Whether you practice or teach traditional hatha yoga, hot yoga, vinyasa or ashtanga yoga, Leslie Kaminoff’s workshops, based on his five decades of teaching yoga anatomy, body and breathwork, can add a transformational dimension to your practice.
Leslie will focus on some of the most unique aspects of his teacher Desikachar’s philosophy and technique, while grounding these ancient perspectives in a practical, anatomical, framework.
Leslie’s highly accessible, inquiry-based approach to teaching combines intellectual rigor, spontaneity and humor, and is always evolving and adapting, based on the interests and questions of the participants in his programs.
Learn more about Leslie in the PURE Yoga Talk below!
Pricing Options
Weekend Pass (includes all 5 workshops) - $300
Single Workshop - $75/each - click the links below to purchase the workshops you wish to attend:
Friday, November 7 | 6-8:30pm - The Core of All Yoga
Saturday, November 8 | 12-2:30pm - Foundational Feet
Saturday, November 8 | 3:30-6pm - Balance in Non-Linear Asana Flow
Sunday, November 9 | 10am-12:30pm - Camel and Wheel Workshop
Sunday, November 9 | 1:30-4pm - “Stretching the West”
Friday, November 7
6-8:30pm - The Core of All Yoga: Free Breathing, Healthy Spines
“We are only as old as our spines,” a quote attributed to Joseph Pilates, highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy spine for overall well-being and longevity. The particular genius of yoga practice in the tradition of Desikachar and Krishnamacharya is that breath movements are intrinsically connected to spinal action, reinforcing Pilates’ perspective with their breath-centered approach. Leslie explores this connection using a blend of anatomy, inquiry, and interactive practice, leading to the goal of the session: a spine that feels younger than it did at the start of class.
Saturday, November 8
12-2:30pm - Foundational Feet: Alignment From the Ground Up
Humans have been walking erect for about 2 million years. Yet, in what amounts to an evolutionary blink of an eye, the natural earth has literally been pulled out from under us, as we have leveled, paved, and otherwise smoothed out the unpredictable terrain upon which our feet originally evolved. Add to this insult the injury of restrictive footwear and we in the industrialized world have an epidemic of physical ills that can be traced back to our compromised foundations.
This class will delve deeply into the structure and function of our feet as the foundation for healthy, aligned asana practice, as well as better walking habits that will help us live our lives as more fully functional, happy bipeds.
3:30-6pm - Balance in Non-Linear Asana Flow: Escaping the Tyranny of the Rectangle
In this class we will practice in a way that requires far more proprioceptive balance from our nervous systems, integration of our senses and strength from our bones and joints.
Learning simple geometries of classic asana is a great starting point, just as learning scales on a piano is a necessary foundation to playing music. This class tunes into the music of the body by honoring the spirals, fluids and asymmetries inherent in our organic forms and the complementary forces of order and chaos, inquiry and technique, form and function.
Sunday, November 9
10am-12:30pm - Camel and Wheel Workshop: A Better Backbend Through Breathing
Is a backbend about moving backwards in space or is it about changing the shape of the spine? What role does the breath play in entering into and remaining in these challenging poses? How we answer these fundamental questions will determine our goals and experiences when we practice backbending.
In this fun and informative class, we will explore the definition of backbending from the viewpoint of the body’s full range of anatomical possibilities – from world-class contortionists to average citizens. We will also practice a sequence for two key asanas that will permit us to use the breath in a variety of creative ways to enhance and deepen the opening of our bodies to these transformative shapes.
1:30-4pm - “Stretching the West:” A Forward Folding Workshop
In Sanskrit, the back of the body is referred to as “paschima,” meaning “west” – therefore, Paschimottanasana, is the practice of elongating the posterior line of the body’s myofascia. Unfortunately, some of the most common alignment instructions that are given in forward bending asanas do not produce an evenly distributed lengthening of these structures, resulting in a perpetuation of chronic tightness in the very areas the poses seek to release.
This class will provide a solid grounding in the posterior line of the body from both an anatomical and a yogic perspective. From both standing and sitting, we will practice breath-based movements and alignment strategies that are guaranteed to move your asana practice forward in a whole new way.
Please note: no refunds will be issued for special events/classes. Thank you for your understanding!