Past classes and courses
2020
A practical workshop exploring breath practices to enhance good quality sleep.
Led by Professor Laura González, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
For a free place email l.gonzalez@rcs.ac.uk. Places are very limited!
As part of her Creative Scotland Open Project Funding award, Laura is studying the practice of pranayama (breath control) to enhance presence and resilience in performers.
She will be offering a free open workshop focusing on breath and sleep and the impact both have on the mental health of performers. The session will be introductory, practical and open to everyone.
As part of this workshop you will:
• Learn about the breath and its link to mind and body.
• Be invited to deepen your breath safely, allowing you to become more aware and calmer
• Be introduced specific practices that will help you to connect to your parasympathetic nervous system, which will allow you to sleep better.
JANUARY TO APRIL 2020
Special workshop: Introduction to Yoga (assisted Practice)
Special workshop: BREATH and ASANA
Friday 24 January, 18.00 – 20.00
£25/£23 Arlington members, concessions. Booking advised.
Breath is the essential component of any yoga practice. In this workshop we explore the effects of the breath in mind and body, experiencing the breath pattern in Sun Salutations and classic standing and seated postures. We will look at the principles of moving with the breath to achieve effortlessness and harnessing the breath to arrive at a relaxed state in the practice. There are many benefits to fine tuning the breath while moving, especially ease, stability and joy.
The session will finish with a relaxation to release the body through the breath. The class is suitable for practitioners of all levels of experience as well as other styles of yoga.
Awakening the body and breath, Rosina and Laura are joining forces to offer 3 mornings of practice to get you motivated and ready for all that 2020 has to offer. This will be a fabulous opportunity to get the new decade off to a great start with a special programme for all levels of experience. These sessions will also help with the over indulgence of festive activity. Treat yourself! There will be time for exploration, questions with a focus on encouraging individual learning and development. To complete the nourishing and nurturing programme coffee, tea, fruit and yoghurt will be offered each morning. Feel free to bring your own to add or share.
Friday
08.30 – 09.45 Pranayama
10.00 – 11.15 Breath and Asana
11.15 Coffee
Saturday
08.30 – 09.45 Yoga Guided Practice
10.00 – 11.15 Breathing Bones
11.15 Coffee
Sunday
08.30 – 09.45 Pranayama
10.00 – 11.15 Counted Practice
11.15 Coffee
Pranayama
Pranayama is a yoga technique to enhance, deepen and control the breath through simple preparations and exercises. The practice works at a physical, mental, emotional and energetic level nourishing them all.
Breath and Asana
In this session we explore the effects of breath in mind and body, as we move, slowly and mindfully, in and out of yoga poses. We will look at the principles of moving with the breath to arrive at a relaxed state in the practice, to allow us to reach stability and ease within mind, body and breath.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic and progressing sequence of postures linked by the breath. It requires regular practice to memorise the sequence, synchronise the breath and reap the benefits. It offer strength and flexibility, develops both physical and mental awareness, balancing the body and mind. This will be a guided practice.
Breathing Bones
Breathing Bones is a series of relaxed postures and placements of the body. Together with the breath and gravity these aim to free the joints, release the muscles, realign the skeletal structure and balance the body.
Price
Early bird £80 before 14 December 2019
Full price £95
2019
Monthly pranayama classes
These classes are for those who are complete pranayama beginners, practitioners who have done pranayama but don’t have a regular practice, or for those who have a yoga or meditation practice and want to delve deeper – all are welcome.
The breath is key to Ashtanga yoga practice. It allows for the deepening of postures and enhances their benefits. During the course, each session will build on what you know and will develop the tools and techniques required to help you set, refine and sustain an individual pranayama practice.
During these sessions you will:
* Learn about the breath – to observe it, to follow it and to enhance
* Learn to deepen your breath, allowing you to become more aware and mindful, calm and focused
* Learn preparations and purification techniques that will help to boost the benefits of pranayama
* Learn more about how this practice relates to the Ashtanga yoga system
SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2019
On the September full moon, Sue Crow and Laura González team up to offer a yoga retreat aimed at preparing the mind, body and breath for the last days of summer. After the energy of the warm season, we are often unprepared for the changes in light, temperature and mood that occur in the Northern part of the world at this time of year. Take the time to nourish yourself and reflect on what you need. We are offering you posture workshops, pranayama practice and satsang.
Tucked away in the inspiring natural settings of the Argyll countryside, Barmolloch Cottages provide a cosy hideaway to enjoy an extended weekend of yoga and relaxation in the company of like-minded people. At mealtimes we offer freshly prepared nutritious food to boost your energy levels & nourish your body to be ready for the approaching equinox and the changes that it brings.
Prices
£350 Early Bird until 25th May. You will be asked to pay a deposit of £150 by 25th May to secure your place.
£400 from 25th May
To book, contact:
Laura: +44 (0) 79 0508 8568, anything@lauragonzalez.co.uk
Sue: +44 (0) 759 6471 365, ashtanga.metamorphosis@gmail.com
Programme
Friday 13 September
3pm: Arrival
4 – 5.15pm: Half-primary assisted self practice (Sue & Laura)
5.15 – 6pm: Guided meditation (Sue)
6 – 7pm: Pranayama (Laura)
8pm: Buffet dinner
Saturday 14 September
7 – 7.30am: (optional) Seated meditation or intention setting or kriyas with Laura
7.30 – 8.30am: Pranayama (Laura)
8.30 – 10.30am: Assisted self-practice (Sue and Laura)
11am: Brunch and break
4 – 5.30pm: Core strength workshop (Sue)
5.30 – 6pm: Satsang (Sue and Laura)
7pm: Dinner
9pm: Full moon reflections and celebrations
Sunday 15 September
7 – 7.30am(optional) Seated Meditation, intention setting or kriyas with Laura
7.30 – 8.30am: Pranayama
8.30 – 10.30am: Assisted self-practice (Sue and Laura)
11am: Brunch and break
4 – 5.30pm: Hip opening workshop (Sue)
5.30 – 6pm: Satsang (Sue and Laura)
7pm: Dinner
9pm: Sing along with Ronnie on guitar
Monday 16 September
7 – 9am: Assisted self-practice (Sue and Laura)
9.30am: Breakfast and departure
The Sessions
Pranayama
The breath is the link between mind and body, a powerful tool to help you make the most of your yoga practice and to enhance your life. Deepening the breath makes us more aware, attentive, focused, calms us and nourishes us. It is a very effective way to relax. Working skilfully with the breath makes us feel delightful and grounded, enhancing our connection to ourselves and purifying our body.
During these practice sessions we explore why breath control is an important yogic practice. Laura will introduce simple preparations, purification techniques and breath exercises that will support you and enhance your awareness, helping you to go deeper into your practice, whether that is asana, meditation or something else. We will explore the link between breath and the nervous system, how it can support situations of stress and anxiety and boost your immune system.
Core Strength
A strong core stabilises your entire body, improves balance, alleviates the risk of back pain, helps you to achieve an improved posture, supports better breathing & helps perform everyday movements like lifting, carrying, walking up a flight of stairs e.t.c. with greater ease.
Strengthening & accessing your core will benefit you on many levels, in your yoga practice & in your everyday life.
Without foundation & strength it is difficult to safely experience lightness. from the basic standing poses to the more demanding balancing poses, inversions & back bending poses, all require strength, balance & stability to experience the benefits.
In this workshop we start with a 15 minute core strengthening sequence to warm up & prepare the body, before taking a closer look at the Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskara A&B) & the transitions (vinyasa – synchronising breath & movement) that string all postures (Asana) together.
We will then playfully explore some of the more challenging balancing poses & inversions.
Hip Opening
Hip openers can be both challenging and relaxing, they may feel somewhat uncomfortable & offer great release at the same time.
One of the many benefits of practising hip opening postures is stretching and working muscles that are connected to our stress response, in particular the psoas muscle, a muscle that attaches the lower (lumber) spine to the thigh (femur) bone,. The psoas muscle is stimulated when we experience stress.
Tight hips can cause strain on the lower back, legs, knees & feet.
We start this workshop with the Sun Salutations to prepare our body & mind for a sequence of hip opening postures that help us find space & greater mobility in our daily practice.
This sequence of hip opening poses is designed to help with re-alignment of the lower back, hips, legs & feet.
The Food
Food is extremely important to self-care. Good food invites practice! For this retreat, we have a resident chef, Ronnie, who not only knows about nourishing the body with fresh produce, but makes it taste divine. He feeds the soul as well!
Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements as we want to make sure everyone has a fantastic experience at mealtimes.
Available all day: coffee, teas, juices, water, milk, plant milk, fruit, nuts, biscuits, cereal, yogurt, chocolate
The location
We will be coming together in the beautiful Argyll countryside, which is just a couple of hours away from Glasgow. Barmolloch cottages offer comfortable accommodation, stunning scenery with ancient trees; a tranquil spot of peace and quiet to rest and dedicate a bit of time to yourself and your yoga practice. You can see the venue here: https://www.barmolloch-cottages.co.uk
The teachers
Sue’s teaching style is intuitive, nurturing, encouraging and playful. Sue started studying with John Scott in 2011 and graduated from his teacher training programme in 2014. She continues to study with her main teachers John Scott and Manju Pattabhi Jois as often as she can. https://www.suecrowyoga.com
Laura practices ashtanga vinyasa yoga and pranayama, which teaches her discipline, compassion, patience, and letting go, all of which she shares with her students. Her teachers are Rosina Bonsu, Kia Naddermier, Radha Warrell and Pierre Seghir.
