Charting the unknown through spinal extension

As extensions naturally involve stretching and stimulation, we must emphasize the element of stabilization in performing them, this means the usage of the abdominal wall (uddiyana bandha) and the pelvic floor (mula bandha) to stabilize the lower back so the extension does not become a back bend and the pressure on the spine is both minimized as it is distributed though its entirety.

Inversions, stability in precarious situations

In the case of inversions it is stretching that must be emphasized for as we reach upwards we relieve compression of the spine, the cervical spine in particular while stimulation and stabilization are more naturally implicit in the performing of these postures.

Floating and suspension of time – breath and movement, the Surya Namaskar

As the Sun Salutations involve both of these types of postures and because they are commonly performed repeatedly in a single Yoga class, it is paramount that structural alignment is sound in their performance so they provide the benefits they are meant to. In addition to those mentioned the Surya Namaskar also implies the correct usage of upper body muscles so that there is no damage to the wrists and so the chest opens as a result of consistent practice instead of strengthening the shoulder muscles, which puts pressure on the neck and closes the chest, reducing breathing capacity. This is specially relevant for women.

Softness and joy are the hallmarks of a good practice, as we apply these qualities to our practice we become effective without the extra tension that causes stress.

Vi är jätteglada att Mauricio Peña, en erfaren senior yogalärare och en passionerad resande yogi, kommer till oss. För Mauricio, som varit professionell dansare, är all rörelse i grunden en dans. Han hämtar inspiration från Kung Fu, Qi Gong, klättring och Capoeira. Hans inställning är anpassad till varje persons behov, som förändras över tid och är beroende av var på jorden vi befinner oss och även hur vi mår dag för dag. Det är för Mauricio nyckeln till helande yoga.

As a professional Contemporary Dancer and a student of Mathematics, Mauricio completely fell in love with Yoga during his first Yoga class. He quickly realized that he would like to share what he found in Yoga with others, and after practicing, working and saving for three years he pursued a 9-months Yoga Instructor Diploma in Byron Bay, Australia. Since then Mauricio has taught in Zagreb, Barcelona, Malaysia, Mallorca, Costa Rica, Edinburgh, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Hanoi and Bangkok. At the same time he continued to study with teachers of different traditions in Bali, Brazil, Finland, Mexico and India. He is also a Supersoul Yoga member.

His classes incorporate long training and knowledge of the Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Dharma Yoga systems. His style never quite belongs to any single Yoga School, but rather integrates the strengths of each into what feels like Intuitive Flow. The anatomical precision of Iyengar, the synching of breath, attention and movement dynamics of Ashtanga, and the wisdom inherent under the surface of one’s own body and depth of Dharma Mittra.

Saturday 09.00-10.45: INVERSIONS, STABILITY IN PRECARIOUS SITUATIONS
Saturday 11.15-13.00: CHARTING THE UNKNOWN THROUGH SPINAL EXTENSION
Sunday 10.00-12.00: FLOATING AND SUSPENSION OF TIME – BREATH AND MOVEMENT, THE SURYA NAMASKAR