Elements of Mastery Live
The Step by Step Approach to MasteryConnect to your body and mind in a whole new way!
Targeted Techniques
Take a step by step adventure into your physical body and learn how to activate each muscle to supports the stability and mobility of your joints. Develop a new appreciation for your body through a heighten sense of awareness that will last a lifetime.
Heart Centered Meditation
Develop clarity of your mind and tap into your heart with element based meditations. The elements of Mastery ties the physical practice with the heart, providing you with a full integration and transformative experience. Through clear and simple techniques you will get to a place of stillness and peace inside and out.
Supportive Adjustments
To strengthen your body awareness you will learn easy way to support and be supported in your practice. The adjustments in EOM are not about pushing you deeper into flexibility but rather to awaken the areas of the body that might otherwise be asleep and challenging to connect to. Through supporting others in their practice you will also develop an eye for the human body that directly empowers your own practice.
Fire
Focus: Shoulder Stability and Freedom
This workshop focuses on making the complex shoulder girdle feel simple and easy without sacrificing the amazing potential we have for mobility and stability. We will break down scapula-humeral rhythm, and find stability and mobility for both the shoulder blades (scapula-costal joint) and the arm bones (gleno-humerol joint). On the subtle level this workshop focuses on transformation and the evolution of your practice and awareness. Fire provides the heat necessary to melt away old physical and emotional patterns, providing you with a blank canvas to form new patterns that serve your overall sense of well being and joy.
Air
Focus: Heart Opening
Layering the skills we have learned in the previous workshops, we will integrate our masterful understanding of our arms and legs in order to free up our spine. Students will develop a strong understanding of the muscles of the core and back and how they can stabilize and/or mobilize the spine for backbends. The ultimate intention is to provide more space for the body to breathe without obstruction and tension. As a result of our body feeling more free to breathe, our nervous systems will simultaneously enliven and relax creating that ultimate state of Yoga – both awake and relaxed – balanced.
Space
Focus: Integrating Knowledge into Wisdom
The main intention for practicing yoga for most of us is to feel better on all levels. We all practice yoga because we are trying release the layers of tension that hold us back from experiencing our own deep sense of joy and freedom. Through questions, discussion, and guided meditation, you will allow your mind and body to process and fully absorb the experience.
How do the elements integrate with the yoga practice?
Earth
Focus: Mastering the Foundations
The hands/wrists and feet/ankles are the first connection that our core has to the earth, yet they are perhaps the most under studied parts of the body in the asana practice! By shifting our focus to our foundation we will develop a profound body intelligence that grants us access to even the most challenging standing postures and arm balances. You will also see how strengthening the muscles that connect to the feet and hands provide massive potential for restored and prolonged health to your joints.
Water
Focus: Mastering the Hips
Layering our understanding of the feet, ankles, and knees, this practice will add on the structural “alignment” and muscle actions available to us within the myriad of hip openers postures. Some of the poses covered are pigeon, double pigeon, lizard, and cow faced pose. You'll explore what is required of the body in order to move into more advanced postures with a clear pathway for understanding our own potential range of motion. You'll also tap into the subtle body by paying attention to body feedback to break through any stuck emotions or physical holding patterns in order to find a true sense of freedom in your life.
E.O.M. PART 1
This Immersion uses the Elements (Earth,Water, Fire, Air, and Space) as a basis for self awareness and deeper knowledge of both body and mind. Take a step by step approach to mthrough the body and provide you with the skills to truly understand your own body both the energetically and practically. Trainees will learn to feel their anatomy through “Muscle Actions” and observe what Matt calls “joint relationships” to gain a total understanding from mind to body. In addition to Asana practice there will be postural clinics, body reading, visual demonstration break downs, partner exercises and specific hands on adjustments to develop a stronger kinesthetic connection to precise muscle actions and structural alignments. If you are wanting to take your Asana practice to a new level of mastery, feel better in your body, and attain the skills to help others feel good in their body than this immersion is perfect for you.
