Horsham/ UK Workshop with Gregor Maehle & Monica Gauci

• When:
  • 17 -17 August, Saturday and Sunday.
  • From 9am to ~4:30pm.
• Where:
  • At Iriness Yoga Horsham, Victoria house, Victoria street, RH13 5DZ.
• Themes & timeline for both days:
  • 9am – 11:30am. Monica Gauci: Balancing the pelvis: the seat of yoga.
  • 1:30am  – 4:30pm. Gregor Maehle: Bhakti and Karma yoga
• Students profile:
  • Yoga teachers and students of all traditions and levels (except complete novices).

Balancing the Pelvis – The Seat of Yoga with Monica Gauci

Nearly everyone — 99%, if not the entire population — has a functional short leg, often stemming from or significantly influenced by a twist or torsion in the pelvis.

The position and balance of our pelvis affect not only the alignment of our spine, cranium, and shoulder girdle but also our sacrum, hip joints, knees, and every other joint in the body!

When seated, as we often are in yoga practice, the pelvis serves as our base, support, and connection to the earth. It houses and protects the organs of procreation, digestion, and elimination. A balanced pelvis enables us to create, integrate, and release what no longer serves us.

In this workshop we address the common yet challenging issues of pelvic torsion and leg length discrepancies. We’ll examine the muscles that contribute to pelvic stability and explore practical techniques to rebalance these muscles for optimal pelvic alignment.

Emotional anatomy is woven into this workshop, deepening our understanding of the mind-body connection inherent in pelvic imbalances and injuries. Women are especially prone to pelvic stresses. By understanding and recognising the unique challenges of this area, we gain the knowledge and empowerment needed to manage, care for, and heal ourselves effectively.

Bhakti Yoga – The Yoga of Love with Gregor Maehle

Bhakti is the yoga of divine love. In this workshop, we will define the Divine as a source of intensity, creativity, and co-creation, emphasising that it is an ongoing process rather than a static entity.

We’ll analyse historical Bhakti movements, examining their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss the psychological benefits and challenges of practising a yoga of love. A modern, inclusive approach to Bhakti will be presented, featuring practices to enhance our quality of life and happiness, helping us recognise the Divine in everyone, even those we find difficult to understand.

The Bhagavad Gita, our primary source for Bhakti, blends Jnana Yoga (knowledge), Bhakti Yoga (devotion), and Karma Yoga (action). We will chant key stanzas and explore the Gita’s practical teachings. While the Yoga Sutras focus mainly on Raja Yoga, the Gita places Ishvara pranidhana (Bhakti) at its center, referring to Ishvara as Purusha Uttama (the Supreme Being).

Gregor will analyse viewpoints from ancient commentators like Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya and integrate insights from modern figures such as Shri Ramakrishna and Shri Aurobindo to deepen our understanding of the Divine.

Karma Yoga – Finding your Life’s Divine Purpose with Gregor Maehle

Do you remember a time when you felt your life would be amazing and that you would make a meaningful contribution to the world? What happened to that belief? Our education and enculturation have disconnected us from this sacred knowledge and vital energy, turning us into cynics and “realists.”

Historically, human societies have been organised around the belief that individual and collective lives have divine purpose. This workshop explores this knowledge through indigenous cultures, the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible, and the Yoga Sutra. Our disconnection from this understanding has contributed to environmental destruction, the sixth mass extinction, and a rise in mental health issues.

This workshop not only reveals how we lost sight of life’s sacredness and purpose but also provides techniques to help us rediscover and implement our Divine purpose.

For more info and bookings please go to https://iriness.com/events/gregor-maehle-and-monica-gauci-in-studio/