Downward Facing Blog

A weekend of dynamic vinyasa yoga, breathing, and philosophy with Adrian Phillip Cox

Lotus Center, Czech Republic

April 12-13 2008

Adrian teaches dynamic Vinyasa yoga using foundations in Ashtanga, and Ayurveda while incorporating esoteric techniques of mantra, visualization, and energy work. Originally certified to teach yoga under Cyndi Lee of Om Yoga in New York City and the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, India, Adrian has spent ten years in Asia teaching Sanskrit, meditation, Hatha yoga, and Ayurveda. He is the founder of Yoga Elements Studio in Bangkok which was ranked Asia’s top school of yoga by Travel and Leisure magazine in 2007

Agni Yoga - explore the relationship between inner fire, and the cosmic fire through mantra, solar breathing, dynamic vinyasa sequencing, and postures- all of which will expand your inner brightness and levels of concentration. Important philosophical dialogue while practicing will guide you to new levels of internal concentration and targeted seated meditation will integrate what you experience into pure stillness. 2 hours, intermediate and advanced students. No food in stomach minimum two hours before class and maximum of 20 students only.

Awaken the Spine- Going beyond standard backbends; this two hour workshop will guide you to develop spinal intelligence from the inside out. If backbends has either hurt in the past, or are ready for a new level of backbend freedom, come explore new ways of integrating all postures and movement through the spine. You will learn spinal anatomy, the mechanics of breathing in relation to backbends, and alternative, delightful, and pain-free ways of forming a circle backwards. Includes twisting postures. 2 hours, intermediate and advanced students

Vyana-Samana Bliss- Vyana is the expanding, radiant aspect of the cosmic ‘Prana’ and Samana is the contracting, inward moving aspect. Experience deeper, more internalized yoga and meditation and better powers of digestion through mastery of Samana, and greater self confidence and influence on people through the mastery of Vyana. Employing specific ways of doing yoga postures, dynamic Vinyasa sequencing, internal locks, breathing, and visualization, will give you the direct experience of your own internal flow of energy and a new understanding of it’s use in yoga. 2 hours, all levels welcome!

Prana, pranayama, and pranayama kriyas - The Yoga Upanishads state that as the mind moves, energy moves. This has implications in how you live your life, and your personal ability to create the life you desire. Through an exploration of the five patterns of energy in the cosmos, visualization techniques, internal locks, and the traditional system of pranayama of Mysore, you will come to experience why the practice of pranayama is extolled as the means by which the “veil covering reality is removed”. Students typically leave this class high and blissed-out and the after glow of continued application of techniques taught in this course are indescribably positive and life-shifting. This will not be a very physical class, although you must be comfortable with sitting on the floor. 2 hours , all levels welcome!