FOCUS OF THE MONTH: COMFORT IN THE CITY
Each month Jivamukti Yoga™ has a special Focus of the Month, which is reflected in our yoga classes. Ever changing new inspirations help to change your perspective on the way of Yoga so you can come to new conclusions on your yoga practice.
Focus of the Month in English. Please click here
Focus of the Month in German. Please click here
1.2.2012:
Senior Advanced Jivamukti Teacher LADY RUTH from NYC back in Berlin for a special themed Jivamukti Open Class titled "The Music of the Gods"
By her students and fans affectionately called Lady Ruth because of her immense experience, Ruth is one of the most experienced yoga teachers at the New York Jivamukti Center.
Ruth is actually coming to Europe to teach at the Prague Spirit Festival, but we could persuade her to fly in via Berlin especially for us and then drive to Prague from Berlin. Don't miss this special chance to study and practice with a special senior Jivamukti teacher like Ruth here in Berlin.
DATE:
Wed.,01.02.2012 , 20.15-21.50 - "The Music of the Gods" - special theme Open Class in Englisch with Ruth Lauer-Manenti
LOCATION: Jivamukti Yoga Berlin Mitte, Brunnenstr. 29
CLASS DESCRIPTION: "The Music of the Gods"
In this Jivamukti open class the emphasis will be nadam, one of the 5 Jivamukti Tenets, the yoga of sound. Sound need not be loud, disturbing or distracting but actually the opposite. Depending on ones intention, sound can actually quiet the mind and release the mind from chronic and exhausting low level noises. It is like living in a room where a flourescent light is constantly buzzing and finally unplugging it. Master Patanjali tells us in the Yoga Sutra, when the whirling in our mind stops, then there is yoga. Holy and sweet sound make up the melodies that embrace and describe Gods, gurus and saints. Singing such songs the singer forgets about him or herself in an attunement with the music. The beauty of the music brings one into contact with ones own beauty. One's own inner beauty does not belong to one, it is meant to be shared. Songs are meant to be shared. Yoga and knowledge are meant to be shared and our lives are meant to be shared. The joy of sharing ones life is realized when people come together to praise God through song.
COSTS:
Regular JYB-tarifs (except trial class rate). All JYB-class packs and contracts apply.
Registration: First Come first served, no pre-registration. Be a Yogi, be on time!
RUTH LAUER-MANENTI:
"Move over Lady Gaga. In New York City yoga circles, there's only one Lady -- and her name is Lady Ruth.
Ruth Lauer-Manenti, affectionately known as Lady Ruth by many of her students at Jivamukti, began practicing yoga in 1989 as a way to heal from a bad car accident. Since then, her keen observation of everyday beauty and blend of spirit and movement has made her one of the most respected teachers around." www.mindbodygreen.com
Ruth has made numerous trips to India where she has had many lessons from great masters as well as from the local people. She is currently helping to fund the building and running of an orphanage in downtown Mysore, a bustling city in India, where Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his family live.
Ruth's strength as a teacher comes from her gurus: David-ji and Sharon-ji, their courage and perseverance; Sri K. Pattabhi Jois who was perfect in every way; her Sanskrit teacher Jaya Shree who has pushed the Yoga Sutras into her; her husband, the gentle nurse and humble tai chi master and from her own practice and studies which are never ending.
Ruth's growth as a teacher has also come about through the exchange that she has had with her students who are the best students a teacher could hope for. As a teacher, she hopes to be a link on the chain of all teachers who have inspired all students to be kind.
She is also an artist and has an MFA from Yale where she taught painting and printmaking. She currently teaches painting and drawing one semester/year at Dartmouth College.
And, last but not least, Ruth is the author of two noted books, "An Offering of Leaves" and "Sweeping the Dust" each containing over 40 Dharma Talks on the Yoga Sutras, which reflect the rich experience, "Lady Ruth" has gained during her long practice as a yoga teacher and student.
