susanrichardsonyoga

Connecting to Earth: Grounding the Femurs



Friday, August 20th. 8:00-10:00am

BKS Iyengar refers to the base of the pose as the “brain “ of the pose. Through this workshop we will explore our connection to the earth, from our feet and legs through the arch of the pelvis and sacrum. It is the grounding the femur bones that allows us to cultivate ease and expansiveness in our yoga practice. Iyengar yoga is a method of Hatha Yoga which emphasizes the balance between stability and mobility, and the development of self-awareness through precision in movement and attention to the more subtle aspects of posture and breath. This workshop will be an opportunity to practice standing poses and forward bends through the wisdom and intelligence of the work of B.K.S. Iyengar.

Radiating Strength: Stabilizing the Shoulders

Saturday, August 21st. 8:00-10:00am

If you keep the back skin of the neck passive and the tongue soft, there is no tension in the brain. This is silence in action, relaxation in action.
– B.K.S.Iyengar



The muscles of the shoulder blade are intimately connected to the back of the neck. When we carry tension and stiffness in our shoulders, this translates to tension in the neck and brain! It is through the alignment and stability of our shoulder blades that we can relax unnecessary tension and access ease of movement in our upper body. The shoulder girdle is intrinsically mobile in comparison to the pelvic girdle. In this workshop we will explore the balance between mobility and stability with regards to the shoulders through a practice of inversions, backbends and balancing postures.



Centering with Gravity: Activating the Core

Sunday, August 22nd. 8:00-10:00am

I consider that yoga is a science that activates the prana skakti, bio-energy and prana, universal cosmic force. These exist, but if you activate them then it is like the river Ganga. If not, then it is like a local river which has water when it rains and dries up otherwise.  -
B.K.S.Iyengar

In this workshop we will explore the deep muscles that connect from the arches of the feet through the inner legs and pelvis to the spinal column. As we develop our awareness of these muscles and activate the bandhas associated with them, we can access the wellspring of energy that flows like the Ganges river. Restorative postures and pranayama will be included in this workshop. 


YOGA INTENSIVE with MICHAEL STONE June 28-July 23, 2010

A one-month immersion with formal daily schedule: sitting meditation, asana practice, advanced anatomy, pranayama, philosophy and psychology, ethics and chanting.

Michael’s July Intensive with guest teacher Susan Richardson (Iyengar), Sensei Barbara Joshin O’Hara (Zen), and Rosemary Jeans Antze (chanting).

This is an opportunity to deepen an established yoga practice or mature one’s commitment to the myriad limbs that comprise a mature yoga path. This in-depth course will also provide creative tools and focused study for those who teach yoga. We will alternate between physical practice and study, silence and discussion, much like being in both a temple and a college classroom at the same time.

Restore and Meditate

A 4 week series at Breathe Yoga Studio
Sundays 1:45-3:45pm: November 15, 22, 29, and December 6, 2009

One of the core elements of a healthy yoga practice and a healthy life is the art of relaxing deeply. From this ability the individual is able to provide themselves with deep rest and healing.

Restorative yoga is a style of yoga that enhances the ability of the student to relax and let go of tension, completely calming the nervous system. It is through obtaining deep rest that we are able to pursue a vigorous yoga practice as well as an active and happy life.

This workshop will be an opportunity to experience deep relaxation, and the ability to cultivate this state of inner peace even during more difficult moments. Time will be spent time both with restorative, supported yoga postures and sitting meditation practice.

Personal Yoga Advancement and Teacher Training Program

Breathe Yoga Studio New session 2009/2010

explore yoga at a level beyond regular drop-in classes delve deeper into yoga …the theory …the philosophy…the asanas…advance your personal yoga practice to a higher level by personal coaching by some of Toronto’s best teachers and optionally,train to become a yoga teacher in your community or train simply for your passion for yoga

Friday Level 2/3 Workshops

Last Friday of the month, 2:00-4:00pm: Sept 26, Oct 31, Nov 28, Dec 12.
Location: Seven Seeds Studio
Cost: $25/class or $90 for entire series

Friday September 26: Building from the Base

BKS Iyengar refers to the base of the pose as the “brain” of the pose. In this workshop we will explore how to create stable, grounded foundations for all catagories of asana, embodying the quality known as “sthira”.

Friday October 31: Ease and Openess

From the work with the earth one can then create space in the body, elongating and awakening the spine, as well as facilitating openness in the inner body. This workshop will be an opportunity to explore the quality of ease- “sukha”.

Friday November 28: Presence and Wakefulness

Asana practice is our opportunity to be present and awake, creating a still center around which all other phenomena can ebb and flow. In this workshop we will look at how to use the breath to find the still point in more challenging and difficult asana.

Friday December 12: Unrestraining the Prana

Pranayama is the practice of restraining the breath, yet can also be understood as a way to unrestrain the vital energy in our bodies, creating conscious connections and a deep state of restfulness. In this workshop we will practice restorative asanas and various pranayama techniques.

