This Immersion is an opportunity to dive more deeply into the practice and the theory of Anusara Yoga. You will refine your understanding of the Universal Principles of Alignment, explore the Classical and Tantric philosophy underpinning our practice, learn more about the anatomy of your amazing body and enjoy a longer and deeper period of practice including asana, pranayama and meditation. Classes will be a combination of practice, lecture and discussion. Come join a group of curious and excited practitioners as we delve into the beauty and power that is Anusara Yoga.

This program is for those wishing to deepen their practice whether or not you ever plan to teach. For students who desire to teach, the Immersion Program establishes a solid foundation from which to skillfully share yoga and is a first step on the pathway to teaching Anusara yoga. It is a pre-requisite for any Anusara Yoga Teacher Training (including the next Teacher Training at Seatle Yoga Arts, which will be offered in 2012).

Prerequisites
30 hours of Anusara Yoga; includes yoga classes, workshops and retreats with a certified or inspired Anusara yoga teacher. Completion of 2 weekends of the previous module are necessary to take successive modules.

The Immersion Program consists of 3 progressive Units. Each Unit is 36 hours, composed of three 12-hour weekends, for a total of 108 curriculum hours.

PART I

Jan 14-16

~ The Anusara Invocation Deconstructed ~ The Tantric Foundations of Anusara Yoga ~ Spanda Embodied: The Universal Principles of Alignment ~ Standing Poses in Depth ~ The Power of Studentship ~ Concise History of Yoga ~ Introduction to Meditation ~ What does it mean to Open to Grace?

Feb 11-13
~ Introduction to the Tattvas: A Map of Creation ~ The 3 A’s: Attitude, Alignment & Action ~ Back Bends & Arm Balances in Depth ~ Anatomy of the Skeleton ~ Muscle and Organic Energy Deepened

March 11-13
~ Introduction to Pranayama ~ The Dance of Inner & Outer Spiral of the Legs ~ The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali ~ The Cloaking of the Kleshas ~ Forward Bends & Twists in Depth ~ The Gunas: The Qualities of Nature ~ Empowerment Review

PART II

April 15-17
~ The Tattvas: Zooming in on the Map ~ The Sequence Goddess: The Universal Principles of Alignment ~ Standing Poses Deepened ~ Anusara Lingo: The Auxiliary Principles of Alignment ~ The Goddess Sri: Seeing Beauty

May 20-22
~ The Bhagavad Gita ~ Back Bends & Arm Balances Deepened ~ Main Muscles of Shoulders ~ Pranayama Deepened ~ 3 Yogic Paths: Karma, Jnana & Bhakti Yoga ~ Introduction to the Alignment Loops

June 24-26
~ Forward Bends & Twists Deepened ~ Main Muscles of Pelvis and Hips ~ The Pulse of the Divine: Siva & Shakti ~ The Dance of Nature: The 3 Gunas ~ The Cycles of Creation ~ Empowerment Review

PART III

Sept 16-18
~ Loops of the Legs in Detail ~ Main Muscles of the Head and Neck ~ Deepening Your Meditation ~ Siva Sutras Part I ~ Standing Poses Expanded ~ The Magic Mirror of the Malas

Oct 14-16
~ Loops of the Torso in Detail ~ Main Muscles of the Spine ~ Back Bends & Arm Balances Expanded ~ Inversions Demystified ~ Pranayama Expanded ~ Siva Sutras Part II

Nov 11-13
~ Subtle Body Anatomy ~ Forward Bends & Twists Expanded ~ Auxiliary Principles Revisited ~ Siva Sutras Part III ~ Final Empowerment Review

Weekend Schedule:
Fri 12-5pm
Sat 1-5pm
Sun 1-4pm

Fees:
Entire Year - $2,050
Part I, II, or III - $700
Individual Weekends - $240
(Payment plans available)

Registration
To register, complete a registration form and submit it with a $100 deposit to Seattle Yoga Arts, 1540 15th Avenue, Seattle WA, 98122. You can print the PDF form here.

