Body Harmoni

What is Body Harmoni?
Body Harmoni is a combination of qigong, yoga and body awareness exercises.

Body Harmoni’s Aim
The aim is to introduce a new awareness and appreciation of the body to each member of the class. (ie NOT force feed a particular theory of breathing or yoga or qigong) The class is primarily about the STUDENT, not the teacher.

Why Body Harmoni?
I created Body Harmoni in 2005 as a softer, introductory class for people who were interested in a gentle form of exercise and were not particularly fond of the idea of yoga or qigong. It was a way for me to rename (and hence remove some of the stigma attached to yoga/qigong) and reinvent beneficial exercises.

Who is Body Harmoni for?
Instructors - This information is aimed at opening the minds of Western instructors of the Eastern arts. Its designed to inspire other instructors to combine the knowledge they have into interesting and new class ideas.
Students – Body Harmoni is for people who are looking for a softer, relaxed and gentle class aimed at slowing the breath down and increasing body awareness.

Who can teach this class?
Any one who has a broad base of knowledge of differing exercises and who is not hung up on their technique being the best one. If you understand that the real purpose of this exercise is to promote love of movement, enjoyment of breathing, heightened awareness and that yoga/qigong/pilates are ONLY tools to get us to the next stage, this type of class is for you.

What do we do?
There will be a brief explanation of the class before each lesson. Then we will concentrate on the exercises them selves. Each lesson plan has a 10% lesson change after two weeks when we’ll introduce several new exercises into the familiar pattern. The over riding themes for the class are exploration and enjoyment.


Class Samples

Class 1

The class begins with
Yang Breathing (Tan Tien breathing)

We warm up with
swinging arms and ten minutes of qigong exercises designed to warm the entire body.

Learn
Scoop the stream (exercise one of the precious eight)

Then we move on to
Yoga-
Building awareness
Roll downs
Pelvis tilt

Mountain pose,Warrior II,(standing strength)
Tree, Eagle,(balance)
Down ward facing dog, (inversion)
Cobra, camel, (back bends)
seated wide angle pose sequence, (forward bends)
cross legged twist. (twists)

We finish off the class with
Savasana (guided relaxation)


Class 2

The class begins with
Yang Breathing (Tan Tien breathing)

We warm up with
swinging arms and ten minutes of qigong exercises designed to warm the entire body.

Learn
Press the sky (exercise two of the precious eight)

Then we move on to
Yoga-
Building awareness
Roll downs
Pelvis tilt

Mountain pose, side angle stretch (standing strength)
Hand to foot, warrior III (balance)
Down ward facing dog, hare pose (inversion)
Cobra, bridge (back bends)
Wide legged forward fold, cobblers pose, (forward bends)
Revolved dynamic laying (twists)

We finish off the class with
Savasana (guided relaxation)


Class 3

Your energy is where your mind is. Keep your thoughts disciplined and focused on the exercises and on the breath. Anchor with your feet and let the rest of your body rise upward.

Stance-Wu Chi

Abdominal breathing

Exercises one to three of the precious eight

Scoop the stream
Press the sky
The archer

Yoga Asanas

Cross legged forward fold (restorative)

Sun salutations

Mountain Pose (standing)
Triangle Pose (standing)

Dancer (balance)
Half moon (balance)

Reclining hero Pose (back bend)
Crescent Moon Pose (back bend)

Down Face Dog (inversion)
Hare Pose (inversion)

Intense forward stretch (forward fold)
Three limbed forward bend (forward fold)

Passive opening out twist (twist)
Sage twist III

Savasana (guided relaxation)


Class 4

Use the warm up in the class to clear the mind. Bring your awareness into your body and your breath. Be disciplined with your mind.

Stance-Wu Chi

Abdominal breathing

Light Qigong warm up

The archer – exercise three of the precious eight


Yoga Asanas

Sun salutations

Mountain Pose (standing)
Warrior I (standing)

Warrior III (balance)
Star (balance)

Camel (back bend)

Child’s pose (restorative)

Shoulder stand (inversion)

Gorilla stance (forward fold)

Lunge twist (twist)

Savasana (guided relaxation)


If you need any help getting started, feel free to contact me.