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Timetable 2008

Greeting of H.E. Mrs. Meera Shankar,
Ambassador of India to Germany:

"I am happy to know that Lernen in Bewegung e.V. is organising the 4 th Berlin Yoga Festival from 4-6 th July, 2008 at the Shanti Park in Berlin Mitte.

Yoga focuses on harmony between mind and body. It derives its philosophy from Indian metaphysical beliefs. The ultimate aim of this philosophy is to strike a balance between mind and body and attain self-enligtenment. To achieve this, yoga uses movement, breath, posture, relazation and meditation in order to establish a healthy and balanced approach to life.

I wish the organisers all the best in their endeavours and a very succesful Yoga Festival 2008."
H.E. Mrs. Meera Shankar

Shiva Nata is a singular and amazingly beautiful Yoga dance form, allowing the neural connections in the brain to be restructured. This modern version of the old dance of Shiva helps to recognize and resolve our deep habits, fears and negative behavior patterns. Through the practice of Shiva Nata, in only a short time one can achieve both significant personal breakthroughs and and an extension of brain capacity. To learn more, visit the video demo on our website: www.shivanata.com

Shiva Nata is a singular and amazingly beautiful Yoga dance form, allowing the neural connections in the brain to be restructured. This modern version of the old dance of Shiva helps to recognize and resolve our deep habits, fears and negative behavior patterns. Through the practice of Shiva Nata, in only a short time one can achieve both significant personal breakthroughs and and an extension of brain capacity.

Students of the system regularly experience impressive progress in everything from improved coordination to the resolution of personal problems. Even just watching will have a strong effect on your spirit!

Explore Shiva Nata like a dancing mathematical puzzle, opening your potential and making possible moments of deep insight.

For more information, watch the video demo on our website: www.shivanata.com

Physically demanding yoga class for increased power, strength, flexibility and energy!

Renowned Ayurvedic scholar David Frawley opens the crucial foundations of Vedic knowledge to our culture and describes the inner workings of the human body and spirit through the use of nutrition, breath, herbs and meditation for self-expansion and healing.

Forms such as Ayurveda are among the most popular aspects of yoga currently expanding into the West. Yoga and Ayurveda together create a powerful force which can lead us to optimal health and higher consciousness. Dr. Frawley will discuss the the mysterious forces of the body, the breath, the senses, the spirit and the Chakras, and show how through correct nutrition, herbs, Asanas, Pranayama and meditation we can heal ourselves.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Frawley on his first Berlin visit!

Shiva Tandava are Nirmala Devi and Krishnamurti, pupil of Sri Durgamayi MA. They sing Kirtans from India, which are accompanied with Harmonium and drum. In their studies, they have discovered these songs as a means of meeting fellow spirits and sharing the joy of devotion and the opening of the spirit. The melodies are easy to learn, and all are welcome to join in and sing along!

Yoga Song of the Body is a journey, that leads us to the natural wisdom of our body. Song of the Body makes clear, that every body tells its own story, sings its own song. This song expresses itself in movement, in breath, in voice. It is a very personal, true and individual song.

The courses content a mixture of yoga-postures, flowing movements, the toning of simple silybels and elements of dance. Various breathing-exercises, visualisation and decent life-music (Singing/ Indian instruments) are balancing body and soul. This mixture has a healing impact on the whole human being.

The classes are structured in a way, you feel inspired to find your own tempo, your own movements and are for that reason suitable to all levels.

Asana or body postures find one of their origin in a very deep natural feeling of reverence in front of the mysteries of life. Some Agama-s and Tantra-s, old holy scriptures of traditional yoga refer to Asana as an inner prayer of the body, a kind of gesture coming from deep within, from the source of the being.

In that respect, Asana can be understood as a tool to bring about the deeper level of natural love into expression and using one's body to go even deeper within this human natural tendency to devotion and pure love for the life itself.

The workshop will emphasise on simple gesture helping those feeling to blossom along with a respectful and loving relationship to the breath.

What brings success in life? How can you find the way to self-actualization? This class will guide you toward making a life that is in harmony with your inner self and the Divine. Practical exercises will include techniques to overcome shyness and depression, increase concentration and improve your memory. Learn to integrate intuition and creativity into your life and master your divine spirit!

