Dharma Yoga Posture Clinics    

Dharma Yoga Asana Clinics
These highly valuable clinics will focus on proper placement and alignment in the practice of each pose. You will also learn the spiritual intention of the poses. As Sri Dharma Mittra always says in class: “Each posture is designed to bring the practitioner a specific state of consciousness.” There will be a Q & A period. This workshop is intended to give students the time to slowly work on the chosen postures and therefore make rapid progress.

Hip Openers and Spinal Twists
Posture Clinics offer an opportunity for students and teachers to delve into specific types of postures in depth, for how to personally practice them, proper alignment, correct intention, and an understanding of the practical, physical and mental benefits. The sessions are held in a relaxed and open manner allowing for questions and personal support. Spinal twist postures invigorate the spine, and help to make it more flexible, youthful and healthy. They massage the internal organs and renew them with fresh rich oxygenated blood, as well as detoxifying them. The practice of spinal twists keep the spinal discs lubricated and functioning well, and help maintain their effectiveness. Spinal twist postures involve the pelvis and hips, as this is where the root of the spine emanates from. Flexible hips support both the spine and our ability to have pain free movement in our daily lives, as in walking, sitting, and standing. This clinic welcomes all levels of students to attend and is a wonderful and informative adjunct to regular practice.

Art of Inversions
Scared to attempt poses you have not done since you were little? Feel unsteady when you attempt a bridge or headstand? This clinic is for you. With clarity in breakdown and support, you will be slowly guided through the steps to proper placement that will align your body to flow into inversions easily. You will learn how to support the posture so you can maintain the pose in stillness with calm breathing. We will explore the Shoulderstand, Plough, Fish, Bridge variations, and Headstand, the King of the Poses. There will be time for questions and plenty of individual attention with an expert Certified Senior Dharma Yoga Instructor. This workshop is excellent for beginners through more advanced practitioners.

Arm Balances
Arm Balancing postures are often the most challenging, and we wish to teach you confidence and ease of movement. When the spine and pelvis are tuned in to their innate balance, then the arms, wrists, back and shoulder muscles become toned and will support us gracefully. The sessions are held in a relaxed and open manner allowing for questions and personal support. We will practice in this Art of Arm Balances Clinic: Urdhva Dhanuransana (Wheel), Vasisthasana (One Arm Balance), Purvatanasana (Front Side Stretch), Ardho-Mukha-Vrkshasana (Hand Stand), Titibasana (Firefly). Posture Clinics offer an opportunity for students to delve into specific types of postures with in depth teaching of: proper alignment correct intention supportive repetitive practice understanding of practical, physical & mental benefits.

Backbends: Creating a Supple Spine
These highly valuable clinics will focus on proper placement and alignment in the practice of each pose. You will also learn the spiritual intention of the poses. Work on these postures mainly: Bhujangasana (Cobra) - Mother of all Backbends, Ustrasana (Camel), Setu Bandasa Sarvangasana (Bridge), Dhanurasana (Bow), Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Facing Bow), and Shalabasana (Backward Boat). Back bending postures are an invaluable aid in maintaining full mobility and flexibility of the spine, shoulders, chest and back. They restore youthfulness to the body helping one feel young. You will learn the fundamental tools needed to practice back bending with precision and confidence. Clear practice of the Mother of the backbends, the Cobra pose, will lead you into all the rest with awareness, alignment, strength and freedom.

Sirshasana: King of the Poses
These highly valuable clinics will focus on proper placement and alignment in the practice of each pose. You will also learn the spiritual intention of the poses. Sirshasana, or Headstand, is known as the king of all the poses. Recommended by Sri Dharma Mittra as one of the eight main postures to practice daily to achieve maximum health, the headstand will help you see the world, literally, in a whole new light! This workshop will start off with a few rounds of Shiva Namaskara Vinyasa as a warm up, and then a clear explanation and practice of preparatory poses to help you naturally build the confidence, strength and balance in order to stand on your head. The instructor will gradually guide you in maintaining a strong foundation that will allow you to hold the pose for longer periods of time without fear, strain or pain. Many of Sri Dharma Mittra’s popular variations will be taught. As Sri Dharma always says in his classes: headstand requires no flexibility, and offers the most benefits of all the postures. It brings healthy, pure blood to brain cells, thus increasing thinking power, mental clarity and sharpness. The heart and veins of the legs rest while the internal organs revitalize by being turned upside-down! Be content and positive as your practice of meditation in Sirshasana unfolds. Postures include Sirshasana (headstand) The King of the Postures, Shashankasana (hare), and Padma Sirshasana (lotus headstand). Please note: this workshop is not advised for those with high blood pressure, or recovering from recent eye or other surgeries.

Standing Balances: The Power of the Yogi Warrior Pose
Standing Balance postures are an invaluable for instilling and maintaining pin point concentration, full mobility, power and flexibility of the muscular system and hips, legs, feet, ankles, shoulders, spine, chest and back. They restore life force into the body and mind. You will learn the fundamental tools needed to practice back bending with precision and confidence. Postures include Vrkshasana (Tree), Natarajasana (Dancer), Virabhadrasana I & II (Warrior), Parivirtta Parshvakonasana (Rotating Side Angle), Parivritta Trikonasana (Bound Rotating Triange), and Utthita Janushirshasana (One Leg Extended Standing Balance).

Asana Clinic Series Curriculum:
• Hip Openers and Spinal Twists
• Art of Inversion
• Inversion Essentials: The Basics of Turning Upside Down
• Surrender and Faith: Hips, Hamstrings and Healthy Knees
• Twists: Unlock the Ageless and Supple Spine
• Arm Balances: Strength, Suspension and Grace
• Standing Balances and the Power of the Yogic Warrior Poses
• Breaking Down the Dharma IV Series of Postures
• Forward Bending and Hip Opening Postures
• Forearm Balances: The Strength of the Fearless Heart
• Advancing Your Level from Dharma II to Dharma III
• Sirshasana: King of the Poses
• Backbends: Creating a Supple Spine
• Six Foundational Postures of Dharma Yoga
• Dharma Partner Yoga
• The Art of Stretching Through Yoga