Special Workshops/Courses
Call 864-1114 to
register.
Taught by Michael
Plasha E-RYT 500(highest Yoga Alliance accreditation) unless otherwise noted.
All programs will be held in the Yurt unless noted.
BEST YOGA STUDIO 2007, 2008 and
2009– Erie’s Choice Awards
Since the positive review of my
audiocassette tapes Raja Yoga for Beginners appeared in the December 2000 issue
of Yoga Journal (now reproduced on CD), I have been invited to give workshops on
Raja Yoga and other topics at yoga teacher conferences, teacher trainings, award
winning yoga studios and at internationally renowned centers
like Kripalu, Integral Yoga-NYC and Satchidananda Ashram. I am
currently giving teacher trainings and workshops on Raja and Ayurveda and
Yoga in the midwest and the northeast. If you would like to attend any of these,
please e-mail me at
rhadeya@plashayoga.com for more information. Please check out the many
special programs we offer here in Erie including meditation, Ayurveda, retreats
and transformational programs like Serenity Now and Resolve to Evolve.
I was also the only Yoga teacher from PA presenting
at the first Yoga Alliance Leadership Conference for teachers! Annual Valentines Program: Partner Yoga and
Thai Yoga Massage for Couples Kidding Around Yoga (KAY) Teacher Training with Haris
Lender April 20-22 Plasha Yoga Studio Pre-register with Michael Plasha - 864-1114 or 3 DAY TRAINING Who is this kids Yoga teacher training for?This training is not only
for Yoga Teachers who want to work with kids, but also great for anybody who
works with kids on any level. It teaches children coping skills for stress
including games and activities that help them to learn how to breathe, meditate,
and calm themselves down. This training will enhance your career and change your
life! Not to mention the lives of all those beautiful kids you work with.This is
not a program for special needs children – however, if you work with high
functioning kids with issues such as ADD, ADHD, Autism, Sensory issues, some
speech issues, Asperger’s – you WILL be introduced to numerous creative ways to
engage your kids and help to bring the benefits of Yoga to them. People who have benefited from this training: 3 DAY TUITION $325 if paid in FULL by March 1. $375 if paid in FULL April 1. $425 if paid in FULL April 13. $475 if paid in FULL April 20. PAYMENT: A $100 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. The
balance is due no later than 14 days before the training. Cancellation policy: If you cancel more than 14 days before a
training you are entitled to 50% of your fees back. Or you can apply ALL of it
towards another training. If you cancel less than 14 days before a training
….your full payment can be applied towards a future training. But it is
non-refundable. Based on the new Yoga Alliance certification requirements, if you are
a 200 hour certified Yoga teacher wanting to become certified to teach
Children’s Yoga, you are required to take a 95 hour training. KAY is offering a
phenomenal opportunity to complete these requirements in 3 modules at your own
pace and for a VERY reasonable price! The first baby step is the 3 day teacher
training! Haris Lender Haris “Harini” Lender is a certified Integral Yoga™ teacher at the
500 level. She has also been certified in Prenatal, Raja, Children’s and Stress
Management. She was the director of Camp Yogaville for 11 years. She founded KAY
in 2009. For more information, please visit Facilitator: Michael Plasha E-RYT500 10 Saturdays from 1 to 4pm 2011/2012 Dates: Dec. 10; Jan. 14, 28; Feb. 11, 25; March 17,
31; April 14, 28; May 12 Tuition: $500 non-refundable payment due Dec. 1; optional
payment plan: $100 non-refundable deposit due Dec. 1, $100 due Jan. 14 and $300
due Feb. 11. Please register by Dec. 1, 2011; call 814-864-1114 or e
mail rhadeya@plashayoga.com
Yoga Alliance registered
teachers are required to earn 30 CEUs every three years. You can earn 30 CEUs with this training. In addition, Social
Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors can earn 30 CEs.
