May 13-20
Download the detailed day schedule HERE.
Ulrike’s classes:
VINYASA FLOW
Vinyasa Flow is a dynamic blend of Yoga from the lineage of Krishnamacharya.
Its focus is on linking the breath to movement, “merging into moment”.The dynamic sequencing of defined yoga postures (Asanas) improves strength, flexibility, and balance. A higher ability for concentration and relaxation as well as conscious breathing loosens up both physical and emotional blockages and brings meditative awareness.In comparison to other Asana-based yoga styles, Vinyasa flow often consists of a sweaty practice, during which students are encouraged to look within, observe the breath, expand physically and let the movement be guided by the breath. Yoga is related to the word “yoke: unite”. Bringing together the elements within us that are at times disconnected is a challenging journey.Vinyasa Flow blends the major Yoga Asana traditions in a new, free expression, bringing both ancient and modern Yogi wisdom together.
KUNDALINI YOGA
Kundalini Yoga is the yoga of consciousness brought to the west by Yogi Bhajan, It is a dynamic, powerful instrument to expand one’s consciousness.This holistic yoga practice actually is a technology that operates through Asanas (physical postures), Pranayama (conscious and controlled breathing), and Dhyana (meditation). The use and repetition of Mantras (both vocalized and repeated mentally) is another important tool of Kundalini Yoga.Kundalini Yoga is based on precisely outlined Kriyas (detailed exercise series), each of which generates a very specific effect that allows you to focus on the aspects of your being that need most of your attention in the present moment.The glandular system gets balanced, the nervous and immune systems become strengthened, stress-related hormones are reduced while blood circulation and the absorption of oxygen are stimulated.While improving vitality, strength, and flexibility, the mind becomes centered, and the spirit opens up to more alertness and awareness of its own being. You’ll experience your highest consciousness so you can find sacred purpose in your life. Kundalini Yoga is so effective that a daily practice of a three-minute-set or Kriya can already bring a tremendous change to one’s perception, helping one feel energized and uplifted. It’s said to be the most conducive yoga form promoting the Kundalini energy to rise.
Kerstin’s classes:
MYOREFLEXTRAINING
Myoreflex therapy works with the muscle sensors as a tool for regulation, thereby reaching the control center – the brain.This physiological connection can be used to perceive specific muscles and to activate them in movement. Our brain’s capacity to discern, modify, and complement is almost infinite. In this way we create new opportunities to translate our internal experience into movement.Using specific touch and movement, we will clarify anatomical functions, details, and relationships. We will focus on some notorious muscle groups that, depending on the kind of „use“, can create problems even in other regions in the body.Muscle tone regulation can be achieved through exercises called „Kraft in der Dehnung“ („how to strengthen a muscle while stretching it“). This is a principle also well known in Hatha Yoga, which we will incorporate as well as looking at the how the functional muscle strings relate to the meridians as recognised by the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).
MYOREFLEX & YOGA
This class focuses on the coordination of muscles and other body systems in the asanas. We will analyse anatomical and physiological phenomena in order to translate them into functional integration in movement. Strength in the stretch along the meridians and other kinetic chains as well as energetical excercises developed by Myoreflextherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine will be combined with Yoga asanas in order to reach our aim - to be fully awake in a balanced body. Myoreflex therapy draws on kybernetic thinking, combining aspects of Ostheopathy, Orthopedics, TCM, and Ayurveda.Anja’s classesYIN & YANG YOGAA yoga style created by Sarah Powers, which combines Yin sequences of long held poses to enhance the meridian and organ systems with a flow or Yang practice, influenced by Viniyoga, Ashtanga, and Iyengar teachings. Each day during the festival we will focus on a different set of organs and meridians to get a comprehensive introduction to this approach. There will be a little background theory to help you get an understanding of the connection between the meridian lines (as recognised by TCM), respective organs, and specific yoga asanas.
Anja’s classes:
YIN & YANG YOGA
A yoga style created by Sarah Powers, which combines Yin sequences of long held poses to enhance the meridian and organ systems with a flow or Yang practice, influenced by Viniyoga, Ashtanga, and Iyengar teachings. Each day during the festival we will focus on a different set of organs and meridians so that you get a comprehensive introduction to this approach. There will be a little background theory to help you get an understanding of the connection between the meridian lines, respective organs, and specific yoga asanas.
CVs
Ulrike Bodammer (Satbir Kaur)
began an intensive Kundalini yoga practice at the age of 16 followed by a training to become a certified Reiki Teacher and Master according to the Dr. Usui system.After graduating as an acrobat, dancer, and choreographer from the “Ecole Superieur des Arts du Cirque” in Brussels she worked as an acrobat all over Belgium. In 2003 she returned to Berlin with her suitcase full of experiences in Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics and Feldenkrais.From then on she worked as a contemporary dancer and choreographer on various projects such as Jess Curtis/Gravity (Berlin/San Francisco), ½ Machine Festival in Copenhagen, Ponderosa (Stolzenhagen, Germany), as well as realizing numerous works for Tino Sehgal (Berlin Biennale, The Guggenheim Museum NY, Paris Nuit Blanche, etc…).
After the birth of her son she enrolled in the “Power Vinyasa Flow” teacher training as well as a “Pre- /Post-natal yoga” training at “SpiritYoga Berlin” with Patricia Thielemann. Since completing her training, she has been teaching at several yoga studios, as well as at SpiritYoga Berlin.Since last summer she has been teaching Kundalini yoga regularly and will complete the Kundalini yoga teacher training this year. She has managed to stay active in the Berlin dance scene giving company Kundalini Yoga class to Meg Stuart/Damaged Goods, and “The Village” (Tanznacht Berlin), for example.
For Ulrike, yoga is a path to her inner self and personal needs as well as a means to achieve intimate, mindful contact with her body, soul, and spirit.She wants to share the message that our happiness lies in our own hands and that everyone’s inner light can radiate outwardly.She teaches a powerful yoga with precise alignments and a focus on deep breathing through which her students can cultivate the ability to dissolve their fear-perceived limitations in order to focus on and express their inner vital force in daily life.
Anja Beyer
With a background in gymnastics and contemporary dance Anja was introduced to Ashtanga yoga at a retreat on Crete in 2002, and immediately fell in love with it. The Ashtanga Vinyasa tradition provided her with a good knowledge of the “asanas” (postures), and a first insight into how an intense and challenging yoga practice can help people extend their boundaries and break old patterns. Looking for more variety in sequence, pace, and energetic impact, Anja then tried out different styles of yoga and started developing her own practice. In 2005 she completed the Yogaveda teacher training with Kris Lanzaro in Berlin, during which she gained more knowledge about an ayurvedic approach to yoga and its inherent therapeutic potential.
She teaches a style of yoga that combines dynamic with regenerative sequences while incorporating breath and meditative awareness. Sarah Power’s yin-yang yoga, Vipassana meditation, Prasad Ragnekar’s yoga psychology, and Kevin Farrow’s acu energetics are the sources that currently most influence her own practice and teaching.
Kerstin Kussmaul
is a Somatic Movement Educator and a dance maker. She holds an MA in Music and Dance Education and studied Somatic Movement Education and TCM in Berkeley/USA, and will finish her Myoreflextherapy training with Dr. Kurt Mosetter and Yoga training with Sri Louise in early 2011. She teaches movement as a somatic practice in Europe and the USA. Her artistic focus is on music/ dance projects and on the development of new formats of meditation and exploration of movement.