2017 Byron Spirit Festival

Based on the ancient teachings of meditation, iRest Yoga Nidra is an evidence-based mind-body transformative practice that leads to psychological, physical, and spiritual healing and well-being.

During this deeply restorative practice, you'll be guided on a journey of deep relaxation, self enquiry and simply being.

Generate rapture! Breath of Bliss is an ecstatic breathwork practice that arouses the body, senses, emotions and provokes profound insights. In this workshop we focus on letting ourselves be taken by the breath as a Divine Force of Love, compelling us to surrender to Everything. Can you allow yourself to be fully taken by a mystical force bigger than you are? Cultivate your erotic innocence with a shaking practice to circulate life force and awaken the pelvic floor, hips, heart and pineal/pituitary glands. Breath, movement and sound will help you feel connected, radiant and alive. Includes touch and an hour-long, circular, connected breath journey to dissolve into oneness. Learn more at www.BreathBliss.com

Explore the power of carrying a medicine bundle. Inspired from Andean traditions, generously shared by their elders.

 4 on the Floor is a four yoga poses and a long guided shavasana in the yin style of yoga.  

Yin Yoga is as old as traditional Hatha Yoga, it just never had a name until the 21st Century and yin yoga is fast becoming the most popular style of yoga today.
Modern day, busy lifestyles need balance. Yin is the balance to the Yang. Yin is cooling, slow, receptive and feminine in nature. Yang is heating, fast, active and masculine in nature. And the men are falling in love with this style of yoga practice too! 
We teach traditional Yin Yoga and we add the timeless teachings of Tantra with a strong influence on the chakras and sequencing to awaken Kundalini energy. Hatha yoga and restorative yoga teachings are blended into some of the asanas, giving the training more than just Yin. The asanas are floor based/seated and these traditional postures are the undoing kind (Yin), not the doing kind (Yang).
Yin yoga slows us down and in turn supports our adrenals and activates our parasympathetic nervous system - the rest and digest. Most of us live in the sympathetic nervous system- the fight and flight.  This is causing so many to be unwell. In a yin class we breathe more, we rest deeper and we let go of tension and tightness. This is the key to optimal health. 
A yin yoga class goes well beyond a few simple stretches.  We target the deeper layers of the body- the connective tissue, joints, fascia and bones.
We hold the poses for longer so the physical focus is much deeper than in a general yoga class and this time creates reflection of the Self.  Layer by layer, breath by breath a true letting go occurs.  Wisdom comes from letting go.
Yin yoga is a more meditative approach and I like to think of it as the undoing kind of practice.  Life is overflowing with doing, it is time to slow down and be still.  
You make your way into the pose, and instead of doing, you just be. 
 

Welcome to the greatest journey of all… the one within. Join us for a yoga experience that will indulge your senses and delight your soul. Blindfolded and accompanied by the powerful sound of didge with Si Mullimby and friends, experience your asana practice in a whole new way. In the darkness discover a deep trust that opens you up to exquisite new ways to look at yourself, the world, and others. When we start to see the world through the lens of the collective conscious, separation melts away, revealing connection, community and unity.

 

The Ziran Qigong '5 Element' form uses flowing cyclical movement integrated with breath and awareness of the bodys' energy meridians to harmonises and revitalise.

The theory describes the relationships between different elements of nature and the constantly occurring phenomena of change and can be applied to the body for understanding and diagnosis.

The specific characteristics of the five elements influence us in different ways, and are associated with organs, behaviours and emotions. We can learn to identify and work with these influences for greater harmony and wellbeing.

Within you the divine feminine qualities are awakened as you honour her through the practice of chandra namaskar. In sanskrit, chandra means “Moon”, moon flow yoga is ideally practiced at night and especially during full moon, intended to be cooling and soothing, the opposite to Sun salutations that are more energising and warming. Sun/ha Moon/tha. The moon is considered yin/feminine and the sun is masculine/yang. This practice is ideal if you want to slow down especially during the full moon, new moon or during winter season and a great way to tune in to your natural feminine essence.

Jemma is excited to share the musical talents of Haitch in this workshop, providing blissful soundscapes to help you dive deeper into your Heart and Soul.His inspiration comes from many world cultures for instruments, his uniqueness lies in the moving fusion created with both uncommon and classical instruments. We’re both looking forward to creating a divine and memorable experience with you.