Tentative Curriculum (The curriculum will be
adapted to the needs of the group.) Ecumenical and Universal Approaches / Practice Session Maintaining a Spiritual Diary Principal Techniques and Practice Session Developing a Personal Meditation Routine The Ayurvedic and Classical Yoga Support Strategies Hatha Yoga and Breathwork in Relation to Meditation / Teaching Meditation in
Hatha Yoga Classes Adapting techniques for PTSD, ADD, Hospice, Mental Health Afflictions, Faith
Based Religious, Children, 12 Step Groups and those in Recovery. Applying Mindfulness in Therapy for Yourself and Your Clients Overcoming Obstacles in Meditation Answering Questions About Yoga and Meditation Deepening and Refining Your Own Practice Integrating Meditation in Daily Life How to Teach Meditation and Practice Sessions Biography: Plasha began a regular meditation practice in 1971 and has
studied and practiced with the following yoga and meditation masters: Swami
Chidvilasananda, Swami Satchidananda, Roshi Phillip Kapleau, Roshi John Daido
Lorri, the Venerable Henepola Gunaratana, Swami Dayananda, Dr. David Frawley and
T.K.V. Desikachar. He founded the Kensho Meditation Center in 1980 and co-led
the Erie Siddha Yoga Meditation Center from 1984-1992. He is a senior teacher of Integral Yoga and a teacher trainer
for Integral Yoga and Flow Yoga Studio. His training and experience has exceeded
the standards set by Yoga Alliance. He will be the only teacher from PA
presenting at the first Yoga Alliance Leadership Conference this fall. His topic
covers how to integrate meditation into Hatha classes. "You teach mindfulness very well," said the
Venerable Henepola Gunaratana, the founder of the Bhavana Society and the author
of Mindfulness in Plain English after a Hatha yoga class Plasha taught for a
group of Theravadan Buddhist Monks. Oct. 15 1-2pm For children 9-12 and a parent Learn yoga and mindfulness based behavior management strategies to support
your tween and yourself in having a more relaxed, focused and enjoyable
life. I have already raised five tweens and am looking forward to
raising two more! Kundalini yoga has various sequences of postures (known as kriyas) that were
created for specific purposes. For example, there are sets of exercises for
disease prevention, elevating your mood, releasing negativity, etc. A typical
class begins with some general warm up postures followed by the kriya followed
by relaxation and finished with meditation. Kim is not only a knowledgeable and well-versed teacher, she is also
compassionate, patient and understanding and delivers her teaching in a clear
and concise manner. Students of all levels are welcome. This is not to be
missed! Kirtan
with World Music Artist Wynne Paris Her Kundalini Yoga Training was with Yogi Akal and Angad Kaur at the
International Centre of Yogic Arts and Sciences in Toronto. Yogi Akal was a
student of Yogi Bhajan, the founder of the internationally recognized 3HO form
of Kundalini Yoga. She also has training in Classical Hatha and Raja Yoga with
Yogi Vishvaketu and Chetana Panwar. Of course, this is true of most traditional styles of Hatha but the
techniques vary. Kundalini yoga has various sequences of postures (known as
kriyas) that were created for specific purposes. For example, there are sets of
exercises for disease prevention, elevating your mood, releasing negativity,
etc. A typical class begins with some general warm up postures followed by the
kriya followed by relaxation and finished with meditation. Kim is not only a knowledgeable and well-versed teacher, she is also
compassionate, patient and understanding and delivers her teaching in a clear
and concise manner. Students of all levels are welcome. This is not to be
missed! Rediscovering Your Calm and Creative Self: A Play Shop for
Adults Have you ever wanted to express yourself visually but feel intimidated? Are
you a visual creative person but feel stuck or blocked? Do you need support to
get the creative juices flowing? Would you like a break from “adult”
responsibilities? Do you just want to feel relaxed, centered and have fun? Do
you remember what it was like to be calm, playful and creative as a child? Join artist Ed Grout, life coach Allison Parr-Plasha
and Michael Plasha for a play shop with a focus on visual creativity.
You will start with gentle yoga based relaxation and breathing practices for all
bodies to calm the chatter of the mind and access the “creative” brain. Then you
will have fun playing with mixed media materials. You will leave with coaching
tips to support your creativity at home. Materials are provided and you will
take home an individual mandala that symbolizes your highest aspirations.
