I wanted to express my thanks for such a fantastic Introduction to Yoga. Over the last 10 weeks I have learnt some of the Yoga basics and it has transformed the way I feel about Yoga. I feel like I can go on and continue to challenge myself and grow in strength and flexibility without fear of injury due to the thoroughness of your teaching and focus on good technique. I recently travelled to Bali and went to numerous different classes and as a result of the techniques learnt at your Introduction to Yoga classes I could do most of the poses, and without fear of injury.
Many thanks
Bridget O’Malley, Herne Bay
YOGA FUNDAMENTALS: THE NEW AND IMPROVED 2020 WORKSHOPS
Yoga Fundamentals Course: The Keys to Yoga with Ewa Bigio™ is collectively a 5 week programme but available as 3 blocks of 2 + 2 + 1 set of workshops. The modifications to the original programme provide greater flexibility for students to register for aspects of the practice that interests them the most with the freedom to participate in additional blocks to help consolidate their overall knowledge and understanding of yoga. Yoga is a Sanskrit term that was found in the ancient texts of the Vedic priests of Northern India over 5,000 years ago. This term which covered a collection of beliefs and practices was later canonised into a systematic blueprint known as the 8 Limbs of Patanjali which forms the foundation of modern yoga today. The 8 Limbs is a wide-ranging prescription for the attainment of spiritual freedom which includes codes of moral conduct, social observances, breathing and meditation concepts as well as recommendations for the physical practice of yoga or asana. Yoga Fundamentals workshops are now thematically grouped under the following themes:
1. YOGA FUNDAMENTALS: OUTSIDE IN™
These 2 workshops will focus on the physical practice of yoga, the principles and the techniques behind it. The course is based on experiential learning as opposed to didactic teaching. Students can also expect that the physical postures will be explained with anatomical detail with particular emphasis on alignment for joint safety. The principles of alignment and kinesiology of yoga movement will be broken down through the exploration of fundamental poses. Sample of past year’s flyer:
2. YOGA FUNDAMENTALS: BREATHING LIFE INTO YOUR POSTURES™
This block of 2 workshops focuses upon the internal work of yoga postures and movement. When postures are executed in isolation without a deeper somatic connection, practice loses ease of movement and this in turn can expose a practitioner to potential injuries. Additionally, breathing, mental focus and muscular engagement help synergise physiological and psychological states, resulting in a unified process which begins from the outside but starts to move inwards. These workshops explore physical and mental techniques for facilitating harmonious movement in and out of yoga postures; the consistent practice of which will bring about profound physical, emotional and mental benefits and changes.
3. YOGA FUNDAMENTALS: THE 8 LIMBS OF YOGA
The 8 Limbs of Yoga is a one off workshop that explores the rich tapestry of yoga as it appeared in Northern India 5,000 years ago and how it evolved into a system known as the 8 Limbs of Patanjali; a system that forms the basis of modern yoga. This workshop is an introduction to the roots, philosophy and the evolution of modern yoga and will give you a more expansive and academic knowledge of yoga beyond the postures, and the pragmatic relevance of this ancient practice to modern living. Eventbrite link (fees apply) will be activated shortly or alternatively register directly with Ewa to avoid fees email ewalyhb@gmail.com for details on how. 2020 dates to be announced.
The Guiding Principles of Yoga Fundamentals pertaining to physical practice workshops:
The 5 guiding principles of Yoga Fundamentals are Awareness, Activation, Knowledge, Strengthening and Safety
1. Awareness:
Bringing to light the importance of postural awareness and from there the connection with the physiological self through breath and movement. Without awareness, there can be no activation.
2. Activation:
The utilisation of techniques for tapping into key deep muscle groups essential to developing a strong yoga practice. These are deep pockets of untapped potential that need to awaken in order to build a stronger practice.
3. Knowledge:
Imparting an understanding for the fundamental tools and techniques for building a physical yoga practice, classical yoga postures and the purposes behind these postures as well as appropriate modifications that respect the integrity of anatomical alignment. Knowledge subsequently allows you to properly execute postures and the ability to execute postures properly is the prerequisite to the next stage which is building strength,
4. Strengthening:
Building strength through isolated drills, repetition of modified classic yoga postures and sequences, and through the gradual lengthening of practice times. As the 2018 course is now reduced from 10 to 5 weeks, strengthening will still be an element but on a reduced scale. Practitioners will have an option to join in on a second class on Friday mornings designed for Level 1 practitioners after week 3 in order to intensify their strengthening and flexibility programme ( additional cost for second class applies ).
5. Safety:
Yoga is a personal practice based on the individual needs of the practitioner. The limits of one practitioner can vary considerably for the next and as such the ability to make personal safety assessments based on your individual condition is very much at the heart of Yoga Fundamentals. Through an understanding of proper alignment and purpose, you will be empowered to make good decisions on what modifications to execute in any given environment to ensure safety of your practice. The consideration of safety in this course is informed by an understanding of the joint safety alignment principles “SHEWKS”™ which respects the congruity of key anatomical joints – sacroiliac, hip, elbow, wrists, knee, shoulders.
Key Objectives of Course:
The 3 main objectives of Yoga Fundamentals is to empower the practitioner with knowledge to enable the practitioner to:
- practice with safety in a group environment;
- develop a home practice;
- develop a solid foundation from which to advance longer term practice goals.
Post – course Privileges:
Yoga Fundamentals alumni receive a preferential rate for attending Ewa Bigio yoga classes. This is a saving over and above the casual drop-in rate of $27 as well as the multiple class purchase concession rate of $23 per session. In addition, Yoga Fundamentals alumni will receive preferential bookings to the yoga classes (permanent standing booking unless otherwise cancelled up to within 24 hrs of class), preferential discounts to selected workshops and events.
Course Fees and Bookings:
To apply to be on the course shortlist, email ewalyhb@gmail.com with the following details:
Name:
Date of Birth:
Gender:
Prior Yoga Experience:
Course Objectives (optional)
Email: Mobile ph:
Course fees: $150 for course structured around 2 x workshops per block and $70 for single workshop
Venue: Taiji Studio, 40 St Benedicts St, Newton
Tickets to the course may be booked through Eventbrite or purchased directly through Ewa Bigio Yoga.
Yoga Fundamentals Course Testimonials:
For further feedback please visit the following Client Testimonials page on this website. A fuller description of the course may be obtained by emailing Ewa at ewalyhb@gmail.com
Scholarship Opportunities
Applications in the past have been invited for a place in Yoga Fundamentals. Successful applicants have in previous years received the following to help set them off on their yoga journey:
1. A fully subsidised entry into the 2 events comprising 2 x 90 minute workshops
2. A 5 x visit pass to Yoga classes with Ewa Bigio
3. A beautiful, non-toxic and eco-friendly Ewa Bigio Yoga cork yoga mat to inspire your daily practice
Criteria:
1. Must be available to attend all workshops
2. At least 16 years of age and over
3. Passionate about yoga and self-improvement but currently lacking financial resources to commit to learning
To apply:
1. TBA
EWA BIGIO YOGA 