DARBY & JOANNE
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
The main emphasis will be concerned with connective tissue, fascia and tensegrity. This knowledge will give a clearer understanding of the anatomical movements of the body, allowing us to remove tensions in the body and allow for greater flexibility, which will open up the channels for the flow of Prana (Chi). From this we can connect breath and movement (Vinyasa) allowing for a more relaxed and smooth flow to the Yoga practice. Adding Dristhi and understanding its importance in creating smooth movements into the entering and the exiting of Asanas.
The concept of connective tissue and tensegrity seems very simple, but with wrong alignment and with the imbalances of posture, it can become quite complicated. Throughout the workshop much emphasis will be placed on finding and correcting the alignment and posture allowing you to understand, explore and enjoy your practice
This workshop will be a great benefit for everyone who attends:
- For those new to Yoga and Ashtanga, this information will allow you to continue to explore and grow in your practice with confidence.
- For those who have been practicing for some time It will be very beneficial, too.
- For those who are already teaching, this understanding will help you to help your students.
SATURDAY
8:00 – 10:00 Mysore Team-Teach (Darby, Joanne & Chris)
10:30 – 12:30
- Introduction to Ujjayi breathing
- Pranayama practice introduction I
- Analyzing Surya Namaskara A & B with exploration of fascia and tensegrity, movement and breath.
12:30 – 14:00 BREAK
14:00 – 16:00
- Q&A
- Study of Standing Sequence of postures.
SUNDAY
8:00 – 10:00 Mysore Team-Teach (Darby, Joanne & Chris)
10:30– 12:30
- Pranayama practice I
- Study of Forward Bends.
12:30 – 14:00 BREAK
14:00 – 16:00
- Q&A
- Study of some postures of the Primary Series part I.
MONDAY
8:00 – 10:00 Mysore Team-Teach (Darby, Joanne & Chris)
10:30 – 12:30
- Pranayama practice II
- Study of spinal twists
12:30 – 14:00 BREAK
14:00 – 16:00
- Q&A
- Study of some postures of the Primary Series part II.
- Study of inversions, shoulder stands and headstands.
MARK DARBY
Known to everyone as simply ‘Darby’, Darby is a unique teacher amongst teachers. Indeed, I count him as the major influence upon my teaching.
Darby first visited Mysore in 1979 where Pattabhi Jois almost played matchmaker, putting him in a house next door to the Shala to share a room with his now wife Joanne who had also just arrived in Mysore.
The rest is history as they say and Darby and Joanne ended up staying four-years in Mysore, by which time they had two children -born in Mysore. Often practicing in the Shala alone with Pattabhi Jois, they received a unique level of attention and instruction. Darby mentions being adjusted in every posture, whist Joanne was famously encouraged by Jois into the practice of one-hour headstands.
Outside Darby’s awe-inspiring ability (even at 72 he can still press himself up into a handstand), Darby has a particularly unique trajectory as a teacher and practitioner. For, after spending some time trying to teach, (covering class for Graham Northfield in his native Australia) Darby gave up practice to take a full time job to support his family.
This was, at least he says, due to his lack of popularity in trying to teach in Australia the way he had been taught by Jois in Mysore. He always says that when Graham returned, all bit a few students remained.
It was only when he received early retirement from Joanne’s family textile business that he was free, in his mid-fifties to pursue yoga again. Undeterred, after attending a few workshops with Richard Freeman, Darby says he actually learnt the practice afresh again – this time with the knowledge of what was actually going on in the postures.
Somehow, even at that age, he built up his practice and subsequent teaching again, becoming a renowned teacher and influential to so many with his inexhaustible attention to details and practical explanations.
Darby now spends his time between Montreal, Canada where he has lived most of his life (Joanne is Canadian), and Costa Rica where they have built a small yoga studio and guesthouse (due to his love of surfing).