Statistically it is shown that men are more at risk than
women for diseases ranging from cancers to high blood pressure, strokes and to
reproductive issues. This workshop will address how Yoga can help men achieve
optimal whole mind-body health. Whether athletic or sedentary, young or old,
males are typically less flexible because of tighter, larger muscles in the arms
and legs. This workshop will address these areas and how best to adapt yoga to a
man‘s body to meet your specific needs. Core strength practices for healthy back
care will be included. Most importantly, you will learn how to de-stress the
mind to increase energy, focus and performance. Mothering the Mother Mothering is one of the most powerful roles a woman
can take on in her lifetime. Who you are as a mother has the capacity to impact
all of us globally. A child raised by a mother who is living a life of
fulfillment, passion and balance will not only positively impact her children,
but will also impact everyone she touches. Unfortunately, society often carries
the message that women must be everything to everyone. Mothers who do not mother
themselves will often find that they are living in a place of imbalance, burnout
and dissatisfaction. If you are ready to reclaim your own wants, desire and
passions and learn how to live a life that is in balance, this workshop is for
you! In this workshop you will: Facilitators: Allison Parr-Plasha, certified life
coach and psychotherapist. Shelley Cimino, Doula and Nanny Consultant. Cost is
$30. Please register with Allison at 450-7440 or allison@allisonparr-plasha.com.
This program will be held in the Bliss Cabin. Free Intro to Counseling and Life
Coaching. Which one is right for you? Life Coaching is a relatively new field that is
gaining more attention. Although both coaching and counseling are both excellent
modalities in helping one feel more present and fulfilled in everyday life,
there are fundamental differences in the approach. Come and learn these
differences and discover if you may benefit from either coaching, counseling or
a unique blend of both. Allison Parr-Plasha is a certified life coach and
psychotherapist. These intros will be held in the Bliss Cabin.
Please register for one of these @
450-7440 orallison@allisonparr-plasha.com.
Wednesday, May 4th, from 7:15 to
8:15 Saturday, May 7 from 11:00 to
Noon. Monday May 9th, from 7:15 to
8:15.
RESOLVE TO EVOLVE - A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON A NEW
YEAR Cost:$30 This is a program about
possibility…about living your life with bravado and transforming what you
thought was true about you and your fate. Go ahead and try something
“unattainable,” start that “impossible” project, launch the “risky” new
business. You may quickly discover that living the life of your dreams is
a reality! Gentle yoga postures, meditations and visualizations will
be included. Bring a journal.
Objectives: You will practice experiential
exercises to: Clarify values Design a mission statement Be an independent thinker Move into thriving not just surviving
Fall Yoga
Retreat 2011 Oct. 21-23 This was my first yoga retreat, and it
was wonderful on so many levels. First, the facility itself was
outstanding as it was secluded from the busyness of everyday life and
offered every imaginable amenity for a pampered R & R experience. I am not a vegetarian, but
the vegetarian fare was delicious and satisfying. Next there was the perfect balance between yoga
classes and free time. This
was much appreciated as it allowed me to explore the natural beauty of the
surrounding outdoors and the nurturing experience of the pool and
spa. The highlight, of course, was the yoga
classes. I must admit that I
was not certain how my body would respond to so many classes in such a
short time. But the content
and pace of your classes were masterfully presented and I never had those
imagined sore muscles or felt an inability to keep up.? The Saturday night advanced yoga
nidra was especially satisfying in its timing and duration. Perfect for ending a day with
three classes. This is
something that could not have been incorporated into a regular class
session at the Yurt. Another real benefit was your ability to blend the
whole range of yoga teachings in all its richness into those five
sessions: philosophy, ayurveda, mudras chanting, energy flows, asanas and
meditation. I know you
present these in class weekly, but having them compressed into the five
sessions made it much more meaningful and hopefully, easier to
remember. Thanks to you, Michael, a very loving and inclusive
energy field was created that accommodated the limitations that each of us
brought to the week-end. You
are masterful in your own practice and teaching skills. Is there any major teacher in the
world today that you haven't studied with! You give us a real gift in that you are able to
incorporate so many facets of yoga into your teaching and translate these
to us for our growth. It was
a most enjoyable week-end and I hope there were some high points for you,
too. It seems like you did
all the work and we had all the fun. Blessings, Renae TAMING THE TIGER...CALMING THE MONKEYS...BEING THE TORTOISE:
A PRANAYAMA AND PRATYAHARA IMMERSION
Pranayama, the fourth
limb of Raja Yoga, is recognized as the most powerful practice in Hatha
Yoga and Pratyahara, the fifth limb of Raja, is sometimes described as the
forgotten limb. Both can clear the mental field of thoughts to open you to
an experience of your mystical Self. Both can increase prana or life force
to promote healing but prana is also given great respect in classical
yoga. “Just as lions, elephants and tigers are gradually controlled, so
the prana is controlled through practice. Otherwise, the practitioner is
destroyed.”
