Richard Freeman + Pure Yoga

Richard Freeman’s holding a random workshop (Monday morning?) at Pure Yoga.  From Pure’s website:

Richard Freeman – An Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga
April 19, 2010
9:30am – 12:30pm

A step by step exploration of the basic thread of form, breathing, and movement upon which the classical series of postures is strung. The bio-mechanical principles of alignment and the meditative principle of awakening core breathing will be studied in context of the Ashtanga system to give participants a new degree of freedom, technical skill and compassion.

This event is open to both Pure members and nonmembers alike.

Tuition:
Members: $50
Nonmembers:$60 nonmembers

Click here to register

Richard Freeman Bio:
Richard Freeman has been a student of yoga since 1968. He has spent nearly nine years in Asia studying various traditions which he incorporates into the Ashtanga yoga practice as taught by his principal teacher, K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Richard’s background also includes studying Sufism in Iran, Zen and Vipassana Buddhist practice, and an in-depth study of Iyengar yoga, which eventually led him to Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. Richard is an avid student of both Western and Eastern philosophy, as well as Sanskrit. His ability to juxtapose various viewpoints, without losing the depth and integrity of each, has helped him develop a unique, metaphorical teaching style. He is the owner of The Yoga Workshop in Boulder, Colorado and the author of the forthcoming book, “The Mirror of Yoga” (Shambhala Publications).

Student sues over injury causing adjustment

Yoga Workshop Handed Lawsuit for Improper Adjustment Injury, Are All Studios Doomed for Sue-dom?

by YogaDork on November 3, 2009

More lawsuits! Improper adjustments! This time not as naughty as you’re thinking. Can we just be happy for a moment this is not about sexual assault? OK.. moving on.

It’s suddenly a rocky road for Boulder, CO studio Yoga Workshop, Richard Freeman’s joint (he and his wife relinquished ownership and management earlier this year update: they took back ownership 9/09). News hit late yesterday that the studio is being sued by a former student due to instructor Luke Iwabuchi’s “unsolicited physical manipulation” resulting in injuries causing “permanent disability.” yowch! Basically an unwanted adjustment gone terribly wrong, says the CA man, Robert Heit, who’s filing the suit. OK here go…we don’t know the Yoga Workshop, we’ve never experienced an Iwabuchi class, but we’ve certainly experienced plenty of adjustments in our time as yoga students, some not always what we thought as the safest maneuvering for the human body. Seriously ouch! There have also been several occasions where we wish the instructor would pleease come over and give us that extra nudge, but what are we supposed to do? snap our fingers? shout at the teach? *sigh* We digress…

So let’s break this down…

Date of Incident: approx. 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 2008.

The Accuser: Robert Heit, former Boulder resident now residing in Santa Rosa, CA. Other info we don’t know? Age, physical condition prior to the incident, yoga experience, etc.

The Accused: Yoga Workshop, by way of Luke Iwabuchi, a well-respected yoga instructor, at the presently well-respected Richard Freeman-blessed studio in Boulder, CO.

The Claim: “unsolicited physical manipulation” resulting in a torn medial meniscus (that precious soft band under the kneecap – the victim of outrageously frequent sports injuries) that required surgery.

READ MORE

Man sues teacher at Yoga Studio for “unwanted adjustment.”

by elephantjournal.com on Nov 3, 2009

Will the venerable Yoga Workshop be forced to cease adjustments? Will your favorite studio?

This blog is based on the report of The Daily Camera, Boulder’s paper of record. Link to article and excerpt below. It is intended solely to be a support for our yoga community friends.

Not if the great yoga teacher in question has a lawyer worth anything, and community support. This lawsuit is ridiculous—and, if successful, would represent a stultifying, dangerous precedent for yoga studios throughout the US.

We could write a lengthy explanation about how adjustments are key to yoga practice, that’s why you have a teacher, and how if you don’t get them serious injuries will result much more often, and about how we’ve known Luke since the mid-90s and know he knows his stuff, he’s gentle, and about how Luke probably doesn’t have any money, so this is just ridiculous, and about how this is the seventh sign of hell…a man is suing a yoga studio for an injury that, he claims, is the result of an unwanted adjustment.

But, that’d all be reallllly obvious. Really. It’s like suing a swimming pool for getting water in your mouth, or a park for offering you a mountain bike trail that you fell on, or suing the sky for snowing on a tree that then fell on your car.

So, we’ll just offer this one, simple, direct assessment: “Ridiculous.” This is serious stuff. This could put one of America’s truly great, original yoga studios out of business. This could ruin a great young teacher’s life, and career. Adjustments are part of what yoga class is about. You want them. Injuries happen. Adjustments are suggestions, at most. Optional. As I’ve been told a thousand times—in the Yoga Workshop, where I practice—yoga is not about pain. If you feel pain, stop.

READ MORE

Man sues Boulder yoga studio over unwanted adjustment

Lawsuit: ‘Unsolicited physical manipulation’ caused permanent disability

By Vanessa Miller Camera Staff Writer

Posted: 11/02/2009 06:52:35 PM MSTAccording to a lawsuit that Robert Heit, now of Santa Rosa, Calif., recently filed against the Boulder-based Yoga Workshop, instructor Luke Iwabuchi’s “unsolicited physical manipulation” caused injuries that resulted in a permanent disability.

Among Heit’s injuries, according to the lawsuit, a torn medial meniscus — a fibrocartilage band spanning the knee joint — that required surgery.

