31 July – 1/2 August
An exploration of the role of the breath on the path of awakening. Drawing from complementary traditions of yoga and buddha-dharma we will investigate the interrelationship of breath, body and mind. Through yoga asana, pranayama, gentle bodywork and meditation we will seek to awaken the breath and discover how this unfolds to establish calm and serve as a foundation for meditative insight.
Suitable for absolute beginners as well as those with a well established yoga and / or meditation practice.
About Jonathan
Jonathan has been ‘on the path’ since 2003, when he was introduced to buddha-dharma and meditation through the Goenka vipassana tradition, and introduced to the Ashtanga yoga method by Dik Bree.
Since that time he has deepened his exploration of both these complementary paths as well as several related teachings, through regular practice and attending many retreats and workshops in New Zealand, Canada, Pacific Islands, UK, Europe, Thailand and India.
In 2011 he moved to Nelson, New Zealand to study Ashtanga yoga with his most influential yoga teacher, John Scott. Under the guidance of John and Lucy Scott (who are both direct students of the late Shri K. Pattabhi Jois), he completed the intermediate series, Level 1 and 2 teacher training, became a RYT200 certified yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance, and began teaching yoga.
He has also studied with many other highly regarded yoga teachers of the Ashtanga and other traditions including Peter Sanson, Kino MacGregor, Tim Feldmann and Donna Farhi.
In 2013 Jonathan met his Teacher (with a capital ‘T’), Lama Mark Webber, under whose close guidance (both in and out of retreat) he continues to pursue the path of awakening, focussing on the Abhidhamma and Vajrayana traditions of buddha-dharma. in 2014 Jonathan received Lama Mark’s blessing to teach dharma and meditation.
Jonathan lives in Nelson, New Zealand with his partner and two young children. He integrates a full family life with a career as a professional engineer and a dedication to practicing and teaching the path of awakening.
In his teaching, he seeks to transcend the boundaries of tradition, exposing the essence of the path in a non-sectarian way, tailored to individual students’ needs. He empowers students to begin walking the path for themselves, emphasising direct experience and how to integrate the path with daily life.
For information on related classes in Nelson by Jonathan, refer www.openbreath.org