​with liina tael & valerie hartwich

FEBRUARY – JUNE 2025

ONLINE & IN PERSON Modules

Are you seeking a solid, practical, well-rounded understanding of yin yoga, whether to deepen your practice or teaching?

This training offers a holistic understanding of anatomy and physiology, giving participants effective and science-based tools for well-being within a yin context. ​And helps the development of a comprehensive and realistic perspective of what yin can mean, on and off the mat. ​

​

We have two prerequisites for participation:

• a commitment to self-study before & between modules
• previous anatomy training (within the framework of movement modalities such as yoga/dance/Feldenkrais/Axis Syllabus/BMC, or body work such as physiotherapy/shiatsu/massage/osteopathy). The training requires foundational knowledge of the main muscle groups, the skeleton, and basic movement vocabulary, which are commonly covered in the types of training mentioned above.  

This training will give you a comprehensive knowledge of yin through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), functional movement, as well as fascia and somatic yoga, so you can find your own yin path in a safe and meaningful way. Last but not least, this training integrates contemplative self-inquiry work to help refine what the practice means for you, how it can enrich your daily life, and how you want to share it with the world. Through lectures, pre-recorded tutorials, experimentation in your body, practice sessions, in-depth posture labs and homework for self-inquiry, you will explore the wholesome effect this potent practice has on the body, mind and spirit.

The last module of the training will be an in-person immersion held at retreat house in a lush Odenwald forest. The long weekend together will serve as container for integration as we weave together all the threads from the previous modules, the self-study and homework.  

TRAINING DATES FOR 2025:

February 20 – 23  in person in Berlin ​(non residential at Vea Studio, Naunynstraße 38 )

March 21 – 23 online 

May 2 – 4   online

June 18 – June 22  in-person immersion in Odenwald (residential retreat at Yellow Yoga retreat-house “Gebhardshütte”)

Each training weekend consists of daily yin yoga practices, lectures, interactive embodiment exercises/inquiries, group work, discussions and homework assignments. Your further journey into practicing and teaching yin yoga will be supported by a comprehensive 100 page manual, pre-recorded tutorials to be viewed before each module and suggestions for further reading materials and resources. The 100-hour training consists of

• 80 hours live sessions via streaming and in person 
• 20 hours of homework assignments and self-study between the sessions ​

TOPICS COVERED : 

Yin yoga according to Western Anatomy (Functional approach to yoga)​ The principles of Yin yoga Tension versus compression, sensation based alignment, functional approach, skeletal variation. The science behind Yin yoga. How to teach the core Yin postures safely, offer variations and use props. ​You will get a solid foundation and understanding of the anatomy of yin poses via functional approach to yoga (Paul Grilley method) by introducing the 7 archetypal pose families and learning about target areas. You’ll understand skeletal restrictions and anatomical aspects of each pose and will learn how to adapt and use variations and props to make the practice suit different bodies. Yin yoga, subtle body, myofascial meridians and introduction to Chinese Medicine(with a Chinese Medicine specialist ​and acupuncturist guest lecturer)   Taoist philosophy and yin-yang theory 5 element theory 3 treasures of Taoism (Qi, Jing, Shen) Myofascial Meridians The organs, energy channels and their connection to yin yoga practice​ Connecting meridian theory with science-based fascia knowledge Introduction to the vast field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), bringing a concise guide of the connections between TCM, fascia and yin yoga. You will discover how Taoist philosophy can enrich and inform your own practice, your teaching and your general comprehension of health and balanced living.

Yin yoga, fascia and somatics ​ Understanding the centrality of fascia for yin.  Supporting healthy fascia  Understanding what yin and somatics offer the fascia  Fascia lines and related poses/movements  Sequencing with a fascia focus  ​Throughout the training we explore the nature and importance of fascia in the body, and what a fascia approach has to offer the yin practice, and vice versa. Understanding fascia is pivotal in any type of health, yoga or movement related education, because it helps you grasp how everyday movements and habits shape the body from the inside, and how to use this knowledge to create impactful sequences. This approach also brings understanding of what we  feel during a pose and how to find the healthy ‘edge’ that supports the tissues, as well as how to deal with chronic pain and support healing. ​ Yin yoga & self-inquiry The practical tools of yin for everyday challenges  Creating mini yin/somatic sequences for daily life, for your own well-being and that of your students  Psychosomatics and yin  The role of the nervous system in healing, learning and implementing change ​ This YTT approaches yin yoga as a contemplative practice that can support us off the mat, by bringing together self-inquiry and sensory awareness. You’ll explore in theory and practice yin as a tool for self-awareness that helps activate your capacity for self-healing and agency on and off the mat.  ​ Teaching yin yoga Sequencing based on anatomy, meridian theory and fascial lines  Holding space, using voice, cueing and language to effectively guide students  Opportunities to practice teaching  Basic self-care for yoga teachers  This module focuses on the practical skills needed to teach yin yoga effectively and authentically, in a way that sustains both teacher and students. You will look at what it means to hold space, how to develop your voice and vocabulary, and how to care for yourself when you teach. And of course you will teach one another to get practice and understanding of what that means practically.

