2017 Byron Spirit Festival

A largely forgotten tool in the yoga practice, communication sits alongside food, asana and pranayama as one of the necessary instruments of purification under the banner of tapas. In this fascinating, pragmatic and incredibly eye-opening seminar, Lissie discusses how communication is one of the most powerful tools, as well as indicators of progression, along the spiritual path of yoga. Speaking directly from the essence of the yoga sutras in relation to asana, pranyama and dharana 'The Yoga of Communication: An Essential Tool of Self-Evolution' observes the characteristics of quality communication, as well as the relationship between how we communicate with ourselves and the world around us, with the spiritual process of eradicating the karmic seeds that bring to life our samskaras.

Yoga Sutra II:36 states Satyapratisthayam Kriyaphalasrayatvam -
One who shows a high degree of right communication, will not fail in his actions. Which highlights the necessity of pure communication as both essential to the possibility of enlightenment as well as the symbol of it having been achieved.

Communication is with us all the time; in direct conversation, with other beings from afar, even when we are alone. How we interact with the world and with ourselves on all levels is transported by the vehicle of communication – it is both one of the fundamental tools to support the yoga practice on and off the mat, reinforcing the pathway of mindfulness and discipline as well as the strongest indicator of our progression. With pure communication, we not just enhance our own atmosphere but we assist in shifting the atmosphere of the planet beginning with our immediate environment – our home, workplace, social circles and the unexpected encounters we have each and every day. Few things we have at our disposal, are as powerful and as prevalent as communication, are you as mindful with it as a tool of yoga, as you could be?

In Lissie Turner’s key workshop, she looks first at the fundamentals of the human constitution – the qualities/klesas that exist within each of us as spiritual creatures having this human adventure – the things that colour our communication; both what’s coming in and what’s going out. In recognizing these fundamentals, we can begin to separate them from our real truth and start to communicate and interact in ways much more reflective of our true selves and of our path to become incrementally better each and every day.

This workshop is a fascinating look at self – it facilitates each student turning their gaze deeply inward to see what is obstructing the progression forwards to more authentic and connecting communication, looking then at what tools can be used to make the shifts, setting the ‘hanam’ – the goal – and beginning to walk toward it.

Involving asana, pranayama, meditation and discussion components, this will alter the way you look at communication from that moment forwards. Embracing it as an exciting and ever-existing tool of self-evolution on the yoga path.

Combining two decades of communication experience with 20 years of study in yoga and yoga therapy, Lissie reflects on the ancient texts of yoga to helps others to become aware of the powerful tool of transformation that's just sitting there, right at the tip of the tongue.