Iyengar Workshop Series

At Rainbow Body Yoga

Expand your knowledge and experience of yoga asana, through the exploration of Iyengar Yoga. Open to all interested students with a solid foundation of asana practice and teachers as a tool to enhance their skills. Workshops can be attended as individual sessions or as a complete series.

Saturdays, 2-5pm: Oct 18, Nov 8, Dec 6
Each workshop $40 pre-registered or $45 @ door.
Complete series of workshops $108. All prices include tax.

From Earth to Sky Saturday, October 18, 2-5pm

Our yoga practice begins with our connection to the earth which brings groundedness, stability, and awareness of the necessary pathways of alignment. In this workshop we will work with the earth element of the body, the muscular-skeletal structure, by exploring proper alignment which allows for the vitality the inner body and leads us to further awareness of the more subtle aspects of our existence.

Balancing Water and Fire Saturday, November 8, 2-5pm

The visceral body is composed of the elements of water and fire. In this workshop we will practice backbending and twisting postures which energize and vitalize the inner body, massaging and toning the internal organs, and promoting the health of the endocrine and circulatory systems. We will we look at sequencing and how to combine backbends and twists in a healthy, therapeutic way.

Exploring Air and Space Saturday, December 6, 2-5pm

Inversions allow us to shift the effects of gravity on blood flow, the organic body and the spine, and are a wonderful preparation for pranayama. In this workshop we will explore the mother and father of all asanas, shoulderstand and headstand as well as other inversions. We will also look at supported inversions and variations that are safe for all levels of practioners, with the ultimate goal of creating more space in the body and enabling prana to flow freely.

Restore & Meditate

A 4 week series at Breathe Yoga Studio
Sundays 1:45-3:45pm: November 2, 9, 16 & 23 2008

One of the core elements of a healthy yoga practice and a healthy life is the art of relaxing deeply. From this ability the individual is able to provide themselves with deep rest and healing.

Restorative yoga is a style of yoga that enhances the ability of the student to relax and let go of tension, completely calming the nervous system. It is through obtaining deep rest that we are able to pursue a vigorous yoga practice as well as an active and happy life.

This workshop will be an opportunity to experience deep relaxation, and the ability to cultivate this state of inner peace even during more difficult moments. Time will be spent time both with restorative, supported yoga postures and sitting meditation practice.

Yoga Festival Toronto 2008

Standing Postures

Friday August 22, 2008, 1:00-3:30

The physical body is the gateway to our understanding of the increasingly more subtle aspects of our existence. Through asana practice we are able to integrate body and mind and move towards a more balanced state of harmony and wholeness. In this workshop we will explore the underlying principles of standing postures which develop an intelligent foundation for all other asanas, creating a safe therapeutic, and fluid yoga practice.

Opening the Hips

Saturday August 23, 2008, 1:00-3:30

In this workshop we will explore a sequence of sitting and supine asanas moving into a deeper awareness of the muscles of the pelvic girdle. We will look at strategies to open and balance the internal and external rotators, hip flexors and extensors, the adductors and abductors… all necessary to create freedom in the spine.

Beautiful Backbends

Sunday August 24, 2008, 1:00-3:30

Backbends are essential for a healthy spine. They open the heart and stimulate circulation in the whole spinal column and they are a powerful medicine to achieve emotional balance. In this workshop we will explore the proper alignment of backbends to make them more accessible and open. These workshops are an opportunity for mind/body awareness as we connect, combine and refine standing postures, hip openers and backbends in various ways.

Visit yogafestivaltoronto.org for more about the Festival.

Level 2/3 Series at Seven Seeds Studio

Themes for Session 2

1. Jump into Spring
   • surya namaskar
   • adho mukha vrksasana
   • pinca mayurasana
   • other vinyasa sequences
2. Rejuvenating Spring Cleaning
   • parivrtta trikonasana
   • parivrtta parsvakonasana
   • pasasana and other twists
   • sarvangasana cycle
3. Ropes and Backbending
   • yoga karunta
   • viparita dandasna
   • ustrasana
   • niralamba sarvangasana
4. Open the Pelvis vs. Engage the Pelvis
   • janu sirsasana
   • ardha Baddha Paschimottanasa
   • kurmasana vs. upavista konasana
   • tittibhasana and other arm balances

Restore and Relax at Breathe Yoga Studio

Sunday, April 6, 2007, 1:45-3:45pm

One of the core elements of a healthy yoga practice and a healthy life is the art of relaxing deeply. From this ability the individual is able to provide themselves with deep rest and healing. Restorative yoga is a style of yoga that will enhance the ability of the student to relax and let go of tension, as well as heal individual ailments. It is through obtaining deep rest that we are able to pursue a vigorous yoga practice as well as an active and happy life.

This workshop will provide the beginning student with the tools they need to experience deep relaxation, and the ability to cultivate this state of inner peace even during more difficult moments.