-Hatha Yoga Pradipika (2:15).
The suggested guideline given for these practices
are to be well grounded in the Yamas and Niyamas and to have a body free
of toxins through the practice of Tantric Hatha Yoga including “right”
diet and the shatkarmas. Incorrect practices can elevate one’s dosha and
prevent one from practicing the Yama’s and Niyama’s. According to Swami
Satchidananda, if we have a tendency toward gossip, envy, impatience or
anger, for example, this tendency will actually increase without thorough
preparation.
Which practices are right for us to practice and to
teach students so we don’t destroy anyone including ourselves? How do we
make these subtle practices accessible to students who might think they
are not “doing” anything unless they work up a sweat in a posture or maybe
have difficulty in concentrating? How do we practice asanas
relative to the five pranas? How do we practice the five pranic breaths to
promote health? What types of pratyahara can we include in
classes and in our daily lives? We will study and practice classical
pranayama and pratyahara practices informed by Ayurveda, the Vedas, Raja
Yoga and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Zen and Vipassana as a way to answer
these questions.
In addition, we will include the contemporary
understanding and application of these wonderful limbs for healing from
several sources. Be prepared to go on a deep journey of self-discovery to
access the Self by learning effective strategies to develop concentration,
calm the mind and heal the body.
Michael Plasha, E-RYT
500 began is study and practice of Pranayama and Pratyahara in 1971. He
studied directly with Swami Chidvilasananda, Swami Satchidananda, Roshi
Phillip Kapleau, Roshi John Daido Lorri, the Venerable Henepola
Gunaratana, Swami Dayananda, Dr. David Frawley and T.K.V.
Desikachar. “Each breath is transforming me
into thine image.” – Krishnamurti Deepening Meditation Program
"Michael really speaks to me and
everyone in the class feels the same; he is able to connect with all of us on
a personal level exactly where we are in our lives. He has a real gift of healing."
- Jacki Ollinger RYT500
PLASHA YOGA AND LIFE
COACHING RETREAT IN PARADISE in
MARCH 2012 is full but you can be on a waiting
list - contact me for details
Being
the Tortoise and Calming the Monkeys-A Pratyahara and Meditation
Immersion
Jan. 21 from 10 to
Noon
$20
Please register soon
by calling 864-1114 or e-mail me at rhadeya@plashayoga.com
.
This is a version of my Yoga
Alliance Leadership Conference presentation and an expansion of my popular
How to Meditate: Its Not What You Think suitable for new or experienced
practitioners. You will learn ways to use the senses to calm the mind
as well as how to start or deepen your meditation practice. During the program I
will cover the spiritual and psychological roots of meditation, how to prepare
for meditation, how to deal with distractions, how breathing techniques are
helpful and the relationship of meditation to daily life. You will also
experience several ecumenical meditation techniques so you can discover which
one is best for you. Come and discover a timeless approach to reducing stress
and healing the mind.
Feb. 4, 2012 1:30 to 3:00pm
$30
per couple
Co-presenters: Michael Plasha, E-RYT500 and Allison Parr-Plasha,
Therapist and Life Coach Learn easy partner yoga poses focusing on
leading, following, giving, receiving and balancing each others movements.
The poses are simple to follow, creating a relaxed, fun environment for anyone.
Thai Yoga Massage is the perfect
complement to partner yoga. Thai Yoga Massage is considered ‘Lazy Man’s Yoga’.
The focus will be on connecting and communicating through a Thai Massage
sequence with your partner. This is a fully clothed, relaxing massage with
passive, assisted stretching. This class is designed to deepen each couples
experience and appreciation of being together and maintaining that connection at
home with these practices. What to wear and bring: Wear loose, comfortable
clothing. No yoga or massage experience necessary. This always fills fast. Call
864-1114 to register now.
PTs *
Montessori teachers * P.E. teachers * Psychologists * Yoga teachers * Speech
Therapists * Play Therapists * Parents * Grandparents * Nurses * and many
more!The training starts Friday 1-6pm and continues on Sat & Sun
8:30am-5:30pm. From 2-3pm on Sunday, we have a free, open to the community kids
class. If your children are around, they are welcome to join us! Yoga Alliance
CEU’S are offered for the training. Many other professions will offer CEU’S on a
case by case basis.
