Relaxation Workshop Recap & Video

Be sure to watch the wonderful 30 sec video – slideshow set to music below….

Absolutely wonderful to have everyone out for yesterday’s seminar – “The Art & Science of Relaxation.” We had a group of participants who really immersed themselves in the flow!

After some opening thoughts and introductions, we talked about how relaxation is experienced – ultimately – in the mind. If the mind is in a state of equipoise then one will feel relaxed, regardless of what one is doing. In yoga this state is known as santosha, the 2nd step of niyama sadhana.

Relaxation for the yogi then is not a state of inactivity but rather a deliberate endeavor of the mind. That said, there are physical elements – such as specific breathing techniques and restorative poses – that facilitate that psychic state of deep relaxation.

In our workshop then we explored a full gamut of engagements to bring the mind into a state of ease. We positioned ourselves in a wide array of easy-to-create restorative poses (6 or 8) – see video below. Furthermore, as the session progressed we followed the continuum towards more subtle engagements, delving into svarshastra (science of breath control), visualization. mantra japa, and ultimately yoga nidra accompanied by singing bowls.

All in all it was a full exploration of relaxation techniques that anyone can experiment with and apply in their day to day life. And that was part of the aim. To go home with new abilities to achieve states of relaxation, finding a sanctuary in today’s busy mode of living.

Here are a few things that participants shared about the seminar in response to the query: The best part of the seminar was…

– Exploring relaxation poses

– The singing bowls and physical postures

– New positions! Learning about breathing!

– Practical experience and lots of time to experiment with each pose.

– The meditation-yoga nidra – I greatly enjoyed the bowls today, especially when you do the long, prolonged sound – it makes it so, so easy and natural to focus.

And here are some more reflections about the seminar:

– Great seminar today! Learned many great techniques for finding that relaxed peaceful place. Thanks @renyoga!

– I’m going to try a few of the poses for 10 min a day when i get home and see if it doesnt rejuvenate me…one of the best parts of today were the singing bowls. Focusing on the tones was so relaxing…I can really appreciate what you said about stress as a mind born state of being…Ty, ty, ty..wonderful way to spend a pretty  Sunday afternoon.

– Really liked the format of beginning with physical postures and then transitioning to meditation.  By the time we got to the meditative portion I felt very  calm and slowed down and able to withdraw and focus…perfect, and as usual, just what I needed…

Here is a video summary of some of the relaxation poses participants experienced – enjoy!!