9038 :: The Root of Yoga :: 12.20.09

*$20 Early bird registration by Dec 6

This event marks the beginning of a series of 7 class/workshops comprising Yoga Sadhaka Training, to be held once a month throughout Los Angeles culminating in June of 2009.

Sadhaka is a Tantric term for "practitioner." The aim of this course is to train individuals in becoming practitioners of the Yogic path, in order to access the depth of wisdom and transformation possible beyond the enjoyment of physical postures and brief periods of meditation. The first half of each class will focus on yogic philosophy, subtle physiology, and elements of various forms of practice. The second half will take the form of a physical Yoga practice, integrating the principles learned and ending in meditation. Each workshop will be linked with one of the chakras, beginning with the Root center in December and completing with the Crown center in June. Students may take as many classes as they like, pre-register or drop in (*space is limited, pre-registration is encouraged). There is no experience necessary. This course will deeply enrich the knowledge & practice of any Yoga Teacher, and will give new students a strong foundation in the Yogic methods who have no background in study or practice. Physical practice will be for all levels!

Phase 1, The ROOT OF YOGA will include:

Philosophy in Action
-Invocation and cultivating Boddhicitta: Creating a container
-Samkalpa: Clear Intention
-Karma, Samskara, Klesha: Burning the seeds
-Samsara, Nirvana, and the non-dual view
-Sahaja principles: Intrinsic awareness
-Uniting Heaven and Earth: Full integration + Non-monastic paths
-Developing a Sadhana (daily practice)

History & Physiology of Practice
-3000 years: Yoga in the Vedas, the Upanishads, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, and the Tantric Texts
-Modern Styles of Hatha Yoga, benefits and drawbacks
(Ashtanga, Iyengar, Viniyoga, Yin, Kundalini, etc.)
-Body and Breath: Basic principles + alignment
-Pranayama for asana (breathing in posture)
-Relaxing root tensions through physical practice
-Karma and the body: accessing the emotions, and undoing response patterns

What to bring: Bring a Yoga Mat if you have one, plus comfortable clothes for practice (work-out clothes). Also feel free to bring a notebook and a pen to take notes during the first half of class.

Contribution: $20 Early Bird by Dec 6 or $25 thereafter
Includes a light vegetarian meal after practice

Register here:



Serge Berliawsky has been studying and practicing the yogic arts of India & Tibet for over a decade, and teaching for the past 9 years. Serge’s teaching draws on his knowledge of asana (postures) as integrated with ayurveda, and blends together elements of his extensive training in Ashtanga Yoga, Yin Yoga, Rudra Yoga, Kundalini, and traditional Hatha Yoga. In addition to teaching Serge continues to study Yogic philosophy, Tantric Buddhist meditation practice and Puja (ceremony). He is also a DJ, collector of rare records, and owner/designer of Sahaja, a Japanese-couture influenced luxury menswear line located in Los Angeles, CA (www.SahajaAtelier.com).