Plasha Yoga Meditation Teacher Training
This meditation teacher training is for anyone who
wants to learn how to meditate, deepen their existing meditation practice or
share their love for meditation in teaching others how to meditate. On
completion of the course, you will feel confident to teach meditation to
different types of groups. If you are a Yoga teacher, you will learn how to
integrate it into your Hatha classes or teach meditation programs. Mental health
professionals, health care providers, doctors, nurses, teachers, “healers”,
meditators, therapists, addiction specialists, Yoga teachers and those in
ministry or hospice who are “called” to teach meditation or apply meditation
principles in their professions will be given the tools to start. Upon
completion of the program you will receive a certificate to teach meditation.
Theory of Meditation:
Misconceptions, Myths and Mysteries
Previous Programs and
Workshops
2012 dates TBA....
Serenity
Now!: Regaining Your Center in a Stormy World.
Dec.
3 1-3pm
Presenters: Allison Parr-Plasha MSSA,
LSW, Life Coach
Michael Plasha E-RYT 500
$30 Call
864-1114
Have you forgotten
how to: Relax, Breathe, Be present, Be compassionate towards yourself or others,
Laugh, Hang out without a care in the world, Sleep through the night, Reenergize
and Stay Centered During Transition? In this workshop you will REMEMBER (we all
had this mastered as babies!) how to move from DOING to BEING. Re-learn several
centering techniques you can use in your daily life. Life coaching strategies,
breathing, relaxation and mindfulness practices will be included to prepare you
for the Holidays and beyond! There will be no yoga postures at this
program.
Yoga and Massage for Fertility
Nov. 12 1-3pm
$25
with Danielle Almendinger LMT and Fertility
Massage Specialist
In this workshop Danielle and I will be
teaching ways to increase your ways to enhance fertility. Danielle will be
teaching an abdominal massage sequence as well as a reflexology routine designed
to aid the body in eliminating toxins and promoting a healthy digestive system.
I will share gentle Yoga based practices to help you relax and prepare the mind
and body for conception.
Family Yoga- Children
ages 6-10
Nov. 19 1-2pm
Cost: $10 for first parent and child. $1 extra for each additional parent
and child.
Introduce your children and maybe yourself to a healthy
lifestyle activity that promotes positive body image, positive self-esteem,
concentration and relaxation. Enjoy a fun filled hour of family togetherness you
can continue at home and during the Holidays! Call 864-1114 to
register.
Calming the Tween’s Mind- Stress
Management for Anxious Preteens
Call 864-1114 to register or e mail me at
rhadeya@plashayoga.com.
$15
Deepening Your
Meditation
Oct. 22 1-3pm
$20
Call 864-1114 to register
or e mail me at rhadeya@plashayoga.com
Revitalize your meditation by deepening your practice of
mindfulness, concentration and witnessing techniques. Deepen your understanding
of using a mantra for centering your mind. Learn specific Ayurvedic therapy
strategies for taking your pranayama (breathing practices), pratyahara (managing
sense impressions), dharana (concentration techniques) and dhyana (meditation)
to the next level. New and experienced practitioners will benefit.
Michael Plasha, E-RYT 500 has studied and practiced with the
following yoga and meditation masters: Swami Chidvilasananda, Swami
Satchidananda, Roshi Phillip Kapleau, Roshi John Daido Lorri, the Venerable
Henepola Gunaratana, Swami Dayananda, Dr. David Frawley and T.K.V.
Desikachar.
The
Pampered Pregnancy
Oct. 8 from 1-3pm
$35 per
couple or $20 for each woman
With Danielle Almendinger LMT
She has 6 plus years of experience in the Massage Therapy field.
She graduated from Career Training Academy in New Kensington, PA with an
Associates Degree and as a Certified Massage Therapist. When the state of
Pennsylvania passed the Massage Licensure Act in 2010 she became a Licensed
Massage Therapist. She has since taken Advanced Training from the Institute of
Somatic Therapies in Prenatal Massage. Through her training with Claire Marie
Miller's Nurturing the Mother Fertility Massage she became a Certified Fertility
Massage Specialist.
In the Prenatal
Yoga portion, learn gentle postures, breathing and relaxation techniques to
support Mother Nature's birthing process. When you keep your mind free from
fear, your body will be able to give birth more easily. Prenatal Yoga can
strengthen the uterus and pelvic muscles, improve circulation, aid in digestion,
exercise the spine and increase overall comfort. Yoga may help ease the common
aches and discomforts of pregnancy including nausea, constipation, varicose
veins, swelling and back pain. Your partner will learn how to support you in
these practices at home.