E.O.M. PART 2
Learn powerful teaching skills to help students transform their practice from the ground up. Building on the elements from E.O.M part 1, learn how to teach a sequence rooted in the physical and emotional elements of Earth, Water, Fire. Air, and Space. Topics covered will be: Sequencing, anatomy, technique, verbal delivery, meditation techniques, and adjustments. Through group discussion, one on one practice teaching, and systematic teaching tools, you will transform your approach to teaching yoga. Students that are not yet Yoga Teachers may attend this immersion and will learn how to create a strong and effective at home sequence. You will also learn how to apply the techniques provided in E.O.M part 2 to your practice on and off the yoga mat. All students will come away with a greater awareness of their own body, and how to support others in developing their body awareness. You must take E.O.M Part 1 prior to part 2.
Host This Immersion
Book The Elements of Mastery live at your studio. Are you a studio owner, or manager and interested in hosting this immersion for your community? The immersion requires 3 days, and is suitable for all levels including regular students, 200 hour trainees, and 300 hour trainees. Alternatively you may offer Part 1 and 2 as a 5 day immersion geared toward yoga teachers. Connect with Sara, by clicking the button below.
Daily Schedule
See the full day to day experience so you know exactly what you will be learning through out each immersion. Click on the module or “+” to open the schedule for part 1 and part 2.
Part 1: Hour by Hour Daily Schedule
Day 1 Friday: The Roots of Freedom
10-12:30 Practice · Element: Earth
Approach: Physical Asana Practice and some discussion
Focus: Mastering the foundations
The hands/wrists, Feet/Ankles are perhaps the most under studied parts of the body in the asana practice, yet they are the first connection that our core has to the earth. By shifting our focus to the foundation we will develop a profound body intelligence that grants us access to even the most challenging standing postures and arm balances. We will also see how strengthening the muscles that connect to the feet and hands provide massive potential for restored and prolonged health to all of the joints above.
2-3:30pm Posture Clinic
Approach: Visual Demonstrations, interactive Discussion, and Partner Exercises · Focus: Body Reading
Here we will develop our visual eye in order to clarify and further understand the physical actions of the Foundations practice. We will break down the anatomy, and techniques covered in the asana practice, and use partner exercises such as hands on assists and verbal coaching. Injury prevention and management will be intertwined in each of the topics in this section
3:30-5pm Practice · Elements: Water, Earth
Approach: Asana Practice and Workshop Style Demonstrations
Focus: Mastering the Hips
Layering on our understanding of the Feet, Ankles, and knees, this practice will add on the potential structural options “Alignment” and muscle actions available to us within the myriad of hip openers. Some of the postures covered will pigeon, double pigeon, lizard, cow faced pose. In addition we will explore what is required of the body in order to move into the more “advanced” postures like lotus pose and leg over the head – neither of which will be required of anyone, but the pathway will become clear for the purpose of understanding our own potential range of motion. On the subtle body layer we will pay close attention to body feedback, aka sensation, to break through any stuck emotions or physical holding patterns in order to find a true sense of freedom in our life.
5-6pm Closing Discussion and Meditation
Elements: Space
Approach: Discussion, and Guided Meditation
Focus: Integrating Knowledge into Wisdom
The main intention for practicing yoga for most of us is to feel better on all levels. Simply put, we all practice yoga because we are trying release the layers of tension that hold us back from experiencing our own deep sense of Joy and Freedom. Through questions, discussion, and guided meditation we will allow our mind, and body to process and fully absorb the experiences from out day.
Day 2 Saturday: Stoking The Fire
10-12:30 Practice · Element: Fire
Approach: Physical Asana Practice and some discussion
Focus: Shoulder Stability and Freedom
Most of our life is spent on our feet and as a result, shoulder mastery can be challenging. This workshop focuses on making the complex shoulder girdle feel simple and easy without sacrificing the amazing potential we have for mobility and stability. We will break down scapula-humeral rhythm, and finding stability and mobility for both the shoulder blades (scapula-costal joint) and the arm bones (gleno-humerol joint). On the subtle level this workshop will be focusing on transformation, and the evolution of our practice and awareness. Fire provides us with the heat necessary to melt away old physical and emotional patterns, providing us with a blank canvas to form new patterns that serve our overall sense of well being and joy.
