Elemental Intensive: Awaken your side body with the elements of fire & air through mandala yoga

Join us for our next instalment of an elemental intensive with Taylor Selby. This half day immersion is focusing on a new combination of elements, fire & air. This combination of elements has been intentionally chosen to first release the side body with active twists in a fire mandala, followed by expansion and backbending in an air mandala. This half day retreat is dedicated to exploring space within the physical body first from two different perspectives. Both mandala flows will emphasise finding length on our side bodies, but will take different approaches in each flow to give us a new perspective on how we move. With the primary physical emphasis of this half day being on side body, there will be a strong emphasis on enhancing our capacity to breathe into the sides & back of ribs to optimise breathing patterns and find ease within backbends and heart opening.

Mandala flows work to find balance within dualities of a yoga practice, balancing both the yin and yang energy through stillness and movement. Both classes begin and end with yin, with the middle portion of the class being dedicated to strong repetitive flows that move around the mat in a circle. There will be plenty of opportunities to play and explore within the practices, from arm balances to inversions, as well as pranayama and soft releases through yin.

The morning practice will begin with a 75 minute fire mandala, activating our core in a full body perspective. Fire mandalas weave in strong full body activations through a twisting flow, emphasising the spectrum of support the core can provide while it simultaneously enhances our breath. By beginning our day with a fire mandala, we are bringing awareness to the support our core gives to the rest of our body while also releasing any stagnation through deep twists. We’ll use this rotational work to tap into our internal steadiness, which will then allow us to truly open and expand into our second flow of the day. Practice begins with yin to slow down our energy and awaken the specific areas of the body in a softer way, followed by a strong continuous twisting flow activating our side body and outer hips as we move 360 degrees around the mat. Class will finish with yin to bring us back down and allow us to find rest.

The second practice after our snack and tea break will be a 75 minute air flow. Our initial release from the fire element practice will give us space to truly expand from our sides outward. As we emphasised twisting and the release that comes from rotational movement, our air flow will build upon that release to find lightness and levity not only physically, but also energetically. We will begin with pranayama to further nourish and expand upon our work from the morning, then move into our yin focusing on the front body. Air flows work with backbending and heart opening, and by practicing a fire mandala in the morning we have laid the groundwork to find spacious and supported backbends ignited from the strength of our core.  Expect to be fully supported through a wide range of elevated heart openers and backbends. There will be a strong emphasis on breath as well as creating the levity of the air element through different breathing techniques.

This first class will be an ode to all of the glorious core and an appreciation of all the layers. Not to constrict, make smaller, or tuck away, but rather to appreciate an expansion into awareness & support in our centre. The second class builds upon this expansion and supportive centre to then truly release and rejuvenate through backbends with confidence.

Nurture your entire being with a half day of flowing movement and curated stillness full of both rejuvenation and invigoration. Expect to find new space and strength as you explore your body and practice through the magic of mandala. There will be tea and refreshments as well as a small gift to take away with you.