2012 Yoga & Movement Workshop Lineup

Bhagra and Bhakti, uniting DEVOTION and DANCE - Hemalayaa

Yogini and Indian dancer Hemalayaa combines these two arts into a clandestine and mystical adventure. The movements of indian dance become endearing expressions of timeless tales and the sound vibrations and breath-work remove the obstacles to divine love, abundance and joy. This class is inspired by the exuberant, erotic and expressive moves seen in Indian films, combined with various Vedic practices such as chanting mantras combined with classical and folk Indian dances, belly dancing, and yoga. Connect your inner self with your outer body with joy and radiance flowing through you in a creatively linked series of yoga asanas and dances that ultimately culminate in bliss.

Hemalayaa was born and raised in Canada and is the daughter of Indian parents. She rebelled against her Indian roots as a teenager, which has only given her a deeper sense of connection and appreciation of her beautiful culture as an adult.

As a yogini, dancer and fitness educator, Hemalayaa has a natural gift for bringing out the joy and the unique dancer in everyone. Laughter, her own and that of her students, is the trademark sound of her classes. She is the creator and author of numerous health and fitness DVDs and has been featured in publications such as Yoga Journal, Body & Soul, Fit Yoga, The New York Times and LA Yoga Magazine among others.

When she’s not shimmying with Ellen Degeneres on her talk show, strutting her stuff with the ladies of the Today show or leading workshops and retreats around the world, Hemalayaa is most likely to be found in her kitchen whipping up some healthy, organic food, riding her bike around Los Angeles, spending time with friends and just generally enjoying life.

Om Ganapati, Ganapati Om Vinyasa Yoga - Dearbhla Kelly w/ musical guest Dave Stringer

Sri Ganesha, Ganapati, lord of the physical world, remover of obstacles. We bow to you, we offer our practice to you, we surrender our resistance. We sing your praises, we dance your name.

A practice to move your body, open your heart and touch your soul. We will begin our session with a Ganesha chant led by Dave and move into a dynamic vinyasa flow sequence. Salutations, forward folds, standing poses and twists will prepare the way for deep backbends before melting into a delicious savasana with musical accompaniment by Dave.

Dave Stringer‘s sound marries the transcendent mysticism of traditional Indian instruments with the exuberant, groove-oriented sound of American gospel. Initially trained as a visual artist and jazz musician, Dave first started chanting mantras when a film editing project brought him to the ashram of Swami Muktananda in India. His work intends to create a modern and participatory theatrical art form, connecting science and yoga, open to a multiplicity of interpretations, and accessible to all.

Dearbhla Kelly began her studies of philosophy and yoga in Amsterdam, and now holds M.A.’s in philosophy from both University College Dublin and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has teaches yoga, neuroscience and philosophy workshops worldwide and her writing has been published in Yoga Journal / Germany and LA Yoga Magazine. Currently a dedicated Ashtanga practitioner, Dearbhla’s asana teaching style is also deeply informed by her studies of Forrest Yoga Anusara, Yin Yoga, Vinyasa flow and Yoga Nidra.

Worshipping Freedom - KK Ledford

This class will integrate alignment-centered asana with uplifting, heart-centered Tantric philosophy. Our most essential nature is freedom; we express this freedom in asana and in life. By creating prayers with the body, we worship the Goddess Svatantra, and make artful offerings of embodiment. This is yoga as embodied spirituality, as a true act of self-love.

KK is a Certified Anusara yoga® teacher and has been teaching yoga full time since 1997. Her ongoing and extensive studies in Kashmir Shaivism and Neelakantha meditation are with her teacher Paul Muller-Ortega. She has devoted over 18 years of study to esoteric and embodied spirituality and the mysteries of consciousness, and brings to her work a Master's degree in Women's Spirituality, an astrological perspective, and an outlook steeped in Nature-based Spirituality.  She is passionate, quirky, and adores paradox. Fiercely dedicated to embodying freedom and shining brightly, she inspires her students to deepen their commitment to sadhana and awaken to their own innate power and splendor.

Sama Yoga - Tahir Qawwal and Bhairavi Devi

Bhairavi Devi leads an active and balanced practice to encourage the circulation of energy through the body and heart center. Tahir offers Live improvised Indian Raaga music to support the practice. This ancient system of music is used to express deep sentiment and devotion. With the alchemy of sound we touch deeper places of stillness and explore the potential for healing and transformation.

Bhairavi Devi has been exploring the tradition of yoga for over a decade, studying in India, Australia & the U.S. She also studies Indian music with Tahir Qawwal and is especially inspired by the integration of sacred music within a yoga practice. Bhairavi hopes to instill yoga as a meaningful spiritual practice & a path of self-inquiry. She is a registered teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance, having trained with INSPYA (Integrated South Pacific Yoga Academy).

