July  16 – 20 2012

At  Villa Sol Haga

Yoga – The Movement of Consciousness

Please note due to a double booking at the venue we have had to move the retreat to one week later! July 16-20 2012.

This summer we will once again return to Villa Sol Haga and enjoy a week in the peaceful surrounds of nature. Leaving the hurry of urban life behind, we can take time to enjoy the friendships we’ve built, the quiet of nature, and explore the nature of human movement without the pressures of our regular duties. Time in nature allows us to more easily glimpse our inner world, providing a perfect environment for physical, mental and spiritual introspection.

Yoga and Movement

We will explore various topics from the world of yoga asana, working on our understanding of how yoga poses are performed, strengthening our weak links and refining our skill as human movers.

Yoga Strength

There will be sessions following the Yoga Strength format building our foundation of strength allows for a better development of all aspects of yoga practice.

Free Practice

There will be Free Practice sessions most mornings. Students can practice Ashtanga, or any other form of yoga or movement practice. Cole is a very knowledgeable yoga teacher, having spent many years studying many forms of yoga, and looks back with a sense of accomplishment having finished the fourth Ashtanga yoga series. He now focuses on helping students develop a solid foundation, and help work out their sticking points and weak links.

Indian Clubs

One Pound Indian Clubs

This year i would like to introduce a supplementary practice i have been exploring for the last couple of years with great enthusiasm, Indian Club Swinging. Working with Indian Clubs is rejuvenating, as they bring a balance of shoulder mobility, and mental dexterity as one learns the intricate coordination of the seemingly complex movements. The use of the clubs fine tunes and strengthens the rotor cuff muscles, while the mind creatively explores new movement patterns.

Each day we will spend a few minutes working with the clubs, learning the basic circular patterns.

Note: We will provide clubs to use during the retreat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjIpg1h2j2s

Meditation

In the evenings we will spend a few minutes discussing core ideas of Indian Philosophy and conclude with a short meditation.

Food

Food will be provided, Macrobiotic meals from fresh organic crops. For those who desire, fish will also be an option. Please let us know your preference in advance.

Location

Villa Solhaga
www.villasolhaga.fi

Petuntie 375-1
25640 Förby
Finland

Prices

Indoors (shared rooms)

356€ – paid before June 18

400€ – paid on or after June 18

- please bring  your own sheets, pillow covers and towels!

Outdoors (own tent)

320€ – paid before June 18

370€ – paid on or after June 18

Registration / Info

To register or get more info please fill in your name, email, and workshop you registering for in the form below. We will confirm your registration by email and provide payment details. Questions are welcomed.
Thank You!

*(denotes required field)

Name: *

E-Mail Address: *

Subject (Workshop Name) *

Message: *

CAPTCHA Code: *

Powered by Fast Secure Contact Form

Every once in a while something comes along that combines all the elements in just the right way. This performance by Andrey Moraru is one of those rare gems. He perfoms with lightness and a spontenatiey that is rare in the world of handbalancing routines. He blurs the lines between dance, circus, yoga and tai chi in a manner that seems natural and effortless. Simply a stunning performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFf9sQ8Y2Sw

Ann Louise Bardach has recently written an article for the New York times giving a brief introduction to Swami Vivekananda.

Swami Vivekananda - Chicago, 1893

Swami Vivekanda’s thoughts have been very influential not only in his native India but worldwide. Arguably he was the first personality to widely disseminate yoga in the west, though as the article clearly points out in a very different and more profound form than what it has popularly become.

One key point of his teaching is universality of truth, and that there are many ways to arrive at that truth. He often taught using many different and sometimes contradictory ideas, trying to reach each of his listeners in a way that they could best relate to. A survey of his talks and writings reveals a highly original and broad minded thinker, able to view the problem of life and spirituality from every possible perspective.

From the article -

The Indian monk, born Narendranath Datta to an aristocratic Calcutta family, alighted in Chicago in 1893 in ochre robes and turban, with little money after a daunting two-month trek from Bombay. Notwithstanding the fact that he had spent the previous night sleeping in a boxcar, the young mystic made an electrifying appearance at the opening of the august Parliament of Religions that Sept. 11.

For most of the rest of the month, Vivekananda held the conference’s 4,000 attendees spellbound in a series of showstopping improvised talks. He had simplified Vedanta thought to a few teachings that were accessible and irresistible to Westerners, foremost being that “all souls are potentially divine.” His prescription for life was simple, and perfectly American: “work and worship.” By the end of his last Chicago lecture on Sept. 27, Vivekananda was a star. And like the enterprising Americans he so admired, he went on the road to pitch his message — dazzling some of the great minds of his time.

See here for the full article.

For more information on Swami Vivekananda see here.