It will also address the various health concerns and issues of the individual students who attend the class. Come prepared to have fun and rest deeply!

Exploring Yoga with Ropes at Seven Seeds Studio

Saturday, April 19, 2007, 1:00-4:00pm at Seven Seeds Studio

Have you wondered about all the ropes that hang from the wall? In this workshop we will explore the practice of “Yoga Karunta” which Mr Iyengar developed as a way to deepen aspects of practice, both to aid agility and lightness, and also cultivate calmness and stillness through longer holdings of inversions. Geeta Iyengar says, “Due to the rope movement the spine becomes supple and even difficult asanas can be done easily and safely.” Students should have a regular practice, level 1 or above. No absolute beginners please.

Fee: $40.

Meditation Workshop at Breathe Yoga Studio

2 week series: Sundays 1:45-3:45pm, May 27 and June 1, 2007, at Breathe Yoga Studio

Winter Intensive with Michael Stone

January 21-25, 2007, at Centre of Gravity, with Michael Stone, Michelle McAdorey and Susan Richardson.

This five day advanced yoga study program is organized to provide experienced practitioners doorways into new levels of practice. Applicants should have between five and ten years of continuous practice.

The asana portion of the course looks deeply into the physiology, psychology and therapeutic benefits of yoga postures as they mature. We will deconstruct traditional sequences in creative ways to learn how postures become tools for deep meditative insight and how our practice can grow with us as we age.

The meditation portion will alternate between silent sitting meditation and guided meditation. Meditation class will be formal focusing on the teaching of Patanjali and the Buddha.

The philosophy portion will juxtapose teachings from key yoga texts including Yoga Vasishta and Yoga-Sutra with favorite poets and philosophers. Classes are divided between lecture format and invited debate.

Susan Richardson will be teaching Iyengar approaches to advanced postures, Michelle McAdorey will offer sitting instruction and Michael will weave together these components with asana, pranayama, chanting and philosophy.

Inversions Workshop at Breathe Yoga Studio

November 25, 1:45-3:45pm at Breathe Yoga Studio

Practicing inversions is a great way to develop balance, strength and confidence. They teach the body how to stabilize by using your core muscles, and they help us to stay calm and connected to our center. All in all, they revitalize and rejuvenate your whole system, flooding your vital organs and brain with nourishment.

In this workshop we will safely explore the art and the joy of being upside down. We will focus on a sequence to prepare for headstand, shoulder stand, forearm stand and handstands. We will take these challenging postures and break each one down into manageable stages and modifications, using strengthening exercises, props, partner work and breathing techniques making them accessible to you in your daily practice!

$35 + GST. Pre-registration is required by calling (416) 926-9642 or registering in person at the studio

Pranayama and Meditation Workshop

September 29 and 30, 1-4pm at Seven Seeds Studio
Fee: $50

Pranayama is the controlling of the vital energies of the body. The practice of pranayama is deeply relaxing and calming for the nervous system allowing for stability in the body, and also clarity and focus for the mind.

In this practice oriented workshop, we will explore pranayama as a gateway to meditation – the merging of self and experience through being with what is. Although the techniques of pranayama are dropped in sitting meditation, they help to cultivate stability, relaxation, and mindfulness which is the essence of meditation.

Opening to Meditation 1 & 2

October 9 and 16, 7:00-8:30pm at Breathe Yoga Studio

An ongoing series oriented towards opening the body and mind to the experience of meditation. Meditation is the practice of being with what is, and of seeing what is. We will question what it is that keeps us from ‘being with what is’, and how to cultivate awareness of what is going on moment to moment. In these workshops we will explore practical tools to aid the simple and relaxing process of sitting comfortably on a cushion and watching the breath, the body and the mind. With practice comes an opportunity to transform negative states of mind and to allow for the settling of consciousness which opens us up to an infinite field of potentiality.

These workshops are intended for those who are new to meditation and also for those seeking to reaffirm their commitment to an existing practice. Each workshop will be a new opportunity to look at the teachings of Buddha and Patanjali in a direct and relevant way.

Opening to Meditation 1 & 2

May 6 and May 13 1:15-3:15pm at Breathe Yoga Studio

Inversions, Backbends and Ropes Workshop

Saturday April 21st 2:00-4:30pm at Seven Seeds Studio

Opening to Meditation 2

March 4th 1:15-3:15 at Breathe Yoga Studio

Opening to Meditation 1

February 25th 1:15-3:15pm at Breathe Yoga Studio

Standing Postures — the Gateway to Inversions

Level 1
Saturday February 10th, 2:00-4:30pm at Seven Seeds Studio

Iyengar Yoga for Everyone!

December 2nd 2:00-4:30pm at Seven Seeds Studio

Opening to Meditation 1&2

November 19th and 26th at Breathe Yoga Studio

Hip Opening and Backbending

October 2006 at Breathe Yoga Studio