Spinal Rejuvenation for a Positive Mind State with Susan Elena Esquivel
Hybrid Workshop In-Studio and Online

February 1-2, 2025
Saturday 9:30am – 12pm and 2:30-4:30pm EST
Sunday 10am-12pm ET
Full Weekend: $140
Saturday All Day: $100
Saturday Morning Only: $60
Saturday Afternoon Only: $50
Sunday Morning Only: $50

“So, spine is one dimension of you, which determines which direction you go. How your spine is functioning; how the energies in your spine are functioning right now determines almost everything about where you go.” ~ Sadhguru

Yoga is a form of mind-body centering that involves a combination of muscular activity and an internally directed awareness of the self, the breath, and energy. We heavily rely on our spine to support us through life. From a physical point of view the spinal column is an important channel for all the bodily stimuli that are transferred via the nerves to the brain. It is part of our central nervous system along with the brain. But also on a spiritual level, the spine is the source of all our energy. The spine is the axis for the human body, which acts as a connecting link between Earth and Heaven. A properly aligned spine promotes emotional stability. Often, the muscles of the spine, neck, shoulders, hips and the knees tend to be an areas where many people experience tightness, hold tension or have pain or injury at some time in their life. This workshop will give you an understanding of how spinal alignment and the breath can relieve tension and create a positive mind state. For all students with spinal imbalances, stiffness or injuries to knees, shoulders or hips as well as those who wish to maintain the health of their joints and release stress and anxiety.

Session 1: Earth Element: In Iyengar yoga we always begin with the foundation, Muladhara or Root Chakra. Gravity will draw feet into the floor, giving us the anchor that we need to live in the world. Yet it is counteracted by our tendency to expand and grow upward toward the sun. As BKS Iyengar states, “in Tadasana we stand with our feet firmly on the earth and our head in heaven.” Participants will first learn how to properly align the feet and lower body. We will take a closer look at the muscles, ligaments and bones of the legs while exploring flexion and extension of the knees. We will explore how this alignment is aided by using the breath and quieting the mind.

Session 2: Water Element: The Water element is associated with the 2nd chakra, Svadhisthana, located between the belly button and pubic bone. This element governs fluidity, purification, nourishment, and controls the movement of energy, fluids and the physical body. As the gravity passes through our body from the head to the knees and the feet, the sacrum acts as a pivotal center for the flow of energy in opposite directions. In yoga, the sacrum is considered a sacred bone, because it literally connects the lower half of our body to the upper half. It is seen as a place of transformation, where the union of upper and lower, of the divine and the human occurs. Pain or stiffness in the knees or groin stiffness and sciatica may originate in the hips. Participants will learn how to correct pelvic misalignment and how movement and safe releasing twists combine to create freedom and more stability.

Session 3: Air Element: The Air element is associated with the Anahata or fourth chakra, located at the center of the heart. The Air element is gentle, uplifting, nurturing, healing, freeing and balancing. Yoga is self-empowering; the student is their own healer. Yoga engages the student in the healing process; by playing an active role in their journey toward health. Healing comes from within, instead of from an outside source. When the individual has a positive mind-state healing happens more quickly and is longer lasting. Whereas if the mind-state is negative, healing may be delayed. In this session, focusing on the upper body, we will explore how movement supported backbends and restorative postures allow us to release layers of tension in the body and mind helping us to move out of physical and mental pain patterns creating physical freedom and a positive mind-state.

Susan Elena Esquivel is a Certified Iyengar Teacher (CIYT) at the Intermediate Junior II Level and a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT). She is on the Iyengar Faculty at Down Under Yoga in Boston and is the director/owner of the Yogashala at Yoga with Susan Elena in Western Massachusetts. Her teaching is a reflection of her focused practice and studies over many years. She is known for precision while taking a playful approach with skillful sequencing to all levels of study allowing each student to go deeper into the understanding of Iyengar yoga. Susan Elena has served on the Iyengar Yoga Association of New England Board since 2015.

Susan Elena is very fortunate to have built strong mentoring relationships with some of the most highly respected senior Iyengar teachers. The four senior teachers she is deeply indebted to and influenced by are Elise Browning Miller, Peentz Dubble, Patricia Walden and Gulnaaz Dashti. Currently, she continues her weekly studies and mentorship with Certified Advanced Senior Teacher Patricia Walden as well as an ongoing apprenticeship with Elise Browning Miller to further her knowledge of scoliosis and back care. She travels to Pune, India to regularly to work with the Iyengars and Gulnaaz Dashti

WORKSHOP PRE-REGISTRATION & CANCELLATION POLICY

It is strongly recommended that you pre-register for workshops. If you pre-register for a workshop, you must cancel either 1 week or 48 hours in advance (depending on the workshop), in order to be refunded for that workshop less a 20% administrative fee. Cancellation deadlines can be found below the workshop descriptions above.

Please cancel via email (info@samamkayabackcare.com) or call 646.964.5772. Even if we receive the message later, we will go by the time stamp and refund your money if appropriate. If you are ill or there is an immediate family medical emergency, we will of course waive the fee. However, please email us as early as possible, and before the workshop begins, to waive the fee or arrange a credit.