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As Summer’s End Yoga Festival approaches, this page will be revised regularly with descriptions of each session. Changes may be anticipated all the way up to the day of the festival, so check this page often for updates. A tentative schedule is now available, with the final schedule to be posted 20 February. Be sure to bring a yoga mat with you to all sessions. Yoga blocks, straps, bolsters/cushions/blankets may also be beneficial during some sessions.
Listed alphabetically by presenter’s first name.
In this one hour lecture we will examine how Yoga moved from an ascetic practice conducted away from society in monasteries and forests, to becoming a practice for householders with ordinary lives such as ourselves. Come and find out why Yoga is just as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.
The path of Yoga (Yoga marga) is made up of action, reflection and devotion. This session seeks to identify these margas and how they are bought together to form Yoga Marga.
In her introduction to the Bhagavad Gita, Laurie Patton writes
‘Throughout the centuries, the Gita has been understood as containing three basic instructions for how to live according to these three paths: of action (karma marga), of knowledge (jnana marga) and of devotion (bhakti marga). Each has been extolled at various points as the ‘central meaning’ of the text, and each of them is a compelling form of life, containing resonances, not only in ancient India, but also today.’[1]
How does a practice of Asana become a practice of Yoga?
Iyengar Yoga is often viewed as being about the body, being about detail and alignment, being demanding. In this 2 hour session Alan focuses on how Iyengar fulfils the aim of Yoga Marga. Along with a yoga mat, please bring a belt, 2 blocks and 2 blankets if you have them.
[1] Patton, L. Bhagavad Gita, Penguin Classics, 2008
New research on fascia is being conducted everyday. It’s a fascinating subject. Fascia is the soft tissue webbing of the body. It plays an important role in both our movement, as well as provides the network to rapid communicate information within the body. These are just a couple of interesting functions of fascia. Come and learn about the fascia and partake in an enjoyable practice that focuses on creating space in the body. You may leave feeling a little lighter! You are encouraged to bring yoga blocks, if you have them.
Where do you direct your energy during your practice? What results do you aim for? Experience a dynamic sequence within a flowing class to help harness the power of your mind and balance energy in your chakras. The practice of asana alone is a wonderful tool for shifting energy in your body and the focus it provides definitely helps keep pesky thoughts at bay, bringing you into stillness and peace. In this workshop we invite you to explore the subtle power of Dru Yoga to engage your mind with awareness and intention. A key principle of Dru Yoga is that energy follows thought, we invite students to become aware of their experience through every kosha (layers of our being or awareness) and use this awareness to take energy to where it is most needed in a positive way. Moving through asana practice with this awareness has the potential to kindly and effectively transform habits, thought patterns and disempowering conditions into vibrant health and wellbeing.
This session will help you to understand your Ayurvedic constitution in a comprehensive and practical new way. Learn to read the body and face, and improve your emotional sensitivity. Together, we will explore the different ways you can practice yoga for your constitution and energetic alignment. You will learn to see and feel where you are holding tension and tightness, heat and cold, and emotional patterning in your body and your face.
This deep sensory awareness can have vast and major improvements on your life, health and may assist in treating psychosomatic illness. See how depression is stored in the body. Understand the signs of anxiety and be able to assist yourself and others. This is an ancient science that must not be lost. Body reading and face reading are on the edge of a new wave of medicine. Join Celia Roberts of the Yoga and Integrative Medicine Institute to find out more…
We will explore the illusory nature of the Universe and touch on the fundamentals of Buddhist insight — “no body, no mind”. Questions arise… Are we really here? How does brain magic construct our reality? What visual illusions show us how we (mis)think? We will play with yoga philosophy in our exploration and place both Buddhism and Yoga comparatively, side by side. Furthermore, links will be made to the cognitive neuroscience behind our illusory universe. It will be a fun presentation and a little bit “yoga” practical as well. Come and explore “The Matrix” — the most beautiful illusion.
