Willow Street Yoga is pleased to welcome back one of our dearest friends, founder of ParaYoga and master teacher, Yogarupa Rod Stryker. Over the course of the weekend, Rod will lead deepening practices and share his wisdom culled from more than three decades of study of Tantra Yoga and its practices.

Tantra is the most complete and sublime approach to Yoga. Like the thread of a necklace, Tantra links all the gems that are the diverse practices of yoga (including asana, pranayama, visualization, bandha, energy work, subtle anatomy, meditation, and bhakti) into a single, exalted approach. Yet, despite Tantra’s reach and profundity, many modern yogis remain unclear about Tantra––moreover, how to apply it.

With asana as our foundation, Rod will lead a series of dynamic classes that will expand your capacities internally and externally. Each will weave a tapestry of Tantric yoga practices including: bandha, mudra, pranayama, mantra, kriya, and meditation. These sessions will provide a unique opportunity to take your practice, whatever it is, to the next level and to experience the vast and auspicious landscape where the ancient traditions of Tantra and yoga meet. 

Friday Master Class
Tantra Yoga Vinyasa: Asana, Bandha, Mudra
Tantra Yoga views the body as a sacred altar and teaches that “worship” means learning to master the dormant force in the spine called shakti. In this workshop you’ll experience a dynamic progression of Tantric Hatha techniques––and learn about the basis for its systematic approach. Starting with accessible asanas, then building to bandhas and finally mudras––you’ll activate our body’s latent forces that lead to final goals of yoga––ultimate freedom and exaltation.

Friday PM
Tantra Vinyasa: The Seven Auspicious Practices
Tantra Yoga’s premise is that auspiciousness (success and happiness) in both spiritual and material realms comes more easily to those who embody seven specific qualities. These qualities are detailed in the ancient texts and each is cultivated through a particular Yogic practice.

Through experience and theory, we set the stage for a deepening and illuminating weekend. We’ll highlight each of these seven practices––including asana and especially the deeper practices of mudra, meditation, and mantra––and how to apply them to shape destiny and find fulfillment in all aspects of life. Class will feature a dynamic and deepening practice.

Saturday AM
Tantra Yoga: A Spanda Vinyasa and Asana Practice
The term “spanda” means pulse or throb. According to Tantra, spanda is the source of creative energy, the soul of the material world. Spanda is also the  bridge that links body, mind, breath and spirit. In this class we move through a sequence of asanas, pranayama, and meditation––specifically designed to waken your connection to your boundless source of inspiration and creative energy. In the process, you’ll experience your source of vitality, creativity and guiding force of spirit.  Some theory gets us started.

 

Sat. PM
Tantra Yoga Vinyasa: Awakening the Sacred Channel
According to Tantra, the spine––and more specifically, the energy channel inside it, called Sushumna––is the abode of our soul’s untapped potential, the source of our creative energy and spirit. All yoga practice is meant to prepare us for tapping into this sacred channel. However, in this class we move through a sequence of asanas, pranayama, and meditation specifically designed to awaken this central channel and to unlock the spiritual energy that resides within it.  Some theory gets us started.

 

Sunday AM
Kundalini-Shakti––Awakening the Sacred Power of Yoga
According to the tantric yoga tradition, Kundalini-Shakti is the force responsible for all spiritual experience, the force that allows us to touch the sublime. Kundalini-Shakti is the essence of yoga, since “awakening” it, the tradition makes clear, is the ultimate aim of practice. Using asana and the whole science of Hatha Yoga as our foundation, we’ll decode the myths and lay out the principles of how to access it to empower our practice, unlock our dormant potentials, and enliven our connection to the sacred. Practices and lecture.


 

Sun. PM
The Secrets of Pranayama 

Pranayama, the science of breath, is considered to be yoga’s most accessible, yet transformative practice. Learn the secrets to refining and mastering your breath. Through theory and guided practice, you'll experience the power of the sacred science of breath and discover how, when the breath can be used to still the mind, dissolve the unconscious, and attract the forces of happiness and success. 
Class features discussion, several accessible pranayama practices, and asana.