Carolin Gödeke will demonstrate selected dances in the south Indian Bharata Natyam form. The classical Indian dance has its origin in the ritual dance theatre of the temples of south India. The complexity of this thousand-years-old art combines the influences of Yoga, meditation, dance theatre, sculpture, Hindu and Tantric philosophy and mysticism. In its geometry one can also see the relationship of Hatha Yoga.

In Bharata Natyam, the body flows from static shapes reminiscent of Indian temple statues to dynamic movements. The dancer brings Hindu Gods and Goddesses like Shiva, Durga, Ganesha, or the playful Krishna to life, making tangible the energy of these mythological figures. This happens through the powerful rhythms of the dancer's feet, as well as the expressive and playful use of gesture, mime and Mudra.

One of the intentions of the Bharata Natyam is it to remind humans of their essential unity with the universe, and thus it is in direct connection with this year's slogan: Communication from Heart to Heart. In the theory of Indian dance, the Rasa (tendency) to Sringara (from the Sanskrit: boundless love) is the most fundamental of all feelings, and guides all emotional, mental and spiritual journeys.

Carolin will also lecture briefly on the content and spiritual background of the individual dances.

Two years ago, I discovered yoga and since then I have become a yoga fan. I have already tried to experience with yoga elements during my work as a psychologist, career and love coach. So this is my motivation to speak about the coherence between psychotherapy, coaching and yoga as a sort of body and mind therapy.

The term ritual actually comes from "rite", which originally means cultic acts, for example religious offerings.

Rituals are reference bridges to the environment. They also help to build up a connection with oneself. Our highly mobile and short-lived society however produces a shadow side, which means fragility of human relationships. This is the age of narcissism and single man and woman.

In the systemic counselling we focus on the system, not just the individual. Even in yoga we concentrate on ourselves, but at the same time thus connecting us with everything else around us.

Psychological work is a talking job. Yoga would be a method as a soothing complement in the search of holistic balance of body, mind and spirit.

In our society today, where there are no longer many rituals left, one might think that yoga - see prayer posture - is perhaps even a substitute for former religious rituals.

The yoga boom points out that people are also longing for a spiritual dimension. A good coach or psychologist can certainly learn some technique, but if he or she can cure someone else, it is not only a talent, but some sort of spiritual dimension.

The presentation of this subject at the Yoga Berlin Festival deals with the questions: What are similarities, differences and how can yoga complement psychology counselling and psychotherapy?

Ganapathi, or Ganesha, the Elephant God, represents the strength of Absolute Being, which eliminates obstacles and guides us to success in our efforts. Ganesha is admired as a son of Shiva and Parvati and is the first honored in many Indian rituals and ceremonies. Ganesha, or Ganapathi, is the energy we honor upon beginning something new. By the Ganesha Homa we create a benediction which can improve family relationships, heal illness, overcome troubles and help us to reach our goals.

Singing Mantras can open our hearts and give rest to our minds. The Sanskrit word mantra is composed of two sounds, man and tra - man means the mind or the thinking instrument, and tra means to bridge or to cross over. A mantra allows us to travel beyond thoughts - there we can experience peace and happiness. Text and melodies are simple, so that you can feel absolutely welcome.

Building on Friday's presentations, David Frawley will explore the practical links of Yoga and Ayurveda. We all know the Ayurvedic types (Doshas): the sensitive Vata, the fiery Pitta and the leisurely Kapha. Discover the right asanas and practices for your type as you learn how to apply the rules of Ayurveda for a positive and energetic life.

The Cycling Meditation is an excellent Yoga technique very helpful to reduce any sort of tension and it is particularly designed for stress managing.

This practice has been developed from a team of experts at the Vivekananda Yoga Prakashana University in Bangalore, India and it is often used in Yoga Therapy sections.

It is a pleasant combination of few easy traditional Hata yoga postures - asanas ? performed very slowly, eyes closed and with full awareness, alternated with three kind of relaxation.

This technique has been conceived to expand the consciousness form the grossest levels to the subtle ones and it is based on the repeated principle, so called ?cycling? of stimulation and release.

Having very deep beneficial effects, the Cycling Meditation is a revitalizing practice good to remove energy blocks and strongly recommended for healing purposes.

Everybody could experiment it.