"Those of you who have taken her classes in the past have come to understand the incredible force of compassion that she is. Her utterly unique voice that so many have come to cherish, has spawned a book of teachings to be released in the fall by Lantern Books.Those of you who are about to take her class, brace yourself for an experience that is altogether funny, powerful, accessible, warm, and immensely cathartic." Jeffrey Cohen - Jivamukti Teacher Training Facilitator and Director of Jivamukti Yoga Charleston
"Ruth sees not only beauty and wonder in the world around her, but receives profound guidance from observing everyday activities like an old woman getting her hands dirty changing a flat tire or ants carrying carrots. This is because to Ruth all of life pulsates with the wisdom teachings of the guru- the enlightenment principle that surrounds and permeates through all of us at all times." Sharon Gannon
ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS: A Jivamukti Yoga introductory workshop with Anja
DATE: Sunday, 12.02.12, 13.00 – 15.30(Next date: Sun. 4.3.12, 15.00-17.30 with Evelyn in Mitte)
LOCATION: Jivamukti Yoga Kreuzberg, Oranienstr. 25
A 2½ hour practical introduction to the basic principles of Jivamukti Yoga™. For absolute beginners and advanced inquirers.
REGISTRATION: Please click here.
COSTS: 20 Euro if booked an paid before the day of the workshop. 25 Euro if paid on the day of the workshop.
NEW: We do also to encourage existing students to take this workshop as it can be very beneficial even if you practiced yoga for a while already. Therefore, we now give 20% discount on the workshop fee if you have a JYB-contract (3 months and up) or if you have a JYB class pack, you can alternatively also paid by using 2 units from your JYB-class packs.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: No prior knowledge is necessary for this workshop with max. 25 students. In 2½ hours you will gain an overview of the five main tenets of Jivamukti Yoga™ and will learn the fundament of the yogic practice: the postures (asanas). Learn to know yogic scriptures, sing your first OM and sit a few moments in silence. Precise explanations of the yogic principles, like non violence, offer you the freedom to find your own interpretation of these principles. Carrying out the individual asana exactly under the guidance of the teacher will enable you to achieve a state of well-being and will bring new energy for your body and soul. The workshop will be taught by Advanced Certified Jivamukti yoga teacher Anja and assisted by at least one additional Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher, who will give each student, from time to time, individual assists and comments, so you will do the individual asanas correctly right from the start of your yoga practice.
Our FAQ for Beginners: Please click here
10% SPECIAL DISCOUNT on the Sunday of the workshop for all Absolute Beginners participants who paid 20/25 EUR for the workshop on all class packages as well as prepaid monthly passes and yoga mats. If you buy a class pack for 275 EUR, you effectively get 7,50 EUR paid back ;) - (27,50 EUR discount - 20 EUR workshop fee =7,50 EUR gift for taking the workshop ;). Sorry no discount if you pay with class pack units or got 20% discount for the workshop.
4.-7.3.2012:
WILL SENN LAU - ADVANCED CERTIFIED JIVAMUKTI TEACHER FROM PURE YOGA HONGKONG BACK @ JYB
In March 2012, we again welcome Will Senn Lau from Pure Yoga Hongkong (with 4 huge studios and more than 100 teachers one of the biggest yoga centers of the world). Will is the first and only yoga teacher in Asia who has passed the infamous Jivamukti Advanced Board - probably one of the hardest yoga teacher exams of the world.
Look forward to some Jivamukti Yoga classes with Will Senn Lau's cool asian touch. And definately do not miss the two Jivamukti Yoga Workshops, that Will will teach on March 4th. With his Asian charme and attention to perfection in the asana, Will will give a cool twist to learning and perfecting these asanas: Bird Poses & Backbends.
Will is teaching all classes in English!