Cancellation & Refund Policy
A $100 deposit is required to reserve your space. The deposit is refundable until one week before the Immersion weekend begins, minus a $50 cancellation fee. No refunds are given for any reason after one week prior to the Immersion, unless your space can be filled from a waiting list.

Teachers: Denise Benitez & Elizabeth 'Rainey'

Join Denise, Rainey, and a community of dedicated yogis in a learning experience that will transform not only your teaching, but your life. Ideally, the impulse to take the seat of the teacher arises when we are so full of passion and blessings in our own practice, that a heartfelt momentum compels us to share these gifts. In this training, you will learn highly effective methods to convey to others the depth of yoga. You will learn the elegance of the Anusara Principles of Alignment, which are unequaled as tools to both align the physical body and charge the practice with meaning. You will integrate the history and philosophy of yoga, realize the miracle of the physical body, and practice finding your own voice and inspiration via peer teaching and skillful commentary on the teaching of others. Click here for complete details.

The joy of teaching yoga lies in sharing our passion with others and empowering them on their path of self discovery. The challenge is how to skillfully and accurately convey all that lies in your mind and heart. This program is designed to help you clarify your message, hone your skills and deepen your capacity as a teacher and human being. It is an intentionally small group to give us ample time to explore each topic and practice our skills as well as developing an intimate community of support.

Pre-Requisites
Participants must have 50 hours of teaching experience and be currently teaching. They must have completed a 100-hour Anusara Immersion and 50-hour Teacher Training with Certified Anusara Yoga Teachers. A strong understanding of Anusara's Universal Principles of Alignment, both in your practice and in your ability to articulate them, is a must. Acceptance to the program is by application. Once your application is accepted, you will be asked to deposit $100, refundable if your cancelled space is filled prior to the beginning of the program.

Dates: Saturdays, 1-5pm

May 15 - Power of Alignment: Teaching the Universal Principles of Alignment
June 12 - Class Planning: Weaving together themes, apex poses and alignment principles
July 10 - Skillful Unfolding: Sequencing & Progressive Teaching
Aug 14 - Voicing Yourself: The power of language and voice
Sept 25 - The Art of Adjustments: Verbal & Hands-on
Oct 23 - Expert Demonstrations: Embodying the Pose

Fee: $675 (includes all class hours & materials, observation week, teaching review & feedback) Payment Plans available. There are no refunds or waivers for unattended sessions

Program Size: Minimum 7, Maximum 12

Participant Commitment

• Training Hours: Total of 24 classroom training hours; all hours go towards Anusara Inspired or Certification completion
• Public Class Attendance: Mentees are expected to take at least one weekly public class with a Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher (not included in program fee)
• Class Observation: Each participant is required to observe one of Rainey’s classes for one 8-week session at SYA (included in program fee)
• Homework: Completion of all homework assignments is required
• Teaching Evaluation: Live or DVD evaluation of one of your classes by Rainey with follow up session and feedback, including where you can best focus your efforts in refining your teaching
  

Please email Rainey for brochure and application at rainey@elizabethrainey.com

85% of all people suffer from back pain in their lives, most of whom are below the age of 45. This pain can make it difficult to complete daily tasks, let alone engage in adventurous activities. This class will not only help you rediscover your potential for pain free time in your daily activities, but will allow you to lay the groundwork for expanding what you can do. Using breath and movement, you will gain greater access to your range of spinal motion, create overall stability, and cultivate core strength.

Prerequisite notes: This class is intended to support deeper healing of movement and strength patterns around the spine and core of the pelvis and to enhance the benefits of medical treatment. If you suspect that you have an underlying medical condition, please consult with your physician before beginning any physical activity.

Teacher: Bianca Raffety

Register for Back Care & Core Strength Classes here.

Our quality of life can be seriously impacted by our inability to feel at home or comfortable in our bodies, and when this experience is amplified by chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, and related rheumatoid conditions or Central Sensitivity Syndromes (CSS) the possibility of any change in that state can feel insurmountable. This does not have to be the case.

