We're thrilled to be hosting again the "Black Lotus" practice intensive here in Tenerife! Ty Landrum has been sharing pieces of Black Lotus Yoga for the past three years on retreats at Purple Valley, both in India and Spain, and the reception has been overwhelming. Students and teachers have all been enchanted, and eager to learn more. In this intensive, Ty brings the Black Lotus system into full focus.

Black Lotus is a new form of vinyasa yoga designed to be practiced in the Mysore style. The system bends traditional energetic principles into six smooth and fluid sequences that open the inner channels of the body and encourage the creative sap to flow. And the system is unusually generous in that each series has three shades or variants with which to play, and so to make the practice your own.

In this intensive, Ty teaches the fundamental energetic principles behind Black Lotus Yoga. You will learn how the Black Lotus system works, how to practice the First and Second Series, and how to advance further into other series as your practice evolves. There is an abundance of passion and intelligence here, in the emergence of Black Lotus Yoga, and you are invited to be part of the new blossoming.

No prior experience with Black Lotus Yoga is necessary, but some familiarity with vinyasa yoga, and especially with the Mysore style of practice, is highly recommended.  You can see a video of the First Series of the Black Lotus system here.

Please note that you are welcome to practice your regular ashtanga practice in the morning. 

Retreat Schedule

Each week consists of 6 morning Mysore classes and 4 afternoon workshops. 

Morning Practice
Our mornings begin with a  guided class or self-practice asana session(assisted and self-directed), then a series of workshops designed to illumine our theme. 

Workshop Description
All workshops will involve a balance of somatic exploration, practical technique and philosophy.  Each workshop will focus upon some unique part of the First or Second Series.  The themes for our afternoon workshops will be as follows.

The Rise of Black Lotus
This session gives an overview of the Black Lotus system, and explains the fundamental energetic principles upon which the practice is based.  Most importantly, this session explains how Black Lotus Yoga works with prana and apana, the two most crucial movement patterns of organic life. 

Standing Asanas
Here we study all the standing asanas of the Black Lotus system, in all three shades or variants. We learn to align the asanas from the inside, and how to use them intelligently to find deeper energetic balance.

The Supple Spine
In this session, we learn how our spinal movements impact the energetic balance of the body and mind, and we learn to move the spine more naturally as we breathe. We then apply these ideas to some of the more dynamic vinyasas of the Black Lotus practice, as well as the First Series folds and twists.

Back-bending Part I
This session begins to explore the art of back-bending.  Here we focus on opening the front of the body, and finding more length through the psoas and spine. With these techniques, our backbends become more supported and also more easeful.

Forearm Balancing
This session explores the mechanics of forearm balancing and teaches the essential techniques for cultivating this formidable family of forms.  It teaches the balancing postures and vinyasa of the Second Series, in all shades or variants.

Mula Bandha
The bandhas or internal “binds” are among the most crucial elements of asana practice.  In this session, we learn what bandhas are, why they matter, and how to work with them intelligently to bring more depth and vibrance to any asana.

Deep Hip Opening 
The Second Series introduces some rather deep hip opening, and invites exploration of Eka Pada Sirsasana, or placing the foot behind the head.  In this session, we learn to work intelligently with the hip opening sequence, to invite deeper openings.

Backbending Part II
This session goes further into the art of backbending. Here we learn to orchestrate the movements of the spine and the diaphragm, while connecting to our internal ground of support. Through these techniques, our backbends become deep and exhilarating. This session looks toward the final postures of the Second Series, including Kapotasana and Viparita Dandasana.

Peak Moments 
Here we play with some of the more dynamic and movements of the Black Lotus practice, including the inverted utanasanas of the standing sequence, jump throughs, drop-backs, handstands, inversions and whatever else. So much fun.

Opening the Flower
In our final session, we reflect on the process of opening the heart through yoga. We contemplate some ideas and images from Indian mythology that illuminate the connection between the inner and outer dimensions of practice, and we learn some powerful techniques for engaging our physical and emotional obstacles, and for finding our balance between darkness and light.

A typical week, with subject to change

Saturday
Arrival after 3pm
5pm Introduction meeting
6.30pm Dinner

Sunday
8-10am Mysore
10am Brunch
12-2pm Afternoon Workshop
5 -6pm Chanting and Pranayama
6.30pm Dinner

Monday
8-10am Mysore
10am Brunch
12-2pm Afternoon Workshop
5 -6 pm Chanting and Pranayama
6.30pm Dinner

Tuesday
8am-10am Mysore
10am Brunch
Day off
6.30pm Dinner

Wednesday
8-10am Mysore
10am Brunch
12-2pm Afternoon Workshop
5 -6 pm Chanting and Pranayama
6.30pm Dinner

Thursday
8-10am Mysore
10am Brunch
12-2pm Afternoon Workshop
5 -6pm Chanting and Pranayama
6.30pm Dinner

Friday
8-10am Mysore
10am Brunch
Day off
6.30pm Dinner

Saturday 
9am Simple Breakfast
FREE DAY
*Week 2 - Check out at 9am, followed by simple Breakfast

Book this retreat

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