Yoga Based Training

The Creative Spirit of Yoga – 2023

An Inspirational Practice for Sacred Living.

A Yoga-based training including:

  • The Five strands of Existence
  • Yoga Asana
  • Movement patterns
  • Creative movement
  • Body Intelligence
  • Breath and Energy
  • The Chakra Journey
  • Philosophy and Psychology of Yoga—Ethical Being
  • Meditation and Relaxation
  • Creative Expression

ABOUT THIS COURSE:

This Joyful Exploration of Being is about you, the individual participant, your relationship with yoga, with life, and with your own creative intelligence.

It is primarily an exploration of the Self aimed at offering a platform from which you can make your own discoveries and from which you can expand and seek your own path, which may include teaching. (NB this is not a yoga teacher’s training but will include elements of such)

In this Yoga there are no levels – it is simply an open, even ground of exploration and discovery. It is of no concern if you cannot execute all of the yoga postures because of injury or limited flexibility.

First, and foremost, is the experience of Self-Awareness. Without a genuine knowing of the Self, we cannot create the space for others to know themselves. Ultimately, the essence of sharing is enabling our self to discover within, our innate intuitive intelligence, and to use this intelligence to enable others to open pathways to understanding and healing.

A key component of this course is creativity and exploring different mediums of creative expression such as intuitive art, textile art e.g. eco-dyeing, writing, movement and voice.

The course is conducted over a seven month period in beautiful surroundings. It consists of seven modules – five weekend retreats and one four-day intensive.

 Dates for 2023:

Module 1February 4/5
Module 2March 4/5
Module 3April 1/2
Module 4May 5/6
Modules 5 & 6June 2/3/4/5
Module 7July 1/2

MODULE 1 - Yoga Birth | The Beginning | That From Which Everything Arises

FRIDAY
6pmWelcome
6:30pmDinner – Camp Kitchen
DAY ONE
6:30amMeditation followed by Yoga practice in the Yoga Sanctuary
8:30amBreakfast – Camp Kitchen
10amCourse Overview
Requirements & Agreements
The way we learn
The components of Yoga, Self-Awareness, Creativity and Intuitive Intelligence as the basis of learning and living
1pmLunch - Camp Kitchen
2:30pmLet the Journey Begin
Creation and Birth - the root Chakra Mooladhara
Security, Support, Survival
Where Breath and Movement begin.
(includes intuitive art and writing)
The Breath – that which moves in me
• How we breathe
• Exploring the breathing process
• The gift of life and prana
• The breath as messenger
Exploring Connection – Earth, Creation, Life, Tribe
5pmFree time
6:30pmEvening meal
7:30pmEvening activity
DAY TWO
6:30amMeditation / Yoga Practice
8:30amBreakfast
10:30amCreative Expression
Creating our Chakra Journey
Breath in relationship to a) Movement b) Alignment c) Steadiness
1pmLunch
2:30pmGroup sharing
3pmYoga/Movement Exploration Focus:

Personal Intent
Connection with earth – creating foundations
Stable Support
Standing with Integrity
Discernment

Breathing, Synchronicity of Movement and Breath
Opening and releasing
Being one with life
4:30pmFinish

MODULE 2 - Watching your Footprints | That Which is Arising

FRIDAY
6:30pmDinner
7:30pmYoga Sanctuary - Sharing
DAY ONE
6:30amMeditation / Yoga Practice
8:30amBreakfast
10amThe Psychology of the Second Chakra, Swadhisthana –
Understanding Self – Who Am I?
Identity – Separation – Relationship
Our Inherent Creativity
Exploring Emotion
(includes intuitive art/ writing)
1pmLunch
2:30pmEthical Living – Yoga Sutras
3:30pmYoga/Movement
• Maintaining Integrity of Hips, Pelvis, Spine
• Bringing Awareness to the Neutral Space
• Sequencing Movement from stable support
• Opening Hips and Pelvis
5pmClose
6:30pmDinner
7:30pmFire Circle (weather permitting)
DAY TWO
6:30amMeditation / Yoga Practice
8:30amBreakfast
10:00amCreative Expression Activity
Exploring the Fluid Body
Movement from a fluid-based support
Focus:
• What is Arising
• Movement from Neutral Space
• Fluid Movement
1pmLunch
2:30pmTeaching in Practice
Students work in groups to explore aspects of work covered so far
4:30-5pmFinish

MODULE 3 - The Gift of Creation | That Which Fills Me

FRIDAY
6:30pmDinner
7:30pmYoga Sanctuary - Sharing
DAY ONE
6:30amMeditation / Yoga Practice
8:30amBreakfast
9:4 amPsychology of third chakra – Manipura
The Ego – Self-personality
Reaching out
Applying Will, Discernment, Perseverance and Containment. Application to Yoga and Life. Understanding what depletes and supports energy (includes intuitive art and writing)
1pmLunch
2:30pmGroup Activity
3:30pmYoga/Movement/Breath – focus:
Connecting Breath, Energy, Fluidity and Vitality
Focus: The Body’s Centre / Lines of Energy
Opening/radiating from the Centre
5:15pmSharing
6:30pmDinner
7:30pmFire Circle or Temple Activity
DAY TWO
6:30amMeditation / Yoga Practice
8:30amBreakfast
10:00amCreative Expression Activity
1pmLunch
2:30pmThis Vital Core – exploring organs and organ support
3pmTeaching in Practice
Students work in groups to explore aspects of work covered so far
4:30pmDebrief

