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the courageous heart


THE COURAGEOUS HEART: A THREE DAY WORKSHOP WITH MICHAEL HAMILTON

 

The Bhagavad Gita, or the “Song of the Lord” is becoming the text of our times, as it calls on us to rise to the occasion when confronted with change and challenge. When Arjuna, its hero, finds the world that he grew up in suddenly falling apart, the instability, uncertainty and confusion grips hold of him, driving him into a state of disillusion and despair, leaving him incapacitated.

 

In this critical moment his friend and teacher, Krishna, leads him skillfully to discover his own unique path to salvation through discovering love and letting go, thereby fulfilling his true purpose and finding meaning in engaging within the world.

 

In this three-day immersion we will draw inspiration from the exchanges between Arjuna and Krishna to guide us as we delve deep into the aspects of yoga that overflow with potential for transformation, raising our levels of awareness trough meditation, our connection to the subtle body through breath work, our understanding of asana for connecting to the body, while brushing up on our teaching skills to better assist others. 

 

Contents:

 

Asana – working with inter-related oppositions

In a workshop format we will be looking at how the two guiding principles of expansion (prana) and grounding (apana) function anatomically in different postures, arranged around the themes of back bends, forward folds and arm balances respectively for each afternoon session.

 

Meditation – grooming the mind

In the morning sadhana we will explore the different approaches to meditation by grounding in calm abiding, sharpening inquiry through the cultivation of insight, and opening the heart through visualizations and meditations on love (metta). 

 

Pranayama – refining the field of prana

As part of our morning sadhana we will explore gradually the finding of the breath, its relationship to working with the mid-line of the body, and its application in asana through the cultivation of the energetic locks, or bandhas.

 

Teaching methodology – the art of hands-on assists

As we break down postures, their anatomical detail and optimized alignment principles will guide us into how hands on assists can serve to support one’s individual growth within the asana practice.

 

Modern ethics – finding our compass outside ideology

We will use the Bhagavad Gita as our inspiration to catch glimpses of the moral dilemma that Arjuna, the hero of the story, finds himself in and how his teacher Krishna guides him along the path to see how, in spite of what we do, we cannot escape moral responsibility.

 

Friday 17 October

 

7:30 – 10:30 – Sadhana (3hrs)

Meditation – introduction to grounding in the breath

Pranayama – finding the mid line and tethering the breath

Asana – mixed levels vinyasa class exploring forward folds

 

13.00 – 17:00 – Theory (4hrs)

Studies in the Gita – Arjuna’s dilemma

Teaching methodology - Alignment, Anatomy, Adjustments

 

Saturday 18 October

 

7:30 – 10:30 – Sadhana (3hrs)

Meditation – introduction to cultivating insight

Pranayama – working with bandhas

Asana – mixed levels vinyasa class exploring back bends

 

13.00 – 17:00 – Theory (4hrs)

Studies in the Gita – sacrifice and action in the world

Teaching methodology - Alignment, Anatomy, Adjustments

 

Sunday 19 October

 

7:30 – 10:30 – Sadhana (3hrs)

Meditation – introduction to loving kindness

Pranayama – dynamic breath

Asana – mixed levels vinyasa class exploring arm balances

 

13.00 – 17:00 – Theory (4hrs)

Studies in the Gita – Divine revelation & devotion

Teaching methodology - Alignment, Anatomy, AdjustmentsDays can also be booked individually.

Pricing

Early Bird (until 29.08.2025):

– Full course: CHF 390.–

– One day: CHF 140.–

Regular Price:

– Full course: CHF 450.–

– One day: CHF 160.–

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January 30

foundation teacher training 200