The beautiful 'Raising the Phoenix' Qigong form is informed by Chinese meridian theory and supports improved function of the female endocrine system.

Practiced as a series of flowing movements connected with the breath, the form aligns with other Taoist Qi cultivation methods in a higher intention to support the conservation of special energy known as jing. Jing is the creative, generative essence that builds Qi to nourish our vitality, both physical and spiritual. Jing is produced by the sex organs, major players of the endocrine system and is connected to hormone production and regulation.

Understanding the role of the endocrine system helps us work in harmony with our natural cycles towards a greater sense of well being.

Yin is fascia-nating! This workshop is exactly that, fascinating!

Join YogiDunx for an epic 100min journey that focuses on releasing myofacial meridian lines offsetting the patterns of so much Yang living, leaving you feeling seriously awesome.

This class will be the release you are looking for.

During the class, YogiDunx will speak to some of the premises behind Yin practice, the anatomical intelligence, touching briefly on the theory of Chinese and Indian energetic systems and look at sequencing Yin poses with ‘myofacial’ intelligence.

A unique workshop that educates the mind, nurtures the heart and is delicious for the soul.

** Please try to bring a block, bolster and blanket if possible, to make it more comfy for you.

Arm Balancing and Inversions for All Levels


Arm Balances and Inversions can be some of yoga’s most challenging yet fun poses to practice. Learn to safely defy gravity, starting with a single breath. In this workshop you will strengthen your core to better support your arm balances. Build upper body strength which will help support and build healthier wrists, elbows and shoulders. Engage the legs, so they don’t take refuge in Savasana. Begin cultivating awareness of your body being upside down and moving through space, while surfing from one pose to another. Yoga should be satisfying and fun, not a chore. This workshop will launch you there. This very fun workshop is accessible for beginners, intermediate/advanced practitioners and teachers who want to learn how to teach newer students the foundations and set up of arm balancing and provide safe up leveling for the advanced practitioner. Flying is like a great fire of courage – once that flame is ignited – it never goes out.

Allow our Mermaid Goddess, Kate, to guide you on a physical journey, beginning with a juicy yang vinyasa yoga practice melting into a slow, blissful yin class to the ethereal sounds of Benny's electric guitar and birdsong vocals. Connect with your body, connect to the earth, the waters within, and then allow our lovely pair to guide you into the dreamiest savasana you can imagine. 

A hug is a near universal form of physical intimacy, in which two people put their arms around the neck, back, or waist of one another and hold each other closely. If more than two persons are involved, this is referred to as a group hug. A hug, sometimes in association with a kiss, is a form of nonverbal communication. Depending on culture, context and relationship, a hug can indicate familiarity, love, affection, friendship or sympathy.

A hug can be given as an indication of support, comfort, and consolation, particularly where words are insufficient. A hug is usually a demonstration of affection and emotional warmth, sometimes arising out of joy or happiness at meeting someone or seeing someone that they have not seen in a long time. A non-reciprocal hug may demonstrate a problem in the relationship. A hug can range from a brief one-second squeeze, with the arms not fully around the partner, to an extended holding. The length of a hug in any situation is socially and culturally determined. In the case of lovers, but not others, the hips may also be pressed together.


Unlike some other forms of physical intimacy, a hug can be practiced publicly and privately without stigma in many countries, religions and cultures, within families, and also across age and gender lines, but is generally an indication that people are familiar with each other. Moving from a handshake (or touch-free) relationship to a hug relationship is a sign of a new friendship.

Join us for a unique combination of Yin Yoga, a (slow deep yoga) , and powerful live music and deeply transformative sounds made from numerous healing instruments, and in particular the captivating and hypnotic sounds of the steel pan/ hand pan. 
The handpan is a unique and magical instrument that infuses aspects of a harp and steel pan with a percussive vibe to produce a very beautiful, relaxing, meditative and resonance.  These singing steel creations are truly captivating and the sounds created lull you into deep space of inner awareness and profound connection with self. 
Yin yoga takes place at a slow pace, with postures and asanas often lasting for five minutes or longer. It is a highly meditative form of yoga, with many physical and mental benefits. Although still a relatively uncommon form of yoga in the west, Yin yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years.
The concept of Yin yoga has been around for thousands of years. Holding yoga poses for a significant amount of time has always been crucial to yoga practice, both in the Hatha and Taoist traditions. Some teachers have suggested that Yin yoga is actually the oldest form of Hatha yoga, pointing out the fact that they are both effective methods of prolonged meditation that aid in physical. The healing affects of Yin Yoga are completely transformational and profound.
 Additional healing sounds will come from a range of drums, Crystal Bowls, cymbals , shakers, amongst other awesome instruments within Dave's collection.

