YYTT 2

Paul and Suzee Grilley regularly present level 2 courses. For details about registration and cost for each event please click on the specific "Upcoming YYTT 2 Class" listed here.

Required text YYTT 2: "Yin Yoga: principles and practice" by Paul Grilley. Available on amazon.com

Prerequisites: Students who wish to register for YYTT 2 must meet four requirements.

1.They have completed YYTT 1 or similar yin yoga training.

2. They have viewed the DVD "Chakra Theory and Meditation",  available from www.pranamaya.com

3. They have practiced yin yoga for at least one year.

4. Instructor consent.

Chakras and Meridians. YYTT 1 presents the skeletal movements and muscular groups of the torso and legs, YYTT 2 presents the skeletal movements and muscular groups of the arms and head. YYTT 2 then illustrates how the meridian system unites all parts of the body into an integrated energetic net of fascia. Finally the chakras are presented as the coordinating centers of the meridian system.

Chi. In China the energy that animates the body is called “chi”, in India it is called “prana”. Chi/prana circulates in channels called meridians, and chakras are spiritual centers in the brain and spine that control the flow of chi. Taoist yogis developed chi-gung exercises to control chi and Indian yogis developed prana-yama exercises to control prana. The fundamental premise of both traditions is the same - chi/prana needs to be brought under control if the mind is to be calmed and the true self revealed.

Two traditions of energetic anatomy. In Indian yoga there are elaborate descriptions of chakras but very sparse descriptions of meridians. In Taoist acupunture there are detailed descriptions of meridians but very sparse descriptions of the chakras. Following the work of Dr. Hiroshi Motoyama this course presents an integrated theory of chakras and meridians.

Three levels of practice. Yoga is a balanced approach to human development and this is reflected in the three levels of practice. Asana practice balances the flow of chi in the body, pranayama practices increase the chi strength, and meditation practices draw the chi into the spine. These three levels of practice are integrated in daily asana, pranayama, and meditation sessions.

Asana Practice, Yin and Yang. Asana practice serves two purposes, it develops awareness of chi movement in the physical dimension and prepares the body for sitting comfortably in meditation.  We will practice two hours of yin and yang yoga each day. Yin yoga is the relaxed practice of floor postures for three to five minutes at a time, it emphasizes the connective tissues of the hips, thighs, pelvis and lower spine. By drawing the student’s awareness away from the muscles and deeper into the bones a deep level of relaxed focus is achieved. Yang yoga is the rhythmic, flowing repetition of movements that require strength and balance. A Yang practice emphasizes the muscle tissues and circulatory system. Yang yoga leaves one feeling invigorated and alert.

Pranayama Practices. The many forms of pranayama can be divided into yin practices that contract the breath and yang practices that expand the breath. Both forms will be systematically explored and contrasted with each other. This creates a healthy environment of experiment and exploration.

Chakra meditation. Chakra meditation is a specific form of meditation. Chakra meditation includes several interrelated practices of increasing subtlety. We will explore bandha techniques that are quite yang and mantra techhniques that are very yin. The goal is to develop a repertoire of techniques suited to each practitioner.

Practice, practice, practice. However exciting the ancient or modern energetic theories might be we will never find them completely satisfying until we have verified their truths in our own experience. We will practice asana, pranayama and meditation each day, consistently, patiently and without strain. As Kabir said “Unless you have lived through something, it is not true”.

Key Concepts:

Learning model: Shravana, Manana, Nididhyasa

Movements of the upper body

Muscles of the upper body

Fascia and Meridians

Meridian pathways

Chakras and the physical body

Chakras and emotions

Chakras and thoughts

Anatomy of breathing

Anatomy of bandhas

Yin and yang pranayama

Bandha practices

Bija Mantras