Elements of Mastery Live

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.