In conjunction with your health care team and support system, yoga becomes an infinitely potent resource for day to day symptom management and long-term self-care. This class will teach you to tune into ways in which you can manage your pain and additional symptoms, as well as help you develop the skills to get ahead of flare-ups and tune in to what triggers your symptoms; ultimately creating the conditions for feeling pleasure in your body. Classes will focus on breathing and sensitivity practices, as well as movements to increase your strength and flexibility.

Teacher: Bianca Raffety

Register here for Yoga for Chronic Pain.

Purpose
The intention of this program is to encourage a deepening of our meditation practice and, within the refuge of sangha (spiritual community), to share insights and support for living with wisdom and compassion. We'll begin each of our 13 sessions with a half-hour of meditation followed by an investigation of Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach. In the author's own words, "This book is about the process of embracing our lives. When we learn to cultivate Radical Acceptance, we begin to rediscover the garden---a forgotten but cherished sense of wholeness, wakefulness and love." Our discussion period will also include time for sharing our experiences with a daily-life practice that relates to the assigned reading.

Registration
In keeping with the tradition of Theravadan Bud.dhism, the teachings will be freely offered. Participants are welcome to make a donation of any amount for the instruc.tion. To pay for the costs of using the studio and its resources, a registration fee of $78 is requested. (Scholarships are available.) Please register online at or at the studio.

Props
There are folding chairs, blankets, bolsters, mats, and other props at the studio for our use.

Notes
Radical Acceptance is now available in paperback.
There will be no meeting on November 26, the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Facilitator
Meg Agnew, M.A. is an Anusara Inspired Yoga Teacher who has enjoyed teaching at Seattle Yoga Arts since 1993. For the past decade, she has been devoted to the practice of meditation, studying with Baba Hari Dass and since 2001 in the Vipassana tradition with Phillip Moffitt. Meg moderates the Dancing With Life discussion board on dharmawisdom.org. Currently, she is delighted to be enrolled in the Community Dharma Leaders program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

Register for Insight Meditation here.

This monthly series of classes will explore issues of stability and freedom utilizing the tools of the Anusara Method in a supportive and inquisitive environment.  We will develop a deeper understanding on how to cultivate support and release for specific structures and muscles in the body and their relationship to our postures and practice. These workshops will also provide space to examine a variety of injuries and challenges in relationship to the topic at hand and assist students in developing boundaries on how to work more effectively and skillfully with these situations.

• Sept 17: Hamstrings w/Whitney Lawless
• Oct 16: Low Back w/Bianca Raffety
• Dec 17: Pelvis w/Bianca Raffety

Fee: $16 per class

Teacher: Bianca Raffety

Register for Yoga Anatomy 101 series here.

Whether you're new to Anusara Yoga, or you're an 'old hand' wanting to refresh and clarify your understanding, this class is for you. We'll dive fully into the basic language and practice of Anusara Yoga's Universal Principles of Alignment including Muscular & Organic Energy, the Inner & Outer Spirals, and the first Principle and foundation of every pose: Open to Grace. Questions and enthusiasm are most welcome! Join us for this 2-hour interactive adventure & gain deeper understanding of Anusara’s powerful principles!

Fee: $30 - payment includes ONE WEEK of FREE classes!

Teacher: Jane Hitti

Register for the next Anusara Yoga 101 Workshop here.

Resolve to bring your yoga practice home this fall! A home practice can be easier than you think to establish and maintain ... even a few minutes a day has tremendous benefit.

In this workshop, you will learn practical strategies to establish your personalized home practice, and enjoy yourself in the process. The workshop will also include an all-levels yoga class designed to leave you feeling renewed and ready for fall.

Fee: $25 pre-register, $30 drop-in

Teacher: Jane Hitti

Register for Home Practice here.

