Workshops

Sunday, January 27, 2:00-3:30 p.m. Studio C
Come prepare for birth through movements that support your baby in optimal fetal positioning during pregnancy and vital for labor. Practice how to relax and work with baby in your body in the dance of childbirth. See www.theartofmothering.com for more information. Class taught by Gingi Allen--mother, doula, student midwife. Must preregister by January 20. Cost: $20.
Instructor: Gingi Allen (510) 467-4486
Email: mamagingi@gmail.com

Sundays, April 28, May 26, June 23 (Studio 209), 2:00-3:30 p.m. Studio C
Come prepare for birth through movements that support your baby in optimal fetal positioning during pregnancy and vital for labor. Practice how to relax and work with baby in your body in the dance of childbirth. See www.theartofmothering.com for more information. Class taught by Gingi Allen--mother, doula, student midwife. Must preregister by January 20. Cost: $20.
Instructor: Gingi Allen (510) 467-4486
Email: mamagingi@gmail.com

Fridays, May 24, June 21, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Studio C
These classes, open to intermediate and advanced students, are designed to be an in-depth practice that will include all poses in the primary series and will be taught in a continuous manner without stopping. We often do meditation and pranayama in this class. See www.melyoga.com for more information. Cost: $20.
Instructor: Melanie Green (510) 368-3581
Email: melyoga@hotmail.com

Saturday, May 18, 2:00-4.30 p.m. Studio C
Our words have an incredible power in the way they create our reality. "When you speak, remember that God sits at the tip of your tongue." Mantras (coded sounds) specifically link you to a positive and productive state of being. We will learn mantras and meditations that take you out of darkness, fear and anger so you can see the divine in each and every one. As Yogi Bhajan said: "If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all." Through posture, movement, breath, use of sound, gong, mantra and meditation, Kundalini Yoga offers a wide range of tools to transform unproductive behaviors into actions of awareness and love. Come, move, chant and connect to the infinite! Cost: $35 the day of, $30 prepay via paypal (lange-iris@gmx.net) Fee includes: handouts with practices to take home and a free class with Iris, on Thursdays at 7:15 at BYC. Email Iris with questions.
Instructor: Iris Lange
Email: lange-iris@gmx.net

Sundays, May 19, June 9, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Studio 209
If you love reading books, if you love doing yoga, if you love sharing your thoughts on both over a cup of homemade chai, join the club so to speak and attend these monthly gatherings! This is not about Light On Yoga but rather light reading about yoga as a gateway to deeper notions of yogic philosophy. Somewhere between the canon of Vedic literature and the latest yoga "chic lit" story there are a lot of good books out there that transmit yogic philosophy and concepts in a modern and accessible way. We'll tap into memoirs, novels and some non-fiction to explore timeless themes that help us connect the dots between our practice and our life. Sign up in advance or just drop in any month (no worries if you haven't finished the book!) Contact Mary Beth to find out the book we will be reading and discussing. Cost: Suggested donation=$5 (does not include books).
Instructor: Mary Beth Ray (510) 387-6211
Email: mb@mbryoga.com

Sunday, May 19, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Studio 209
This workshop will essentially be an extended class that combines the long-held poses of Yin Yoga with the more fluid poses and movements of Vini Yoga and ends with a pranayama (breath control) practice. In the Yin practice, we bypass muscles and instead target connective tissues and joints of the body, opening up more subtle energetic channels while also cultivating a contemplative, non-reactive state of mind. In Vini yoga there is often repetition of simple movements, one at a time and with the breath, with particular attention to moving in a way that suits, and is appropriate for, the individual. Through the practice of these skillfully blended approaches--always looking for the correct balance of effort and ease in the way that we practice--we stimulate a clear, steady flow of prana, or life force, which prepares us for the seated practices of pranayama and meditation. As always, poems and readings from yogic texts will be part of the experience. Cost: $35 if prepaid by May 4; $30 each if you prepay for yourself and a friend by May 4; $40 after. To preregister, send in a check, payable to Cybèle Tomlinson, along with your contact info, to PO Box 8028, Berkeley, CA 94707.
Instructor: Cybèle Tomlinson (510) 558-6936
Email: cybeleb@hotmail.com

Sunday, May 26 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon (Active Practice) and 2:00-5:00 p.m.(Yin & Restorative) Studio 209
Enjoy a sweet refuge from the busyness of daily life, and spend a morning, afternoon or a whole day of luxurious practice in a peaceful and supportive environment. Our mornings will gradually open to a more active practice with afternoons devoted to long held floor postures, relaxation and meditation. You are welcome to attend one or both sessions. Minimum one year of practice recommended. Please dress in layers and bring a journal and eye bag if you have your own. Space limited. For information and registration go to www.adayoga.com.
Instructor: Ada Lusardi

