In the yoga tradition, asana is one small part of a comprehensive spiritual practice with an end goal of self-realization.

In the West, the physical practice tends to be the whole enchilada. Nevertheless, in and of itself, there are great benefits to arranging different components of the body in very specific ways, including improved flexibility, strength, coordination, reaction time, memory and even IQ.

A consistent asana practice is a boon to the immune function, and, by quelling the fluctuations of the mind, promotes emotional health too.

Another rule of thumb in regard to most physical practices: the positions we tend to avoid, the ones we find the most difficult, ultimately offer the biggest bang for the buck.
This weekend, Aubrey Hackman and Elaine Demas of the Telluride Yoga Experience are hosting another in a series of workshops in support of their brand new Telluride Yoga Festival, taking place this July.

Simon Park and Aaron King are the guest instructors this weekend. The two men plan to co-teach a power and flow yoga workshop guaranteed to challenge attendees.
On Saturday morning, 8-10 p.m., for example, the emphasis is on handstands and inversions, including how to approach going upside down unsupported in the middle of a room, a move many avoid.

“Handstands, inversions in general, are empowering mudras that celebrate the best qualities of the heroic monkey god, Hanuman,” said Park. “Our idea is to teach students how to flower into these poses and eventually become comfortable even without the support of a wall.”

An aversion to inversion is almost always psychological, and generally not due to physical limitations.

“Overcoming that fear is very empowering. We will approach the practice incrementally and playfully, exploring various types of inversions,” Park said.

The workshop begins on Friday afternoon from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The opening class, “Fluid Power,” is about creative flows integrated with pranayama or controlled breathing.

 “In too many yoga classes, students try too hard and often muscle their way into poses. In our class, the emphasis is on a breath-directed vinyasa to release the ‘doing of yoga’ into ‘being yoga.’ The flow then becomes a moving meditation that tones from the inside out.”

The Saturday afternoon class, 4:30-7 p.m., integrates ideas from the AcroYoga tradition, a blend of the spiritual wisdom of yoga with the kindness of Thai massage, often done with partners.

“In this class, our students will learn yogic flying, partner work that promotes spinal freedom,” said Park.

On Sunday morning, 9-11 a.m., the subject is the healing power of circular movements.
“In an increasingly grid-oriented world, it is wonderful to experience the healing power of a mandala or sacred circle within a ‘namaskar’ or moving meditation vinyasa,” said Park. “I received this gift from two of my primary teachers, Shiva Rea and Dharma Mittra.”

Park was first introduced to the grace and beauty of Ashtanga yoga when he met Rea at UCLA in 1995.

After graduation, Park went on to study Iyengar, Vinyasa and Thai Massage at YogaWorks, where he became certified to teach in 1998.

Rea continues to be Park’s primary yogic guide. However, he has also studied with Maty Ezraty, Joan White, Duncan Wong and Mittra.

Park considers himself a flow-based teacher.

“Alignment is important and the breath is important, but mainly I am finding ways to teach students to understand energy in order to heal their own bodies and find their own freedom. Yoga is a way to free oneself in the world, be happier, more genuine, and more connected to others. I share that spirit in a classroom.”

King is the founder of King Yoga in Aspen and co-founder of At One Yoga in Phoenix. He discovered yoga in 1998, while working in the music industry in L.A. He believes a yoga practice is a lifestyle that embraces patience, balance and truth.

“Over the weekend, we will co-teach almost all the classes,” said Park. “Aaron’s background is in power yoga, and so his flows are challenging. His creativity comes into play in his sequencing and in his selection of music, which sets the cadence and rhythms of his classes. Knowing us, the workshop is definitely for the stronger vinyasa crowd. However, I promise to teach whoever is in the room. My sequencing is very safe, and because of my Iyengar background, I pay close attention to detail. The only real requirement I have for my students is an adventurous spirit.”

Each class is $40.

Just show up or for further information call 708-9631.