Annual lesson plan for 2023.

1 January

Everyday mindfulness

From Sunday 8.1. - Sunday 5.2.

In the first month of this year, we are understanding how to apply mindfulness in everyday life and establish the quality of wakefulness and relaxation through the practice of yoga.

Wakeful relaxation is a state in which we elongate the spine and express alertness with the body, while at the same time relaxing the facial muscles and the layer under the skin. We hold this attitude with yoga positions in which we strengthen the spine as an axis of alertness and strength, and at the same time we remain with a smile and softness. This is the Buddha's middle path - that we are neither too relaxed and sleepy, unconscious for our lives nor rigorously tense, under stress, this is the attitude in which we are "responsive" (we know how to react well when we need to and relax when it's time for it). We practice holding that attitude with our body and remembering it throughout the day, straightening up and relaxing at the same time - being mindful.

Topics that we cover in January:

the body as the field of the present moment
leg and pelvic strength
upright posture
strength and relaxation in the same experience (in asana)
meditation
facial muscle relaxation, facial yoga
breath along the spine
every day motivation

2 February

Open chest and heart

From Sunday 5.2. - Sunday 5.3.

This month we deal with opening the chest, stretching the shoulders and upper back, and expanding the heart space. The so-called upright posture is nothing else than the elongation of the front pectoral muscles and the strength of the upper back muscles, which lower the shoulder blades down. When these muscle groups are activated in this way, we naturally stand upright and emotionally open to live our truth.

Each of us has what makes us happy, where our "heart opens", when we live in accordance with this, we are happier, less sick, have meaning and love the people around us. This month we are guided by our heart compass. The movements we make start from the heart, so that we express with our body the attitude that keeps us on that personal, honest path. If you have kyphosis, your shoulders hurt, or you hold yourself hunched over, this is the month of yoga for you.

Topics that we cover in February:

stretching of the shoulder girdle
chest muscle relaxation, stretching
strengthening of the upper back muscles
upright posture, open chest
surrendering to the experience with trust
meditation of love
acceptance and gratitude
meaning and faith

3 March

First oxygen than sugar

From Sunday 5.3. - Sunday 2.4.

The theme of the month is the awakening of digestion and the importance of the principle that we first stimulate the organs to work and then feed them with food. First, let's feed ourselves with Prana and awaken the circulation so that oxygen reaches the organs and deeper gourds, and then we give sugar. Digestion is stimulated by massage, stretching the abdomen, raising the temperature of the whole body, pulsating movements and twists.

The task of digestion is to transform matter into energy that the body uses for life's needs, but it is also where our emotions are metabolized. Taking what we need and missing the rest is the task of healthy digestion (physically and emotionally). We will perform the exercises on an empty stomach, and after yoga, drink a lot of lukewarm liquid in small sips. This month we also talk about the importance of yogic nutrition and diet.

Topics that we cover in March:

spinal breath movements
breath to the abdominal cavity
fast and rhythmic movements
pulsations that squeeze and then lengthen the abdomen
massaging the abdominal cavity with abdominal action
belly massage with palms and hands
twist asanas and rotation movements
emotional transformation, letting go
proper eating and chewing

4 April

Breath of health

From Sunday 2.4. - Sunday 7.5.

We continue the detox we did in March, but in April we focus more on deep abdominal breathing, a little less fiery yoga practice and a greater flow of fine Prana. We will go into the layer under the skin and travel through the fascia to feed your tissues. This approach of yoga and mindful movement helps with depression and anxiety. We work with light and comfortable movements supported by the breath to see how we change the chemistry of the body. Yoga is a natural remedy for depression and anxiety. More about yoga for mental health on the blog.

Topics that we cover in April:

deep breathing exercises
light yoga practice
compassionate attitude
yoga for depression and anxiety
asanas for stability and stretching
mindful yoga
everyday motivation

5 May

Vitality = mobility

From Sunday 7.5. – Sunday 4.6.

May is a time of outdoor activity, perhaps hiking, walking and other sports, so this month we work on mobility with yoga to "reset" after each outdoor activity. Mobility means healthy joints and good quality of the muscle tissue (that they are not in spasm). Yoga itself is a synonymous with mobility.

We emphasize the mobility of the pelvis, which is the basis for a healthy spine, the stretching of the hamstrings and psoas, which are shortened by walking and running, and the mobility of the shoulder girdle. These are the key zones where we accumulate stress, when we stretch our muscles and move our joints we get a feeling of lightness.

Topics that we cover in May:

spinal breath
mobility of the pelvis and lower back
Asanas for stretching and endurance
yoga for back and shoulders
hamstring stretch
self-massage for muscles in spasm
sympathetic breath

6 June

Yoga for the spine

From Sunday 4.6. – Sunday 2.7.

In June, we strengthen the muscles along the spine, move the spine in 6 basic directions, rotate around that axis, breathe along the back, and do targeted exercises for scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis, as well as recovery after hernias. Of course these problems require different exercises but yoga has secret tools that help everyone, placing your attention in a certain way with gentleness does the magic.

The spine is our "electrical energy line" because it is where the information of the nervous system travels and it is a lot of energy that is why it is a central energy channel (also called sushumna). When we target that channel, we directly affect the nervous system. This month we calm that nervous "current" and relax in yoga Nidra - yogic sleep, for deep peace and better sleep.