What to pack
* We have yoga mats, blocks and belts, but bring your own equipment if you prefer it
* Yoga clothes
* Layers
* A shawl or blanket for meditation and pranayama
* (optional) Neti pot and sutra, if you use these or want to learn
* Outdoor shoes
* Outdoor waterproof coat
* Swimming Costume (there is a hot tub!)
* Towels (you can request towels from Barmolloch for £10)
* Toiletries
* Any food or drink treats to enhance your meals
* A musical instrument to jam at the singalong session
INTRODUCTION TO ASSISTED PRACTICE with Laura Gonzalez
Tuesdays 3, 10, 17 September 2019
17.00 – 18.15
£11/£9 Arlington members, concession
Class card valid
Assisted practice is the traditional way of learning Ashtanga yoga, though it can be daunting. Instead of working in unison under the instruction of a teacher, practitioners work at their own pace and breath rate. Assisted practice allows each student individual guidance from the teacher and space to explore their own needs.
In this course you will:
• Find out how assisted practice works
• Learn the key postures in the Primary Series
• Discover how to remember the sequence
• Be taught the breath pattern and learn to monitor your breath
• Deepen your understanding of the postures
• Be introduced to the benefits of the practice
• Feel confident to attend regular drop in classes
This class is suitable for complete beginners, those who practice another form or any one wanting to refresh their practice.
APRIL TO JUNE 2019
Introduction to assisted self-practice
at the Arlington Baths, 61 Arlington Street Glasgow G3 6DT, as part of Rosina Bonsu’s programme
Assisted practice is the traditional way of learning Ashtanga yoga. It allows each student individual guidance from the teacher and space to explore their own needs.
• Find out how assisted practice works
• Learn the key postures in the Primary Series
• Discover how to remember the sequence
• Be taught the breath pattern and how to monitor the breath
• Deepen your understanding of the postures
• Be introduced to the benefits of the practice
• Feel confident to attend regular drop in classes
This class is suitable for complete beginners, those who practice another form or anyone wanting to refresh their practice.
Drop in £15/£12 Arlington members, concession per session
£35/£30 Arlington members, concession for the course
A practitioner who came to the January course said to me yesterday: ‘I cannot imagine any other way of practicing now’. Me neither. She is right!
OPEN YOGA CLASSES 16 April– 14 June 2019
at the Arlington Baths, 61 Arlington Street Glasgow G3 6DT, as part of Rosina Bonsu’s programme:
FROM MAY: Mondays 7.45–9.30 Assisted Yoga Practice
Tuesdays 18.15–20.30 Assisted Yoga Practice
Thursdays 7.45–9.30 Assisted Yoga Practice
£11 | £9, included in all class cards
MONTHLY PRANAYAMA CLASSES
at the Arlington Baths, 61 Arlington Street Glasgow G3 6DT, as part of Rosina Bonsu’s programme
£11 | £9, included in all class cards
These classes are for those who are complete pranayama beginners, practitioners who have done pranayama but don’t have a regular practice, or for those who have a yoga or meditation practice and want to delve deeper – all are welcome.
The breath is key to Ashtanga yoga practice. It allows for the deepening of postures and enhances their benefits. Each session will develop the tools and techniques required to help you set, refine and sustain an individual pranayama practice.
During these sessions you will:
• Learn about the breath – to observe it, to follow it and to enhance it
• Learn to deepen your breath, allowing you to become more aware and mindful, calm and focused
• Learn preparations and purification techniques that will help to boost the benefits of pranayama
• Learn more about how this practice relates to the Ashtanga yoga system.
ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND, 17 April– 14 June 2019
for staff and students only
Join the RCS Sport Facebook page
Wednesdays 18.00–19.00: Ashtanga Yoga
Fridays 13.00–14.00: Ashtanga Yoga
£3 per class | £10 for 4 classes
SHORT COURSE: THE YOGA SUTRAS
Tuesdays 5, 12, 19 February 2019, 17.00 – 18.15, £48/£43 Arlington members, concession
If you practice any form of yoga, you probably have been wondering how it works, why it works, maybe even what is this thing we do. Yoga is a tradition, it has a lineage that goes back to ancient texts that used to be discussed in groups, in satsang, a group that meets to discuss being-ness.