MODULE 4 - Opening Love Windows | That Which Gathers Light

FRIDAY
6:30pmDinner
7:30pmYoga Sanctuary - Sharing
DAY ONE
8:30amMeditation / Yoga Practice
10:30amBreak
10:45amThe Fourth Chakra – Anahata
Beyond Instinct and Survival
The story of the Heart
Head versus Heart
(includes intuitive art and writing)
1pmLunch
2:30pmThe nature of loss and grief
3pmYoga Class – Focus: Creative Movement that Satisfies the Body
– Exploring movement in a nurturing way
Yoga from the Heart / Opening Chest and Shoulders
Awareness of Organ Support
5pmDebrief - Close
6:30pmDinner
7:30pmFire Circle or Temple Activity
DAY TWO
6:30amMeditation / Yoga Practice
8:30amBreakfast
10:00amCreative Expression Activity
10:45amYoga from the Heart
Exploring Healing Practices
The Ethic of Non-harm
Love, Forgiveness and Compassion
1pmLunch
2pmSelf Care and Self Love
Boundaries / Compromise
3pmTeaching in Practice
4pmDebrief

MODULE 5 / 6 - (4 day retreat)

  • MODULE 5 – THE VOICE – THAT WHICH RESIDES IN ME
  • MODULE 6 – INFECTED WITH JOY – THAT WHICH I AM

 

THURSDAY
6:30pmDinner
7:30pmYoga Sanctuary - Sharing
DAY ONE
6:30amMeditation / Yoga Practice
8:30amBreakfast
10amExploring the fifth chakra – Vishudda
Self-expression, communication, judgement – discernment and discrimination. Honesty
(includes intuitive art and writing)
1pmLunch
2:30pmExploring sound and voice
3:30pmYoga Class – Focus: Connecting movement, dance and stillness
5pmDebrief
6:30pmDinner
7:30pmSound Healing
Sound as therapy
DAY TWO
6:30amMeditation / Yoga Practice
8:30amBreakfast
10:00amCreative Expression Activity
11:45amYoga Exploration
1pmLunch
2:30pmTeaching in Practice
4pmDebrief
DAY THREE
6:30amMeditation / Yoga Practice
8:30amBreakfast
10amExploring the sixth and seventh Chakras – Ajna and Sarasrara
The Mind – Perception and Knowledge
Non-Grasping – detachment
Understanding
Intuition & Wisdom
Imagination as a medium (includes creative expression)
1pm Lunch
2:30pmThe Senses
The Meditative Process
Personal Practice
3pmYoga Exploration
5pmDebrief
6:30pmDinner
7:30pmFire Circle or Temple activity
DAY FOUR
6:30amMeditation / Yoga
8:30amBreakfast
10:30amTransience, Living and Dying
The Riddle of Separation
Presence
The Dance
1pmLunch
3pmYoga Class – Focus: Devotion / Giving and Receiving
4pmDebrief - Close

MODULE 7

DAY ONE
6:30 amMeditation / Yoga Practice
8:30 amBreak
10 amThis Spiritual Life
1 pmLunch
2:30 pmRehearsal
6:30 pmDinner
7:30 pmIn the Temple – Yoga Theatre
DAY TWO
8:30 amMeditation / Yoga Practice
10:30 amBreak
11 amGratitude – Giving Back
1 pmLunch
2:30 pmPrayers and Farewell

THIS COURSE:

This creative spirit journey continues to evolve and grow. It is open to those who are sincere (as opposed to serious) in their commitment to living with awareness.

It doesn’t offer participants certificates, qualifications or status.

What it does offer is stable ground from which to grow and expand.

It can be summed up with several words Connection and Stability, Self-Awareness and Creativity, Courage and Responsibility, Compassion and Sincerity, Will and Surrender, Detachment and Humility, Presence.

“It is your heart that beats the passion of your truth—your wisdom—through your veins; that which in time becomes your knowing.”

            The Red Dove

Gerry Hillier has worked as a yoga teacher, drama and creative expression facilitator, script writer and director for the past 30 years. During that time, she has regularly conducted yoga workshops and training, devised drama programmes, and scripted and directed theatrical productions.

Gerry has also worked extensively with youth, women, indigenous communities and people with physical and mental disabilities and mental illness.

Gerry combines her understanding of creative expression with the philosophy of yogic tradition to bring together a dynamic series of workshops to facilitate self-inquiry and discovery. She promotes dramatic art, creative expression, movement, meditation and relaxation as ways of personal development and inner stillness, and  mediums for participants to explore their own issues and concerns, their relationships and their behaviours in order to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

Gerry is also a writer and author. She lives in Queensland Australia.

DATES:

  • February 4/5
  • March 4/5
  • April 1/2
  • May 5/6
  • June 2/3/4/5
  • July 1/2

VENUE: The Gift Yoga Sanctuary – 234 Arthys Road Cooran (Adjacent to Hillier Retreat)

YOUR INVESTMENT:  $3,250

Please note in order to maintain a personal, intimate experience numbers will be limited—book early to avoid disappointment. Bookings online. Payment options available.