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Auroville near Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, South India
THIS EVENT OCURRED IN THE PAST
Details of the next trip to Aurolville in Decmber 2008 - January 2009 are avaialble
A two-week intensive addressed to practitioners of any style of Yoga who wish to deepen their understanding of the transformational power of Yoga and how this transformation can be implemented through an intelligent and integrated practice.
This year we return to Auroville with a sharp awareness of our experience in 2004/05 when we were engulfed in the profoundly destabilising experience of the Tsunami. Our practice offered a solid anchoring and each was able to respond according to their nature and consciousness.
It is in everyday living that we can assess where we really are, in our responses to life’s unexpected situations, in the quality of our relationships and the consistency of our actions.
Auroville offers a perfect set up for conducting a thorough self-exploration. This is an experimental township where each individual has made a choice to embody Yoga consciousness. Many attempt to live a clear and clean life, some live an impeccable life, a few dwell in the consciousness of the Seers. Yet none comes forward with a manufactured, easy answer. It is up to each individual to find their way, their direct connection with the forces that shape a human life and destiny.
In this context and particularly conducive environment we will return to weave a practice in resonance with our personal needs and deeper aspirations.
This year my intention is to deepen our investigation of the nature of Prana and refine our perception of more subtle energy fields.
How can we connect with a deeper consciousness, a deeper knowing and stay grounded in everyday life? How can we use our intuitive mind and find skilful responses that help the forward movement of our collective awareness? How can we implement an ecology of life using less energy both from our external and internal resources? How can we reduce mental dispersion through a skilful use of pranayama and attentive breathing? How can we recognise the forces at play behind every event, and take action from a clearer perceptual field?
These are some of the questions we will address in this dynamically interactive course with the stimulating support of a team of dedicated teachers. Practice integrates:
- Meditation, Pranayama and energy work
- Asana, vinyasa flows and long timing practices
- Yoga of Sound
- Mantra: The Sutras of Patanjali
- Classical texts: the Upanishads
- Sanskrit pronunciation.
All these subjects are presented in the light of contemporary preoccupations and in a non-didactic way by our faculty:
- Dr Kanchana Natarajan is an associate professor in Indian philosophy at Delhi university. She delights in transmitting the ancient revelations of India and puts them in the context of modern living. She is interested in gender issues and is doing extensive translation work of ancient Tamil texts, including alchemy and Siddha medicine. Her passion, lyricism and confident knowledge are renowned throughout India and abroad.
- Joy Chowdhury is a movement and voice artist, educated at the Sri Aurobindo ashram in Pondecherry. She teaches sacred mantra and has compiled a CD of her work. She works with the fine textures of Sanskrit and will teach us the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali that she has put into chants for Aurolab. Her devotion and sincerity filter through the sounds with the beauty given to the blessed. She lives and works in Auroville.
- Tanya Mahboob Syed teaches Yoga of Sound specialising in overtone chanting and bija mantra. Her concept of sonic alignment and the focus of sound as mantra forms the ground of her teaching. She weaves a delicate, connective thread between struck, un-struck sound and the listening body. She focuses on the power of resonance and the nature of silence. Her gentle and unassuming ways reflect her musical talent and her sharp sense of hearing.
- Mita Radhakrishnan is co-founder of the Auroville Language Laboratory and co-directs the Auroville Tomatis Centre. She is involved in numerous projects and research on sound frequencies and their transformational power, in India, Europe and the US. She masters 5 Indian languages in addition to her beautiful French and English. She will help us move our tongues through the Sanskrit alphabet and clarify any pronunciation we might find difficult. Her way is simple, down to earth and joyful.
- Sama Fabian has been practicing Yoga for 24 years and teaching since 1985. The core of her teaching is to put the student in touch with deeper layers of experience through the practice of structural and energetic bodywork. She presents pranayama and asana in a clear an integrated way including creative vinyasa sequences, precise investigation of posture and breath, experiential anatomy and the use of intent. Her style is strong and empowering as well as reflective and profound, with meditation and philosophy closely woven into the practice as a supporting continuum. Her experience as a Craniosacral Therapist also informs her teaching. She runs Teacher Study Programs in London, Ireland and Auroville. She is the founder and director of studies of Aurolab Yoga Project and founder member of IYN (Independent Yoga Network of teacher training providers UK).
- Aurosylle Bystrom is a second generation Aurovillian and the course’s coordinator. She brings her deep knowledge of Auroville and will answer all practical and other questionsin an easy and unaffected way.
- Andrea Klagges is the manager of Pitanga Hall, our Yoga centre and is responsible for our well-being in her premises during the course. To us she brings a direct and clear organizational mind, the most exquisite flower arrangements and the best chai around.
Lectures on Ayurveda ‘the science of life, Sri Aurobindo ‘The Synthesis of Yoga’ and a presentation about Auroville, its purpose and aims are also scheduled.
This course is for the curious and young at heart, those who sense a connection to a greater web of consciousness and who would like to develop their own capacities to restore and refine that connection through an integral and sincere Yoga practice.
Welcome to Aurolab and this new journey!
Dates
The course starts on Wednesday 20 Dec and ends Friday 5 Jan.Note that there will be no classes on the following days: 24, 25, 30 Dec and 1 Jan.
Extra-curricular activities include our now traditional guided cycle tour of Auroville (always full of new surprises) and our day trip to Tiruvannamalai to visit the magnificent temple, and walk on the mountain paths where the great Saint Sri Ramana Maharshi's meditated. We will have lunch at the ashram and take part in the on-going meditations held by the Homa priests.
Practicalities
You are responsible for booking your accommodation according to your personal requirements (see booking form for details). There are several Guest Houses to choose from within easy reach of Pitanga Hall. It is recommended that you book your room early. Please arrive a few days prior to the beginning of the course to find your bearings and recover from your journey.
Journey to get there
From Chennai airport (previously Madras) take a pre-paid taxi to Auroville or book a taxi from Auroville to come and pick you up. Your Guest House will arrange this for you. The journey is a good 2 and a half to 3 hours. Make sure you have some water with you. It is advisable to change a little money at the airport. You will find a bank that takes traveller cheques in Auroville along with all facilities including a Health Centre (check their web-site: www.auroville.org.in). Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months with a visa from High Commission of India (application form from:www.hcilondon.org). It is advisable to take out a travel insurance.
Further Information
The information on this page is also available as The Aurolab Intensive 06/07 Leaflet (200 kb, in pdf format).
If you would prefer the leaflet top be posted to you or require any further information about any aspect of the course, please get in touch with Sama +44(0)20 8854 8448 or email samyoga@btinternet.com