Gift your body with relaxation, gift your mind with calmness,
reconnect with your gentle essence of being through the art of moving gently with qigong/tai chi and the balancing practice of restorative yoga. This class is appropriate for students seeking a very gentle, relaxing practice, as well as those with injuries, arthritis or other chronic conditions. Students with limitations related to age, pregnant women and anyone who wants to breathe, stretch and gently move in a calm environment.

Jemma is excited to share the musical talents of Haitch in this workshop, providing blissful soundscapes to help you dive deeper into your Heart and Soul.His inspiration comes from many world cultures for instruments, his uniqueness lies in the moving fusion created with both uncommon and classical instruments. We’re both looking forward to creating a divine and memorable experience with you. 

Based on the traditional 'Five Element Theory' this practice is a sequence of flowing movements that focus circulation to certain meridians to nourish organs and other body structures.

Aligned with the principles of Five Element and Yin Yang theories this practice works to open meridians and nourish the associated organs, body parts and emotions. Improving Qi circulation supports health and vitality. When the vessel of the body is strong the spirit is free to rise up.

In accord with the principles of the Five Element and Yin Yang theories natures elements associate with and influence organs, body parts, thoughts and emotions. 5 Element Qigong practice opens and conditions meridian pathways for better qi circulation to the bodies structures. Improving Qi flow supports health and vitality.

When the vessel of the body is strong the spirit is free to rise up.

Dubarray have gone to new heights in composing a sonic journey intended to awaken the dormant consciousness and create a soul nourishing path of connected vibration. Inspired by the humility, balance and elements of nature, the soundscapes invoke a deep sense of connection and unity, infused with affirmations and insightful lyricism. 

 Make sure you also check out thier upbeat set in the Spirit Village!

Sacredness of Zen Thai shiatsu (1.5 hr)

Invite the inquisitive child ...be ok about making errors and learning from the mistakes.
This is not a lazy yoga class but a quietening of the mind to follow energy in the direction it needs to go...
Embody the principles of therapeutic touch...Relax, less is more, nesting, be curious, explore limits .
You cannot go too deep ...you can easily go to fast ...Listen

Invite your hands to extensions of your heart. Invite single minded attention and explore taking another body into new and unfamiliar positions to invite an unwinding of fascia and a release of stagnation.

Restore and explore, so when you walk away you will wish to offer your gestures to another into because it simply offered you so much ..

Some solo but mainly partner or group work 

Based on the ancient teachings of meditation, iRest Yoga Nidra is an evidence-based mind-body transformative practice that leads to psychological, physical, and spiritual healing and well-being.

During this deeply restorative practice, you'll be guided on a journey of deep relaxation, self enquiry and simply being.

Embodying the sacred masculine is a transformational movement journey for Men.Through exploring the masculine archetypes in a safe and sacred container it offers a clear grounded constellation of the mature masculine. Show up alive, open, powerful and present as a man. Move from separation to connection & brotherhood. Stand in the potency and full range of your own authentic masculinity. The workshop combines movement meditation and instinctual dance with an inspired mix of global shamanic music. All men are welcome no matter where they are in their life journey.MEN ONLY CLASS PLEASE

Ecstasy is your birthright! Join in community to activate your bliss body with breath, movement and sound. Feel more pleasure, have more fun and savour every precious moment as a sacred miracle. Breath of Bliss is an ecstatic breathwork practice exploring circular, connected breathing to feel more juicy aliveness, passion and pleasure. Join us in a nurturing space as we feel the whole spectrum of human emotions, sensations and feelings and use them to come home to our true essence as Love. Deep sharing and touch included. Learn more at www.BreathBliss.com