Elemental Intensive : Finding the balance between the elements of Fire & Water through Mandala Yoga

Join us at the Arch Barn for the third instalment of an elemental intensive with Taylor Selby. This half day immersion is focusing on a new combination of elements, water and fire. This day is dedicated to finding a softer balance with water and fire, two elements that are quite reactionary, yet also fluid.

Both water and fire mandalas are physically focused around opening the hips, with water flows focusing on the inner hips and groin and fire flows focusing on the outer hips and IT band. With so much physical work around the hips, the two 75 minute classes will truly be intentional in their focus in and around the lower half of the body to create balance.

Our bodies are 70% water and our spirits fire. The combination of fire and water inspires vitality, both shift and are changeable. Fire benefits from water as water benefits from fire, when we are feeling burnt out we can use water to cool our flames and alternatively fire to heat up when water is getting cold or stagnant.

The first half of the day will begin with a 75 minute fire mandala, heating the body from the inside out as we activate and energise our core and outer hips through breathwork, yin, and dynamic flow. Mandala flows always begin with yin and end with yin, complimenting the more dynamic and strong sun salutations and flow in the middle of class. Beginning the day with a fire flow gives us space to churn and burn any stagnation we may be feeling on both a physical and energetic level. Expect to feel the heat!

After a restful and intentional break for tea and treats, the day will close with a 75 min water flow. We will use all the vision and transformational energy that fire gives us, to move ourselves towards a more fluidity and softer practice. The class will still begin and end with yin, with the middle flow being dynamic but we will place our focus on feeling. The water element is all about how things feel, noticing the different sensations within our bodies in both yin and yang. We will round out the hip opening we began with in fire, transitioning to the inner seams of the legs finding length and space in our inner hips and hamstrings.

Both practices will have space for play, opportunities for arm balances and inversions, and moments for stillness. Come explore your hips while finding balance of heat and fluidity in this half day retreat!

Enjoy delicious snacks and refreshements and expect a small gift to take away with you. All equipment and props are provided.