-= Grow Your Practice with Gili - 5 week course =-

This 5 week course is designed for yogis who have recently commenced practising (weekly, for a couple of months) or for more experienced practitioners who wish to deepen their practice and knowledge. In the course you will gain a better understanding on how to practise safely with Ujjayi (breath) at the centre of every Asana (pose), how to increase strength, stamina and flexibility - both in body and in mind, and how to take yoga off the mat and incorporate it into your everyday life.

We will cover in detail principles of the practice that will be useful going forward:
* The potential of yoga – a tool to control your mind; how to calm your body and mind.
* Being a beginner: going back to the basics and revisiting and re-learning what you think you know.
* Getting stronger: building physical and mental strength and confidence.

‘Grow your yoga practice’ will encourage you to develop your yoga routine and attend an additional weekly class where you can literally put the course material into practice.

-= Dates =-
Dates: 23rd, 30th June and 7th, 14th, 21st July
Time: 2.00pm - 3.30pm

-= Course Modules =-

Week 1: Pranayama - Establishing Ujjayi breath – benefits and techniques
Awakened by Ujjayi, we’ll then cover:
* Sama Vritti (Box Breathing)
* Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril-breathing)
* Reset Breath
These techniques will be integrated into a slow-flow practice.

Week 2: Surya Namskar A, B – Sun salutation, in the Ashtanga spirit
Workshopping each step of the Surya Namaskar, synchronised with the Ujjayi. Forward bends, upward facing dog, downward facing dog and transitioning between the Asanas will be covered.

Week 3: Standing and Balancing Asanas
This session will cover how to build your legs’ physical strength and flexibility in your hips to help you feel grounded, balances, strong and energised.
* Trikonasana – Triangle pose
* Virabhadrasana - Warrior
*Utthita hasta padangusthasana - Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe balancing Pose

Week 4: Twists and back bending Asanas
Life is full of changes and challenges – in order to face these without breaking, we need the right amount and balance of flexibility and strength in our mind, body and of course, back. A strong and flexible back creates a strong and flexible life.
We will go over some seated twists as well as light backbends, opening the chest and the back and the developing strength needed for Urdhva Dhanurasana – the wheel.

Week 5: Inversions - my favourite part(!)
Inversion are wonderful poses that increase blood circulation in the body and creating a sense of calmness and rejuvenation as we come out of the Asana.
Salamba Sarvangasana – Supported shoulder stand is a great Asana to massage and balance the thyroid gland, which contributes to a steady and calm hormone (endocrine) system.

All sessions will end with Shivasana, allowing the mind to absorb what we’ve learned and put it in place for our next practice.

-= Investment =-
General Admission - $200 (+ booking fee)
Members and yoga teachers - $175 (+ booking fee)

* Includes access to Gili’s classes.

-= Location =-
Held @ The Open Space
11 Acacia Pl, Abbotsford VIC 3067

Paid parking is available in the public car park at Acacia Place, and across Victoria Street in Victoria Gardens shopping complex. Free parking in Harrison court and surrounds. We are on the lower ground level of Acacia Place.

Disabled access: If you park within the paid parking station off Acacia Place you will be on the same level as our studio. If you enter from Victoria Street level, a lift is available at the top of the first set of steps leading down to the river.