Mary Johnston-Coursey has been teaching yoga since 1981. While influenced by a rich career in dance and many years of study in various styles of yoga, Mary has found her yogic path in the Tantric tradition of Para Yoga. Para Yoga seeks to find what is delightful in the world around us and draw that beauty inward to resonate with our innermost being; it is a tradition which cultivates this brilliant inner light, then blossoms it outward into our everyday living. Into this foundation of practice she incorporates her extensive knowledge of alignment principles and therapeutic approaches to asana. Mary sees yoga as both a celebration of our physical experience in the world, as well as a preparation and gateway to the deeper spiritual practices of pranayama, kriya, and meditation. Her goal is to meet students where they are, and to then empower students in building their capacity and strength while maintaing ease and freedom in all aspects of practice - physical, emotional / mental, and spiritual.
PARA YOGA ®
Codified by Rod Stryker in the tradition of the Himalayan Masters, Para Yoga furthers the lineage of Swami Rama, giving us access to profound and ancient teachings. In the Tantric tradition, Para Yoga incorporates many different tools, among them asana, breath, kriya, bandha, mudra, mantra, meditation. A Para Yoga class incorporates slow dynamic movement in and out of poses to cultivate physical stability (sthira) and ease (sukha), which then inspires those same qualities in the mind. According to Patanjali, we need both sthira and sukha if we are to achieve our full potential as human beings. Challenging the physical body through longer holds cultivates inner brightness. By combining mental focus with breath focus while we practice asana, we restrain the distracted mind, awaken the inner light of consciousness, and begin to collect and concentrate our own prana within us.
After challenging and refining the physical body through asana, we settle finally into the stillness of savasana and then sitting. We let go of the physical. We move beyond the physical and become more aware of the subtle experience of our energy. Pranayama (breath control) stills the mind and soothes the nervous system, preparing us for the deepest practices. Kriya links visualization with the breath to further purify our energy and accelerate our understanding. All practices lead to a state of meditation, which then begins the deeper process of inner transformation. In these quiet moments of stillness, we remember (smarana) the ease and joy of our own higher self - we "wake up" to what is always present within us.
ALIGNMENT
Clarity of alignment leads to clarity of the self. When the bones are aligned, force travels freely through the joints, without stress to the muscles. When the student learns to engage outwardly into the ground, as well as inwardly into her core, she has the tools to become both powerful and effortless. As new patterns of strength emerge out of clear alignment, the body falls easily into balance. When the breath is connected to the spine and becomes the driver for all movement, the organs support and protect the spine. We become integrated and whole. Once the outer body is strong and easeful, the inner focus can settle more and more steadily on awakening the spine - the center of our consciousness. Ta Da!
THERAPEUTICS
First we create space for the area of injury. Then we establish stability. Finally, the letting go of tension, gripping, resistance - all unnecessary effort. From this lack of resistance we invite a shift - simple movement without pain, a new pattern of support, a new relationship between parts - a revelation!. No old pattern will truly go away unless a more functional pattern can step up to take its place. Therapeutics is the dance between letting go of old patterns and creating new ones, all done within the rhythm of creating space. It is a process of creating a new relationship with the self through compassion and letting go of expectations. In the pause of letting go all things are possible.
MEDITATION
During the last six years of studying Para Yoga intensively, my own meditative practice of 39 years has been completely transformed. This inner journey continually expands my understanding of the world around me, and my place within it. It brings me deep contentment and joy. Meditation offers not only peace, but ongoing expansion, revelation, and awakening to higher capacity. One of the simple things that has changed my practice is the realization that not only is the act of meditating potent, but actually the object of meditation is a most important little detail! To still the mind is only the first step. The next step is to find the right focus for meditation, as each possibility will unlock a different door to the unconscious mind. Choose the focus that is precisely right for you, in this moment, and it will transform you completely. I feel honored to help my students learn to meditate, and to share these more sublime practices.
PARA YOGA ®
Codified by Rod Stryker in the tradition of the Himalayan Masters, Para Yoga furthers the lineage of Swami Rama, giving us access to profound and ancient teachings. In the Tantric tradition, Para Yoga incorporates many different tools, among them asana, breath, kriya, bandha, mudra, mantra, meditation. A Para Yoga class incorporates slow dynamic movement in and out of poses to cultivate physical stability (sthira) and ease (sukha), which then inspires those same qualities in the mind. According to Patanjali, we need both sthira and sukha if we are to achieve our full potential as human beings. Challenging the physical body through longer holds cultivates inner brightness. By combining mental focus with breath focus while we practice asana, we restrain the distracted mind, awaken the inner light of consciousness, and begin to collect and concentrate our own prana within us.
After challenging and refining the physical body through asana, we settle finally into the stillness of savasana and then sitting. We let go of the physical. We move beyond the physical and become more aware of the subtle experience of our energy. Pranayama (breath control) stills the mind and soothes the nervous system, preparing us for the deepest practices. Kriya links visualization with the breath to further purify our energy and accelerate our understanding. All practices lead to a state of meditation, which then begins the deeper process of inner transformation. In these quiet moments of stillness, we remember (smarana) the ease and joy of our own higher self - we "wake up" to what is always present within us.
ALIGNMENT
Clarity of alignment leads to clarity of the self. When the bones are aligned, force travels freely through the joints, without stress to the muscles. When the student learns to engage outwardly into the ground, as well as inwardly into her core, she has the tools to become both powerful and effortless. As new patterns of strength emerge out of clear alignment, the body falls easily into balance. When the breath is connected to the spine and becomes the driver for all movement, the organs support and protect the spine. We become integrated and whole. Once the outer body is strong and easeful, the inner focus can settle more and more steadily on awakening the spine - the center of our consciousness. Ta Da!
THERAPEUTICS
First we create space for the area of injury. Then we establish stability. Finally, the letting go of tension, gripping, resistance - all unnecessary effort. From this lack of resistance we invite a shift - simple movement without pain, a new pattern of support, a new relationship between parts - a revelation!. No old pattern will truly go away unless a more functional pattern can step up to take its place. Therapeutics is the dance between letting go of old patterns and creating new ones, all done within the rhythm of creating space. It is a process of creating a new relationship with the self through compassion and letting go of expectations. In the pause of letting go all things are possible.
MEDITATION
During the last six years of studying Para Yoga intensively, my own meditative practice of 39 years has been completely transformed. This inner journey continually expands my understanding of the world around me, and my place within it. It brings me deep contentment and joy. Meditation offers not only peace, but ongoing expansion, revelation, and awakening to higher capacity. One of the simple things that has changed my practice is the realization that not only is the act of meditating potent, but actually the object of meditation is a most important little detail! To still the mind is only the first step. The next step is to find the right focus for meditation, as each possibility will unlock a different door to the unconscious mind. Choose the focus that is precisely right for you, in this moment, and it will transform you completely. I feel honored to help my students learn to meditate, and to share these more sublime practices.