The Hatha Yoga Tradition and the Evolution of Consciousness – A 4-day Immersion with Michael Hamilton
From April 2th to April 5th, 2010 AIRYOGA teacher Michael Hamilton invites you to an asana, pranayama, chanting, yoga philosophy, meditation and chakra workshop for easter.
The workshop is a full immersion in the art of Yoga for the cultivation of mindfulness. It is intended for beginners and advanced students interested in deepening their knowledge of Yoga.

Like a rich tapestry the Hatha Yoga tradition is filled with wisdom on how to live with awareness. In this 4-day immersion we will reflect on how we can live mindfully and fulfill our full potential, to be a complete person, compassionate and fully present.

Daily practice will consist of hatha yoga practices where each day a different part of the body such as hips, back, and asanas such as forward bends, twists, inversions and arm balances are emphasized. Asana practice will move back and forth between fluid vinyasa flows designed to create flexibility and strength and slow, a methodical breaking down of postures to learn proper alignment techniques for deepening in the asana.
Basic pranayama breathing practices, meditation and chanting will accompany our daily routine.
Through discussion we will seek common ground in wisdom practices from yoga philosophy, mysticism, contemporary western philosophy and integral approaches to psychology. For inspiration the spiritual texts we will look at include the Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Sutras, Yoga Taravali (from Adi Shankara), Mahayana Buddhist text from Tibetan Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta readings from Nisargadatta Maharaj. We will also look at post modern philosophers, and contemporary masters.
The Annamaya kosha with its system of energy lines (nadis) and energy centers (chakras) will be looked at in depth to see how the chakras play a role in the awakening of consciousness.

Michael Hamilton originates from Canada and South Africa. He has studied yoga with many prominent teachers in the Krishnamacharya lineages, focusing on Iyengar and Ashtanga. Michael is authorized to teach Ashtanga by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore in India.
Michael spent time in monasteries in Asia and America studying meditation, which form the foundation of his teachings on yoga and its integration into our daily lives. With an eye for detail and alignment, Michael leads traditional Ashtanga based Mysore and led classes, and conducts workshops throughout the world. He is currently based in Zurich.
For more information please see www.michael.ashtangis.com


The Hatha Yoga Immersion with Michael Hamilton will be led at AIRYOGA, Oberdorfstrasse 2, 8001 Zurich on the following days:

Good Friday, April 2th, 2010
9:00 to 12:00 a.m.: Asana practice: the principles of harmonizing prana and apana. Introduction to mindfulness. Meditation
2:00 to 5:00 p.m.: Aspects of consciousness in Yoga practice

Saturday, April 3th, 2010
2:15 to 5:15 p.m.: Asana practice/meditation and the energy body: chakras and nadis

Easter Sunday, April 4th, 2010
9:00 to 12:00 a.m.: Asana practice/meditation
2:00 to 5:00 p.m.: Non duality in spiritual texts

Easter Monday, April 5th, 2010
9:00 to 12:00 a.m.: Asana practice/meditation and philosophy class: Yoga in the contemporary realm

The workshop is open to all levels.
Participants will get a manual.
Michael teaches in English.

The cost is Fr. 490.- for all sessions (incl. manual); or Fr. 90.- per session (3 hours)

Please sign-up by e-mail to zuerich@airyoga.com. Space is limited.

Desirée Rumbaugh is one of Anusara’s most creative and inspirational teachers. She practices and teaches yoga with a powerful intention to create and experience unlimited joy and enthusiasm. Her worldwide workshops and retreats aim at powerful personal transformation and self-expression, leading each student to celebrate his or her own creative power through the practice of yoga.
Desirée teaches from the experiences of more than two decades of practice. She was one of the first students to study with John Friend, and one of the first to be certified in his Anusara method of yoga. Desirée has a well-earned reputation for deepening the most new to the most seasoned practices, through humor balanced with a quest for authenticity. She practices and teaches yoga with a powerful intention to create and experience unlimited joy and enthusiasm.
Desirée released two DVDs specially designed for those who have avoided yoga because of a lack of flexibility, low fitness level or chronic pain. She is also a contributor to various organizations and publications, including the “Yoga Journal”, where she was featured on the February 2008 cover.
As a full-time teacher, Desirée travels the world offering workshops and retreats, which are innovative and transformative, challenging and compassionate.
For more information please visit www.desireerumbaugh.com

Sianna Sherman is an internationally recognized Anusara Yoga teacher who delights in story-telling, poetry, spontaneous dance and long walks in nature. She began her studies of yoga in 1989 and subsequently had the great blessing of meeting her primary mentor John Friend in 1995. Sianna apprenticed with John for 4 years during which she traveled with him widely and has continued to study with him extensively ever since their first auspicious meeting. In 2008, she was chosen by Yoga Journal as one of 21 talented young teachers shaping the future of yoga. She is a regular contributor to Yoga Journal magazine, teaches worldwide with workshops, teacher and therapeutic trainings, and eco-sanctuary retreats. She devotes herself to the Tantric embrace of the fullness of life. She studies closely with renowned Tantric scholars Dr. Paul Muller-Ortega and Dr. Douglas Brooks. Sianna seeks to be with her teachers as much as possible while offering her humble gratitude to the great blessings they generously bestow upon humanity with the light and wisdom of their teachings.
For more information, please go to wwwopentograce.com

Andrea Boni started meditating when he was 13 years old. He follows his Guru's directions with great passion, surrender and persistence. During the last 25 years he visited his Ashram regularly and continued his professional training there. Andrea practices Anusara Yoga with John Friend and is continually inspired by Hatha Yoga. His lessons are gentle and joyful and are suited for practitioners of all ages and experience. He teaches meditation classes in Italy and directs and produces documentary films which focus on people and nature.

The Anusara Yoga Retreat with Desirée Rumbaugh, Sianna Sherman and Andrea Boni will be held from May 14, to 16, 2010 at Volkshaus Zurich (Blauer Saal), Stauffacherstrasse 60, 8004 Zurich.

Please see www.volkshaus.ch/kontakt/map1.htm

Friday, May 14, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m: Skill in Action - Hip Openers with Desirée and Sianna
Learn how to find just the right balance of strengthening and softening and experience a deep release of stress from the inside out.
Session will end with a guided meditation with Andrea Boni.

Saturday, May 15, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Transformation - Backbends with Desirée and Sianna
Open your heart and shoulders with these fun energizing and liberating poses. Session will end with a guided meditation with Andrea Boni.

Saturday, May 15, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.:The Way of Love - Forward Bends and Twists with Sianna
Get quiet and go inside to find everything you are looking for.
Session will end with a guided meditation with Andrea Boni.

Sunday, May 16, 2010 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: The Splendor of Recognition - Arm Balances and Inversions with Desirée and Sianna
Be playful and learn how to feel lighter and more free than ever before.
Session will end with a guided meditation with Andrea Boni.

Sunday, May 16, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: A Bright Future - Therapy with Desirée
Yoga to the Rescue - Feel Good From Head to Toe. You will learn simple therapy techniques for the back, neck, shoulders, hips and knees. Bring someone you love. This class is open to all levels including beginners.
Session will end with a guided meditation with Andrea Boni.


The retreat is open to all levels. It can be taken as a series or by single sessions.

Desirée, Sianna and Andrea teach in English.

The cost is Fr. 375.- for all five sessions, or Fr. 90.- per single session.

There is a limited number of spaces. Please register early by sending an email to zuerich@airyoga.com.