Qigong: Dance of the Water Dragon - Sifu Willow

This offering will focus on Taoist and Tibetan tantric qigong. Qigong is a ancient tantric yogic art that utilizes the intent (yi), the breath (zhong), and relaxed fluid movement to create a calm, natural, balanced flow of energy that can improve one’s health and spiritual well-being. Qigong is a way to listen, enhance, and understand the flow of your internal, or intrinsic, energy (qi/prana) and cultivate your spiritual energy (shen). The intent is to develop a better understanding of energy awareness, connection, & movement in ones practice. In this session we will emphasis the use of coordinated movement, relaxation, breathing, and visualization in order for the individual to experience a deeper sense of center, heaven/ earth connection, energy flow, and ultimate awareness. We will, as a collective, open and activate all the energy centers and channels in the body, bring about release and activation of the myofascial memory, and at the same time, gently stretch and strengthens the connective tissue throughout the body.

Willow began his studies of mind/body arts in 1972 with the Hatha yoga system developed by Yogiraj Sri Swami Satchidananda, an art he continues to study and perfect. In 1975 his interest in martial arts and eastern philosophy took seed. Willow has studied and taught various forms of Japanese, Okinawian, and Chinese martial arts for the past 35 years. In 1986 he began his studies in the Taoist tantric arts of T’ai Chi and Qigong. In 1988 he was accepted as a private pupil of T’ai Chi Master Wang Hui-Juin (Henry Wang –www.searchcentertaichi.com). For the past 25 years Willow has seriously pursued excellence in these mind/ body/spirit arts under Master Wang’s tutelage, studies in China, and personal exploration. In 1993 he opened ‘Harmony in Motion T’ai Chi, Yoga, & Qigong School’ in Boise, Idaho. Since that time he has assisted hundreds of students in their pursuit of these arts for better health, increased awareness, and furthering their spiritual growth. After years of study Willow has developed a synthesized art called “Three Harmony Yoga” that is a flowing blend of Taoist, Hatha, and Tibetan tantric yoga that emphasizes the beauty and power of the breath, with movement and postures, to balance and open all the energy pathways in the body and connect the participant with the intrinsic energy within. He has shared his knowledge of these arts at workshops in the United States and Canada. Simply put “these arts are my Passion in Life”. Willow lives and practices his arts in his new found community of Bend, Oregon. Willow’s love of dance and playing in nature are other joy filled extensions of his arts.

Tribal Fusion Belly Dance - Deb Rubin

Root yourself back into your body and embody the intoxicating, earthy qualities of Tribal Fusion Belly Dance. Learn how to access the deep core musculature of your body and feminine power source to create the ultimate slink factor in your movements. Fusing and embodying ancient Gypsy rhythms & spirit with contemporary music and art influences, we’ll break down torso isolations and pop/locks, as well as the ooey-gooey serpentine movements quintessential to Tribal Fusion, for you to use at home or bust out on the dance floor. Begins with brief yoga-based warm up highlighting Deb’s core-integrated approach.

Deb Rubin, MA, CMT, RYT. is an internationally-acclaimed teacher and performer of tribal fusion belly dance, artistically born out of the SF Bay Area counter-culture cauldren--the Mecca of where Tribal style began. Coined “The Queen of Slink,” for her captivating performance style, she is honored to have shared the stage as a guest artist with the musical inspirations of: Balkan Beat Box, EOTO, Beats Antique, David Starfire, Brass Menazeri, Zilla, Vibesquad, Lynx&Janover, Fishtank Ensemble and more. Founder of SattyaBody Women’s Health & SF Mecca Immersion retreat into the heart and soul of San Francisco Tribal, Deb teaches retreats and workshops around the globe, fusing yoga, tribal fusion, performance artistry, and therapeutics. With 15 years experience working in the field of mind/body medicine, and 30+years in dedicated study and performance of dance, she is honored to co-Lab with the Beloved tribe this year and share in the dance and sacred sounds.

Divine Tuning - Bibi McGill

Through pranayama, mudras, and movement we will use our bodies to connect with the Divine within each and every being. A transforming practice, you will work towards cultivating strength in the body through Vinyasa with attention to building balance in the mind through both moving and still meditation. Complemented by a blend of hypnotic music, this is an all levels practice

An internationally known musician and current musical director for Beyonce, Bibi McGill is also an acclaimed yoga teacher, wellness educator, and health food entrepreneur.In an effort to keep her own life in balance, as well as tap into her entrepreneurial self, she created her her own line of handmade, organic Bibi Kale Chips, which packs a massive amount of flavor and nutrients in every bite. Since discovering yoga in 1998, Bibi has been an advocate of making yoga available to everyone and encouraging a practice that challenges the body while supporting spiritual growth within each and every student. She currently teaches at Root Whole Body and Mandala Yoga in Portland, Oregon. In addition she is teaching at various yoga retreats and workshops world wide.