In this practical yoga session, Emma will walk you through poses designed to see where you have imbalance in your body and how to work towards balance. This session is suitable for all levels and is great for anyone who knows they are tighter on one side, finds it hard to do certain movements or get into a particular pose on one side. This session will provide you with the tools to understand where the imbalance in the body is and how to use yoga poses to balance your body at home. You are encouraged to bring yoga blocks and a strap, if you have them.
Using the Knoff Yoga System Foundation Asana syllabus, the Workshop will cover:
1: ASANA – focusing on the physical structure using correct anatomical alignment.
2: BANDHA – muscular and energetic locks to transform internal energy, creating heat.
3: DRISHTI – specific focal points for directing the eyes and composing the mind.
4: PRANAYAMA – controlled expansion of the life-force.
5: VINYASA – connecting techniques synchronizing movement with breath.
When yoga is practiced correctly—with all of its component parts, in the right place and in the right amounts, it acts like a circuit breaker to the high revving Fight or Flight Response and turns on the Relaxation Response. As you apply the 5 Pillars of Practice, aligning your body and turning your mind inwards, you shift your brain wave patterns from Beta (stress) to Alpha (relaxed learning). As you concentrate on technique and slow down your brain wave patterns further, you move deeper into the Relaxation Response—even while you are working strongly in your practice. This Workshop will give you a comprehensive understanding of how to fit the component parts of yoga together, to gain a clear understanding of what you are doing, and to maximize the benefits of your time and effort. Questions are encouraged as the goal of Knoff Yoga is to create strong, flexible, healthy, disciplined and independent individuals. You are encouraged to bring yoga blocks and a strap, if you have them.
Chakra Meditation arises from Tantra Yoga, and uses the traditional 7 pyscho/spiritural centers of the human body called Chakras. These Chakras are located in the earth/heaven axis of the spine called Susumna Nadi. Chakra meditation is designed to be logical, sequential, easy to follow and yet provide you with the tools and techniques to take you on a mind-expanding inner journey. Join, Master Teacher, James E. Bryan E.R.Y.T. 500 for this 1 hour class exploring 7 Chakras and learning 7 techniques: Naming, Mantra, Colour, Flossing, Spining, Linking, Free Flow. Plus, the importance of a balanced practice, how to practice safely, and the significance of 108.
Learn the unique Zen Ki Yoga techniques to immediately unlock your tension and go further in your yoga poses than you ever have before. Zen Ki Yoga is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, Japanese Zen Shiatsu, the principles of yin & yang, the 5-element theory and the seasons. Using ancient healing and modern exercise science information you will gain inches in flexibility and develop deep inner core power and connection with your deep self to leave this session centred, grounded, more aligned throughout your spine and therefore lighter and freer in your upper body to leave you feeling more confident. Learn simple ‘secrets’ you can use daily to continue improving and going deeper within. The psoas muscle is one of our deepest muscles that influences our core, stability, reproductive system (including period pain), spinal alignment and hormone flow. Find out why it causes problems and becomes tense for most of us and learn easy non-invasive self-healing techniques to release it to make lasting changes to your body.
Purna, meaning integrated or complete represents the holistic approach to yoga taught at Byron Yoga Centre – integrating the physical postures with philosophy, meditation and pranayama.
Join John Ogilvie for this session that will combine a flowing Purna asana sequence suitable for all levels with pranayama and meditation practices. John will also weave in his insights on the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, exploring the Yamas and Niyamas – the yogic social and personal codes of ethics. Discover practical ways that will help you cope more effectively with life’s daily challenges.
Don’t miss this uplifting closing session for the festival!
Throughout the history of yoga teachings and practice, pranayama has been considered the most important aspect of all yoga practice for the health and well-being of the majority of people throughout adult life. Whilst yoga asana is both popular and valuable in modern yoga, and various practices of meditation and relaxation are sometimes on offer, working with the breath and the practice of pranayama is the least understood, most under-utilised, and blatantly obvious missing component in most modern yoga. This practice session will explore the teachings and practices of pranayama, and their relevance in modern yoga practice and teaching.
