Yoga Workshops: what and why

Have you ever wondered what a yoga workshop is?

Workshops are similar to yoga classes, however, they tend to be longer and are intended to delve deeper into a subject matter. The longer time allows a little more of a journey to happen, giving a deeper experience with the topic.

For some, the idea of a longer class might seem daunting. The image of a yoga class on steroids, or something along those lines, you might be saying to yourself, “If a yoga class is challenging at 60 or 90 minutes, how or why would I possibly want to go for longer?” Well, if you have had those thoughts, you are not alone. And, while yes, the period of time with the topic is longer with more covered, it is also typically comprised of a blend of asanas (postures) and relevant information, giving a well balanced and appropriately paced experience.

Relevant information can be about any number of areas relating to yoga and the topic at hand. For instance, if it is therapeutic workshop on shoulders, relevant information might be around the anatomy (information about it, perhaps seeing pictures, and experientially connecting with it), common injuries people have, how the injuries occur and what you can do to prevent it, and sharing how particular practices support the recovery and stability of specific issues.

Let’s take another example of relevant information, say for a workshop themed “Developing an Inversion Practice”. With a top such as this, in addition to doing inverted asanas that would be sequenced and designed to educate and prepare your body and mind for intelligently moving into such a practice, relevant information given might include benefits of inversions, modifications of inversions related to experience and level of the practitioner, therapeutic issues and applications, and philosophical aspects.

A weekend workshop with several sections can often focus on a different category of asanas, such a backbends or twists in a particular session, and the next session will focus on inversions or pranayama. At the end of a weekend, over the 4 sessions (or however many there might me), most of the categories of asanas (standing, sitting, twisting, inversions, forward extensions, back extensions, restoratives) and other aspects of the yoga practice (including pranayama and philosophy), will be taught, and come together as a balanced whole.

Nuances and deepening with the topic are common to workshops. Weekend or weeklong workshops (or intensives) might not necessarily have a named theme at the outset, however, will fall along the same lines mentioned earlier. They tend to carry an integrated theme (or connecting thread) that weaves through the various sections to create a balanced integrated whole experience.

The blend of the asanas, relevant information, and various aspects of the yoga practice, bring a rich experience to the practitioner. A workshop can be like taking a college class and being on vacation at the same time. You leave with more knowledge, wisdom, and the embodied experience of being a relaxed renewed whole person.

The experience and information gained carries into your ongoing practice, continuing classes, and last, but certainly not least, into your life.

I hope you enjoy the deepening experience of your next yoga workshop!