The first and the last modules are held IN PERSON: ​

FEBRUARY 20 – 23 Non residential in person module  in Berlin VEA STUDIO, Naunynstraße 38 (​Please arrange your own accommodation if you come from outside Berlin.) Lecture sessions are recorded but not livestreamed, in-person attendance is required to commence the training. SESSION TIMES MODULE 1 (FEB 20-23): Thursday 9.30am – 12pm Friday 2pm – 6:30pm Saturday 2pm – 8pm Sunday 10am – 4:30pm  Community building is a core value for Liina and Valerie, therefore the initiation into the Yin and Fascia training will be in person, where we begin to cultivate the fertile soil for learning, practicing, sharing and growing together.

JUNE 18 – JUNE 22 Immersion retreat in Odenwald (5,5h by train from Berlin) Yellow Yoga retreat center “Gebhardshütte” Residential integration and immersion retreat: food and accommodation provided.  No recordings or livestreams, in-person attendance is required to complete the training.  MODULE 4 (MAY 29 -JUNE 2) : Arrival Wednesday evening – departure Sunday at noon. Destination station: Hetzbach Beerfelden Bahnhof Closest airport: Frankfurt Airport The purpose of the last module is to integrate the knowledge learnt so far, to practice teaching with each other, and to explore what teaching yin means beside sequences, and how to share your unique voice, confidently and with ease. The retreat setting will allow abundant space and time to work together, individuallyand in smaller groups, but also to spend time in nature and to share meals and time together between the sessions.

​​MODULES 2 & 3 ONLINE via ZOOM 

March 21 – 23 & May 2 – 4

Livestreamed & recorded

SESSION TIMES: 

Friday 8pm – 9:30pm

Saturday 1:30pm – 7pm

Sunday 9:30pm – 5pm 

About Liina & Valerie

Liina Tael and Valerie Hartwich are Berlin based teachers dedicated to yoga as a practice of inquiry to grow meaning and greater passion for life, as well as deeper understanding of self and others. Their approach is shaped by their combined background in yoga, psychology and sociology, bodywork and traditional Chinese Medicine in connection to Yin yoga.

TRAINING FEE:

We aim to offer an inclusive, affordable training that fosters a sense of reciprocity, belonging and co-creation. Our training is like the community of a permaculture garden, in which plants grow stronger and more resilient by being paired with companion plants. Healthy, thriving and generous environments celebrate diversity, reciprocity and the development of collective strength through the celebration of different skill qualities, capacities and needs. ​ In this spirit we offer payment options along a sliding scale based on individual income. In this system, those who have stabler, more comfortable financial situations support those who wish to grow, but have more restrictive means. This helps make the training more accessible and inclusive.​

FOR REGISTRATION & QUESTIONS: Valerie at valerie@essentiallymoving.com or Liina at liina.tael@gmail.com

TESTIMONIALS

I’m so glad that I did the yin yoga teacher training with Liina Tael and Valerie Hartwich. I had high expectations of this course – and it was even better than I expected! Both of them have a deep understanding of the key physical & spiritual aspects of the yin practice – and they’re very passionate about sharing that knowledge with others. Their careful guidance created a really special atmosphere within the group and allowed everyone to learn and share and grow together. Each person in the group was allowed and encouraged to explore and develop their own style of teaching, and there was a lot of focus placed on personal experiences and feelings. I learned so much – as a yoga practitioner, a teacher and a person. Thank you, Liina & Valerie!    Marisa You two planted a wonderful yin yoga seed in my garden and I find it super funny that I chose the yy tt even though I did not have a lot of yin yoga experience before! But I think, that might exactly have been what my (un)conscious was looking for… Barbara

