• Has yoga become a regular part of your life?
• Do you feel like there's more to yoga than you can explore in an hour-long class?
• Do you want to go beneath the surface to see the concepts behind the practice?
• Do you want to know more but don't know where to start?
• Do you want to give yourself the gift of time to think, learn and grow?
THE UNBREAKABLE THREAD - A 30-HOUR DEEP DIVE INTO YOGA
Sept. 15-16, Oct. 27-28 & Nov. 10-11
12:30-5:30pm each day.
At the Yoga Garden in Philly
Yoga is more than just shapes on a mat. It’s a layered experience that embraces the physical, philosophical and energetic aspects of who we are. It’s an unbreakable thread from concept to practice.
We all have busy lives and only limited time to get onto our mats. In a normal classroom setting, we often don’t have time to delve into the deeper aspects of the practice. This immersion provides the gift of time and space to study and connect the threads of the practice to your daily life. Over the course of three weekends, in a retreat-like setting, we’ll delve into a deeper study of yoga through extended asana practice, interactive discussion, home study and experiential group learning.
The only requirements are pen, paper and an open mind. Suitable for all levels. Suggested readings will be supplied upon enrollment.
Topics Include:
- Dynamic, alignment-based asana
- Foundations of yoga philosophy
- Subtle energy from traditional and modern perspectives
- The anatomy of movement, breath and the nervous system
- The biomechanics of asana
- The poetry of yoga
- The romance of traditional myths and legends
- Pranayama techniques to calm, center and energize
- Meditation for a modern lifestyle
Reading List:
- The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Eswaran
- The Yoga Sutras, translated by Edwin Bryant
- Move Your DNA, Katy Bowman
- The Key Muscles of Yoga, Ray Long (recommended but not required)
- The Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada, translated by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait
- Royal Path: Lessons on Yoga, Swami Rama
30-hour Unbreakable Thread Immersion Dates:
Sept. 15-16
Oct. 27-28
Nov. 10-11
Tuition:
Standard Tuition: $499
The first five students to enroll in The Unbreakable Thread will benefit from the special price of $450
Enrollment covers all three weekends.
Meet Your Yoga Teachers:
Mark Nelson • E-RYT 500
Mark was first drawn to yoga as a way of bringing balance to a busy career as a creative director. He quickly fell in love with the openness and clarity that come from a regular practice, and he soon discovered that it was transforming his mind as well as his body.
That combination of mindfulness and movement drew Mark deeper into the practice, studying Ashtanga Yoga with David Swenson and Annie Pace; Yin Yoga with Paulie Zink and Sally Miller; and Vinyasa Yoga with Corina Benner and Jill Manning. Mark completed his 200-hr. Teacher Training at Wake Up Yoga and his 500-hr. training through the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA. Today he continues his studies under the guidance of Greg Walsh, Luke Ketterhagen, Leslie Kaminoff and Nikki Robinson.
As a life-long artist, Mark hopes to spark the creative process within his students. His classes unite breath with movement in a dynamic blend of physical challenge, inner focus and real-life philosophy. Mark has directed the Yoga Garden since 2010 and has shared the direction of the studio with Nikki Robinson since 2016. Mark enjoys spending time with his family who continue to be his most inspiring and loving yoga teachers.
Nikki Robinson • E-RYT 500
Nikki began her love affair with yoga as a respite from a high intensity job on a trading floor in New York City. She was immediately attracted to the combination of restoration that yoga provides the heart and mind and the invigorating and empowering effect on the body the physical practice provides.
Nikki completed her 200-hr. Anusara Teacher Training with Sue Elkind and Naime Jezzeny. She has also completed her Pre- and Post Natal training with Sue Elkind and Levels 1 & 2 Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Jillian Pransky. She has supplemented her teacher training with extensive philosophy training with Susanna Harwood-Rubin. Nikki is currently pursuing studies in Anatomy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and at Rowan University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine, where she serves as Instructor and Lecturer of Gross Anatomy.
Nikki uses precise alignment in every class she teaches to empower and encourage students of all levels in the most supportive, safe and loving environment. While she seeks to physically challenge her students during class, her classes are designed to be playful, bright and light-hearted so as to foster the very best in each student. Nikki serves as Program Director at the Yoga Garden, and has shared the direction of the studio with Mark Nelson since 2016. Nikki enjoys spending time with her family who continue to be her most inspiring and loving yoga teachers.
Luke Ketterhagen • E-RYT 500
For over 18 years Luke Ketterhagen has shared the gifts that yoga and meditation have given him. Yoga is based on a simple yet profound message. To learn about yoga is to learn that you are responsible for yourself. You are responsible for your own happiness. And you can achieve that happiness through the systematic methods of this ancient tradition and the company of fellow seekers. Through study and practice you will see who you really are, as you are; outside of any pre-existing circumstances or roles. Without fail you then begin the journey to accepting yourself — and loving yourself in the process.
Luke believes in the goodness and joy in the human spirit. He believes in the ability of people to impose their own personal will and discipline on themselves to make change. He believes that happiness is possible when the faith in one’s inner joy is skillfully wed with human effort. We all have incredible capacity. Through the practices of yoga we can realize it.
Luke is a frequent contributor to the Yoga Garden’s Teacher Training programs. He offers workshops on Pranayama, Subtle Energetics and Asana. His practice radiates from the inside out, and the lessons that come from that are truly a gift. Click here for more about Luke.
Luke is registered with Yoga Alliance as E-RYT500.
Please contact Mark directly for more information:
610.909-7300 or email mark@yogagardenphilly.com