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Dharma Talks

Want to learn more about the history and philosophy of yoga, but not sure you want to go through a full Teacher Training program? These dharma talks have you covered…

What is a Dharma Talk?

There’s a tradition in yoga whereby the teacher offers an insight, or a story, or some kernel of wisdom at the beginning of the practice. Something to focus the mind & put it into a Self-reflective state. This offering is known as a “dharma talk”, and that is the spirit with which these discussions are offered. They are essentially extended dharma talks whose purpose is to guide you on a journey through yoga’s history and principal philosophies. Each of the nine discussions focuses on a different aspect of yoga’s rich history, teachings and tradition. If you would like to listen to a full recording of any of the discussions, please send an email to: Blaffoon@gmail.com

Why Listen?

As Georg Fuerstein, one of the great yoga teachers of all time, said, “Yoga is a continuum of theory and practice.” If your practice isn’t grounded in an understanding of yoga’s history and philosophical foundations, it runs the risk of growing stagnant and becoming ineffective, or even worse, doing harm. These discussions aim to introduce you to a variety of concepts and lesser-known practices intended to help invigorate and inspire you, both on the mat and off, to empower you to find your own practice and to guide you toward a greater sense of contentment and overall well-being.

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1)   Yoga History & Philosophy 101

We’ll begin our journey with an overview of yogic history and philosophy, tracing the evolution of the practice from its earliest known origins to its modern form, making stops along the way to explore some of the most significant texts and teachings that for centuries have helped people from all walks of life to find peace, joy, meaning and good health in their daily lives. 

2)   The Building Blocks of Harmony

Our journey continues with a deep dive into Yama and Niyama, the first two limbs of yoga’s eight-limbed path and the bedrock of yogic philosophy. The concepts may be simple, but the interpretations are vast and varied. This discussion will offer a range of perspectives to help you formulate your own understanding of these time-honored ethical and personal restrains. 

3)   The Only Way Out Is In

As every great teacher throughout time has taught, the goal of yoga is simply to understand who and what we are, i.e. to Self-realize. In this third discussion, we’ll continue our journey through the remaining six limbs of the eight-limbed path to understand how yoga’s ancient methods work to create benefits that have been proven by modern science. 

4)   Understanding the Sutras, Part I

Of all the texts ever written on the subject of yoga, none has had a more profound and lasting influence than The Yoga Sutras. In addition to a brief overview of the text, our fourth discussion will focus on the first chapter, or pada, of the Sutras, emphasizing the importance of a variety of concepts including abhyasa & vairagya, the Bramahivara and the antaraya. 

5)   Understanding the Sutras, Part II

Our journey continues with a closer look at the second pada of the Yoga Sutras, which focuses on the elements of practice, placing particular emphasis on the concepts of purusha vs. prakriti, i.e., the nature of perception. As this discussion will help you to see, there is more to practicing yoga than meets the eye. 

6)   Understanding the Sutras, Part III

We continue our exploration of the second half of the second pada of the Yoga Sutras, which helps us understand how we can know if our practice is working by offering deeper insight into the first four limbs of the traditional eight-limbed path of yoga: Yama, Niyama, Asana & Pranayama.

7) The Subtle Body

There’s no shortage of mystical and mysterious elements in the world of yoga. Everything from nadis and chakras to koshas and the Guna… What are these things? What do they do? Are they even real? This discussion aims to give you a deeper understanding of some of yoga’s subtler dimensions, and how to put them into practical use.

8)   The Koshas & Introduction to The Bhagavad Gita

Picking up where the last talk left off, we’ll finish our conversation about the Subtle Body with an exploration of the koshas before turning our attention to The Bhagavad Gita. Considered by many scholars to be among the most important texts in human history, The Gita is a treasure trove of yogic knowledge and philosophy. This discussion aims to help it all make sense to you in a way that you can put to use in your daily life.

9)   More on The Gita: Knowledge & Devotion in Action

Our final discussion aims to give you a deeper understanding not only of what The Bhagavad Gita is, but why it’s important to the yoga tradition and how its wisdom can help us all to live more joyful and fulfilling lives.

To request the full recording of any of these Dharma Talks, please send an email to: blaffoon@gmail.com

