WORKSHOP CONTENT

For this workshop series, we have invited Carlos Pomeda, a professional lecturer in the fields of Yoga and Sanskrit, to teach us the deep history and mythology behind our daily yoga practices.

Carlos has previously instructed our students at the Be Yoga Japan studio. This time, we will have a professional yoga interpreter, Tomoko Kawahara, to help our Japanese students to comfortably understand the lecture.

The workshop series will be divided into 3 sessions as follows.

Meditation through the Gunas

Philosophy and Meditation
The 3 gunas are a traditional way of looking at reality with broad implications for yoga practice. When applied to meditation, they become a lens through which we can explore and navigate the entire range of experiences and approaches. This workshop will help us not only to broaden our understanding of meditation, but also to find ways of dealing with the environment, the various challenges we may encounter in meditation practice and the various possibilities to enter the heart of the practice.
An innovative approach with broad applications.

A Fascinating Yogic Journey Through Time and Space: The Yoga Vāsiṣṭha

Inner Yoga and Meditation
In order to make progress (in any field) we need to move beyond our current level of knowledge and experience. That is exactly what this classic of yoga wisdom, The Yoga Vāsiṣṭha, does: Do you think you have some understanding about the nature of reality? This text might well blow your mind (literally!) Do you think you know what makes you tick? Get ready to be awakened. Do you think you know how to go about your yoga and meditation practice? Get ready for a surprise.
In a fun format, working with the amazing stories this text presents us, this workshop will guide us from the highest perspective, into the blazing revelation of Absolute Non-duality, the Heart of Experience. If you are ready to refresh your practice and enjoy a friendly challenge, this workshop is for you.

Methodologies of Yoga Through History

Philosophy and Meditation
A fascinating exploration of the many forms of yoga that have developed throughout history, drawing gems of inspiration and practice that we can immediately apply　to our lives. One fruit of the workshop will be a thorough understanding of the differences and peculiarities of the various forms of yoga (Raja yoga, Karma yoga, Mantra yoga, Laya yoga, etc.) Participants will learn to draw elements from this ancient wisdom of yoga that can enrich their own lives and their practice.

ABOUT THE TEACHER (Carlos Pomeda)

“Carlos Pomeda is a world-class teacher of Eastern Philosophy who has tremendous ability to convey the essence of the depth of the yoga tradition in a way that is deeply meaningful and transformative.”
John Friend

“Here’s a man who can be trusted to cut through the usual window- dressing of yoga and give me the real goods… a heavyweight…
without being heavy, he has a jaw-dropping range of knowledge.”
Richard Rosen, Senior Reviewer, Yoga Journal

“What impresses me as much as his clarity and depth of knowledge is his embodiment of the teachings. He teaches with a contagious
humility and graciousness that encourages learning and draws you into your own process of discovery and love of the tradition.”
Leela Miller, Director of Yoga at Triyoga (London)

Originally from Madrid, Spain, Carlos has been steeped in all aspects of the yoga tradition during almost 40 years of practice
and study. He spent 18 of those years as a monk of the Saraswati order, under the name Swami Gitananda, which included
9 years in India, at the Siddha Yoga ashram, studying and practicing under Swami Muktananda and Gurumayi Chidvilasananda.

During this time he learned the various systems of Indian Philosophy and immersed himself in the practice of yoga, becoming one of the senior monks of the tradition and teaching meditation and philosophy to tens of thousands of students around the world. He combines this experience and traditional training with his academic background, which includes two Masters Degrees: one in Sanskrit, from U.C. Berkeley (where he has taught) and another one, in Religious Studies, from U.C. Santa Barbara. He is currently working on his Ph.D. dissertation on the Krama school of Kashmiri Tantrism.
Carlos currently lives in San Francisco, California, and travels extensively around the world conducting a variety of retreats, courses, seminars, workshops and lectures on the Wisdom of Yoga and related subjects.
As a teacher, Carlos is renowned for the breadth of his knowledge and the clarity with which he conveys it. His great love of the Indian yoga traditions, his insight, his humor and his deep connection with his audiences give him the ability to transmit the deepest scriptural teachings in a way that is clear, meaningful and applicable. Studying with Carlos is an enjoyable and transformative experience.

For information on his DVD series “The Wisdom of Yoga” and other forthcoming titles, visit www.pomeda.com

ABOUT THE INTERPRETER (Tomoko Kawahara)

Tomoko Kawahara is an active freelance yoga class translator as well as a senior yoga instructor specializing in heart of yoga and restoration.
Tomoko has also been active in the ‘’Breathe for Peace’’ charity during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
It has been her life’s work to encourage yoga in places that are still unfamiliar with as well as spreading the essence of yoga beyond its mat.
She is currently building up a blog site『YOGAYOMU』that provides free yoga information.

RESERVATIONS

Book your spot now by sending an email to reservations@beyogajapan.com with the following:

• Reservation for which Workshop and Date
• Full name
• Telephone number

Note: please be sure to add reservations@beyogajapan.com to your address book and, if necessary, to your safe list so that you can receive our response. Schedule or other details may be subject to change.

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