pratyahara: 
the art of turning inward
w/ patty hirota-cohen
September 19, 2-5pm
$45 by 9/12; $55 after (myoga members receive 10% off!)

"Just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs, so when a man withdraws his senses from the sense objects, his wisdom becomes steady."  
                                                         - Bhagavad Gita

workshop

Pratyahara, or  "withdrawal of the senses," is the fifth of the eight "limbs" of classical of yoga.  It is a state that can naturally occur when we are completely absorbed in what we are doing - as in deep breathing or meditation or even savasana - or it can be developed through specific yogic practices. When we experience a state of pratyahara, sounds or other sensory stimuli may occur around us, but we are not reacting to them. Not only is this an incredibly peaceful state, but it is the perfect set-up for meditation (which constitutes the final three limbs of yoga.)
 
In this workshop we will spend the afternoon exploring physical postures and mudras to quiet the sense organs, breathing practices, and meditation. Together we will discover how releasing tension and cultivating deep relaxation can put us in touch with our inner sensations, creating the space for our minds to be clearer. We will also discuss simple ways to practice pratyahara in our daily lives.

Class size will be limited so register early.  Please bring 2  bed pillows to the workshop.

bio
Patty Hirota-Cohen started yoga in 1991 and has been teaching locally since 2001.  She completed teacher training at Piedmont Yoga and Mendocino Yoga.  She studied restorative and special needs yoga with Joann Lyons, yoga breathing with Mary Paffard and Donald Moyer, and meditates in the Soto Zen tradition.  Dancing, drumming and QiGong are her other passions.