2-3:30pm Posture Clinic · Focus: Body Reading
Approach: Visual Demonstrations, interactive Discussion, and Partner Exercises
Here we will develop our visual eye in order to clarify and further understand the physical actions of the Shoulders practice. We will break down the anatomy, and techniques covered in the asana practice, and use partner exercises such as hands on assists and verbal coaching. Injury prevention and management will be intertwined in each of the topics in this section
3:30-5pm Practice
Element: Air · Approach: Decompressing and Freeing the Spine
Focus: Heart Opening
Layering the skills we have learned in the previous workshops, we will integrate our masterful understanding of our arms and legs in order to free up our spine. Students will develop a strong understanding of the muscles of the core and back and how they can stabilize and/or mobilize the spine for backbends. The ultimate intention is to provide more space for the body to breathe without obstruction and tension. As a result of our body feeling more free to breathe, our nervous systems will simultaneously enliven and relax creating that ultimate state of Yoga – both awake and relaxed – balanced.
5-6pm Closing Discussion and Meditation · Element: Space
Approach: Discussion, and Guided Meditation
Focus: Integrating Knowledge into Wisdom
The main intention for practicing yoga for most of us is to feel better on all levels. Simply put, we all practice yoga because we are trying release the layers of tension that hold us back from experiencing our own deep sense of Joy and Freedom. Through questions, discussion, and guided meditation we will allow our mind, and body to process and fully absorb the experiences from our day.
Day 3 Sunday: Mastery and Advancement
10-12:30 Practice· Elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space
Approach: Physical Asana Practice and some discussion
Focus: Advance Your Practice
This practice will incorporate the teachings of the weekend in order to catapult your yoga practice to the next level. Challenging or “advanced” postures will be broken down into small steps derived from the knowledge and wisdom of the first two day. Rather than providing new knowledge this practice takes what you know and allows you to fully integrate it into your body in order to approach the postures that are seemingly just outside of your reach. Each student will be appropriately challenged and empowered at their specific level in order to take the next step up!
2-3:30pm Posture Clinic · Focus: Body Reading
Approach: Visual Demonstrations, interactive Discussion, and Partner Exercises
Here we will develop our visual eye in order to clarify and further understand the physical actions of the Shoulders practice. We will break down the anatomy, and techniques covered in the asana practice, and use partner exercises such as hands on assists and verbal coaching. Injury prevention and management will be intertwined in each of the topics in this section
3:30-6 pm
Focus: Solidifying the approach to a Masterful practice
Approach: Interactive discussion, Partner Exercises, Postural Assessment, Meditation.
Wrapping up our time together we will clarify techniques, anatomy, and concepts. We will also focus on how to effectively move forward with our practice after the training in order to continue the momentum that we built together. A closing meditation and discussion will allow us the complete integration of everything we learned in the immersion
About Matt Giordano
Yoga instructor Matt Giordano (500 ERYT) gives credit to an influential figure from his teenage years–his high school art teacher– for sparking within him the curiosity and tenacity that eventually led him to yoga. It was Eileen Walk who told Giordano: “You are not allowed to say ‘I can’t.’ You must rephrase to a question: ‘How?’”
That inquisitive and unrelenting spirit laid the foundation for Matt to begin a devoted yoga practice. When coupled with his passion to understand the physics and subtle alignment of the body, Matt’s dharma as a teacher came into focus.
Originally from Sea Cliff, Long Island, Giordano is primarily based in Connecticut and Manhattan, where he teaches at local studios and shows off his daring side riding motorcycles along the open road. Matt is often on the go, traveling internationally to teach yoga and perform acrobatics. Well-known for his ability to guide students deeply into postures with his refined attention to detail and precise action cues, Giordano is an adept guide for all-levels students at festivals, workshops and in his weekly studio classes. His study of biomechanics and integrative mind-body techniques informs his teaching, as he draws upon wisdom from traditions of yoga, martial arts (Aikido and Tae Kwan Do), acrobatics, AcroYoga and Thai Yoga Massage. In the end, Matt inspires a humble confidence, allowing students to find ease while expanding the edge of their comfort zones.
As Giordano helps make AcroYoga a household name, the media has taken notice; featuring him in Martha Stewart’s Whole Living, Alignyo, Yoga Dork and on LIVE! With Kelly and Michael. Events the world over are allowing countless students the opportunity to practice with Matt. No one misses the action, as his growing digital content (YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) has become another platform for Matt to share delight, technique and even the occasional appearance of his dog Tito, a Papillon and heart-melting super yogi.
