Workshops

^{Heart Of Yoga with Mark Whitwell}

Mark returns to the Crystal Castle for a two day workshop  'Developing a personal practice'

Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd of February 2012

9am to 5pm in the Discovery room.

This intimate workshop has a maximum of 25 places available. We expect it to fill quickly so please book now to secure your place.

According to the great “teacher of our teachers” T. Krishnamacharya, yoga must be adapted to the individual, not the individual adapted to the style of yoga. For your yoga practice to be most fruitful, it must be in harmony with your body type, age, health, and even cultural background.
This workshop is a unique opportunity to work with one of the most experienced yoga teachers in the world to design your own personal yoga practice. No matter what style of yoga you are currently practicing, you will be able incorporate the insights gleaned from this personal practice development to make your yoga more efficient, powerful, and safe.
You'll also learn to integrate breath, asana, and bandha as a seamless process and as you deepen into this understanding, personalised for you, you discover more completely that yoga is your direct connection with reality - an entirely abundant, regenerating, and nurturing power. Everyone, from beginners to experienced practitioners, is invited to attend.

“I tried many different yoga traditions over many years but could never keep up a regular practice. When I met Mark and studied under him, yoga became a joy and a pleasure. After a few months of a simple daily practice, my life felt different in many ways. With Mark’s approach, there is nowhere to go, no higher place to reach, no need to stretch the body beyond where it is comfortable, there’s just a flow and a connection with nurturing source. He teaches from a place of ancient pure wisdom, and is a total joy to be with”.
Naren King
Managing Dreamer, and Crystal Castle owner.

The two day workshop is $295.00 Book Now

Click here for more information about Mark Whitwell.

I promise to do my yoga.

Reveiw by Laura-Doe, participant at Mark's workshop May 2011 and Creative writer for the Crystal Castle.

The Discovery room at the Crystal Castle underwent yet another of its many transformations a few weekends ago. The four rows of yoga mats laid out on the floor were to become the location for some profound shifts in understanding and awareness for the lucky participants the Heart of Yoga workshop with Mark Whitwell.

Mark is a very experienced teacher who studied extensively with Indian yoga masters such as T. Krishnamacharya. But his approach is delightfully gentle and his manner extremely easy-going and relaxed. His mission is to bring yoga to as many people as he possibly can. 'You promise to practice' he says 'and I promise you optimal health, love and sex. Obstructions are removed and health and dignity in life are restored. When you make a promise to practice yoga, yoga will meet you at every level, offering healing solutions to your unique needs.'

The levels of ability in the room were very varied but that was not an issue. Mark's premise is that there is an appropriate yoga of body and breath for every person according to age, health, body type, and lifestyle. If the principles of yoga are applied taking into account the present situation of the person, anyone, he says, can enjoy the many benefits of yoga immediately.

The key principle that we received early on in the weekend was that the breath leads the body. The challenge, Mark says, should be within the limits of the breath, not the musculature. "Yoga is not a means to get somewhere. It is your direct and intimate participation with Life. If you can breathe, you can do Yoga.” By allowing the breath to lead you it becomes very difficult to overextend the body so practice becomes safe and gentle.

To try to make yoga practice practical in everybody’s busy schedule Mark has whittled it down to a 7-minute practice. “As a friend,” he smiles winningly "I ask you to do your seven minute practice as a vital part of your day until it is as simple as taking a daily shower. I promise you a wonderful result."