum of a woman's life
• Specific mudras, meditation, asanas, mantras, and prayers for awakening shakti
• Integration in the world and with the divine masculine with a Shiva-Shakti Yoga Trance Dance and fire ceremony that connects with the concurrent men's yoga retreat

Required Reading & Viewing Materials:

• Read "Inner Tantric: Working with the Universal Shakti: Secrets of Mantras, Deities, and Meditation" by David Frawley
• Read "Passionate Enlightenment" by Miranda Shaw
• Read "The Yoni: Sacred Symbol of Female Creative Power" by Rufus Camphausen
• View and become familiar with Shiva's DVD "Yogini"

If module includes Pre- Post-Natal Teacher Training Intensive, it is recommended to view and become familiar with Shiva's DVD "Pre- and Post-Natal Yoga"

Description:
For Men-Only in conjuction with Women's Retreat Description. Across time and culture men have gathered and bonded in rituals of initiation and brotherhood. Without a ritual structure holding sacred space for the honored masculine many men feel disconnected and lost in a mundane and shallow world. In this weekend retreat, we will reclaim our inherent ground of strength, compassion and camaraderie and draw from the powerful archetypes of the great yogin Shiva, the ultimate enlightened male roll model as a source of integration with the sacred masculine. A wild yogi, warrior/protector, dissolver of obstacles, intense lover and dancer, Shiva emanates a wide range of potent masculine energy for the service and benefit of all. When he isn't alone meditating, Shiva travels with his band of rebel brothers called the Ganas as well as with his beloved female consort, Shakti and his auspicious sons, Ganesha and Skanda exemplifying the influential roles a man has with his community, lover and family.

Intentionally invoking the qualities of Shiva strengthens our resolve for a meaningful life as providers and protectors and also aligns us with our primal nature as devoted and passionate lovers seeking union with the divine. Engaging in embodied practices, transformational rituals and interactive sessions (including two evening events joining the yogini women's retreat) we will empower our authentic expression, feed our inner fire, dance with the outer fire and celebrate the journey of this extraordinary life.

Required Reading & Viewing Materials:

• Read "The Phallus: Sacred Symbol of Male Creative Power" by Alain Danielou
• Read "Hanuman: An Introduction" by Devdutt Pattanaik

Description:
Experience a dynamic introduction to the ancient Indian martial art form kalaripayattu, or kalari, and its shared roots within yoga and Ayurveda. Kalari is a "kaya sadhana" or embodied art form that is considered to be one of the oldest "martial art" forms in the world as warrior training is part of this profound and beautiful fluid form. Practiced in a Kalari - a temple created on the raw earth - this form complements the sacred relationship to the body in yoga while giving expression to the embodied power of shakti that is received from the earth and liberated through movement flow, meditation and marma massage. Shiva's roots are part of CVN Kalari in Thiruvanathapuram with her teachers Sathya Nrayanan and Rajasekharan Nair.

Required Reading & Viewing Materials:

• Read "When the Body Becomes All Eyes: Paradigms, Discourses and Practices of Power in Kalarippayattu, a South Indian Martial Art" by Phillip Zarrilli

Shiva Rea's Thesis (616 KB)

Articles on Yoga Injuries (939 KB)

Chakra Vinyasa Articles (627 KB)

Sanskrit Resource (254 KB)