Michael Plasha took a 130-hour teacher
training in 1998 from Integral Yoga to become the first yoga teacher to become
certified to teach prenatal yoga in Erie. There are over 350 yoga babies in
Erie from his classes. Over 13 years of teaching experience and the life
experience of raising 7 children inform these classes! Read the
testimonials on my Blog page.
In the massage portion, Danielle will be
showing you pampering techinques you can use at home to ease any discomfort that
may occur as a result of the body's changes that happen during pregnancy. She
will show you and your partner effective massage and stretching techniques to
relieve lower back pain and shoulder tension.
You will go home with
supportive strategies to have an easeful, peaceful pregnancy. Enjoy being
pampered!
Extra Gentle Yoga For
Everyone
Sept. 10 from 10 to 11:30
am
$20
Please register soon by calling 864-1114 or
e-mail me at rhadeya@plashayoga.com
Learn a very safe and effective style of Yoga recommended by
Dr.Ornish, Dr. Oz, Dr. Weil and Jon Kabatt-Zinn, Ph.d. that can help reduce the
discomfort of many chronic diseases including arthritis, asthma, cancer, heart
disease, headaches, insomnia, MS, IBS, depression, obesity, the terminally
inflexible or just being out of shape!
Many
trainings including Yoga of the Heart for Heart Disease and Cancer, working with
hundreds of individuals in privates with chronic diseases and teaching
wheelchair Yoga to Saint Vincent Rehab patients when I was director of Yoga
at the Saint Vincent Complementary Care Center from 1998 to 2001 will inform
this program. This groundbreaking work with rehab patients who in some cases
had broken backs and artificial hips was reported in Yoga Journal. If you
thought Yoga was not for you after seeing it at the gym or in a magazine,
discover the Yoga that is for every body! Chairs will be provided for those who
have difficulty getting up and down from the floor.
Gentle movements,
breathing practices, relaxation techniques, healing visualizations and
meditations will be included.
Kundalini
Yoga Class with Kim
Burns
Sept. 10 from 1 to
2:30pm.
$15
Please register soon by calling 864-1114 or
e-mail me at rhadeya@plashayoga.com.
Kim is a registered yoga teacher from Ontario with over 400
hours of training in Kundalini Yoga. Her Kundalini Yoga Training was with Yogi
Akal and Angad Kaur at the International Centre of Yogic Arts and Sciences in
Toronto. Yogi Akal was a student of Yogi Bhajan, the founder of the
internationally recognized 3HO form of Kundalini Yoga. She also has training in
Classical Hatha and Raja Yoga with Yogi Vishvaketu and Chetana Panwar.
Yoga for Back Pain
Sept. 17 from 1-2:30pm
$20
Please register soon
by calling 864-1114 or e-mail me at rhadeya@plashayoga.com
Back Pain Statistics In The United States
Call 864-1114 to register or e mail me
at rhadeya@plashayoga.com
Learn how to master the art of relaxation
and quiet your reactions to stressful events to lessen their impact on your mind
and body. Learn how to stay calm throughout your day and make peace with
situations that challenge your inner life. Learn the art of living.
Aug. 21 from 7 to
8:30pm
Suggested donation is $15/$20 for couples/$5 for teens
and children are free!
His web site is www.wynneparis.com. He will
be coming from the Finger Lakes Yoga Festival. You can pay at the door, but
please let me know if you can attend. Kirtan is joyous call and response
chanting.
Chanting is a universal practice common to many
religions and cultures. The Yogic form of chanting is very simple to do but is a
very powerful way to calm the mind, open the heart and energize the body
creating a oneness with others. The benefits of mantra and chanting include:
reduces anxiety, fear, depression and low self-esteem; promotes a positive
attitude; clears and balances the channels of prana or vital energy in the
system; stabilizes positive emotions and releases negative emotions; improves
the respiratory system and strengthens the diaphragm; supports a healthy heart
and throat; prepares the mind for meditation; and helps us to access our inner
wisdom beyond the mind. Mantra can even help us to break up deep seated mental
and emotional patterns and conditioning, as from childhood, or various traumas
we have had in life. A wonderful book about chanting is Chanting: Discovering
Spirit in Sound by Robert Gass.
