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Session I explores the foundational teachings of the yoga practice. In the body, we use both “mobilization” and “stabilization” techniques to open the body. We review the key anatomical structures that relate to the arches of the feet and detail how the feet are “the foundation to the temple of the body”. We study the inner, outer and core myo-fascial meridians in the legs. We study the importance of aligning the knees and femurs in order to achieve optimum balance in the pelvis. To this end, we study the musculature of the leg and the primary arteries and nerve channels that flow into the legs through the pelvis. We emphasize the importance of the sacrum relative to the lower two chakras, muladhara and svadhisthana chakras. We study mula and uddiyana bandha while undertaking an in-depth study of the ilio-psoas and its preeminent position in the body.
This course introduces the poetic power of the Rg Veda and the foundational teachings on death and impermanence. We read the Katha Upanishad and explore the Buddha’s teachings on impermanence, conditionality, and no-self. We study some of the foundational sutras from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and review the Ashtanga Yoga system. For the meditation study, we implement the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as taught by the Buddha. We introduce the power of chanting and discuss the ways that this may accompany the practice.
Tias Little has has been a student of Iyengar Yoga since 1985. He spent 6 months in Mysore in 1990 studying Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and again in 1996. He is a student of Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s in the Dzogchen practice of Vajrayana Buddhism. He is steeped in the Soto School of Zen Buddhism and is an avid student of Dogen.
Tias is trained in massage, cranial-sacral therapy and has studied extensively with Tom Myers in Anatomy Trains. In 1998 he earned a Master’s degree in Eastern Philosophy from St. John’s College. Since 2006 Tias has been studying trauma and recovery through Somatic Experiencing.
"My first class with Tias Little was in April 2002 at the Midwest yoga conference. I've been studying with him ever since. The mindfulness and grace of his teachings is what's most important to me. Tias once said, 'asana (yoga postures) is mind training', and that has stuck with me. Tias honors the ancient traditions of yoga and his knowledge of anatomy, precision with alignment, inclusion of chanting, poetry, pranayama (breathing techniques that move life force), mythology, somatics, and his honesty in sharing stories from his own svadhyaya (self study) practice, round out his teaching." – Kim Wilcox, Moksha Yoga Teacher
"The opportunity to study with Tias Little is one not to be missed. with his poetic use of language, his endless understanding of the body and the mind, his connection to spirit, and his unexpected sense of humor, he will guide you into yourself, your Highest Self, with grace. the experience is transforming." – Erin Cowan, Moksha Yoga Teacher