Part 2: Hour by Hour Daily Schedule
Day 1: Elements Covered: Earth and Water
Approach: Asana Practice, Interactive Discussion, Practice Teaching, Sequence Creation.
Focus: Developing mastery in the movements and isometric engagements which are possible at the ankle, knee and hip joints.
Practice: Starting with a morning practice, you will integrate the actions into your body through thoughtful movement and sensation based awareness.
Sequence: Following the practice, we will break down the sequence into easily digestible sections, dissecting the structure and teaching techniques used. You will learn how to structure your own sequence according to a technique we use in Chromatic Yoga called a “Through-line”.
Practice Teach: You will have the opportunity to practice teach parts of your sequence in order to get tips on how to develop your teaching skill set.
Anatomy: We will thoroughly explore the 4 Joint articulations of the ankles and knees, as well as the 6 articulations of the hips. In order to develop and deepen the relationship with the muscles that create and initiate the joint actions, you will learn how to come up with exercises that strengthen the target muscles within a yoga classroom setting.
Voice Development: Intro to The Elements of Voice: Learn the skills of verbal delivery that separate good teachers from the elite. Our voice is one of the most powerful tools we have as yoga teachers, and it is rarely ever taught and explored in earnest. This training will help you to grow your unique voice.
Day 2: Elements Covered: Fire and Air
Approach: Asana Practice revolving around fire and air, Interactive Discussion, Practice Teaching, Sequence Creation.
Focus: Developing mastery in the available movements and isometric engagements at the spine and shoulders.
Practice: Starting with a morning practice, you will integrate the actions into your body through thoughtful movement and sensation based awareness.
Sequence: In addition to the physical aspects, learn how to integrate a theme into your sequence.
Practice Teach: practice teach parts of your sequence with the knowledge of the elements of voice.
Anatomy: We will thoroughly go over the 6 primary Joint articulations of the spine, and the multiple actions at the shoulder joint.
Adjustments: Learn how to provide stabilizing and information based adjustments for students without pushing them into physically compromising positions.
Day 3
Elements Covered: Space
Approach: Asana Practice, Meditation practice, Pranayama techniques, Interactive Discussion, Practice Teaching, Sequence Creation.
Focus: Creating a transformative experience for students.
Practice: Start with a morning practice preparing the body and mind for a seated meditation practice.
Practice Teach: Put together a sequence incorporating physical actions and a theme in small groups. You will have the opportunity to present pieces of the sequence in order to receive informed and creative feedback and support from others in the group.
Adjustments: Continued development of adjustments.
Refining Your Eye: Learn how to look at students and see their physical and emotional patterns in order to help them through intelligent sequencing and actionable techniques.
Meditation Techniques:Learn how to guide students into seated meditation using an accessible and easy to follow template.
Find An Elements of Mastery Immersion
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Elements of Mastery Online Course
Why Online?
The E.O.M Online Course is perfect if you want information that is accessible at any time right from your phone, tablet or computer. It is perfect if you cannot make it to the immersion in person but want to begin your detailed study of the body. It is also perfect if you have taken the immersion live and want to revisit the skills you learned. While we can never replicate the experience of being in a yoga room together, we can use the online platform to transmit information from my practice to yours!
Skills You Will Develop
- Masterful technique in your asana practice
- Deep anatomical knowledge and injury awareness
- Skills to lock in a powerful meditation Practice
- Purposeful hands on adjustments
What is Included?
- 5 Podcasts – asana workshop practices
- 15 Videos – posture breakdown and adjustments
- The Elements of Voice Workshop
- 3 Guided Meditations
- The Art of Adjustments Part 1 & 2 Video Workshops
- Foundations of Anatomy and Bio-mechanics of the upper and lower body
Elements Of Mastery Online Course
This online course is designed to support you in your journey on and off the mat. You will learn anatomy, technique, and masterful skills suitable for all levels and be able to apply this knowledge to your personal practice.
$198.00 $148.00
More Details
Payment: 1 non-refundable payment for $148 (Lifetime Access!)
Format: You will gain access to the Elements of Mastery online immediately after purchase. All you will need to do is log in to theyogimatt.com from anywhere and you you will see the training appear at the top bar on desktop devices, or at the bottom of the main menu on tablet and mobile devices.
Contact Sara
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