Kundalini
Yoga Class with Kim Burns
Aug. 27 from 10
to 11:30am.
$15.
Please register soon by calling 864-1114 or e-mail me at
rhadeya@plashayoga.com.
Kim is a
registered yoga teacher from Ontario with over 400 hours of training in
Kundalini Yoga. Kundalini is the name of the dormant spiritual energy located at
the base of the spine. When it awakens, it is called prana shakti. All schools
of classical Yoga like Raja, Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Tantra, Hatha and Ayurveda
have practices to awaken it.
Among the many benefits associated
with Kundalini yoga are with regular practice, it can help strengthen your
body’s nervous system to enable you to better manage life challenges, stress and
anxieties. It will also help support your body’s lymphatic system assisting with
the elimination of toxicity. In addition, it supports your body’s natural
processes like digestion, sexual health, emotional stability, personal and
spiritual growth.
July 30 9am to Noon.
$35. Call 864-1114 to register or e mail me at rhadeya@plashayoga.com
Yoga for Improving Men’s Health and Increasing Peak
Performance
June 4 10am to
Noon
$20
Call 864-1114 to register or e mail me at rhadeya@plashayoga.com
May
14th 2-3:30pm.
Learn about Life
Coaching techniques that you can incorporate into your daily life.
Assess
your current level of satisfaction in every area of your life.
Use guided
imagery and visualization techniques to help you construct a life of
fulfillment.
Presenters:
Allison Parr-Plasha, CPCC,LSW,MSSA and Michael Plasha, E-RYT500
Next
one TBA
Make a resolution that is
realistic
E-mail me at rhadeya@plashayoga.com for
details.
Here is what one participant
in the Fall 2010 retreat at the Peak said:
Dear Michael,
Entering the new Yoga Studio at 4508 Zuck Road.
“When the senses withdraw
themselves from the objects and imitate, as it were, the nature of the
mind-stuff, this is pratyahara.” – Patanjali Sutra 2.54
“When like
the tortoise which withdraws on all sides its limbs, he withdraws his
senses from the sense-objects; then his wisdom becomes steady.” Bhagavad
Gita 2.58
“In this regard, the means (for expansion of the center)
are dissolution of thoughts, contraction and expansion of one’s power,
cessation of the flow of the incoming and outgoing vital energy, awareness
of the point at the beginning and the end and so on.” –
Pratyabhijna-hrdayam Sutra 18
Yoga for
Natural Pregnancy
Please call
864-1114 about the next course.
Learn gentle postures, breathing and relaxation
techniques to support having a natural pregnancy, labor and
delivery. Prenatal Yoga can strengthen the
uterus and pelvic muscles, improve circulation, aid in digestion, exercise
the spine and increase overall comfort. Yoga may help ease the common
aches and discomforts of pregnancy including nausea, constipation,
varicose veins, swelling and back pain.
Private Prenatal Yoga Lessons Available. Call 864-1114 for an appointment. $50 for a
private.
Michael Plasha took a
130-hour teacher certification training in 1998 from Integral Yoga to
become the first yoga teacher to become certified to teach prenatal yoga
in Erie. There are over 350 yoga babies in Erie from his classes.
Over 12 years of teaching experience and the life experience of
raising 7 children inform these classes! Read the testimonials on my
Blog page. I am now registered with the Yoga Alliance as a prenatal yoga
teacher - R-PYT. Their minimum requirement is a 85 hour program. They
were concerned some certifications are for 20 hours or less.
Yoga Camp for Kids
5 to 9
years old
Call 864-1114 for the 2011 summer
schedule.
The child must be accompanied by a parent or
grandparent. Classes will include fun yoga, stories of heroes and
heroines, and an art project. My son, Saul, age 7 will be
co-director.
The park like setting is a peaceful place to
decompress
How to Meditate Program: Its Not What You Think
(now called Being the Tortoise and Calming the Monkeys - A Pratyahara and
Meditation Immersion
Next one is Jan. 21 from 10 to
Noon.
Cost: $20.
Did you
know a daily practice of meditation can decrease heart rate, respiratory
rate, mental fatigue, lactic acid; and acid and pepsin in the
stomach which helps to protect against ulcers? Blood pressure, cholesterol
and carbon dioxide are also lowered. Natural pain killers like endorphins
and enkephalins are increased as well as serotonin. The immune system
is strengthened as well. A study at Temple University indicated that
meditation even helps to reduce the incidence of tooth decay! And I might
add, meditation is the key to realizing the Self.
