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To register or receive information on a workshop, please contact the organizers directly.
Please book your accommodations or camping in advance here.

“Standing Waves”
4 Elements Asanas - Earth, Aerial, Aqua & Hot Yoga

Instructed by Heather Christensen

April 4 - 6, 2025
(Friday - Sunday)
More Information:
Call or Text Heather
at (415)553-0924
Mat Yoga (earth - prithvi)
Hot Yoga (fire - agni)
Aqua Yoga (water - apasand)
Aerial Yoga (air - vayu)


Pranayama (ether - akasha) will be practiced in all 4 elements of asanas.  

Our bodies as well as the cosmos is made up of five elements. Having a yoga practice that honors elements can be inspiring, balanced and rewarding. The five elements that make up our cosmos are akasha, vayu, agni, apasand prithvi (ether, air, fire, water and earth), in order of increasing grossness. Of these, akasha is the most mysterious and intangible yet the most powerful since in it, is contained all the other four! It is the most subtle element, often called "space". Ether is the essence of “emptiness” and is the space that the other elements fill. Ether is considered to have qualities of lightness, airiness, and spirituality.

Ether is the fundamental element that holds all 4 elements within it. Like ether, we add the airiness & spiritual gift of Pranayama (breath work) to…

1) Mat Asanas - Earth Element: “Grounding ” Hatha/Vinyasa-Restorative Practices. The focus is gravity poses - twists, folds, hip, head & heart opening, seated, front, back & side angle traditional & unique sequences. We will address correct alignment principles, core vs. flexibility, chakra system, intentions + to soften in our strength with earth & sun salutes. It’s the most dense/gross & familiar in the physical field - our Home.

2) Hot Asanas - Fire Element:  Detoxification & Purification Practice + Warming to Bones & Musculature is the focus. Challenging for some doshas but can quickly cleanse and may give a sense of “Renewal”.

3) Aqua Asanas - Water Element:  Anti-Gravity Vinyasa Practice.  Heather’s aqua-yoga is a precious practice birthed here at the sacred springs. The waters reminds us that we too are mostly water (Yin) yet we find our strength (Yang) in a flowing way. We can surrender to a strong current yet find a subtle wave in the stillpoint. To “Nurture” annd emerse  ourselves with the element of water is the focus in this practice. Our Buoyancy can be a new best friend.. Standing Waves!

4) Aerial Asana - Air Element: The gravitation pull literally turns upside down 🙃 and we get a  reversed energy flow - stimulating internal organs, chakras & brain. The focus is  supported inversions that wake up & decompress the spine + supports detoxing & lymph cleansing. The benefits & focus immense - too many to mention! The most vast yoga practice of all - To fly in our asanas - to  “Re-Awaken”

The transmission of Heather's teaching & embodiment is powerful YIN - like the waters at Harbin. Both remind us to FLOW and that is where we begin.. Ground, Renew,  Nurture & Re-Awaken this Weekend!

Innately perceptive with presence and wildly passionate about dance & yoga, Hataatii (Heather) weaves in a level of soft determination and delight to her classes & workshops that’s truly one of a kind. Her yogic approach is a spiritual practice - union (yoke) within oneself and with each other, above and below (collective yoke). We will find softness in strength - the key to unlocking one’s deepest aspirations & ailments. The core of her yoga teaching is letting ancient-old asanas do us - rather than we do it - much like how we sit & soak in the sacred springs at Harbin. We surrender to the Alignment-based Hatha, Vinyasa + Restorative poses - We become them! Harbin yoga is not about doing yoga, it is about becoming yoga. She may weave in Yoga Ethics, Yoga Elements, Intentions, Mudras, Digestion & Detoxing, Kundalini, Pranayama as well as “hands on“ (CMT) adjustments for a deeper level of yoga therapy.
Registration cost: $75 - $175 Sliding Scale + Accommodations
More Information: Call/Text Heather at (415) 553-0924
Registration: Venmo Heather - Hataatii
Accommodations: Register for this workshop, then make your Harbin Hot Springs lodging or camping reservations at: https://harbin.org/reservations.

About the Instructor:
Heather Christensen (aka Hataatii) is the director of the yoga/dance program at Harbin. Her classes/workshops at the springs give a transmission of “Present Embodiment”. This flowing mastery began with early training in ballet at Juilliard/SAB. She later danced professionally with Ballet/Modern companies. Trained in Standing Wave Yoga, Kundalini, Ashatanga, Hatha & Aerial Yoga + 5Rhythms & Emotional Release Maps with Gabrielle Roth. She has studied, lived & taught in retreat centers for over 30 years - Esalen & Harbin. A Seasoned Certified - 5Rhythms Facilitator, Yoga Teacher + Esalen Massage Therapist. She loves to bring all walks of life into transformation through music, massage, dance and yoga.

Harbin Hot Springs

A Spiritual Retreat Center
18424 Harbin Springs Rd., Middletown, CA 95461
Reservations: (707) 987-2477
Spa: (707) 987-2477 ext. 2000
info@harbin.org
Harbin Hot Springs strives to provide a safe retreat sanctuary for guests.
We will not tolerate any form of harassment and/or discrimination.
Harbin is an alcohol and drug free retreat center.
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