For three weeks from October 23 - November 14, Yoga Tree will host a series of special classes and workshops with Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty. You shouldn’t miss this rare opportunity to practice and study closely with two of the world’s most renowned teachers of yoga.

Chuck and Maty have studied extensively with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Chuck focuses on the wholistic nature of Ashtanga Yoga, teaching it as both a philosophical system and a strong practical method. Maty brings to her teaching extensive study with some of the world’s leading Iyengar teachers. Together they offer a unique perspective on the practice of Ashtanga yoga.

We are still setting the schedule for Chuck and Maty’s visit. For more details, please check back on this page soon.

On the afternoon of September 26, Kyoko Jasper and Michael Glenn will teach an all-levels AcroYoga workshop at Yoga Tree.

AcroYoga is a multi-faceted practice incorporating elements of traditional yoga postures, therapeutic Thai Massage and, at more advanced levels, acrobatics. Performed with one or more partners, AcroYoga teaches teamwork, trust and connection. Nearly anyone with a regular yoga practice can enjoy the playfulness of AcroYoga–and the sense of connection that grows from it.

In this workshop, Kyoko and Michael will introduce the body strengthening and conditioning practices needed to enjoy AcroYoga safely. Starting with simple maneuvers, we’ll build to a flowing sequence. At the end of the session, we’ll learn and practice a short healing Thai Massage sequence.

Date: September 26 (Sunday), 2:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Venue: Yoga Tree
Cost: ¥5,000

To reserve space in this workshop, email the following information to events@yogatree.jp.
1. “AcroYoga Workshop” in the subject line
2. Your full name
3. Phone number

With Emil Wendel, Jonas Westring and Geoffrey Gordon
November 22–29, 2010
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Emil Wendel and Jonas Westring are two of the most inspiring and knowledgeable teachers we know. While traveling and teaching yoga around the world, they have both maintained long-standing ties to Japan for many years. In November, together with the world music pioneer Geoffrey Gordon, they will offer a week-long retreat in a beautiful resort outside Chiang Mai, Thailand. This retreat will draw students from around the world, including, we hope, many from Japan. Yoga Tree is helping to organize the retreat and some of our teachers are planning to participate in it.

Click here to read more about the Fusion Retreat in Chiang Mai. To inquire about reservations, email us at events@yogatree.jp. The cost of the retreat is quite reasonable; the experience promises to be extraordinary.

We are blessed to have Ashtanga Yoga Certified Teacher Govinda Kai offer an intensive weekend of yoga practice and study on September 11 and 12 at Yoga Tree. This is an all-levels workshop for all students interested in Ashtanga yoga and the application of yoga philosophy to everyday life.

Each day begins with an early morning asana practice. Afterward we’ll have an hour or two of free conversation over tea with Govinda at a local cafe before returning to the studio in the afternoon for satsang and additional practice.

The cost of the workshop is ¥6,000 per day, or ¥11,000 for both days.

REGISTRATION

For more information on Govinda, visit his website www.lunaticmonk.com.

There was something that mysteriously existed before the birth of Heaven and Earth,
not knowing what to call this great source, I humbly call it Tao - The Great Natural Way…

Taoism is an ancient wisdom tradition that originated in China  thousands of years ago. It preaches a way of harmony of self and nature, stressing balance, yielding, and nurturing. Within the Taoist Tradition, we find a wealth of Yogic Arts, self healing practices, and methods of mastering the Universal Energy Force. These Tao Yoga practices yield vital health, awaken healing energy, balance our emotions, help us to develop inner strength, reduce stress and uncover our inner spiritual nature.

From August 28 - October 9 on Saturday afternoons from 1:15 - 3:15 p.m., Jesse Lee Parker will provide a complete introduction to the practice of Tao Yoga a series of classes at Yoga Tree. In Taoist theory, a human is viewed as being composed of three basic treasures: Vital Essence, Vital Energy and Vital Spirit. This series of classes provides a systematic step by step approach to training and developing these three treasures, through intensive training of the body, breath, energy and spirit using traditional methods of Tao Yoga practice.

As the series is designed as a complete introduction to the practice, we encourage interested students to register for the series; however, if committing to the full series is difficult, you may attend classes on a drop-in basis as long as space is available. This series of classes is limited to 16 students and the cost is ¥18,000 (drop-in rate: ¥3,500 per class).

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For more information about the series, click the “More” link below.

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Anandra George returns to Yoga Tree in October to offer a two-part mantra workshop. Altogether, she is teaching four workshops, which will introduce traditional mantra as well as its modern uses for maintaining harmony of mind. You can register for all 4 workshops as a series (10 hours), or sign up for any of them individually.

