Explore Your Yoga Foundation
Yoga Heights teacher Natalie Weinstein is leading one of the best workshops around on the fundamental of yoga poses. This workshop is ideal for students who are new(er) to the practice, as well as seasoned practitioners who are looking for a little tune-up and to focus on alignment.
What exactly is a "foundational yoga pose"? A foundational yoga pose can be poses that you typically see in the majority of classes and poses that are built on in more advanced asana. For example, half moon builds on warrior 2 and bird of paradise builds on side angle (or yogi squat, depending on the variation!). This workshop will hone in on these foundational poses, which will give students a strong understanding of proper body alignment and breath in the pose.
Why is Alignment So Important? Throughout the workshop students will learn how proper alignment keeps us safe in each pose, which in turn enables us explore working deeper into the pose, and to feel which muscle groups are working (or stretching!). By focusing on correct alignment each time we step on to the mat, we begin to build muscle memory of poses, which supports our practice each time we step onto the mat.
The goal is that information learned in this workshop will translate to a safe, strong, practice to sustain you in all future classes. Natalie will offer lots of modifications/options for the poses covered in this workshop and will take suggestions for poses that students would like to learn more about.
Natalie say this about her teaching: I have always been an extremely detail oriented yoga instructor and really focus in on the small things because they can make a big difference! Since classes transitioned to being taught online, I have been leading about 15 classes online per week. In order to give as much feedback to students as possible, I generally demo a pose, explain the alignment and then watch as people work into the pose. I will give appropriate cues to access the pose as well as specific corrections as needed.
What do I need for this workshop? Besides bringing your love of yoga you might want to have a few props on hand, although none are required. It can be helpful to have one (or two) yoga blocks, a strap and a blanket. You can always use dictionaries (or any other sturdy flat object) in place of the blocks and a belt or a resistance band in place of the strap. Students can also have a chair nearby to assist with some balancing poses.
Follow this link to register for this awesome workshop!
Natalie Weinstein (RYT) is a lover of nature, movement, and exploration, she completed her 200-hour yoga certification from the Maui Yoga and Dance Shala (RYS) and immediately began teaching in the Washington, DC area. Since completing her training in 2016, Natalie has taught over 800 classes, numerous events and workshops, and led a yoga retreat in Italy. Additionally, to expand and deepen her offerings, she completed my Yin Yoga training from Wanderlust Yoga in Austin, Texas, Aerial Yoga Teacher Training, and a 20 hour sequencing training with Jason Crandell. As a dedicated yogini for more than a decade, Natalie finds that she keeps returning to the mat as a way to stay centered and grounded, regardless of life’s twists and turns. Natalie believes yoga should be accessible to everybody; you can expect her classes to be intentional, powerful, creative, and uplifting, with lots of modifications and a focus on alignment. Register for this workshop today!