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This was my first Teacher Training after years of intermittent yoga at various schools. I first wondered if I was good enough to practice with a group of veteran yogis (some with decades of experience), but soon learned that I had all I needed: willingness to learn and belief in myself. I’m grateful to have found Brent, an amazing mentor who’s down to earth and devoted to his own practice. Whatever stage you’re at in your yoga journey, I believe you can find value and grow with his training.
— Mike L., Artist
I am exceptionally lucky to be able to call Brent my mentor. I have taken two 200 hour teacher trainings (TT) with him over the past few years, one of which was the inaugural AYP TT. Despite being held under challenging circumstances in the midst of a global pandemic, Brent found a way to create a safe space for us to practice together in person and learn from several different teachers. If you have ever thought about become a yoga instructor or maybe want to deepen your practice in posture study or yoga philosophy, search no further! As well as being one of my favorite humans, Brent is a master in yogic philosophy and has a natural gift with yoga posture instruction. You will learn about anatomy and physiology and how to incorporate that knowledge into your posture practice and teaching. You will also undoubtedly meet some amazing new friends along the way. It will be work, don’t get me wrong, but it will mostly be so much fun and so fulfilling and I 100% guarantee you will not regret it.
— Brittany L., NICU Nurse and Yoga Teacher
I got so much from this training. It’s funny, I said yes when my friend asked me to do it with her without really considering the impact. I knew I was being moved to develop a healthier relationship to my body, but it was the unknowns that shifted me the most. My new obsession with breathwork came directly from seeing you demonstrate how the diaphragm functions. Your dedication to the attunement of your body and the visual experience of seeing your breath fill and then leave your body set me into discovery of what that might look like for me. Your approach and languaging provided the perfect lens for me to see meditation and breathwork in yoga as I had never known it before. I’m learning and teaching to a couple of my existing clients 3 times a week now. I love teaching and facilitating others in their own discoveries. I would like to teach meditation and breathwork more often :) I knew breath was important and life giving but had no idea how transformational it would be. This year has provided so many opportunities to let go of attachments, see the systematic cycles of our existence and face my ego in it’s beauty and most disgusting forms. You were the teacher I was meant to sit under and I am so grateful for you making what you do and how you do it so accessible.
— Luca T., Hair Stylist
I took Brent’s teacher training in the fall of 2020. I arrived intending to gain a deeper intimacy with my practice and greater health in my everyday life. I wanted to advance my asana practice, cultivate greater flexibility and strength, but also a greater sense of enduring calm, equanimity and well-being off the mat. Teacher Training exposed me to texts that were both inspirational and challenging. They, like the poses themselves, require repetition, openness and dedication to incorporate into one’s practice of yoga. TT provided my first exposure to anatomical study and the encouragement to find a more personal, intentional practice - which has proven to be an ongoing, everyday project. I came to teacher training expecting to be challenged by the physical demands of the asana practice. Allowing myself to simply abide and breath from a place of calm and focus proved to be an equal if not greater challenge. Over the course of a few weeks, a group of mostly strangers learning and practicing together became a powerful and supportive resource for making progress and connections. Brent brings to TT a keen awareness of when and how to push individuals and the group forward and when to let things sink in gradually. Each training has moments of discussion and inquiry, exploration of ideas and attitudes as well as physical, heat-building practice and quiet meditation. Taking in the weekly readings in the TT syllabus as well as completing the TT writing assignments kept me practicing yoga in a way that was brand new for me. Each week required time spent reflecting and recording not just on the postures, but the attitudes, judgments and patterns I arrived at TT with. TT provides the opportunity to perceive one’s yoga practice as an inquiry into “what brings me joy” and to do that.
Brent exposed our group to philosophical and spiritual writings that were either brand new to me or with which I had only passing, anecdotal awareness of from participating in public classes over the years. Brent’s teacher training connects the practitioner to the long, long history and many, many people who have passed the practice down over time. I’m left with a sense of gratitude to participate in that tradition as well as enthusiasm to share that tradition with others.
— Craig A., Restaurateur
Yoga Teacher Training with Brent was an experience I will never forget. As a person who appreciates rigor and competence, the methodology of this training really worked well for me. First off, everyone is expected to understand key anatomy and physiology concepts. This is important because as Yoga teachers, we are entrusted with providing instructions that can heal the body, but we can unintentionally hurt people along the way if we aren’t well equipped! We need to be properly informed and educated about which muscle groups should be engaged for which postures. This training ensured that we have that knowledge. Second, this training was holistic. We had guest speakers who are Nutritionists (and not your fluffy ones, the ones that are getting their Doctorate/PHD in public health/nutrition). With so much misinformation out there, the wellness community as a whole needs to constantly be vigilant about which information we’re sharing and why. We also had a guest speaker who chants and we learned how to incorporate that into our Yoga practice, if that meets our needs. Lastly, Brent as a teacher is just incredible. I’ve been following Brent for years now, after I experienced his class (unexpectedly) at the Trauma Informed Yoga Workshop. His teaching style is fun and joyous! He really puts his heart and soul into designing the curriculums, especially the Wednesday night Yoga Philosophy class, which is designed to compliment the asana training we receive. I experienced deep meditative stated during the Wednesday sessions and truly looked forward to them. Reviewing and reading the Yoga Sutras is now part of my yoga practice. Brent’s abilities to connect with students is superb and it’s not a surprise he has a dedicated group of students who are always eager to receive his Yoga instructions and/or nuggets of yoga wisdom. I highly recommend this Teacher Training with Brent. I believe It’s as pure as it gets to the original intent and principles of yoga.
— Mihae J., Social Worker
Teacher Training was a lot more challenging than I expected it to be, and so worth it. Physically, I surprised myself with what I could achieve with Brent’s guidance. Mentally, this training asked me to show up for myself week after week, and each time I did I was so much happier for it. I don’t think you need to want to teach to take this training. The bigger question is are you ready to challenge yourself, and get to know yourself more intimately? If you want to grow as a human being, this training is for you!
— Alex H., Student