DATES AND WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS:
Sun., 4.3.12, 10.00-13.00:
FREEDOM FROM ATTACHMENT - A JIVAMUKTI YOGA BIRD POSES WORKSHOP
In the Samadhi Pada of the Yoga Sutra by Maharishi Patanjali, he describes the 2-step plan towards what ultimate reality is. That is if the seer can cease the rising of fluctuations of the mind, he can dwell in his real nature, “Samadhi”, or “Yoga”. And in the Sadhana Pada of the Yoga Sutra, he lays out that it is attachment, our attachment to emotions that ultimately hurts us. Patanjali lays out the fundamental requirement that the yogi will never be able to complete all the hard work needed to reach his/her destiny to help all sentient beings if he does not have the strongest motivation to do so. Every moment, everything and everyone in our lives are a chance to practice; to practice of letting go, letting go of the idea that things or people are what they are, but rather realize they are what we are!
This workshop will be an all-level bird poses class that invites the practitioner to take on the challenge to see things in a new perspective. Noticing the challenges, concepts and emotions that arise during the practice. Options will be provided as the yogi is taught to build up his confidence in arm-balances and inversions and practical knowledge for seeing things clearly as his/her practice progress and eventually see things the in a new perspective.
Excerpts from the 1st & 2nd Chapter of the Yoga Sutra will be chanted and followed by commentary.
Sun., 4.3.12, 14.00-17.00:
5 POWERS & 4 INFINITE THOUGHTS - A JIVAMUKTI BACKBENDING WORKSHOP
Devotional Faith is the key to gaining power in your practice, the real power yoga. Patanjali lays down the fundamental for the yogi to plant the right seed for how to see ultimate reality directly. It is the surrendering to the all-knowing master, God! It is NOT blind faith here but rather surrender to the One with constant effort, pure awareness in meditation that leads to wisdom to see ultimate reality. But we cannot see the ultimate reality without first planting the right seed for it. Hence Patanjali also provides us with the kindest thoughts and intentions that allow us to see all beings and all things as holy beings and teachers. Seeing them as our Guru. God!
This workshop will be an all-level back-bending class that invites the practitioner to take on the challenge to open their hearts to have all loving kindness and compassion to all beings, as well as equanimity of mind in times of trouble. We will warm up the spine gently with options for all levels of practitioners and slowly bring the yogi to various dimensions of backbends. Slowly allowing the yogi to open their hearts and receive the grace of God. The oneness of being!
Excerpts from the 1st Chapter of the Yoga Sutra will be chanted and followed by commentary.
5.-7.3.12: OPEN CLASSES WITH WILL SENN LAU @ JIVAMUKTI YOGA BERLIN
Mon., 5.3.12,18.15-19.50 : Jivamukti Open English with Will @ Mitte
Mon., 5.3.12, 20.15-21.50 : Jivamukti Basic English with Will @ Mitte
Tue., 6.3.12,18.15-19.50 : Jivamukti Open English with Will @ XBerg
Tue., 6.3.12, 20.15-21.50 : Jivamukti Basic English with Will @ XBerg
Wed., 7.3.12, 9.15-11.50 : Jivamukti Open English with Will @ Mitte
COSTS:
OPEN CLASSES: regular JYB prices. Alle JYB-class packst and contracts applicable (except trial class rate).
JUST ONE WORKSHOP: 30 EUR each if fully paid by 03.03. Afterwards 35 Euro or four units from your JYB-class packs. 20% discount with valid JYB contracts with 3 months duration or more.
BOTH WORKSHOPS: 50 EUR both if fully paid by 03.03. Afterwards 60 Euro or seven units from your JYB-class packs. 20% discount with valid JYB contracts with 3 months duration or more.
REGISTRATION:
Open Classes: First Come first served, no registration. Be a Yogi, be on time!
Workshop on Sunday: Please click here!
BIO WILL SENN LAU
In January 2010, Will became the first Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher in Asia. Since graduating from the 350+-hr Jivamukti Yoga teacher training at the Omega Institute in New York in 2007, Will has been passionately serving all yogis in Hong Kong and across Asia.