READ MORE

Yoga Video Tuesday

posted by ebeans

Richard Freeman breathing real slow for Pattabhi Jois
(who doesn’t want to snoop around this Maui archive?)

Iyengar Yoga Trio– Is it dance?  Is it demo?  Is it yoga?
(part 1 of 3)

Lino Miele philosophizes
(associated videos include more talks and a jump through demo)

Elephant Journal: The Future of Yoga

posted by ebeans

Interview with Richard Freeman…

Richard Freeman: The Future of Yoga

by elephantjournal.com on Jun 3, 2008

watch

We ♥ Anne Nuotio: Ashtanga Yoga Practice Videos (Primary Series)

When you aren’t lucky enough to practice near a teacher, with other students, in need of some inspiration, or just like to watch, here is a list of Ashtanga yoga practice videos listed in alphabetical order.  By all means, if you know of a video that you think should be mentioned, let us know.

• ANNE NUOTIO
  Title: Anne Nuotio Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

  Thoughts
  This video is amazing!  Anne demonstrates the evolution of her practice with commentary.  You can watch her practice 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.  This is perhaps more for observation than for practice.  What is amazing is that you watch a body move through the different series and also that it is *gasp* a woman!  Her commentary is thoughtful and inspiring.  Check out Anne’s article over at Living Mysore…
  PS- Anne is currently authorized by the KPJAYI.

  Buy
  You can purchase the video at Anne’s website.

  Preview
  

• DAVID SWENSON
  Title: First Series

  Thoughts:
  This is a bit of a cult classic.  That said, there are many things in this video that differ from how ashtanga is currently being taught in Mysore by the KPJAYI.  It is definitely instructional.
  PS- David is authorized and listed on ashtanga.com, but is not listed at KPJAYI.

  Buy:
  Click here to purchase at our Amazon store

  Preview:
  

• JOHN SCOTT
  Title: Ashtanga Yoga the Primary Series

  Thoughts:
  People really enjoy this dvd.  It is instructional and inspirational and his accent is adorable.
  PS-  John is certified to teach by the KPJAYI.

  Buy:
  At our Amazon store

  Preview:
  

• KINO MACGREGOR
  Title: Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series with Kino MacGregor

  Thoughts:
  We haven’t seen it, but the fact that it features a woman, and a fierce one at that, is enough to convince us.  It is our understanding that the video is instructional.  Be sure not to confuse this with her “A Journey, A Workshop”.
  PS-  Kino is currently listed as a certified teacher with the KPJAYI.

  Buy:
  You can purchase both DVD’s at Kino’s website

  Preview:
  

• LINO MIELE
  Title: Primary Series with Lino Miele

  Thoughts: From the trailer, it looks good…  This is probably great for guys who are intimidated by taking instructions from men who look like they have a lifetime of dance experience.  Not sure if this is more instructional or demonstration as we haven’t seen it.  But we agree that this is probably a good choice as Lino is the “correct vinyasa” man.
  PS-  Lino is certified by the KPJAYI

  Buy:
  Check Lino’s site under “resources” or purchase at ashtanga.com
  
  Preview:
  

• MARK DARBY
  Title: Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series

  Thoughts:
  We’ve heard nothing but good things.  Mostly instructional.
  PS- KPJAYI certified

  Buy:
  At the Elephantbeans store

  Preview:
  None available
  
  

• MELANIE FAWER
  Title: Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga:  Primary Series with Melanie Fawer Certified by Sri K.  Pattabhi Jois

  Thoughts:
  …Tumbleweeds…  Maybe you can help us out with this one?
  PS- KPJAYI Certified

  Buy:
  In our store

  Preview:
  None available

• NICKI DOANE
  Title: There are 2 videos available “Beginners class” and “Introductory poses”

  Thoughts:
  Great for yoga newbies.  Can’t remember the difference between the two.
  PS-  Nick is authorized and listed on ashtanga.com but not KPJAYI

  Buy:
  You can purchase either video here

  Preview:
  

• PATTABHI JOIS
  Title: Ashtanga Yoga with K.  Pattabhi Jois – First Series from Yoga Works Productions

  Thoughts:
  Whether you plan on practicing with the video or simply watching, it doesn’t get much more authentic than this.  Guruji counts a full led primary for a class of “big name” yoga teachers  My how yoga clothes have changed!
  PS- Guruji is Guruji

  Buy:
  In our Amazon store

  Preview:
  

• RICHARD FREEMAN
  Title: Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series & Introduction
  
  Thoughts:
  He kind of sounds like a robot but that aside, tons of useful information.  Rumor has it that when asked which western student “gets it”, Guruji repled, “Richard Freeman”.  It is hard to argue with that kind of endorsement!  Mostly instructional.
  PS-  Richard is KPJAYI certified

  Buy:
  Both videos by clicking here

  Preview:
  

• SHARATH RANGASWAMY
  Title: Primary Series
  Thoughts:
  If Sharath had a fan club on facebook, we’d join. Oh wait, he does.  And for good reason!  Sharath is the grandson of Guruji and has taken over KPJAYI.  If you can’t study with the source in India, this is the next best thing.  Sharath leads himself through a led primary class.  Read more at Ashtanganews…
  PS- Totally certified and come on, it is Sharath!

  Buy:
  Purchase the DVD at the Ashtanga Productions website.

  Preview:
  

  Do you practice with any of these videos? Which do you like the best?