Topics that we cover in June:

the spine as the axis of the present moment
back muscle strength
directions of movement of the spine
yoga for back pain
targeted exercises for the back
breath along the spine
yoga for better sleep
yoga Nidra

7 July

Spaciousness of breath

From Sunday 2.7. - Sunday 6.8.

In yoga, the breath is a guiding thread, a barometer of our inner state and a means of communication between physical and mental experience. When we are agitated, our breath shortens and becomes incoherent (irregular rhythm), and when we are calm, our breath can be long and even. Given that breathing is a function of the autonomic nervous system that we can change by will, it is the most effective and fastest way to self-regulate. The lungs hug our heart, and the rhythm of breathing directly affects the rhythm of the heart and the entire nervous system.

The feeling of emotional pressure is like a narrowed space of the heart, when we release our breathing, the heart moves in a wider, more comfortable space. This month we are dealing with allowing greater spaciousness of breath, metaphorically and literally. Let's be self-confident, improve communication with our body and self-regulation in order to face with confidence what life brings us.

Topics that we cover in July:

increasing lung capacity
work with respiratory muscles
yoga backbend positions
yoga against anxiety
emotional regulation by breathing
yoga breathing
meditation of love
trust and security
breath through the heart space

8 August

Time for myself

From Sunday 6.8. - Sunday 3.9.

We will dedicate a month of hot days and holidays to resetting the "working" year. We do Mindful slow flow yoga in which we try to consciously follow the movements and perform them the way we need at that moment. We become aware of the present moment and our inner atmosphere while holding restorative yoga positions.

We will emphasize work with the hips and the psoas muscle that "holds" the accumulated adrenaline in us. Emotionally speaking, the hips are the part of the body through which we ground ourselves and "let go into the ground" everything unnecessary. This month we give ourselves time to let go of what we no longer need, to take a break, rearrange our priorities and move forward with a new base.

Topics that we cover in August:

Mindful slow flow yoga
restorative asanas for the hips
link of psoas and adrenaline
yoga for relaxation
relaxation and antistress
Mindful yoga
letting go of the past
yoga Nidra

9 September

Right intention

From Sunday 3.9. – Sunday 1.10.

Intentions shape our lives. Whether they are aware of it or not, they govern our thoughts, words and actions and thus make up our personality. Karma (the law of actions and the consequences of actions) is nothing but a series of intentions that we react to, so it is very important to be aware of them. This month we look at where we operate from and set clearer intentions to start the autumn season with new motives.

In the practice of asanas, we work with determined still positions, longer stays, asanas for balance and stability in order to hold the space of determination and clarity with your body. We ask questions that illuminate the sparks of our actions. We sensitize ourselves to see where the habits we want to release/change come from and introduce affirmations for new ways of acting.

Topics that we cover in September:

standing asanas
positions for stability and balance
a calm quality of power
slow stretching
upright posture
determination and clarity
mindfulness meditation
positive affirmations

10 October

Rhythmical rutine

From Sunday 1.10. – Sunday 5.11.

Good routine is a useful thing, it sets a schedule for duties and free time. Our nervous system likes routine, the body knows when it's time to eat and looks for food around the same time every day. It is the same with time for sleep, work, concentration, exercise and other things. We manage in our routine, it is a familiar, productive terrain. It is important to include yoga in the regular flow of our routine. They say if you don't have 10 minutes to meditate, meditate for an hour.

We will dedicate October to establishing a routine with a morning yoga practice that is repeated, becomes familiar and safe, and gives us a great base for all the daily challenges that come with returning to a schedule with other members of the community. Also if you are a beginner in yoga now is the time to start as will cover some yoga basics.

Topics that we cover in October:

basics of yoga and details of asanas
salutation to the sun
ashtanga yoga base
rhythm of movement repetition
a healthy yoga routine
silence of mind
coherent breathing
meditation for better concentration
affirmations for willpower

11 November

Inner fire

From Sunday 5.11. – Sunday 3.12.

In November, we warm ourselves with the best power, the inner fire of our belly. In yoga, this does not only mean strengthening the superficial abdominal muscles, but also deep activity of the abdominal cavity. We prepare for yoga jumps, lunges, chaturangas, twists and asanas that connect the strong center. We add a massage of the organs, hands and internal muscles - yoga kriyas for cleansing the body.

We will focus our attention on that part of the body so that they can use the fine muscles of the abdomen better and better. With these exercises, digestion becomes highly functional, and as soon as we metabolize food healthily, we process other problems, relationships, information, etc. more easily.

Topics that we cover in November:

speeding up the digestion
jumps in yoga
asanas for center strength
twisting asanas
massage of the abdominal cavity
uddiyana bandha kriya and kapalabhati
an inexhaustible force field
healthy emotional release
proper eating and chewing

12 December

Antistress yoga

From Sunday 3.12. – Sunday 31.12.

Yoga practice can relieve anxiety or stress. We practice by choosing to return to the physical aspect of anxiety and feel the flow of that energy through the body. The body always has a tendency to let go, restore balance, strive for health and balance, like everything in nature. With thoughts of fear and identification with difficult emotions, we trap anxiety in our system, and in fact, by fighting for it to pass, we do not let it pass.

With yoga exercises, we work on stretching muscles and creating space that is lost in "anxiety" and stress, and restoring openness and flexibility. We learn to see things from a different, broader perspective and little by little experience experiences more through the body and less through ideas and concepts.

Topics that we cover in December: