Telluride Yoga Festival

Amidst the stunning backdrop of Telluride, we are called to embody the elements of yoga. For centuries, yogis have understood the microcosm of the body to be inseparable from the elements that give rise to the bones, blood, breath, and nerves. The art of practice involves finding a coordinated balance between each of the five elements-- earth, water, fire, air, and space. In this in-depth study, we explore the anatomical, energetic, and psycho-spiritual qualities of each element. Through postures, breathwork, meditation, and sound, we build stability and ease within the five elements. Tias teaches through imagery, anatomical drawing, poetry, scripture, and metaphor to provide a felt sense of the presence of each embodied element. By harmonizing the five elements, we increase the flow of prana through all the channels of the subtle body. Practice includes meditation, flowing movements (SATYA), dharma study, and both dynamic and therapeutic asana.

The arch-yogi Siva dwells at the mountain summit, steadfast through all space and time. Here in Telluride at an altitude of 9,500 ft, we embody space in our yoga. In practice, we stretch, lift, and turn to find space around the diaphragm, fascia, nerve endings, and spine. We look to cultivate space not only inside the body but space in our lives and in everything we do. How do we develop an aesthetic appreciation for space and learn to not fill it up with our wants and needs? How can we sense that space itself offers a feeling of the sublime? In this class, we generate feelings of spacious delight in both heart and mind through freedom of movement and a free-flowing breath.

This practice focuses on ways to sustain energy and increase vitality in the late phases of a woman’s life. By tailoring mindful practices to safe-guard our joints, spine, and connective tissues, we can do strong practice into our nineties and beyond! Having practiced yoga since her twenties and now at 63, Surya shares her wisdom as to how to safely push the edges while honoring the limitations of your changing body.

As the world becomes more and more divided, we are called to realize the path of The Middle Way. The Middle Way as taught by the Buddha is a place free from extremes, extremes that polarize, isolate, and cause imbalance.

In practice, we embody these teachings within the central axis of the body. One of the names for the mid-line of the body is the Madhya Nadi or Middle Channel. By moving prana through the “core” structures deep within the spine, we awaken to the Middle Path. Through yoga postures, pranayama, sounding, and visualization we tap into the Middle Channel of the spine. Then, amid a rapidly changing world, we come to realize how the Middle Way is a path to both equanimity and peace.

In yoga, the health of the reproductive organs is critical for longevity. Through dynamic and restorative postures, this workshop is designed to stretch, tone and strengthen the connective tissues in the lower abdomen that surround the reproductive organs. Our practice includes twists, inversions (or partial inversions), and bridge poses to tone the lower abdomen. There will then be time at the end for questions, reflections and conversation.

In movement practice, we are always exploring the edge of change and transformation. In this practice, we touch into every stretch, every sensation, and inner perception as a new edge, not to be conquered and overcome, but to be discovered and embodied. In this way, we allow a new shape, a new way of being in the world to manifest, something startling, unique, and fresh. In this practice, we do hip openers and spinal release work, to stay on the cusp of continuous change.

In the high country of Colorado, the vitality of nature is everywhere evident. In the Far East, the force behind all nature is known as the Tao. The Tao is said to be always changing and like moving water, flows naturally and  spontaneously. In this class we yoke to the vital Tao by honing the prana or chi. Like water flowing through the ravines, creeks and valleys of Telluride, we enhance the pathway of blood, lymph and nerve through stretching and flowing movements. Using arcs, curves, spirals and elliptical movements, we express the force, dynamism, and intelligence of water. In this class, Tias weaves in verses from the Tao te Ching in order to embody the poetry, wisdom,  and spiritual guidance that the Taoist teachings provide.

This class focuses on lateral twists and supportive backbends to open and energize the chest and lift the spirit. In this practice, we release blocked energy and tone the internal organs so that the flow of energy is balanced. We will use inversions with variations to support mental tiredness, and nervous exhaustion to calm the nerves and set you on your way home from the Telluride Yoga Festival!