• Introduction
• Presentation of the Cycling Meditation
• Explanation of the technique with short demonstration
• Collective practice
• Questions and answers

This year we searched for something special to unite all our yogis together and put our slogan: "Yoga: From Heart to Heart" into action. As an outward demonstration of the peace within, together we will create a large Peace Mandala of flowers and other articles of strength and joy. The resulting work is simultaneously art, energy and beauty. This community-strengthening event is moderated by Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal (Minister for Medical, Health, Family Welfare, Ayush, Science & Technology in the Govt. of Uttarakhand, India).

The flowers for the Mandala are available for a small donation; the proceeds will flow to a school project in Omkareshwar, India, about which Yoga Master and headmaster Swami Gurusharanananda will present a short documentary during our Festival.

We welcome you all to bring stones, roots, or small items of positive energy to contribute to the Mandala. In addition, we will have an online exchange service available in the heart of the Shantipark, where 108 "heart chambers" can be explored and energy can be "virtually" exchanged from visitor to visitor and heart to heart.

As the great power of Time, the Kali Shakti creates the different Yugas, or world-ages, which manking lives through during the long cycles of cosmic evolution. Kali is the Goddess of eternity, which is present throughout our evolution and which promotes our own internal growth. As the power of this particular world age, Kali power is more specific: she works to protect the mental energy of the planet, in times of light and of darkness.

The history of Narad Muni, who set out to discover the meaning of his existence. The wise monk Narad Muni is considered the most pious worshiper of God. On his search for answers, he learns the secret of true reverence. An Indian dance theatre performance with philosophical foundations, both to watch and to reflect on.

Irina and Valentin will co-lead this Yoga class in the Spirit Yoga style. Spirit Yoga focuses on the bringing the ancient tradition of Yoga into daily life, making the spirit free, light and clear. Strong, active Yoga postures are synchronized with a specific breathing practice. With dynamic movement, transformative energy is freed and a meditative state of mind is encouraged.

Spirit Yoga is not an escape but rather a reaching within, arriving deeper into the self.

Sivananda Yoga offers an integrated yoga practice of Asana, Pranayama, relaxation, nutrition and meditation. The Sivananda practice aligns the Chakras (energy centers) through Asana, cleansing breath techniques and a philosophical foundation.

"A gram of practice is better than tons of Theorie" was one of the favorite sayings of Yoga Master Swami Sivananda (1887-1963). When Swami Sivananda was once asked why then he had written so many books (over 200!), he answered verschwithzt, smiling: "Some humans need tons of theory to be inspired to find their gram of practice."

As we all know here in the west, trying to be close and honest to the Yogic Indian tradition can be a real challenge when we have to face the materialistic world we have to live in. The traditional path of the yogi is in fact not dependant of the societies where he stands, but more surely in the deep understanding of his role and position within humanity.

Can the western Yogi find his way and social place without betray his heart and be a example for others in this part of this world?

How can he merge into his tradition and still take part of the common life?

What is the real goal to get near to, so that a happy and meaningful life can be lived on daily basis?

20 years' experience has shaped the unusual and inspiring music of 1001 Ways. Their new album "Gandhi", with Mahatma Gandhi's original voice (his speeches of 1931) is a spiritual and musical masterpiece. Together with Mahatma's grandchild Dr. Arun Gandhi, 1001 Ways launched the "Gandhi Tour", celebrating 100 Years of Nonviolence in California. Via a worldwide route, their multicultural program was acclaimed in Hollywood, New York, San Francisco and London. In the Multimedia program, Gandhi infuses 1001 Ways' mystical and energetic live music with rare original sepia photographs and film excerpts of Mahatma Gandhi. A singular peace vision suffuses the program. 1001 Ways' rousing Ethno-fusion rhythms will lure you onto the dance floor and banish your worries!

Program supported through:

From a holistic background, we explore the possibilities for integrating real dietary change. In particular, the Ayurvedic principles of nutrition can be affirmed as highly effective.

The sensory component of Ayurveda can be understood as an essential component, referring to a means of experiencing our deeper natures through:

• Minimizing foreign social regulations, leading toward a holistic means of experiencing the self.
• Freeing ourselves from addiction to industrial food products.
• Taking responsibility for the environment, in particular the freedom of animals from abuse by humans ("Freeing of the Animals" after Peter Singer).
• Enrichment and substantiating of a more spiritual lifestyle, by concrete and consistent practice.

