Elemental Sound Healing with Juju Desta, Friday, June 26, 6-7:15p
Sound healing is an ancient practice that uses sound to relax the body and mind through allowing the vibrations of the various instruments to put one into a “yogic sleep.” In yogic sleep, the individual is neither fully asleep nor fully awake. In Aboriginal culture, it is referred to as the “Dream Time” state. The sounds vibrate with every cell of a living organism which in turn activates a natural healing process working through any physical, mental, or emotional blockages within the body.
Julian J. Desta is 200hr certified yoga instructor residing in Richmond, VA. Always having a passion for the creative arts, he was introduced to the practice of Sound Healing and Therapy when given his first singing bowl as a birthday present from a friend. Julian began researching the depths of sound and it’s powerful healing techniques. After a few years practicing Julian received his Sound Healing Certification from Mentor and friend Mark Toregson in 2019.
Specializing in a variety of instruments from the didgeridoo, to flutes, singing bowls, and drums, Julian has created a unique Sound Healing Experience called Elemental Sound Healing. Discovering relationship between sound healing and nature, he calls on the 4 elements of Air, Wind, Water, and Fire to channel through each practice to bring balance to the human system or what he likes to refer to as homeostasis.
Please bring whatever you would like to rest comfortably on the ground. A mat, pillow, and blanket or two are recommended.
Investment: $30. Register HERE. Registration is also available for 7/17 and 8/14.
Into the Heart, a Summer Solstice Celebration with Olivia Yohai, Sunday, June 28, 5:30-7:30p
Into the Heart is a 2 hour seasonal workshop exploring the Fire element in Eastern Medicine, which governs the Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium, and San Jiao meridians. This element houses the Shen, the spirit of the Heart, and calls us to live with radiant purpose, compassion, and joy.
As summer invites expansion and connection, this workshop helps you attune to the rhythm of nature and harness the vitality of the season.
In yoga, we learn to observe thoughts, emotions, and sensations. We will practice deepening this awareness by aligning with the Heart’s energy to live from authentic love, for ourselves and for others.
This workshop for living in harmony with summer will offer:
• Embodied practices to regulate and nourish the Heart
• Techniques for cultivating compassion, balance, and discernment
• Acupressure points to ease tension in the neck, shoulders, wrists, and hands.
• Long, supported heart openers to invite emotional release and expansion
• A deep dive into the emotional landscape of the Fire element and its connection to mental health
Expect to leave with emotional clarity, energetic alignment, and likely sparkling eyes and a heart nourished by presence.
Investment: $35. Register HERE.
Body love with Molly Bienstock, Friday, July 10, 5:30-7p
Together we'll explore what it means to be in a body through the lens of somatic experience, parts work, and the importance of slowing down. Come enjoy an evening of yoga, movement, and dance as a ritual for forgiveness, belonging, and collective care.
Investment: $30. Register HERE.
Molly Bienstock (they/them) is a nonbinary, queer somatic therapist and educator whose passions lie in helping people find safety in their bodies so they can experience their most playful, authentic selves. After a traumatic accident in 2014, Molly became a scholar of somatic and spiritual methodologies as a channel to better understand the body's survival responses as well as how it can thrive. Molly now offers a unique combination of tools in their private practice Magic With Molly that stems from the wisdom of yoga, breathwork, somatic experience, movement and dance therapy, traditional talk therapy, and parts work. Molly's focus is on helping people feel their most expansive, human selves by honoring our reflections in Nature and integrating contradictory aspects of the self to support the feeling of Wholeness. Molly works with clients of all ages and backgrounds in both 1-on-1 settings and groups.
Rocket Yoga Intensive with Steve Pyka and Lauren Nottingham, July 22-26
WHAT IT IS:
The 5-Day Practice Immersion is designed for any person at any level in their practice who is interested in learning more about Rocket Vinyasa Yoga. Through daily practice and group discussions, your existing concepts of what yoga is and what it is for will be challenged and expanded. Live a life in the week of a Rocket Yogi. See how a simple, gentle, systematic and powerful approach to yoga can transform how you relate to yourself and the world around you.
Schedule:
Wednesday (evening practice only): 6-7:30p
Thursday: 9a-7p
Friday: 9a-7p
Saturday: 9a-7p
Sunday: 11:30a-7p
WHO SHOULD TAKE IT:
Anyone! Of course, it is helpful to already have a consistent yoga practice, but it is not essential. The immersion might light a fire for you! Students and teachers are welcome, but this program does not confer any authority to teach yoga generally or Rocket Yoga specifically. The authority to teach yoga comes from your own experience, dedication and enthusiasm to share what you practice.
WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE IT:
We take a common-sense approach to the practice and the philosophy. Yoga need not be complicated. In fact, it's very natural- it's moving and breathing with awareness. Forget about what you can do, have or become through yoga. Yoga is most useful in demonstrating that you have what you seek. Having an enjoyable and familiar yoga routine that you can do anywhere and at anytime will inspire you to develop the consistency and dedication which bring forth the gifts of the practice.
YOUR INSTRUCTORS:
Steve Pyka, a direct student of Larry Schultz, the creator of Rocket Yoga, opened AstaYoga with Rene Henley in 2009 as a place where people could find a genuine sense of strength, peace and community. Together, they have over 20 years of experience teaching and have trained hundreds of people (including Adrian, Lauren, and other Dojo instructors!) who are practicing and sharing the Rocket all over the world.
Lauren Nottingham + Adrian McCavitt, co-founders of The Yoga Dojo, will be co-facilitating this training.
WHAT IT COSTS AND HOW YOU CAN SIGN UP:
The training costs $995, call or email to register. You can reserve a space in the training with a $300 deposit, with the balance due before training commences. Or feel free to pay in full upon registering. Returning students who have previously completed a Rocket training with Asta / The Yoga Dojo can take $420 off the training price and enroll at a discounted rate of $575- the Larry Schultz Special - and can sign up by emailing hello@theyogadojorva.com.
This training is approved for 45 lead trainer core hours (40 contact, 5 non-contact) for our modular 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training program. This course is also approved for 45 YA CEUs (40 contact, 5 non-contact).
Abdominal self care class with Lili simons, friday, july 31, 4-5p
In this class we will learn and explore our abdominal area, and how to take care of the belly with self massage techniques. Through this work, you can learn to open the flow of energy and blood circulation in the abdominal organs, as well as to relieve stress and negative emotions stored in the belly.
Abdominal massage is a great tool for staying healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually. The abdomen is our vitality center, also called Hara. When it is healthy, the rest of the body will follow.
Please bring a yoga mat and pillow.
Investment: $30. Register HERE.