SHADOW YOGA BOSTON
SHADOW YOGA IN-DEPTH STUDIES:
PRELUDE FORMS WITH
Richmond Dickson
CREATING A PERSONAL PRACTICE
Creating a personal practice is essential to maturing one’s skills as a yoga practitioner and is an integral part of studying Shadow Yoga. While persistence and devotion are required, one also needs a flexible, creative set of tools and a solid theoretical understanding to meet one’s changing needs from day-to-day and to realize the inner potentials of yoga.
The once-a-month weekend workshop format will afford the time and space to delve deeply into the practical, philosophical, and energetic basis of the sequencing of the Shadow Yoga Prelude Forms, the “seed” asanas, and primary asana-vinyasas. Students will gain a deeper understanding of how to utilize Shadow Yoga for personal growth, prepare the subtle body for the internal limbs of yoga, and address special therapeutic needs such as women’s and men’s health and recovering from injury or illness.
ABOUT IN-DEPTH STUDIES
The Shadow Yoga In-Depth Studies course has been designed to offer students an opportunity to learn Shadow Yoga in a methodical way that will support a fruitful home practice. It will focus on foundational practices such as the three Prelude Forms, Kriyas, Bandhas, and Ayurvedic self-care. The Prelude Forms have been developed to overcome the energetic obstructions of the body, rendering the mind sensitive towards the action. This process is intended to prepare the student for further asana and energetic work and, therefore, should come before it. This necessary foundational piece is largely absent from modern-day yoga styles and systems and, without it, the Hatha Yoga methodology cannot yield its intended results completely if at all.
It is recommended that students commit at least two to three years to this process of working with the prelude forms. While much can be learned in the first year, the learning is more intellectual as there is a lot of theoretical information presented that must be worked with over time to understand its uses. The second year and, perhaps, third year will focus on developing mastery of the three Shadow Yoga Preludes and build toward more subtle practices such as therapeutic asana-vinyasa and preparatory work for the practice of inversions. These asana-vinyasas combine with the Prelude Forms to deepen the purification of the subtle body, heal the organs of reproduction, digestion and elimination, and set the foundation for safely and effectively practicing beginning mudras such as Sarvagasana (Shoulderstand) and Sirsasana (Headstand).
While it is very common for practitioners to be introduced to inversions very early in their Hatha Yoga studies these practices carry the risk of serious injury due to over-reliance on muscular effort and technique. The standing work of the Prelude Forms along with rhythmic ujjayi breathing, skillful application of the three bandhas and consistent practice of therapeutic asana-vinyasas (arrangements of seated asanas) are critical for refining the circulation of Prana (vital force) and gaining the skill to avoid creating excessive pressure and irritation to the delicate tissues of the heart, brain, and neck. Until students have mastered these preliminary practices the inversions will yield only superficial benefits and their true power and rejuvenative potential will remain dormant.
2023-24 EIGHT MONTH SERIES SCHEDULE
WEEKEND DATES
October 28 - 29 • November 11 - 12 • December 9 - 10
January 20 - 21 • February 24 - 25 • March 16 - 17 • April 20 - 21 • May 11 - 12
WEEKEND TIMES
Saturday 8:30 - 11:30am; 1:30 - 3:30pm
Sunday 8:30 - 12:30pm
WEEKEND TOPICS
October 28 - 29 • Shadow Yoga Basics
Utilizing standing forms, rhythmic breathing, bandhas (energetic locks) and the system of marma (trigger points) to free the body of its physical, energetic and mental/emotional obstructions, this weekend will focus on the simplicity of unobstructed bodily movement and the minimal effort required to achieve it. Ultimately, like all Hatha Yoga, it will ignite the inner fire for meditation, healing and most importantly, living our path.
Shadow Yoga Warm Ups and Standing Prelude Forms are first introduced to prepare one to safely and effectively practice the more advanced limbs of Hatha Yoga. The Shadow Yoga Full Practice Format consists of primary asana-vinyasas, kriyas, mudras, inversions, pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses) and laya (absorption).
November 11 - 12 • Balakrama Prelude - Stepping Into Strength
Traditionally Balakrama is the first Shadow Yoga prelude that is introduced to those new to this style of Hatha Yoga. A dynamic bone strengthening form based on endurance, it actively engages one’s feet, ankles, knees, hips, navel and breath.
This course is recommended for students who have completed the Shadow Yoga Basics series.