Jala Namaskar! Salutations to the Sacred Waters of Life - Kiara Rose Boch

Awaken your fluid body, free your mind, and enhance the current of Joy in your life!  Jala, Sanskrit for the “sacred waters of Life,” is the great carrier of prana-life energy, vitality, and vibration. Through breath and fluid movement, Kiara will guide you through an epic yogic experience aimed at activating the sacred rivers of prana within. 

Kiara Boch, RYT is certified in Prana Flow Yoga, meditation, and Yoga Trance Dance instruction.  Kiara offers deep gratitude to Shiva Rea, the founder of Prana Flow and Yoga Trance Dance.  Shiva is a reminder of the liberation and freedom found in spontaneous movement, pleasing the senses, and embracing the divine shaktified power that lives in all beings.  Kiara assists Shiva Rea internationally for yoga teacher trainings and retreats.  In addition, Kiara’s teachings draw from her studies with Thich Nhat Hahn, Drunvalo Melchizedek, several master yogis and yoginis from the Anusara tradition, and Mother Nature.  Kiara currently teaches in Portland, OR at Yoga Bhoga, North Portland Yoga and Yoga Union. 

Kundalini Yoga Workshop - Jaya Lakshmi and Ananda

This workshop will be a unique blend of Kundalini yoga and meditations with live music by Ananda and Jaya Lakshmi.  It is designed to open the heart and tap into one’s infinite creative potential.  Through this workshop participants will gain tools to live an inspired and fulfilled life that overflows with bliss and abundance.

Kundalini Yoga uses movement, sound current, breath and meditation to relax and heal your mind and body, allowing the spirit to flow freely.  This powerful and effective form of Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, Ph.D., Master of Kundalini Yoga, is a way to recharge and heal your body quickly.  By stimulating the various systems of the body, it centers the mind, balances one's energy fields and opens the spirit. It is especially effective for stress, addiction, depression and insomnia, as well as weight control.

Ananda Yogiji has been teaching yoga and meditation consistently (primarily Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan) for over 5 years.  He has completed several Kundalini Yoga teacher-training intensives in New Mexico and studied with teachers such as Harijiwan, Gurmukh and Guru Charan.  He also completed and taught at numerous holistic yoga immersions at the Dharmalaya in Eugene, Oregon under Ravi Logan.

Jaya Lakshmi has practiced Hatha yoga regularly for over 16 years.  She began practicing Anusara Yoga in 2007 and completed an immersion and trainings under Sandy Adler and Michelle Bulgatz as well as studied with Sianna Sherman and Janet Stone.   She has been practicing Kundalini yoga daily since partnering with Ananda. Together they daily share in a practice of Kundalini, Anusara and/or Partner Yoga. Jaya Lakshmi and Ananda have been touring the north and southwest teaching and performing music at their innovative Altar of Love weekends. 

Rainbow Yoga - Eric Wallace

Come out and play with Eric as he guides you on a colorful, joy filled journey, exploring the rainbow trail within. No prior yogic experience required, all are welcome. Fusing together over 20 years of study and training, Eric’s classes are a deeply spiritual experience with an emphasis on sacred shapes, color, sound, movement, breath, meditation, chanting, laughter and FUN! He calls his practice, “Rainbow Yoga”! You will leave feeling fully, energized empowered, and equipped to put your passions into action!

From an early age, Eric found great magic and pleasure in his pursuit of the shamanic arts from around the world, taking a specific interest in sacred structures, ceremonial music, and dance traditions. In 1999, his journey led him into the electronic music underground dance culture. It was there that Eric finally felt he had found his “tribe” of fellow warriors with whom to celebrate and weave the rainbow dream. Soon after finding this dance community, he began exploring the roots of yoga and found that they were interwoven with all of his previous shamanic study. He began his training in 2002, receiving classical instruction in Kriya, Hatha and Kundalini, under master yogini Diane Wilson in Portland, Oregon. During this training an awareness of sacred shapes and mathematics was integrated which led him into the co-creation of Mandala Domes.

Bhakti Vinyasa Flow - Sita Devi with Craig Kohland

Bhakti Vinyasa Flow is a heart opening intentional practice combining Kirtan, the art of ecstatic chanting with Hatha Vinyasa Flow Yoga. The practice often begins with a meditation and some intention setting and creative visualization. We then join together in a kirtan to begin our practice which takes us into our bodies moving into our hatha vinyasa practice. The practice slowly builds heat in the body and the practitioner is free to move at his or her own pace, finding his or her own personal flow. Once enough heat is generated we move into some deep stretches and make our way to the floor, ending with a nice long savasana, or final relaxation and close our practice with kirtan.