Mental health concerns are very common in our communities, and many people turn to yoga for support, coping and healing of their struggles. This presentation will focus on raising awareness of mental health issues that many yoga teachers are likely to face with their students, and consideration of ways for yoga teachers to be more effective in their classroom, to support students with mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.
In an increasingly busy world, women often find themselves compelled to call on to their masculine qualities to survive and thrive. Over time, women burn out, get depressed and wonder why. In this session we will explore how restoring a balanced approach to life is fundamental for our health, the health of families and the health of a nation. This session includes a short talk and practices to support women reconnecting with their feminine. Bring your yoga mat along! Even though this session is more specifically designed for women, men are warmly welcome to join.
Opening our heart and raising our energy levels through movement and breath. Hatha flow yoga class suitable for all levels with options for gentle or dynamic practice offered throughout the class. Open your heart, raise your energy levels and connect to your soul. Come to feel calm and energized at the same time.
Complex trauma leaves a physical imprint so that the person has a disrupted sense of safety, not only in the world, but in their body. So it’s not surprising that those struggling with the long-term effects of repeated and prolonged trauma (Complex Trauma) are alienated from their body, and may view their body as the ‘enemy’. The research of Dr Bessel van de Kolk (psychiatrist and somatic therapist in the USA) and his colleague, David Emerson (Yoga Teacher), has shown detectable changes in the brain and how it plastically reorganises itself with regular Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) practice (particularly those areas that govern emotion regulation, memory and the ability to remain/reinstate calm – the fight-flight-freeze centres). Given the high prevalence of people with trauma histories it’s inevitable that our classes will be attended by students with this background. An overview of the neurophysiology of Complex Trauma will be provided, and various themes and principles in TCTSY will be discussed – including the importance of offering choice, the language chosen by the teacher, sequencing of postures, the significance of the physical environment, and the use of assists and adjusts. This presentation will have an experiential component with a practical seated session incorporated. Pippa has completed the TCTSY 300hr level teacher certification training at the JRI Trauma Centre in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a practising psychotherapist and registered yoga instructor in Canberra.
Running a yoga business may be a path of many challenges, but it’s also one of personal growth and heart-felt fulfillment. This workshop is perfect if you’re a new yoga teacher or building your yoga business on a side of a day job. We will plan out how you can embrace the business of yoga even when you have limited time, money or experience. Reflect on your personal goals, map out your vision, and identify resources you have available. This workshop will be insightful, interactive, and practical to start you on the path of creating a thriving yoga business.
What does wellness mean to you? How do yoga, meditation and nature come together to create a recipe for living a healthy, happy life? Join adventure retreat host Ramone Bisset from Wild Sage Wellbeing to learn about the three pillars of creating a life of freedom, fun, insight and abundant health. Through this session you’ll practice mindful movement (yoga asana), explore self reflection (guided meditation) and experience deep connection with your peace, purpose and power as you define what is means to you to be wild, be wise and be well. You are encouraged to bring yoga blocks and a strap, if you have them.
I believe backbends should be a way to free your spine, not make it more rigid. If you want to learn to practice postures like urdhva dhanurasana without stress or strain, to be able to explore backbending as a way to help your spine move gracefully, or just get a different perspective on these beautiful postures—and perhaps learn to love them—then this class is for you. I hope that you will be able to find a way to practice these postures in a way that means you never have to hug your knees to your chest after a bridge pose again!
Unwind after a busy day of filling your mind with yogic knowledge and moving your body mind and spirit with an exploration of yoga nidra. You will explore some of the fundamentals of what makes yoga nidra different to rest and how it forms the conclusion or introduction to an asana practice. The nidra practice will introduce you to deep relaxation, visualisation and affirmation. The practice will conclude with breathing techniques you can take into your daily life. Please bring a yoga blanket or cushion to make yourself comfortable during the nidra practice.