December 9 - 10 • Balakrama Prelude w/ Seed Asana Vinyasa
Seed asanas are the foundational sources that lead to the many and varied extrapolations seen in the modern yoga of today. It is the case that many students have been prematurely introduced to so-called "advanced" asanas prior to working with the "seeds" necessary to cultivate and (eventually) access the spaces required to perform asana effortlessly. As a result, such students have been led down a path that is likely to bear no usable fruit, or worse. In these weekends, using the prelude form as a warm-up tool, we will investigate these possibilities.
January 20 - 21 • Chaya Yoddha Sanchalanam Prelude - Churning of The Shadow
This prelude is designed to teach the essence of this foundational energetic principle which lies at the heart of all internal arts. Along with activating the pranic winds (vayu/nadis), this warrior-sun form teaches one the art of graceful coordination of the arms and legs and, specifically, the independent turning of the waist.
This course is recommended for students who have completed the Shadow Yoga Basics and Balakrama prelude series.
February 24 - 25 • Chaya Sanchalanam Prelude w/ Seed Asana Vinyasa
Seed asanas are the foundational sources that lead to the many and varied extrapolations seen in the modern yoga of today. It is the case that many students have been prematurely introduced to so-called "advanced" asanas prior to working with the "seeds" necessary to cultivate and (eventually) access the spaces required to perform asana effortlessly. As a result, such students have been led down a path that is likely to bear no usable fruit, or worse. In these weekends, using the prelude form as a warm-up tool, we will investigate these possibilities.
March 16 - 17 • Kartikeya Mandalam Prelude - Garland of Light
This advanced warrior-sun prelude form consists of intricate stance, waist, spine and arm work, which further increases, refines and penetrates the pranic force within. This prelude completes the foundational training required for entering the Shadow Yoga Full Practice Format and Nrtta Sadhana (The Rhythmic Dance of Shiva and its practice).
This course is open to those who have completed the Shadow Yoga Basics, Balakrama and Chaya Yoddha Sanchalanam preludes series.
April 20 - 21 • Kartikeya Mandalam Prelude w/ Seed Asana Vinyasa
Seed asanas are the foundational sources that lead to the many and varied extrapolations seen in the modern yoga of today. It is the case that many students have been prematurely introduced to so-called "advanced" asanas prior to working with the "seeds" necessary to cultivate and (eventually) access the spaces required to perform asana effortlessly. As a result, such students have been led down a path that is likely to bear no usable fruit, or worse. In these weekends, using the prelude form as a warm-up tool, we will investigate these possibilities.
May 11 - 12 • Ananda Tandava - Eternal Dance of Bliss
This advanced circular form incorporates the lessons learned from the prelude forms and utilizes the absorbed principles of unimposed posture and movement. This practice is intended to aid the student in the process of the dissolution of their mental projections so that they might see their true self. Physically, the practice is rather simple and the movements are accessible; the challenge, however, is in ones ability to remain mentally focused on the void and remain unencumbered by their emotions.
This course is open to those who have completed the Shadow Yoga Basics and Kartikeya Mandalam preludes series.
REGISTRATION
This course is open to all levels of students. To register, submit completed application form for review. You will be notified upon receipt of application and acceptance into the course.
TUITION
2023-24 payment options
One-time payment option: $1600 paid in full prior to the start of the program.
Monthly auto-pay option: this option involves one down payment plus monthly payments. $225 initial deposit due prior to the start of the program. Then we will coordinate 7 monthly payments of $225 at the beginning of each month starting October 2021 and ending March 2022 for a total of $1800.
Drop-in Weekend option: students can register for any of the weekend courses individually (with prior approval). The tuition is $250 per weekend. We are not offering any other drop-in classes or partial attendance options.
* Note: an additional 2.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card payments to help offset the cost of processing these payments. To avoid these charges you are welcome to pay with cash, check, or direct bank transfer.
REFUND & COURSE WITHDRAWL POLICY
Withdrawal from the program prior to the first weekend session is permitted; students will receive a full refund minus a $200 cancellation fee.
No refunds will be given for withdrawals after the program has begun nor will any credits or refunds be given for missed sessions.
If you are enrolled in the monthly payment option, understand that you are agreeing to make the scheduled monthly payments until completion in May 2024.
ABOUT THE TEACHER
Richmond Dickson is a Structural Integration Therapist, Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant, and yoga instructor. He was introduced to Shadow Yoga by Scott Blossom and Matt Pesendian, and studies regularly with Shandor Remete.
Richmond lives in Boston, MA, and you can learn more about him and his work at thenestboston.com and thebodyworkclinic.com.
The New England School of Therapeutics
60 Adams Street 3rd Floor
Milton, Massachusetts 02186
Tel: (850)531-0528