Philosophy and Yoga Half Day Retreat

Many people yearn to practice 'authentic yoga' but the truth is there has never been one 'authentic' yoga. Across thousands of years, yoga has changed alot and continues to change, responding to the needs and goals of different societies and cultures. This Winter Half Day Retreat is an opportunity to dive deeply into yoga as you begin to explore, what does an authentic yoga practice mean - and feel like - for me? In an age when wellness, wellbeing, and, of course, yoga are on the rise, this question is needed to be asked more than ever.

During this retreat, we will practice some familair aspects of yoga - āsana (phsyical posture), prānāyāma (breathing excercises) and dhyāna (meditation) but also some less familair aspects such as kriyā (repeated, rejuvinating movements) and satkarmas (purifiying techniques), and some aspects of yoga philosophy. 

The first session will be an energising yoga class focussing on cleansing and purifying, introducing some ancient yogic techniques, with lots to take away to add to your own morning practice! We will then have a accesible introduction to yoga philosophy over tea and cake where we will learn about how diverse understandings of 'yoga' have been over time, looking at different definitions, descriptions and paths of yoga found in texts such as the Upaniṣads, Bhagavad-Gītā, and Patañjali Yoga Sutra. This will inspire reflection on what yoga might mean in our lives today, beyond sole stretching, to be explored through a short group discussion. You will also have the opportunity to have any questions you might have answered. We will end with an extended deeply restorative yoga session to find deep relaxation and integrate the morning's explorations.  Deep relaxation allows for new understandings to be revealed that go beyond intellectual understandings. You are guaranteed to leave feeling rested and newly inspired toward your yoga practice!

Schedule

10.00 am – 10.50 am: Energise and Awaken

Session 1 will focus on invigorating the body to wake up through a yoga practice in the more traditional sense of the word! Featuring satkarmas (cleansing techniques), pranayama (breathing techniques) and kriyas (rejuvenating movement), and ending with meditation, some aspects of this session may be familiar from yoga classes you have been to before and some will be new; you will certainly be inspired in thinking about how you may incorporate some of these practices into your morning routine.

10.50 am – 11.00 am Tea break/coffee break with local cakes

11.00 am – 12.00 pm: Exploring Yoga Philosophy

Session 2 will introduce you to some of the broad and diverse history and philosophy of yoga in a friendly and accessible way. We will explore a few definitions and understandings of ‘yoga’ that have been offered over time, helping us to understand how diverse and constantly evolving yoga is! You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have, and we will end with a short group discussion/ reflection.

12.00 pm – 12.10 pm Break

12.10 pm – 13.30 pm: Deep Relaxation and Integration

Session 3 is an hour and a half restorative yoga session which will build on some of the main philosophical teachings of yoga: that the purpose of asana or physical practice is to relax the body and mind, so that we can enter into a higher state or relationship with ultimate reality. This session is guaranteed to leave you feeling relaxed and is an opportunity to integrate the philosophy we have explored into our own embodied experience through deep relaxation.

Details

· Date: Saturday 2nd December 2023

· Time: 10.00 am – 1.30 pm (3.5 hours)

· Location: Floatwell, 6, Salisbury Villas, Cambridge CB1 2JF

· Cost: £55

Register at www.philosophyandyoga.co.uk/move 

Limited spaces: book now to avoid disappointment!

Any questions? Email: yogawithfloss@gmail.com

If you are struggling to afford the half day retreat and a concessionary rate would help, email me. :) 

We look forward to sharing this transformative experience with you!