An online friend pointed me to this video. I honestly do not know much about it other than that it is from Northern Thailand and the practitioner is Anand Layraman. I believe it is from ruesri dat ton the system which is sometimes referred to as Thai Yoga.

In any case this is an interesting bridge between Indian yoga and Chinese Qi Gong and looks to be an excellent practice on its own merits.

What is striking in this video is the level of mastery Mr. Layraman displays, note the calm graceful movements and easy concentration. Yoga students take note as this is of the greatest importance and can only be cultivated with many years of practice.

Anyone knowing more about this feel free to leave a comment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3utsG_uOmd4

Dr Mike Simpson, Indian Club enthusiast, teacher, and maker in Sheffield England, was kind enough to give a brief history of his experience working with the timeless art of Indian Club Swinging.

Mike is one of the leaders in bringing this once popular art back to the public eye. For more information see his website at  www.indianclubswinging.co.uk

Mike has also created an extensive series of YouTube tutorials and demonstrations well worth a look. Posted after the article is an excellent demonstration of one handed club swinging. Refer to his website for more in the series.

 

Dr Mike Simpson – Indian Club Swinging 

My Background with Indian Clubs

I first encountered Indian club swinging over 25 years ago (circa 1985) at a local Judo club where one of the club members, Dr Colin Hughes, gave a short demonstration for anyone interested in watching.  I was interested and impressed simply because of the unusual form of exercise being shown with what appeared to be quite large and fairly heavy clubs.  This one demonstration alone awakened something in me that found the whole thing fascinating.  A few years later I moved to the University of Sheffield where again I encountered Indian club swinging being run by Dr Colin Hughes at lunchtimes on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at the University Sports Centre on Northumberland Road in Sheffield.  Colin was using Indian club swinging as the basis of a fairly comprehensive fitness regime in which skipping, running, stretching and all forms of exercise were being used.  This was a really great class for getting fit and cross training for my martial arts classes.

Indian club swinging had been introduced to the lunchtime classes by someone working at the University sports centre that had been in the armed forces and had learnt the art there.  Colin and the lunchtime club swingers had picked up these skills and read further on the subject to develop their skills and continued the practice.  Later Colin moved to the University of Manchester and I lost touch with him.  At that time we were only doing a few techniques and routines.  For example, the heart shaped swings, single and double handed, were the main elements taught but later routines with one club and some simple strength exercises such as shoulder rotations, curls and holds and so on were used.  It did not take long to get the basic movements but the coordination required for the alternate outer (and inner) heart shaped swings was more difficult and took some effort to achieve.  It took some people years to get the hang of some movements but we all progressed at our own pace as this was an open class and it was not a competitive activity.

My progress in Indian club swinging was relatively slow at first because it was quite an unusual form of exercise for me and was not my main interest.  I worked hard on these moves in my own time at lunchtime and in the evenings in the summer.  I was helped by a number of people in the fitness class such as Professor John Norman, Professor Rachel Davey and of course Dr Colin Hughes.  My progress has really increased in these last few years as I have mastered the basic elements of club swinging and extended my knowledge further by reading old manuals and contacting other club swingers around the world via our web site: www.indianclubswinging.co.uk.  We set up the web site rather naively thinking that people in Sheffield would be interested in buying clubs when they came to the classes.  Within the first few months of having the web site Mr Krishen Jalli contacted us from London and he was an obvious expert in heavy club swinging.  Then Russell Ogata, a physical education teacher in Hawaii contacted us and more people got in touch.  We did not think we would be contacted by people all over the World but now we have contacts in the USA, Europe, Australia and South Africa.

I am still learning, particularly the heavier club swinging and also the more intricate moves with lighter clubs.  Sometimes I can study an old book by someone that practiced a hundred years ago and see the moves and do them immediately without hesitation because they are similar to the techniques I learnt.  At other times I have to really work at the moves to see how they work.  Usually I try light clubs with a new move to see the movement and recently I have obtained some light plastic juggling clubs to try out some fancy moves.  Once you have the movement with light clubs it is relatively easy to move on to heavier clubs (within limits).  Once you can do a move it stays with you.  A recent experience of mine was at my local gym (Pine Grove Country Club – now closed unfortunately) when I was doing some sit-ups with a club and was asked by a young woman what the clubs were.  Before I could reply an old chap (70 years plus) picked up the clubs and did some very expert swings with them to the amazement of the younger people at the gym!  He had not swung clubs for over 30 years!

Making a good pair of Indian clubs is an art.