As a practising Buddhist, Will has intense desire to serve all devotees that tread the path toward enlightenment. Ahimsa (non-violence) is Will's prime practice, deeply inspired by the relentless stance of spiritual and political activism that is adopted by Sharon Gannon and David Life. The compassionate heart and intense loving kindness towards all beings that flow from his gurus' hearts inspires Will to seek equality, equanimity and oneness of being in all his practices.
Will is a true believer in Karma Yoga. With tremendous trust and generous support from Pure Yoga, Will and the Pure management team & teachers have been enriching many lives in Hong Kong through donation events, food drives and toy drives for various non-profit charity organisations - demonstrating the true essence of yoga-off-the-mat.
Routinely invited to teach Jivamukti Yoga workshops and teacher trainings overseas in New York, Japan and Korea, Will was the principal assistant & translator for David Life and Sharon Gannon at the Asia Yoga Conference in 2007 and 2009, as well as assistant for his two gurus' tours in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan in 2008 and 2009. Will is set to be one of 5 mentors in the upcoming Jivamukti Yoga Teacher Training 2011 in New York as he was in 2010 already. His yearlong dedication to Jivamukti Yoga in Asia has led to him being invited to teach at the2011 Asia Yoga Conference along with worldfamous teachers like his own teachers Sharon Gannon, David Life and the grandson of their beloved teacher Pattabhi Jois: Sharath Ranganswamy.
Paying deep reverence to all holy teachers who have inspired him so much, Will is humbly grateful to Davidji & Sharonji, Geshe Michael Roach, Lama Christie McNally, Andrey Lappa, Kristina Pao Cheng, Jessica Kung, Patrick Creelman, Stephen Thomas, Joakim Olin, DL, Icy Lee, Maggie Tan, HHK, Dharma Mittra, DPR, & Paveena Atipatha.
Will currently teaches at Pure Yoga in Hong Kong. His classes are filled with wisdom and fun. Vigorous in his style, tender in his words - Will offers a class that pushes students to their limits, freeing their hearts and ultimately stilling their minds.
9.-16.7.2012:
Anja Kühnel (Jivamukti Yoga Berlin)
Dechen Thurman (Jivamukti Yoga NYC)
A mystical hidden valley atop one of the
Mediterranean's most beautiful bays in Turkey:
THE 2012 JIVAMUKTI YOGA INTENSIVE RETREAT
Join DECHEN THURMAN (Jivamukti School NYC) and ANJA KÜHNEL (Director of Jivamukti Yoga Berlin) in the summer of 2012 (July 9 to 16) for THE 2012 JIVAMUKTI YOGA INTENSIVE RETREAT in The Valley of Eternal Peace ("Huzur Vadisi"), a mystical hidden valley atop one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful bays.
From the two countries where Jivamukti Yoga is most popular, two great Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teachers join forces in Turkey's still untouched countryside for an intensive, yet relaxing and mindblowing yoga retreat experience you will never forget. Enjoy a very intimate and loving atmosphere at a very special yoga retreat place which has been chosen as one of the "Great Yoga Retreats" by Taschen Books and one of "The Top Five Yoga Retreats" by The Independent.
Spots are very limited! So we encourage you to book early. Plus this way you can take advantage of cheap flights and the reduced early bird rate.
DATES: Mon., 09.07.2012 - Sun., 16.07.2012 (8 days, 7 nights)
BIO ANJA KÜHNEL
Anja is the director of Jivamukti Yoga Berlin and an Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher.
She discovered her passion for Jivamukti Yoga in 2000 while living in New York during a court internship. Back then, she also met her teachers Sharon Gannon and David Life for the first time. Anja has been practicing yoga with teachers of various yoga styles and traveled the world to do so. But in her heart, Anja knew right after her first Jivamukti class, where she belongs.
Anja teaches at the Berlin Jivamukti Yoga Center and is regularly invited as guest teacher worldwide.
BIO DECHEN THURMAN
He's the brother of Uma and the son of Robert. He played Guildenstern in Michael Almereyda's "Hamlet" movie and Patrick Bateman in Gerald Fox' Bret Easton Ellis film. But more importantly, his unique form of bodywork - as in Yoga and massage - has won international praise in the last couple of years.
