Paul Grilley - Yin Yoga


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		Workshop Descriptions The following are descriptions of the workshops Paul is usually invited to present. All of the courses satisfy the requirements of the Yoga Alliance. The goal of these workshops is to give a teacher a clear, confident understanding of how any Yoga posture works – even the ones not invented yet.

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Yin Yoga: Theory and Practice Two Day Workshop: 10 Hours Four Day Workshop: 20 Hours		This workshop is an elaboration and expansion of the concepts presented in Paul Grilley's DVD "Yin Yoga: Foundations of a Quiet Practice". Yin Yoga is the relaxed practice of floor postures for three to five minutes at a time. It is the ideal complement to more muscular or “Yang” forms of Yoga. A Yin practice emphasizes the connective tissues of the hips, thighs, pelvis and lower spine. In this way it prepares the body and the mind for longer meditation practices. By drawing the student’s awareness away from the muscles and deeper into the bones a deep level of relaxed focus is achieved. There are three tissues that are of particular importance to a Yogi: bone, connective tissue, and muscle. Each of these tissues respond differently to Yoga practice and by learning to identify them Yogis can save themselves years of frustration and possible injury. This course develops the ability of practicing Yogis to identify Yin and Yang tissues in themselves and others. It also introduces the Modern Meridian Theory and how the health of the connective tissues and joints are directly related to the flow of Chi (energy) to all the organs of the body. Key concepts: Yin and Yang Analysis Plasticity and Elasticity Time and Tension Three Tissues of the joints Tension and Compression Joint Space Closure Exercise and Sacrifice Static and Dynamic Ideals Yin Exercise and Yang Exercise Meridian Theory Synovial Fluid and Meridians Contracture and Elongation Articulation and Fixation Birth to Death and Yang to Yin Athletics and Health
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Yoga Anatomy: The Chakras Two Day Workshop: 10 Hours Four Day Workshop: 20 Hours		Chi is the energy that animates the body, Meridians are the channels in which Chi flows, and Chakras are spiritual centers in the brain and spine that control the flow of Chi. The fundamental premise of Hatha Yoga, Tantra Yoga and Taoism is that these energies need to be brought under the Yogi’s control if the mind is to be calmed and the Self revealed. This course outlines the basic anatomy of these energy systems and their effect on the mind, breath and emotions. Key concepts: Chakras Physical Function Astral Function Causal Function Chakra Locations Flower and Root of Chakras Meridians Controlled by Chakras Breath and Concentration Breath and Blood Breath and Chi So Ham Mantra Ham Sa Mantra Prana Energy Chi Energy Sakti Energy
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Yoga Anatomy: The Joints Two Day Workshop: 10 Hours Four Day Workshop: 20 Hours		This workshop is an elaboration and expansion of the concepts presented in Paul Grilley's DVD "Anatomy for Yoga". To analyze why a student can or cannot do a Yoga posture a teacher must first learn the basic anatomy of bones, ligaments and muscles. Using the descriptive tools of modern kinesiology teachers will learn to look past the surface of the body and learn to see Yoga postures as movements of the skeleton. Emphasis is on identifying which joints are involved in a Yoga posture, determining their ranges of motion, and selecting alternatives. Our bodies are complex but a few anatomical principles, properly understood, make clear why a student can or cannot perform a Yoga Asana. These anatomical principles apply to all Yoga postures – no matter the style. Key concepts: All yoga postures are only combinations of these joint movements. Once a teacher learns to identifty these joint movements she will be able to analyze all yoga postures. Six Movements of the Scapula Six Movements of the Humerus Two Movments of the Ulna Two Movements of the Radius Four Movements of the Wrist Four Movements of the Fingers Six Movements of the Cervical Six Movements of the Thorax Six Movements of the Lumbar Six Movements of the Pelvis Six Movements of the Femur Four Movements of the Knee Four Movements of the Ankle Four Movements of the Toes Tension and Compression Axis and Extremity Proportion and Orientation
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Yoga Anatomy: The Muscles Two Day Workshop: 10 Hours Four Day Workshop: 20 Hours		What are muscles? How do they work? How should they be trained? Which muscles are involved in which postures? These are the questions this workshop addresses. There are over 600 muscles in the body but in this seminar we focus on the muscles of core, the muscles that flex and move the thighs, pelvis, and spine. These muscles are involved in nearly every yoga pose and the most important to understand. Once a student grasps how these core muscles work it is a simple matter to understand all the muscles of the body. Key concepts: Muscles only contract Shortening, lengthening and stable contractions Agonists, Antagonists, and Protagonists Tubes with tubes Muscle bundles and tremors All or none principle of contraction Rhythm and Repetition Warm versus Cold muscles Muscles and Blood Muscles and Tendons Joint Space Closure Muscles of Spine Muscles of the Pelvis Muscles of the thighs