We are affected by trauma in a variety of ways and for diverse reasons.  The long and short term impact of trauma manifests physically, cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally.   Often these effects are resolved over time and with support, but occasionally we find ourselves feeling threatened when no threat exists and feeling haunted by specific traumatic experiences or obsessive thinking.  We may also find ourselves struggling with sleep, focus and overall disrupted sense of well-being.  This is when including yoga in your self-care regimen can give you a stronger ground for your healing process.

This workshop will foster a strong sense of healing and well-being by exploring the incredibly potent mind-body connection through yoga.  We will examine why yoga can help foster healing the mind and body from trauma.  We will explore the practices of yoga postures (asanas), study and practice suitable breathing and meditation practices to use on an off the yoga mat, and learn how yoga nidra (a deeply restful yogic ‘sleep’) can become deeply healing and restful practice when we are restless mentally and physically.

Notes: Please wear comfortable clothes, bring a note-book, and a small snack. You will not be expected to share anything about yourself or what brought you to the workshop.

Fee: $30

Teacher: Bianca Raffety

Register for Healing from Trauma here.

The practice of meditation is a gift of profound benefit handed down to us by our yogic predecessors. Meditation practice has the potential to create a transformation of consciousness via methods that are ancient, authentic and time-tested. Through this stable and beautiful practice, you will gain greater access to ease of being, insight, intuition, well-being, and your own deep well of compassionate heart.

There are many beautiful meditation styles. What you will learn in this series is a meditation practice which utilizes a mantra. Meditating with a mantra is a powerfully effective way to find depth in your practice.

In this workshop you will:

• Learn exactly what a mantra is.
• Learn the science behind how and why a mantra works so effectively.
• Learn more about the root philosophies of mantra meditation.
• Receive individual and group guidance for meeting the challenges and stumbling blocks that occur during meditation.
• Receive a tool for life that will be stabilizing and supportive for every aspect of your being.
• Learn how to enter a meditation practice safely and wisely.
• Learn how to establish and maintain a home meditation practice.

Teacher: Denise Benitez is the founder and owner of Seattle Yoga Arts. She is now in her fifth decade of life and has been meditating in one form or another since she was 13, when she started candle gazing as a route to enlightenment. Over the years, she has immersed herself deeply in the meditation traditions of Vipassana, Zen, Open Awareness, and others. In 2008, she met Paul Muller-Ortega, the founder of Blue Throat Yoga, a system of philosophy and meditation based on the Tantric tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. She now studies closely with Professor Muller-Ortega, and is deeply grateful for the vast ocean of wisdom he continually reveals.

Fee: $100 for all 4 classes

Teacher: Denise Benitez

Register for Introduction to Meditation here.

(Photo: Meditating Shiva Nataraj on the banks
of the Ganges in Rishikesh, India)

The great tradition of yoga offers a myriad of tools for meeting one of life's most challenging transitions. Check back for more details...coming soon.

Teacher: Denise Benitez

Register for Yoga for Menopause here.

Check back for more details...coming soon.

Come ignite your heart and set your body aglow with an asana practice expertly designed to challenge and uplift. When we take a risk and try new things we expand our capacity and ability in all endeavors and we light up inside. In this led practice we will walk our edge while staying true to our essence. Come prepared to laugh, sweat and renew
your self. The afternoon will be composed of a full spectrum asana practice with poses from all categories concluded with pranayama and meditation. You are invited to do what you can, attempt something new, bask in the beauty of those around you and rest when you need to.

This practice is open to all Deepening and Advanced Level students with no major injuries and the desire to expand your potential exponentially.

Fee: $40 pre-register, $45 drop-in

Teacher: Rainey

Register for Hearts on Fire here.

Join us for this upteenth annual fund-raiser event. Check back for more details...coming soon. Check back for more details...coming soon.

Fee: $30

Teacher: Denise Benitez

Register for Thanksgiving Practice here.

An all-levels extended yoga practice for HIV+ men and the people who love them. Check back for more details...coming soon.

Fee: $20

Register for Poz Yoga here.