• Mindful Yin Yoga is the union of Yin Yoga and Mindfulness. It offers us the gift of a compassionate, heart centred practice, allowing us to wake up from automatic pilot where we often live in a virtual reality in the past or an imagined future, and return to this very moment where true healing of body, mind and heart begins.

    For Yoga Teachers, as a USA Yoga Alliance Continued Education Provider (YACEP) this 45-hour accredited course will give you the skills and confidence to teach Mindful Yin Yoga classes or add Mindful Yin practices to other yoga classes. The course can be used towards any annual Continued Education Requirements, and you will receive a YA accredited Yin Yoga Teacher certificate.

    The course is also suitable for those who do not want to become a professional Mindful Yin Yoga Teacher and instead wish to gain a solid foundation and deep knowledge for their personal practice. You should have an interest in the subtler and quieter aspects of yoga including meditation, pranayama and mudras that deepen practice and go beyond the physical aspects of asana.

    With an emphasis on drawing attention to the present moment, with the intention of being in the practice, rather than doing the practice, the course includes in-depth instruction on all aspects of Mindful Yin Yoga practice and teaching.

    “The focus is on maintaining moment-to-moment awareness of sensations accompanying our movements (and stillness) letting go of any thoughts or feelings about the sensations themselves”

    Segal et al,. 2002

    During the course you will explore:

    • Yin Yoga, the original practice?
    • Similar names, different intentions: The differences between a Yang and Yin Yoga asanas
    • The differences between Yin and Restorative Yoga
    • Benefits and contraindications of Yin Yoga
    • Yin Yoga and Mindfulness – a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern wellness
    • Experiential Range of Motion workshop on What stops me? Spoiler alert - most often it’s NOT short, tight muscles!
    • The original Yin Yoga postures and how to practice and teach, with full instruction on alignment principles, modifications, assists, precautions and use of accessories to suit the individual including restorative options
    • Exploration of the 12 main organ meridians and the one meridian flow. Where the attention goes, the energy flows.
    • Mindful Yin Yoga Sequences for the 12 main organ meridians including
         Kidney/Urinary
         Liver/Gallbladder
         Stomach/Spleen
         Lung/Heart & Intestine and
         Governing/Conceptual vessel
    • A Meridian pairs sequence (sometimes called Makko Ho or Shiatsu stretches) to bring balance to the energy body
    • Energy Anatomy – the subtle body including guided visualisations for each of the organ pairs, pranayama (expanding/channeling of prana the life force energy) and mudras (hand gestures) to support a Mindful Yin practice
    • Mindfulness Meditation practices including the Body Scan and Awareness of Breath or alternative anchor meditation
    • How to teach Mindful Yin Yoga using 'inquiry style' guiding to deepen body, mind and heart connection
    • How to sequence Mindful Yin poses into a personal Hatha Yoga practice or when teaching a fusion class
    • The 45-hour course includes the Yoga Alliance training categories of techniques, training and practice, anatomy and physiology, philosophy, and professional essentials including teaching methodology and practicum

    The first foundation of Mindful Yin Yoga is Ahimsa (do no harm) and at its heart we practice the

    8 attitudinal foundations of mindfulness:

    non judging, patience, beginners mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance, letting go and self-compassion.

    Together this union of ancient wisdom and mindfulness practice taps into the innate potential for health and wellbeing that we all have. It mobilizes our ability to cultivate wisdom and self-compassion, and by so doing teaches us how to live well, and face whatever arises both on and off the mat with awareness, acceptance, integrity, clarity and an open-hearted presence.

    Typical Day:

    On the first day, we meet at 18.00 to open the circle and practice together, followed by a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel. The flow of the following days is:

    • 08.00 – 09.15 Hatha and Yin Yoga fusion class
    • 09.15 – 10.00 Breakfast
    • 10.00 – 13.00 Mindful Yin Yoga workshops and practicum
    • 13.00 – 14.30 Break
    • 14.30 – 17.30 Mindful Yin Yoga workshops and practicum
    • 17.30 – 19.00 Putting the pieces together with a Mindful Yin Yoga practice

    There will also be a short morning and afternoon break for self-care.

    Our venue; The Hotel Tossal d Áltea, Costa Blanca, Spain

    This tiny 22-room family-run country house hotel is a 300-year-old converted farm and olive mill, set in peaceful surroundings at the edge of the picturesque town of Altea famous for its blue domed church, cobbled streets, and Mediterranean promenade.

    The hotel terraces and garden areas are the perfect place to sit and sip a coffee or glass of wine, and the hotel restaurant “Menjador Almàssera” is well known locally for its delicious Mediterranean and local cuisine. There is a lovely pool, small gym and sauna. The purpose-built yoga and meditation room sits in the garden with huge windows facing the mountains.

    The hotel is just 500 metres away from Palau Altea (Altea Concert Hall), the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Old Quarter (the popular and historic Old Town, home of artists). From here, the Bernia and Aitana Sierras, the Puig Campana Peak, the sea, the Morro de Toix Mountain and the Ifach Rock can all be seen. What makes the Hotel Tossal d’Altea so special is its beautiful natural setting and the history and tradition as old olive oil mill and farmhouse.

    The spacious rooms are well equipped with double or twin beds, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, a safety deposit box, a mini fridge, a TV, and daily maid service. Every room has a private ensuite bathroom with bathrobes, towels, a hairdryer, and complimentary Oliva del Mediterraneo toiletries.

    The hotel is located on the Costa Blanca, and our nearest airport is Alicante which has a transfer service available, and, as we never ask (nor expect) you to share rooms unless you bring a friend, you’ll have your own double bedroom with private bathroom.

    Investment:

    • Single €1,335

    You can pay by Bank Transfer, or PayPal/Credit Card (3% administration charge) I have also received payments in the past from students with Resolut.

    Once we offer you a space (subject to availability) we ask for the full tuition payment of €885.

    Although we book your hotel room, to keep the costs down, and to allow you to spread the cost, you pay the €450 for your single room directly to the Hotel on check-out.

    What is included:

    • 45-hour Mindful Yin Yoga course tuition
    • Extensive manual covering every aspect of teaching and practice
    • 3-course Welcome dinner on the first night
    • Delicious breakfast buffet each day including fresh fruits, cereals, yogurts, local cheeses & cold cuts, Spanish tortilla, eggs, croissants and breakfast pastries, breads, juices, teas, infusions and coffee.
    • Early morning tea/infusions, morning and afternoon tea/infusions/coffee/water, and water in the yoga and meditation room
    • Accommodation as booked (additional night's accommodation may also be available, please ask)

    Optional Extras:

    From experience, we have found that most participants get together and stroll into the old town or seafront for lunch and dinner. On one of the evenings we will also organise a meal at a local restaurant which you are very welcome to join.
    If you prefer, there is an option to upgrade to half-board (breakfast and either lunch or dinner) or full-board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at an additional cost.

    The Hotel restaurant (open to all) has a lunch menu, a menu of the day, and an a la carte menu that caters to gluten/lactose-free, vegetarian and vegan requirements.

    What is not included:

    Flights, transfers from the airport to Altea, and essential travel insurance.
    Transfers from/to Alicante Airport:

    We recommend that you book a transfer with a company called Beniconnect (approximately €38 return) that brings you to Altea. From there you can follow our directions to walk up through the old town (warning: scenic but with lots of steps!) or take a taxi from the taxi rank opposite the bus stop for the last part of the journey. If you prefer, we can book the Beniconnect transfer for you.