Part 1: Mantras for Meditation & Inner Peace
October 16, 1:15 - 3:15 p.m.
October 17, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Discover what yogis have known for thousands of years: chanting Sanskrit mantras leads to spontaneous and effortless meditation. Anandra give a broad overview of mantras for meditation and their effects, and teach you how to develop your own mantra practice.

Part II: Mantras for Practical Life Issues
October 23, 1:15 - 3:15 p.m.
October 24, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Mantras have the power to create harmony in the full range of life’s challenges (prosperity, relationships, health, self-esteem, etc.) Learn how to use mantras effectively to train the mind to focus (and therefore replace undesirable thoughts), and engage higher energies that will lead to a smoother, more graceful daily life.

Cost: ¥16,000 for all 4 workshops; ¥4,500 per workshop

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About Anandra George
RYT, Certified Teacher of Mantra.
Anandra teaches mantras and yoga  to empower people to affect lasting transformation and find consistently deep inner peace. Known for a teaching style that is practical, penetrating, and lighthearted, she has taught in Hawaii for the past 12 years. Anandra currently writes the “Ask a Life Coach” column on the website About.com. This is her second visit to Japan to teach mantra.

For more information on Anandra visit her website: www.truefreedomcoaching.com.

Sebastian Bruno will teach a 12-hour Thai Yoga Massage course over three days in early October. This Level 1 training gives you foundational Thai Massage skills that you can use for personal benefit or build upon through further study.

In this course, you will learn hands-on techniques to relieve tension, fatigue, stimulate circulation, and restore vitality throughout the body through Thai massage pressure points. Sebastian will also delve briefly into the theory and history of Thai massage.

October 3 (Sun): 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
October 10 (Sun): 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
October 11 (Mon): 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. (national holiday)
Venue: Yoga Tree
Cost: ¥25,000 (¥20,000 if payment received before September 15)
To reserve space in this course, email the following information to events@yogatree.jp:
1. “Thai Yoga Massage Course” in the subject line
2. Your full name
3. Phone number

On Sunday mornings, Maneesh Kalra teaches a Full Primary Ashtanga class. The doors open at 7:00 a.m. and the practice opens with a half hour of yoga chanting. Asana begins at around 7:30 a.m. and finishes at around 9:30 a.m. To participate in Maneesh’s Primary class, you need his permission. You can contact him at events@yogatree.jp.  The cost of this special class is ¥3,000.

If you are interested in coming for the chanting, you’re welcome to participate. It’s free of charge.

About Maneesh Kalra
Maneesh teaches an alignment-focused form of Ashtanga yoga with particular attention to the traditional yogic goals of centering the body (breath), heart, and mind. His classes build toward a full primary series practice via focusing on the foundational elements of “yoga chikitsa.”

Fully bilingual, Maneesh teaches in Japanese and English according the needs of the students.

Hatha yoga teacher Peter Roussel has been practicing and studying yoga in India for the past 12 years. He teaches an alignment-based form of hatha yoga with strong attention to pranayama and preparing the body for meditation. On the weekend of October 30 and 31, he will offer two workshops at Yoga Tree.

• Vital Energy Flow: Attaining Strong Spine, Comfortable Position & Stable Energy for Concentration
October 30 (Saturday), 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
An all-levels exploration of the complementary practices of meditation, pranayama and asana. Working with polar oppositions to create space and release energy, Peter guides a practice that is both challenging and refreshing, and raises a strong flow of Prana-Shakti.

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• Spinal Alignment in Posture: How to Use Props and Alignment to Explore Limitations and Boundaries
October 31 (Sunday), 2:00 - 5:30 p.m.
The use of props expands the feeling of openness and energy in poses, while focus on alignment creates a frame of reference by which to measure resistance and effort. Peter leads the class toward a fuller understanding of how to feel alignment, which gives grace and depth to one’s practice. In the experience the feeling of a “good” posture, you move from simple to multi-dimensional awareness. This workshop is open to everyone with some yoga experience.

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For the remainder of the summer and possibly through the warmer months of autumn, we are opening the studio a few extra mornings each week for open and assisted practice with Michael. Anyone is welcome to use the space for their own practice. This is a great opportunity to work on particular aspects of your practice, as Michael is happy to assist, advise, or put together an ad hoc practice. The cost is ¥1500 yen.

Also, please note that on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 a.m., Hiroshi Kusahara teaches hatha yoga classes–90-minute asana practices with pranayama and meditation. These 90-minute classes are a great way to start the day refreshed and clear-minded.

Check this space, or our daily schedule, for updates on when the studio will be open for open practice. At present, we have scheduled the following dates.