It started by copying the clubs I bought in the 1980s and selling those online.  I looked at other potential designs in books and we experimented with those.  My own designs were poor attempts and I made a detailed study of the shape of clubs to get the balance right for the British military style of club swinging which I was most familiar with.  We were then asked to make some repairs to some old and antique clubs and while we were doing this we made copies of these various clubs simply out of interest.  It then occurred to me that some of these antique clubs were very nice and felt good to swing and were nicely balanced.  So over the last few years I have put some of these designs on the web site.  The Sim D. Kehoe replica clubs were the result of a meeting with Paul Wolkowinski from Perth when he came to Sheffield and getting to know his style (based on Lemaire’s book).  He then put me in contact with Izzy Barish in the USA who had made some detailed measurements of an antique club originally made by Simon D. Kehoe in the 1860s.  Now Simon D. Kehoe had written a manual on Indian club exercises in 1866 which is still available today as a photographic reprint.  This manual was based on Sim D. Kehoe’s travels in Europe where he saw Indian club swinging and he returned to the USA and started making and selling clubs and equipment as part of his gym equipment business.  The measurements of this 12 pound (5.5 kg) club were sufficiently detailed to allow us to make a replica of those clubs.  These clubs were wonderful to swing, if a bit heavy.  So with a little ingenuity we made two smaller versions a 4 kg and a 2.8 kg clubs with the same basic shape.  These were just as good and really well balanced.  The problem with swinging antique clubs is that they are generally dry inside, very weak and will break and damage quite easily.  So it is better to have a new club of the same weight and dimensions as the original club and preserve what is left of the antique club.  This is how we started making replicas of antique clubs and selling them to club swinging enthusiasts.

So, there we are, I have been swinging Indian clubs for over 20 years, learnt a lot of techniques and routines and have made a lot of friends doing this.  I have put some videos on YouTube.  We are now able to make virtually any club to any design and I have produced a handbook and DVD.  We are in the process of making a second edition of the handbook and a larger set of DVDs by collaborating with experts all over the world.  This is quite an achievement as it is only a hobby of mine.

I am particularly indebted to Mr Krishen Jalli for the insight into really heavy Indian club swinging.

Dr Mike Simpson, August 2011.

Below is a beautiful demonstration from Dr Mike Simpson on one handed swings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgFK6uKV0Pk

Wrist and elbow pain are quite common nowadays, perhaps due to all the time we spend with a computer mouse in our hands, and at a keyboard.

This simple routine from Physical Therapist Cory Blickenstaff is one of the best I’ve used. It is particularly effective on chronically painful wrists and elbows, the type of pain doesn’t seem to want to go away.

Though seemingly simple the movements are powerful, and need not be done in a strained manner to be effective, think of loosening and getting all the fibers (especially the nerve fibers) to move freely within the forearm and you’ll have the right idea.

The novel movement concept revolves around moving in unfamiliar ways, to stimulate the brain to reconstruct its ‘image’ of the area. The brain ‘holds on’ to pain well after muscles and joints have had time to heal. Novel movments help allow the brian and its connections throughout the body via the nervous system, to rewire any faulty connections.

Just like your telephone network, these connections are real but we are unaware of them, there is a part of the brain responsible for that, and its that part of the brain these exercises speak to.

That’s also why there is no need to strain to do these, in fact the less strained, the more effective they will be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hlWgH3_0NU

Arevik Seyranyan is one of the top handbalancers in the world. She displays a remarkably broad set of skills. Strength, balance flexibility and grace.

Here are two videos, one of taken from a performance, and one a rare glimpse of what appears to be an everyday practice session. These have been around for awhile, but continue to amaze and educate.

I hope this serves as an inspiration for all movement practitioners, enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cStSBZPIY6k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK0itWP2Jn0

Physical Therapist Cory Blickenstaff has begun releasing a very helpful series on what he calls Novel Movments. With his permission i post the series here as the applications for movement, prehab and warm up are obvious. The movements themselves are deceptively simple, and though novel will be at least somewhat familiar to yoga students.

Notice however, the emphasis on movement and not stretch. We want to make these movements fluid, natural, unforced. Particularly for those with pain issues, less is more.

The interesting thing with this type of movement is that by simple unforced observation, they will of their own accord begin to open up. There is no need to force or hurry into the stretch.

Its this kind of simplicity that we need more of in our yoga and movement practice, there is no where to go in reality. Its the exploration, and letting it reveal in the most natural of ways what quality movement is. All too often – Less is More!

Here Cory shows a movement very familiar to yoga practitioners, often referred to as the Cat – Cow exercise. He also shows some very nice variations and ways to visualize the movement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn-3eU54vuA

Villa Sol Haga

July  11-15 2011

Yoga – Strength, Movement, Consciousness

This summer we will once again return to Villa Sol Haga and enjoy a week in the peaceful surrounds of nature. Leaving the hurry of urban life behind, we can take time to enjoy the friendships we’ve built, the quiet of nature, and explore the nature of human movement without the pressures of our regular duties. Time in nature allows us to more easily step towards our inner nature, providing a perfect environment for physical, mental and spiritual introspection.