Sundays, May 26, June 23 (Studio 209), 2:00-3:30 p.m. Studio C
Come prepare for birth through movements that support your baby in optimal fetal positioning during pregnancy and vital for labor. Practice how to relax and work with baby in your body in the dance of childbirth. See www.theartofmothering.com for more information. Class taught by Gingi Allen--mother, doula, student midwife. Cost: $20.
Instructor: Gingi Allen (510) 467-4486
Email: mamagingi@gmail.com

June 2-28, 2013
Berkeley Yoga Center welcomes Leigha Nicole who is joining us for the month of June and is hosting a mysore intensive with 3 weekend workshops. This is a rare opportunity to study with Leigha in an intimate mysore environment as well as a chance to deepen one's practice in workshops of the Intermediate series, the traditional pranayama sequence and the complete back-bending sequence as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Leigha brings warmth, humor and accessibility to her nearly 3 decades of teaching as well as a deep love of the Ashtanga practice.

MYSORE
Sunday through Friday, 7-9 am, June 2 - 28; Cost $200 for the month; $25 drop-in One-on-one guidance and adjustments based on individual needs will be provided in a quiet group setting in which students practice a portion or the entire sequence of the primary, intermediate or advanced series. Leigha will be available for private consultations regarding personal practice or injuries so specific programs can be developed and incorporated over the course of the month. All levels welcome.

INTRODUCTION TO NADI SHODANA (Intermediate Series)
Saturday, June 8 & Sunday, June 9, 1-4 pm; Cost $90 An in-depth exploration of the second series of Ashtanga Yoga. The first day will explain back-bending alignment basics and the anatomy involved in the postures through Kapotasana. Partner work and modifications will be included. The second day will include a review of the backbending portion of the series and move to hip opening "researching" poses to prepare students for Eka Pada Sirsasana. Students should be already familiar with the primary series, but no second series experience is necessary.

INTRODUCTION TO THE TRADITIONAL PRANAYAMA SEQUENCE
Friday, June 14, 6-8 pm; Cost $30 This workshop will provide students with an opportunity to experience various pranayama techniques at the conclusion of a short asana practice. In addition to Ujjayi breathing, other pranayamas include: Rechaka and Puraka Kumbhaka, Nadi Shodana, Bhastrika and Sitali. All levels welcome.

THE ASHTANGA BACK BENDING SEQUENCE
Saturday, June 22 & Sunday, June 23, 1-4 pm; Cost $90 Participants will be introduced to the full series of back-bending postures practiced in addition to Urdhva Dhanurasana. Preparation postures and partner work will be inserted to create a stepping stone program for students to work toward Adho Mukha Vrksasana (handstand balance), Vipirita Chakrasana (reverse wheel), and Vrschikasana (scorpion). Comfort with the primary series and Urdhva Dhanurasana is a prerequisite.
Instructor: Leigha Nicole
REGISTER HERE

Sunday, June 9, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Studio 209
If you love reading books, if you love doing yoga, if you love sharing your thoughts on both over a cup of homemade chai, join the club so to speak and attend these monthly gatherings! This is not about Light On Yoga but rather light reading about yoga as a gateway to deeper notions of yogic philosophy. Somewhere between the canon of Vedic literature and the latest yoga "chic lit" story there are a lot of good books out there that transmit yogic philosophy and concepts in a modern and accessible way. We'll tap into memoirs, novels and some non-fiction to explore timeless themes that help us connect the dots between our practice and our life. Sign up in advance or just drop in any month (no worries if you haven't finished the book!) Contact Mary Beth to find out the book we will be reading and discussing. Cost: Suggested donation=$5 (does not include books).
Instructor: Mary Beth Ray (510) 387-6211
Email: mb@mbryoga.com

Friday, June 21, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Studio C
These classes, open to intermediate and advanced students, are designed to be an in-depth practice that will include all poses in the primary series and will be taught in a continuous manner without stopping. We often do meditation and pranayama in this class. See www.melyoga.com for more information. Cost: $20.
Instructor: Melanie Green (510) 368-3581
Email: melyoga@hotmail.com

Sunday, June 23 (Studio 209), 2:00-3:30 p.m. Studio C
Come prepare for birth through movements that support your baby in optimal fetal positioning during pregnancy and vital for labor. Practice how to relax and work with baby in your body in the dance of childbirth. See www.theartofmothering.com for more information. Class taught by Gingi Allen--mother, doula, student midwife. Cost: $20.
Instructor: Gingi Allen (510) 467-4486
Email: mamagingi@gmail.com