We live in perpetual state of identification with and attachment to changing internal conditions and external circumstances, not seeing our true nature. The Ancients said that the cause of this perpetual cycle (saṁsāra) is the bondage of Avidyā (ignorance), Kāma (desire), and Karma (action), resulting in the tension and suffering of distorted self-perception, unfulfilled desires, and incessant activity.
The Ancients said that this three-fold bondage forms the framework of our personality, and called it, collectively, the Hṛdaya Granthi: the “knot of the heart”.
Discover of the “knots of the heart-mind” (hṛdaya-granti) in relation to the bondage of desire, action, and ignorance as they manifest through the cakra-s (pronounced chakras) and influence our feelings, thoughts and behavior. We will use the cakra model to explore these knots that form the framework of our personality and bind us in this life. Untying the knots leads to the psycho-energetics of transformation.
We will explore the Brāhma, Viṣṇu, and Rudra Granthi-s, as well as the Laya Yoga methods of Bhūta Śuddhi, Cakra Sādhana, and Devatā Yoga. In addition, we will look at Dattātreya’s teachings on the 24 Guru-s of nature. Sessions will include an integrated practice, using āsana, prāṇāyāma, chanting, mantra, and meditation.
Schedule: Jan. 31st – Feb. 2nd
Friday: 6-8pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am-4:00pm with a 90 minute lunch break
Cost: $300 through December 1, $345 after
Cancellation Policy: Refunds of 90% up to five days prior to workshop. No refunds allowable after that time.
About the instructor: Gary Kraftsow
For more than 40 years, Gary Kraftsow has been a pioneer in the transmission of yoga for health, healing, and personal transformation. His journey as a yoga student, practitioner, teacher, therapist, and teacher of yoga teachers and therapists began at age 19 when he traveled to Madras, now Chennai, India, to study Saiva Siddhanta, the Saivite Tantra of south India, with the respected mystic/scholar V.A. Devasenapathi, and yoga with T.K.V. Desikachar, son and student of T. Krishnamacharya. Gary received a Viniyoga Special Diploma from Viniyoga International in Paris, France.
Gary graduated from Colgate University in 1976 and received his Masters Degree in Psychology and Religion from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1983. Gary is the Founder, Director and Senior Teacher of the American Viniyoga Institute. He is the author of Yoga for Wellnessand Yoga for Transformation;and educational DVDs: Viniyoga Therapy for Low Back, Sacrum and Hipsand Viniyoga Therapy for Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders,Viniyoga Therapy for Anxiety and Viniyoga Therapy for Depression.