Dechen is a holistic healer based in New York City. He is an Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher at the New York Jivamukti Yoga School as well as a Certified Ohashiatsu Instructor. Dechen creates a delicious sense of playfulness in his yoga classes. His method of healing is derived from these revered schools.
Last summer, more than 200 yogis in one of the biggest Open-Air Yoga classes at the Berlin Yoga Festival were hooked by his teachings (despite the fact that Germany played the semi-final of the soccer world cup at the same time; cf. the article in the German Vital magazine here). This year, he is invited, among others, to teach at the New York Yoga Journal Conference, the Yoga Conference Germany and the Wanderlust Yoga Festival.
Growing up, Dechen's family was a multicultural pioneer in hosting such luminous Tibetan refugee scholars as Geshe Wangyal, Lama Govinda, Tara Tulku Rimpoche, Dr. Yeshe Donden and Gehlek Rimpoche. A paramount time in Dechen’s life as he learned to cultivate his meditation practice with the help of these brilliant scholars. He first met His Holiness the Dalai Lama at age seven in Dharamsala, India.
Dechen's first taste of Jivamukti Yoga came at the age of nineteen. His dance teacher at Playwrights Horizons, Maude Karlsonn (nicknamed the "Swedish Mistress of Pain" by classmates), gave him a flier with a photo of Sharon Gannon in side crow position and told him to go to 2nd ave. and practice there. It was love at first class. He frequently attended class, initially as a warm-up for acting rehearsals, later for refuge from the pressures of his identity. Jivamukti Yoga was instrumental in bringing Dechen home, so to speak, back to his family's deep roots in Buddhism. Many inexplicably good things would happen to him on such a punctual basis associated with Jivamukti that his life literally depended on it. The psychospiritual investigation that Jivamukti stimulated was fundamental to his success in acting and massage. Alongside his work as a Jivamukti Yoga teacher and healer, Dechen is an accomplished actor in film and theater. He has appeared in films such as The Truth About Cats and Dogs, Hamlet, Zoolander and Gods and Generals.
THE GERMAN PRESS ON DECHEN THURMAN:
Vital on his open air class at the 2010er Berline Yogafestival: click here
Süddeutschen Zeitung interviewing Dechen Turman: click here
Gala interviewing Dechen Turman: click here
Myselfinterviewing Dechen Turman: click here
Yogaservice interviewing Dechen Turman: click here and watch this video here:
THE RETREAT CENTER:
Located in a peaceful valley right atop Turkey's spectacular "Turquoise" coast, Huzur Vadisi is only 40mins from Dalaman International airport and only 10mins to the great beaches. The solar powered eco-resort is a true sanctuary offering delicious Turkish homegrown vegan food, a natural stone pool and the great outdoors.
Huzur Vadisi, which means "valley of eternal peace", is the name of the old olive-growing farmstead that has been restored and extended to provide the facilities you'll find there today. Nestled at the foot of a mountain, it is surrounded by beautiful virgin pine forests. No other people live in the valley, so the peace is profound. The only sounds you will hear are cicadas, the call of owls, and the heavenly song of nightingales. At night the valley is dark, free of light pollution, revealing all the beauty of the night sky. At full moon it is truly magical to see the forest and valley bathed in moonlight. Huzur Vadisi's setting brings a deep connection with the natural world that immeasurably enhances the benefits of our yoga practice.
In between the two daily Jivamukti yoga classes you will find enough time to relax by the fresh swimming-pool, pamper yourself with a full body or Ohashiatsu massage, wander in the valley property, or enjoy the beautiful crystal clear beaches and sea shores which are only ca. 10min drive away. Plus you will just love the great local vegan Turkish cusine that we will be served. Mainly organic or regional Turkish farm products, extremely delicious!
For more information, check out the retreat center's website by clicking here.