The practice is accompanied by live chanting of Kirtan and Bhajan by Sita, and other musicians. The goal of this practice is to experience Bhava, the nectar of devotion, through union of the body mind and soul.

Sita Devi is a yogini, Kirtan artist and ecstatic dance facilitator in service to the divine. She began singing, dancing and performing right out of the womb. As a Kirtan Walli, Sita sings and plays harmonium, guitar, kartals and mrdanga and has performed live with David Starfire and Freq Nasty in Dub Kirtan Allstars, Jaya Lakshimi, Arjun Baba, Dave Stringer, Govindas and Radha, Prema Hara, Joey Lugassey, Saul David Raye, Steve Ross and Craig Kohland of Shamans Dream. In 2011 she performed at Lightning in a Bottle, Wanderlust, Bhaktifest, Earthdance and Hawaii Spirit Festival.

She has accompanied yoga classes with live Kirtan for Baron Bapiste, Annie Carpenter, Janet Stone, Shiva Rea, Micheline Berry, William Duprey, Govindas and Julie Mitchell. Sita’s devotional service is intended to include all beings in experiencing divine love and light.

Sacred Sprials and Shapes - Shifra Blumenthal

This yoga workshop explores the many spirals that run through the human body's alignment. By focusing on this aspect of our alignment, as described by Anusara yoga, we embody the merkava. The merkava is depicted by the inverse triangles that are within and around us, allowing us to align with heaven and earth, the feminine and the masculine, and to tap deeper into the well of infinite power of which we are a part. This will be an all levels class.

Shifra is a certified yoga instructor, trained in the Anusara tradition. She is based in Boulder, Colorado, and travels around the globe. She has spent time living in the 'birth city' of Kaballah, Tsfat, Israel, where she studied mystical teachings of Judaism and ancient Jewish medicine. After her time in Israel, she took her yoga studies to a deeper level and was amazed at the similarities between the yogic and Jewish mystical philosophies. As a clinical herbalist and someone who loves to study the healing modalities of the ancients, Shifra is engaged in a quest to find and understand universal principles that underly ancient healing traditions.

Spinaesthesia Partner Dance - Wren LaFeet

Spinaesthesia: the act of feeling music as movement in the body. We'll develop this idea in partnership with another using improvisation to evolve a conversation rather than working within a “basic step”. This work seeks to strengthen community through the idea of "Intimacy with Sovereignty", deepen listening within Relationship and redefine established gender roles. Practice gaining fine-tuned physical awareness to another, remain connected - either physically or energetically while moving and discover a unique primer for non-verbal expression. Dance and have fun together to ANY music you like!

Nomad Dance exists to Invent Social Dance as an Integral Facet of an Emerging Global Culture. Through the synthesis of a myriad of movement techniques, styles and the philosophy of intimacy with sovereignty - an idea exemplified in the statement, "we are all spiritual beings having a physical experience", Wren LaFeet is interested in collaborating with dance communities nation-wide and contributing his experience to the blossoming of a cultural renaissance. He views partner dance as a language that transcends cultural barriers and allows us to connect at a level that grants access to the universal truth: we are all One. 

Mandala Yoga - Deborah Dove

Explore conscious embodied connection with yourself and others, while increasing your somatic vocabulary & communication skills, through Mandala Yoga. No experience or partner is necessary. Come with a friend or make new ones in this interactive playshops.

Deborah Dove Eudene is an evolutionary coach, transformational journey facilitator, yoga teacher, massage therapist, energy worker, cultural translator, entertainment lawyer, event coordinator, sacred space holder and singer dedicated to personal, interpersonal, collective, and planetary healing. She has been incorporating elements of group kinesthetic experiencing into playshops, yoga classes, retreats and corporate team building programs since 1999, and recognizes the power of Mandala Yoga in bringing people together to experience cultural healing, understanding and deep connectivity.

Contact Improv Intro Playshop - Will Lillard and Christine Maxwell

Contact Improv is a practice of conscious movement, weight sharing, and connection. In this playshop we will create a fun safe space to explore spontaneous movement while building trust and learning to recognize choice as the point of connection leads the dance. We'll end with an with Open Jam.

In this playshop we will lead contacters through a couple of scores to invite deeper connection, pushing edges, and embracing imbalance. We'll play with momentum, flying, falling, trust, choice, and authentic movement.

Christine Maxwell fell in love with Contact Improv 3-1/2 years ago.  She hosts the Tuesday night jam in Portland and turns mere mortals into Contacters wherever she goes. Will Lillard started dancing ten years ago with Swing and in that time has also danced Salsa, Blues, and Tango. He says discovering Contact Improv changed his life. They have been exploring movement with each other for the last two years.