Indian Clubs

This year i would like to introduce a supplementary practice i have been exploring for the last couple of years with great enthusiasm, Indian Club Turning. I have found that working with Indian Clubs has rejuvenated my shoulders, and mind, as they bring a balance of shoulder mobility, and mental dexterity as one learns the intricate coordination of the seemingly complex movements. The use of the clubs fine tunes and strengthens the rotor cuff muscles, while the mind creatively explores new movement patterns.

Each day we will spend a few minutes working with the clubs, learning the basic circular patterns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjIpg1h2j2s

For those who wish, we also offer the possibility to purchase a set of your own clubs at a reasonable price. Currently the clubs are hard to come by, so take advantage of group buying power and save. These clubs are made of White Oak, a striking American hardwood, each club is as beautiful as it is functional.  The clubs are finished with clear hardened polyurethane for no maintenance long life. Options available are one pound and two pound clubs.

Note: We will provide clubs to use during the retreat, it is not required that you purchase any, however some may wish to continue this excellent practice at home and will then need their own.

It is always recommended to start with one pound clubs, the two pound clubs are recommended for those who want to make this practice a regular feature of their practice life. Other weights are also available on request – for details on the clubs see www.revolutionclubs.net

Indian Clubs from Revolution Clubs

Plus..

We will also work with our physical yoga practice each morning, and in the evenings, with the mental or spiritual / philosophical side of yoga and meditation.

Food will be provided, Macrobiotic meals from fresh organic crops. For those who desire, fish will also be an option.

Location

Villa Solhaga
www.villasolhaga.fi

Petuntie 375-1
25640 Förby
Finland

Prices

Indoors (shared rooms)

356€ – paid before June 11

400€ – paid on or after June 11

- please bring  your own sheets, pillow covers and towels!

Outdoors (own tent)

320€ paid before June 11

370€ – paid on or after June 11

Indian Clubs

One Pound – 45€

Two Pound – 60€

(one pound = 0.45 kg)

- due to the need to pre order the clubs, please request them before the end of May
- those desiring may also order clubs without attending the summer retreat
- clubs may be picked up at studio 8 by arrangement or at Villa Sol Haga

Registration / Info

To register or get more info please fill in your name, email, and workshop you registering for in the form below. We will confirm your registration by email and provide payment details. Questions are welcomed.
Thank You!

*(denotes required field)

Name: *

E-Mail Address: *

Subject (Workshop Name) *

Message: *

CAPTCHA Code: *

Powered by Fast Secure Contact Form

May 21, 2011

10.00-12-00

Vintage Chest Expanders were often made from Steel Springs

A trip to Studio  8 will confirm that resistance cables have a real place in our physical maintenance routine.

Modern Chest Expanders are made with rubber, no pinching!

Don’t let those slender brightly colored bands fool you, they are a serious tool, and a cornerstone of my personal program for building bullet proof shoulders.

Cables allow the user to work the shoulders from a wide range of unusual angles, are easy  on the joints, and give greater shoulder mobility while at the same time strengthening  the shoulder girdle.

They are also excellent for developing healthy shoulder movement patterning.

Depending on the amount of resistance they can be used for light warm ups, or to build serious shoulder and upper body strength.

Though currently out of vogue in most gyms, they are commonly used in bodyweight, gymnastics and pilates cultures. In yoga, Studio 8 is working to bring them into the field as a useful aid. We have a large selection of bands that we find more and more uses for. They provide a different type of resistance than iron weights, which is very suitable for trainees working more directly with their bodies.

Though long forgotten, rubber tubing has been in use for over a century, and was once one of the more popular forms of resistance training, now making a return, for the same reasons it was originally popular. Bands are easy to carry, don’t take up much space, and are relatively inexpensive, as well as wonderfully effective.

Cover of Syd Devis' classic guide to Strand Pulling

Join us for a short introduction to the world of resistance band training. where we will learn the classic pulls. Suitable for students of all levels.

More information on bands see Strand Pulling Guides by Fatman and Brad Reid.

Place:

Studio 8 The Yoga Center
Hietalahdenkatu 8 A 18
Helsinki

more at: www.studio8.fi

Cost

20€ (50% off for those attending Boot Camp II or Handblancing Workshop!)

Registration / Info:

To register or get more info please fill in your name, email, and workshop you registering for in the form below. We will confirm your registration by email. Questions are welcomed.
Thank You!

*(denotes required field)

Name: *

E-Mail Address: *

Subject (Workshop Name) *

Message: *

CAPTCHA Code: *

Powered by Fast Secure Contact Form