Its that time of year again! Gianna is running her yearly 84 asana practice intensive.

The Classical 84 Asana Advanced practice was shared with us by Bikram Choudhury and Emmy Cleaves. Bikram was trained by Shree Bishnu Charan Ghosh, founder of the Ghosh's College of Physical Education in Calcutta, India. Bishni Ghosh trained at the Ranchi School for Boys, founded by his older brother, Pramahansa Yogananda, who you may know from the Self Realization Fellowship and/or as the writer of Autobiography of a Yogi. It is said that Yogananda practiced physical practice with his colleague Swami Sivananda Saraswati whose philosophies infuse the asana and meditation practices you may practice with us at the Siddhi School of Yoga. Sivananda's teachings originate from Yogi Matsyendranath who is said to be the first human teacher of Hatha Yoga. His chief disciple, Gorakhnath, was said to be the guru to Yogi Swatmarama (even though they lived in different centuries), who was the author of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika says that the main objective of Hath Yoga is to create balance in activity, physical processes, mind, and energy to bring awakening which is responsible for the evolution of human consciousness.

The classical 84 asana series has been an elusive practice to many. We would flock to Bikram and Emmy for years to nerd out on this series at headquarter or advanced seminars. Since the fall of headquarters and the divide of the community, the wisdom of this practice has been scattered, changed, and molded to be marketable. Some schools continue to teach this series once a week and some have lost momentum altogether. This is why I believe a week straight of this practice is in order. Together, we will dive back into the ins and outs of this asana, ways to prepare for them, and keep a sense of humor and gratitude for our efforts.

Over the course of five days, we will break down main asana groupings using different preparatory practices in the hour sessions prior to the Classical 84 asanas, and then journey through the, often 2 hour practice.

The advanced practice will be done in the hot room at Tucson Yoga Sol. The goal is to use the body to warm up outside of the heat in the preparatory practice to be sure we are finding stability within our flexibility as we practice through the hot room practice.

Full exchange: $750.

Included:

• All 10 classes

• Course materials

• One family dinner together at my house

• One hike including transportation (there will most likely be water to swim in)

• Single-day drop-ins are available for $155

Not included:

• Mat and towel rental

• Additional classes

• Room and board

• Travel expenses

• Food/drink

When:
October 18 - 22

Where:
Tucson Yoga Sol
5821 N. Oracle Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85704

Schedule:
Wednesday 10/18

4 pm - 5 pm prep series
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm 84 asanas

Thursday 10/19

9:30 am -10:30 am prep series
11 am - 1 pm 84 asanas

Friday 10/20

8:30 am Hike

11 am prep series
1 am - 3 pm 84 asanas

4:30 pm food at my house (for full week participants)

Saturday 10/21

9:30 am - 10:30 am prep series
11 am - 1 pm 84 asanas

Sunday 10/22

9:30 am - 10:30 am prep series
11 am - 1 pm 84 asanas

*When looking for Airbnb’s or hotels, look in 85704. The following hotels are just a couple of minutes away from the studio:

• Best Western Innsuites Tucson Foothills Hotel

• La Posada Lodge & Casitas, Ascend Hotel Collection

• Hampton Inn and Suites Tucson-Mall

• Comfort Suites at Tucson Mall

This practice is at a Bikram yoga studio. The 84 asanas will be in a hot room. There are no drinks for sale at this studio.