During the program
I will cover how to prepare for meditation, how to deal with
distractions, how breathing techniques are helpful and the relationship of meditation
to daily life. You will also experience several ecumenical techniques so you
can discover which one is best for you. Come and discover a timeless
approach to reducing stress and healing the mind.
"Meditation is a continuous flow of
perception or thought, like the flow of water in a river." Swami Vishnu
Devananda
A good web site for meditation benches is www.meditationbench.com
"It is easy in
the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to
live after our own; but the great man is he who, in the midst of the
crowd, keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude." -Ralph
Waldo Emerson
Call 864-1114 to
register
To support your practice a weekly group meets for
meditation in the Bliss Cabin Meditation Cave. Call for details.
The labyrinth for walking
meditation
Next one
TBA
Cost:
$20
Pre-requisite: completed my How to Meditate workshop
or have been meditating regularly for six months. You also need to know
what your current dosha state is. Go to
www.niam.com/corp-web/questionnaire.html
to take a thorough test.
Learn specific
Ayurvedic therapy strategies for taking your pranayama (breathing
practices), pratyahara (managing sense impressions), dharana
(concentration techniques) and dhyana (meditation) to the next
level.
Call 864-1114 to register
Michael Plasha, E-RYT 500 has studied and practiced with the
following yoga and meditation masters: Swami Chidvilasananda, Swami
Satchidananda, Roshi Phillip Kapleau, Roshi John Daido Lorri, the
Venerable Henepola Gunaratana, Swami Dayananda, Dr. David Frawley and
T.K.V. Desikachar.
Ayurveda and Yoga for Your Body Type
Date: TBA
Learn
how to adapt yoga practices including asana, pranayama, pratyahara, mantra
and meditation according to your individual constitution as defined
by the doshas and gunas as well as environmental factors. Go to www.doshaquiz.chopra.com
to take a simple dosha questionnaire. For experienced
students.This is primarily lecture and demonstration. Bring a notebook.
Cost: $20
Call 864-1114 to registerAdvanced Ayurveda and Yoga for Your Body Type
Date:
TBA
Learn more about the doshas and sub doshas and the gunas and how
they relate to your yoga and lifestyle practices. Pre-requisite: taken Ayurveda and Yoga
for Your Body Type or have read Yoga for Your Type and Yoga and
Ayurveda by Dr. David Frawley and Ayurveda, the Science of Self-Healing by
Dr. Vasant Lad.
Cost: $20
Call 864-1114 to
register
Restorative and
Mindfulness Yoga
Tuesdays 7:15 to 8:30
pm
Ongoing in the fall,winter and spring
sessions
See the Class schedule for details.
The yoga of non-doing, restorative uses props to
allow the body to release deeply held tension while receiving great
stretches. Perfect for people who are new to yoga or for anyone who wants
to master the art of slowing down! Michael Plasha has been teaching
restorative yoga since 1997 and has attended workshops on it from
Integrative Yoga Therapy, Iyengar Yoga and Integral Yoga. His
training in Mindfulness Meditation started in the 1970's at the Rochester
Zen Center and continued at the Zen Mt. Monastery and the Bhavana Society.
It is an excellent practice for stress reduction and chronic pain
management and is popularized as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
by Jon Kabatt-Zinn, Ph.d. Combined this class is deep bliss! Call 864-1114
to register.
Thai Yoga Massage
What
is Thai Yoga Massage?
I was trained in Thai Yoga massage from
the Lotus Palm School. Thai Yoga Massage helps to relieve muscular tension
and spasm, reduces stress, improves flexibility, increases lymph, synovial
and cerebrospinal circulation and vascular flow, improves joint mobility,
boosts the immune system and facilitates an overall sense of well-being by
stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. It can help ease the
discomfort or prevent spinal degeneration diseases like kyphosis, lordosis
and scoliosis. It combines the benefits of massage and yoga! The client is
fully clothed and receives the massage on a floor mat. Thai Yoga massage
started 2,500 years ago with Jivaka Kumarbhaccha, an Ayurvedic doctor,
surgeon and yogi who treated kings, princes and the Buddha! I am humbled
and honored to be a part of this tradition. A private massage is 90
minutes long, possibly the best 90 minutes you have ever had!
My rate is $75. Call me to schedule an
appointment.