The basic thesis is the creation of an integrated dietary culture that concerns itself with the true well-being of animals and nature as well as humans; and a practical and non-dogmatic conversion to a deeper value system where individual well-being leads the way to positive changes for the entire ecosystem.

Yoga Sukshma Vyayama ("Yoga practices of the subtle matter") is a very old, holistic system of yogic exercises. It trains the whole body word by word from head to foot; from the brain to the big toe. The exercises are very simple, appropriate for students of all ages, constitutions and experience.

With of a mixture of static and dynamic exercises, breathing, and simple concentration, we systematically strengthen and revitalize: Head and brain, face and sensory organs, neck and shoulders, thorax and lung, arms, hands and finger, the spinal column into all their directions of motion, the pelvic basin and abdominal cavity with its various organs and muscles, hip and thigh, knee and ankle, feet, foot joints and toes.

Sthula Vyayama, a short system, begins the practice with a "coarse Yoga practice", which is well-suited to warming up and general body training. These exercises are more intensive and demanding for the body's musculature; still, all students can practice it according to their needs and abilities.

This is an excellent practice for beginner yogis, as it provides for the spectrum of abilities of any practitioner. Even those with diseases or physical restrictions can experience a complete and well-rounded practice.

For more advanced students, the system offers intensive work with Kumbhaka (breath patterns), Mudra (seal) and Bandha (locks). These practices allow a profound release of energy.

Yoga is the ideal means of preparing the body and spirit for the experience of birth. Sabine leads this birth preparation class in the Spirit Yoga style, developed by Patricia Thielemann specifically for expectant mothers.

Pregnancy is a time of many changes. The Spirit Yoga Prenatal practice supports a natural and conscious preparation for birth and alleviates the physical challenges which can emerge during pregnancy, increasing strength, patience, calm and balance.

Jivamukti Yoga is a modern and challenging form of Vinyasa Yoga. We bring together the Asanas, breath and our personal intention. Inspiring music supports the flowing practice. Jivamukti Yoga is a modern, strong practice in keeping with the needs and challenges of modern humans, helping us to open up the present moment and dive into life. In provocative moments, we try to remain awake and witness our discomfort; by not turning away, we can penetrate more deeply into the present moment and emerge with a new and deeper understanding of ourselves and our lives.

This inspiring Workshop will explore the principles of the development and extension of human consciousness. Ancient yogic insights and wisdom guide us to the direct experience of our inner potential, and offer essential practices for coping with the problems and challenges of modern life.

Dr. Frawley's representation is not oriented scientifically, historically or traditionally; it is based in his own authentic experience. Focusing on the question, "Who am I?" , its goal is self-knowledge and discovery in one's own heart. In this way, outside stress is replaced with inner silence: However, we fulfill our human potential only when this inner silence is then met with dynamic action.

Dr. David Frawley is a world-renowned teachers of Vedic knowledge. Like other major teachers for thousands of years, he teaches us to return to the core of existence. Whether it concerns humans, a hurricane, an atom, or a solar system - everything turns around the apparently motionless center of Power and Being.

For us, the heart is the "Eye of the Hurricane". He who does not feel his heart, is ill and unfortunate. The spirit of Yoga is to bring us back to this center: the Heart of the thing.

Mrs. Dr. Nicole Goldstein cannot please us with her visit for physical reasons. For the moment we have no replacement for her lecture.

"without Love, all is nothing..."

Yoga to activate the Heart Chakra, which represents Love and Compassion. Connect with your breath and open your heart...

Weight loss begins in the head - health is our basic right!

From the head to the heart, from the heart to consciousness, well-being leads to the right weight! Diets cannot improve your life; only a change of thinking, diet and life habits.

We all know this, but few of us make it happen. Why? Because it is so difficult to change your habits alone. Learn how to work systematically, using simple methods and techniques to support you on the way to your goal. Experience a new, holistic approach throughout your body and discover that "Health is more than the absence of illness".

Gong meditation is a powerful combination of sound and energy. The tones of the gong penetrate the inner awareness and produce a form of Trance, opening us to higher levels of awareness and the spiritual experience of oneness.

The Bodywork Asana Intensive is a breakthrough experience for your Yoga practice! Intensive, systematic study of advanced postures with concentration, ease and playfulness.

Enjoy Bhakti Yoga in action: Sing from the love in your heart, embracing and celebrating the union of our spirits!