THE JIVAMUKTI YOGA PROGRAM: One intensive 2 to 3 hour Jivamukti asana class each morning and each afternoon/evening co-taught by Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teachers Anja and Dechen. These will be intensive, in-depth workshop style classes with changing themes and focuses, where we will explore and experience different aspects of Jivamukti Yoga (asanas, kriyas, pranayama, yoga history). Exact class schedule TBA. Also, each morning led meditation and in the afternoon/evenings satsang, meditation, kirtan or yoga philosophy lectures. On arrival day (July 9th) only afternoon/evening program and on departure day (July 16th) only morning program.
Course language will be English; Anja teaches her classes in English but also speaks German.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
- Individual one-on-one Ohashiatsu bodywork sessions with Dechen Thurman by appointment.
- Private Jivamukti Yoga classes for instance to work on special technical/allignment issues with the teachers by appointment.
- In-Class-Private Classes with assitant Jivamukti Yoga Teachers
- Optional excursions to the sea, and to the lovely surrounding towns and boat trips. The beaches are jast 10mins by car from the retreat center and there are usually drivers and/or taxis available who can take you back and forth for a small fee if you do not have a rental car
- The area also provides great opportunities for nature walks (free).
- Great pool too (free)!
- For further info on things to do in the area, please also check the information on the website of the retreat center here.
BASE COSTS:
Special very early bird rate if booked and paid by January 31st: 1.008 EUR.
Early bird rate if booked and paid by May 31st: 1.107 EUR.
Regular rate if booked and paid after May 31st: 1.206 EUR.
This price is per person based on shared three bedroom yurt occupancy with shared bathrooms. It includes all yoga activities (see above), accomodation (see above) and three daily meals (light self-service breakfast before class, brunch and dinner; only dinner on arrival day, only breakfast and brunch on departure day and on the optional day out on the boat).
OPTIONAL ROOM UPGRADES: Our accommodation is something rather special. Huzur Vadisi's version of the nomadic yurt (which is the Turkish word for home) is a circular domed structure with a wooden trellis frame. An opening at the top, called the "Eye of Heaven," lets you gaze at the stars from your bed and allows cool ventilation in hot weather. The yurts are spacious and comfortable, with single, twin, double or triple beds, electricity, bedside lighting, wooden floors and bamboo storage shelves. There are also comfortable hammocks next to the yurts.
- shared triple yurt accomodation: included in the base price
- shared double yurt accommodation(twin or double bed): 270 EUR p.P. extra on top of base
- single yurt accommodation: 630 EUR p.P. extra
*Shared yurt means that we may assign roommates to your yurt up to the maximum mentioned capacity of the yurt booked. We will of course honor requests if you want to share a room with a friend.
OPTIONAL SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE:
- The trip to and from the retreat center is not included and needs to be booked and organized by students individually. Low cost fllghts from all major European to Dalaman airport should be booked by students indivudally ASAP. There are direct flights from Berlin with Tuifly. Other decent priced flights with stopovers can be booked through Pegasus or Turkish Airlines. Also a lot of British airlines offer cheap flights to Dalaman airport via London
- There will be transfer-shuttles on arrival and departure day from/to Dalaman (ca. 30min) for a flat fee of 45 EUR/person+way. Departure and arrival times of shuttles will be announced closer to July and will be adjusted to students flight times as possible
BOOKING/REGISTRATION: Please download our registration form (click here), fill in all fields, sign and return it to us (further detals are on the form). Due to the very limited number of spots and in order to let you book cheap flights well in advance, we strongly advise to book as early as possible.
TRIP CANCELATION AND TRAVEL INSURANCE: Since we have to charge you a cancellation fee in case you cannot come to the retreat due to illness or similar causes (details see registration form), we advise you to book a Trip Cancelation Insurance for this retreat, which you can do by clicking clicking here (starts from 35 EUR; one of the three best travel insurers as of a German test institute)
=> unfortunately the insurance booking form is only in German. Drop us an email and we can help you with booking the insurance for you.
PREVIEW INTERNATIONAL GUEST TEACHERS 1st HALF OF 2012
