Lessons

Yoga with the B.K.S. Iyengar method

Iyengar’s approach focuses on healing and aligning the body, harmonizing movement and breath, balancing strength and softness, movement and stillness. It also stimulates blood circulation, breathing, digestion, the hormonal system, and the heart; it reinforces bones and joints, calms the mind and loosens the body, develops concentration and presence, self-knowledge, respect, and esteem. No stress or competition involved in this technique.

Traditional Children’s Yoga

Fun, cooperative exercises and animal postures

Relaxes mind and body
Gives children a healthy beginning and basis for development
Groups of up to 8 children

Yoga and Massage for Pregnant Women

Various movements and massage techniques to enhance prenatal development and give birth smoothly with minimal pain.

Loosens the legs and the lower trunk
Aligns the spinal chord
Maintains a healthy muscle mass
Activates blood circulation
Includes breathing exercises, meditation and relaxation

Pranayama Meditation

Prana is our vital energy, flowing within, and is nurtured by breath. Pranayama’s aim is to enhance and develop this energy. It involves techniques to get to feel Prana and learn to control it.

Vipassana Meditation

Most people are looking for happiness in the future: after having reached this or that, I will be happy. Or outside of themselves: once I obtain this thing or that person, I will be happy. However, others have noticed that this approach maintains happiness as a distant illusion, always in the future, never in the present.

But there are ways to be happy in the here and now, and one of these is called meditation. Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise known as the Buddha, had noticed this, and his technique helped so many people that it now keeps thriving, 2500 years later. He called it Vipassana.

The Afghan Walk

The Afghan walk, also called “Yoga of Hiking”, is a form of hiking where breath is synchronized with the steps. It was created by Afghan caravaneers who could walk more than 60 km per day for several weeks on end. This kind of rythmical breathing feeds every cell by stocking up on oxygen and regenerates body and mind.

Stimulates blood circulation and basal metabolism
Detoxes and reinforces the immune system
Improves the brain’s cognitive ability
Slows the aging process
Reduces muscular tension and stress

Intuitive Sound Singing

Voice is the instrument we are born with. This means there is a very intuitive side to it, that just needs to be unlocked.

Intuitive Sound Singing consists of approaching the voice like an instrument, and like a part of us. This opens up endless possibilities. On one hand we practice different vocal and musical tools. On the other hand, we learn to let go of what we learnt, and create a field where we can sing freely and effortlessly. A space where we trust ourselves and our natural intuition. Intuitive Sound Singing can be great for people who have never truly discovered their voice, as well as for singers of any style who would like to explore singing with a fresh intuitive approach.

We will focus on different aspects of singing:

Vocal practice: Singing involves many muscles that we use unconsciously. Using them in new ways, we can discover new colors and textures, new ways to use the voice.
Vocal beatbox: By seeing the voice as an instrument, we can explore sounds we didn’t know we could make. Inspired by artists like Bobby McFerrin, Intuitive Sound Singing encourages us to bring these sounds into our music.
Meditation singing: Because it’s so intimate, singing can speak directly to your heart and your body. All music can heal through vibrations, but in singing the vibrations are created by your body. This makes it a powerful tool for healing yourself (and others).
Breath work: Breath is the foundation of singing, the roots that give our voice stability and clarity. With techniques inspired by yoga and other practices we will bring strength to these roots.
Musical tools for intuitive creation: We will practice different musical tools inspired by various traditional world music, to expand our map of possibilities.
Overcome fear: Because the voice is such a personal instrument, it can be hard to overcome the fear linked with singing. “What will the others think of me? What should I do now?” Staying centered is key in intuitive singing.
Tools for communicative singing: Jonas Viatte also animates CircleSongs, which are a way to bring intuitive singing to a group. This requires attention to rhythm and cohesion. We will practice all this, and learn to communicate non-verbally in a clear way. This is useful for singing as well as life.

Didgeridoo

The Didgeridoo is an age-old instrument created by the Australian aborigines, a central piece in their legends and view of the world. Hearing it carries you away, and playing it has therapeutical values. It strengthens the breath, making it calmer and better controlled, and improves our endurance. A study in 2006 (Zurich) also demonstrated its effects against sleep apnea. The vibrations pervade our body and bring relaxation, making it a popular tool in sound therapy.

Teacher: Jonas Viatte (NomadApe.com)