This course might just answer your questions or may perhaps spark further explorations on and off the mat. We will explore Books 1 and 2 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. They outline what yoga really is about, on the mat, the cushion and life. They also offer a practical guide on how to do it! Laura will provide copies of the Sutras or you can also bring your own if you have it.
Yoga philosophy is very inclusive: there is no right or wrong. Come, deepen your knowledge and be inspired by this ancient text.
NEW INTRODUCTORY COURSE
2018
INTRODUCTION TO PRANAYAMA
Saturday 15 September 14.00 – 16.00. Merchant City Yoga. £30.
FREE CLASSES
In June, I will be teaching a free weekly class at Sweaty Betty Glasgow. Booking opens a week before each class and places are limited to 10 people only so you will need to be fast! Keep an eye on my facebook for links to the booking page.
Sweaty Betty, 14 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow G1 3AB
Mondays 4, 11, 18, 25 June, 6.15 to 7.15pm.
OPEN CLASSES January – June 2018
at the Arlington Baths, 61 Arlington Street Glasgow G3 6DT, as part of Rosina Bonsu’s programme:
Thursdays
7.45 – 9.00: Ashtanga Yoga and Pranayama, £11 full price | £9 concession or included in the 8 class and unlimited cards.
18.35 – 20.30: Assisted Self-Practice (Mysore), £11 full price | £9 concession or included in the 8 class and unlimited cards.
CLASSES for ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND STUDENTS 2017-2018
https://www.rcs.ac.uk/studyhere/studentsupport/bystudentsforstudents/
Tuesdays 18.00 – 19.00: Ashtanga Yoga, M3, £3 or £10 for 4 classes.
Fridays 13.00 – 14.00: Ashtanga Yoga, M2, £3 or £10 for 4 classes.
SHORT COURSES
Fridays, 12, 19 October 16.30 – 18.00: Fundamentals of the Breath. Booking required. £40/£35 Arlington members, concessions / £70/£60 for both courses.
1, 8, 15 MAY 19.35 – 20.50: Fundamentals of the breath and asana practice. £40/£35, booking required.
29 MAY, 5, 12 JUNE 19.35 – 20.50: The Yoga Sutras. £40/£35, booking required.
FREE Reading Group on the Key Texts of Yoga
Merchant City Yoga
Sunday 21 January: Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita
Sunday 25 February: Book I of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Sunday 1 April: Book II of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Foundations of Pranayama Four Week Course
Merchant City Yoga. 28 January to 18 February, 15.00-16.15, £48.
INTRODUCTION TO ASSISTED SELF-PRACTICE (MYSORE STYLE)
THURSDAY 18 JANUARY 2018
18.30 – 20.00
£12/£10 Arlington members/concessions
Assisted self-practice (Mysore style) is a traditional way of learning Ashtanga yoga. Self-practice rewards the practitioner by building confidence, resulting in a deeper knowledge of the Primary Series sequence, with individual assistance from the teacher.
While it can be challenging to work independently, you will experience the benefits of working at your own pace, discovering your own breath movement connection.
This workshop offers an opportunity to learn this valuable method. Laura will give you the background, help you to remember the sequence and prepare you for self practice.
Foundations of Pranayama Four Week Course
Sunday 28 January 2018 – 18 February 2018, 15.00 – 16.15
Merchant City Yoga
£48 BOOK HERE
2017
Foundations of Pranayama Six Week Course
This structured six week Foundations of Pranayama course is a wonderful way to be safely introduced into the practice of breath control, which will help you to get the most out of your asana practice and will enhance many aspects of your life.
During this six week course you’ll:
- Learn simple preparations and purification techniques that will help to boost the benefits of pranayama;
- Learn about the breath: to notice it, to follow it and to enhance it;
- Be safely introduced to key breath control techniques that will help you calm down, slow down your metabolism and nourish you;
- Deepen your breath, allowing you to become more aware and mindful, calm and focused;
- Practice equal breath, bandhas and dristi, which will make you go deeper in your asana practice;
- Take a closer look at how the breath can be applied in real life situations;
- Learn more about the other physical practice of the Ashtanga system and experience its magic for yourself!
The course is perfect if you have an asana or meditation practice and want to delve deeper into yoga. Complete pranayama beginners are welcome, as are those practitioners who have done pranayama but don’t have a regular practice.
By committing to six weeks you can really build on what you learn each session, developing the tools and techniques required to help you set, refine and sustain an individual pranayama practice.
We recommend that you attend all classes in the course.
Cost £70
Spaces are limited.
Image: Anatomical heart and lung collage by Bedelgeuse. http://bedelgeuse.tumblr.com
Introduction to the Fundamentals 4-week course
Rosina Bonsu Moves at The Arlington Baths