​I truly enjoyed this course. I entered a realm of learning I had never previously explored and it was truly transformative. The techniques we learnt have profoundly informed my practice in general and the amount of deeply-set tension I have resolved is truly astonishing. Thank you Liina and Valerie!     Anastasia The Yin And Fascia TT with Liina and Valérie is so special thanks to their two personalities, and to their distinct but deeply complementary backgrounds and approaches to Yin. Apart from their rich, dense and generous inputs and knowledge, a big highlight of this training was the group dynamic and the space that was given to honest exchanges and common reflections. It was all a deeply nourishing human experience and I wish it’d go on for many more months. Léa

The yin training offered from Liina and Valerie was a wonderful experience and enrichment not only for yoga but for all the areas in life. Authenticity and care, lots of input, inspiration, knowledge, experience… I am grateful I have been a part of it, and thank you again for being so flexible and also letting space for the student to express himself.     Fanny Liina and Valerie’s training changed the way I practice yoga. I would recommend it to everyone who’s interested in deepening their practice and making it more personal, whether they are a yoga teacher or not.      Raphaelle

YIN YOGA & FASCIA TEACHER TRAINING (100h)
​with Liina Tael & Valerie Hartwich
FEBRUARY – JUNE 2024
combination of ONLINE & IN PERSON RETREAT

Are you seeking a solid, practical, well-rounded understanding of yin yoga,
whether to deepen your practice or teaching?

This training will give you a comprehensive knowledge of yin through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), functional movement, as well as fascia and somatic yoga, so you can find your own yin path in a safe and meaningful way. Last but not least, this training integrates contemplative self-inquiry work to help refine what the practice means for you, how it can enrich your daily life, and how you want to share it with the world. Through lectures, pre-recorded tutorials, experimentation in your body, practice sessions, in-depth posture labs and homework for self-inquiry, you will explore the wholesome effect this potent practice has on the body, mind and spirit.

The last module of the training will be an in-person immersion held at retreat house in a lush Odenwald forest. The long weekend together will serve as container for integration as we weave together all the threads from the previous modules, the self-study and homework.  

TRAINING DATES FOR 2024:

TOPICS COVERED : 

Yin yoga according to Western Anatomy (Functional approach to yoga)​ The principles of Yin yoga Tension versus compression Sensation based alignment, functional approach, skeletal variation The science behind Yin yoga How to teach the core Yin postures safely, offer variations and use props ​You will get a solid foundation and understanding of the anatomy of yin poses via functional approach to yoga (Paul Grilley method) by introducing the 7 archetypal pose families and learning about target areas. You’ll understand skeletal restrictions and anatomical aspects of each pose and will learn how to adapt and use variations and props to make the practice suit different bodies. Yin yoga, subtle body, myofascial meridians and introduction to Chinese Medicine (with a Chinese Medicine specialist ​and acupuncturist as a guest lecturer)   Taoist philosophy and yin-yang theory 5 element theory 3 treasures of Taoism (Qi, Jing, Shen) Myofascial Meridians The organs, energy channels and their connection to yin yoga practice​ Connecting meridian theory with science-based fascia knowledge Introduction to the vast field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), bringing a concise guide of the connections between TCM, fascia and yin yoga. You will discover how Taoist philosophy can enrich and inform your own practice, your teaching and your general comprehension of health and balanced living.

Yin yoga, fascia and somatics ​ Understanding the centrality of fascia for yin  Supporting healthy fascia  Understanding what yin and somatics offer the fascia  Fascia lines and related poses/movements  Sequencing with a fascia focus  ​Throughout the training we explore the nature and importance of fascia in the body, and what a fascia approach has to offer the yin practice, and vice versa. Understanding fascia is pivotal in any type of health, yoga or movement related education, because it helps you grasp how everyday movements and habits shape the body from the inside, and how to use this knowledge to create impactful sequences. This approach also brings understanding of what we  feel during a pose and how to find the healthy ‘edge’ that supports the tissues, as well as how to deal with chronic pain and support healing. ​ Yin yoga & self-inquiry The practical tools of yin for everyday challenges  Creating mini yin/somatic sequences for daily life, for your own well-being and that of your students  Psychosomatics and yin  The role of the nervous system in healing, learning and implementing change ​ This YTT approaches yin yoga as a contemplative practice that can support us off the mat, by bringing together self-inquiry and sensory awareness. You’ll explore in theory and practice yin as a tool for self-awareness that helps activate your capacity for self-healing and agency on and off the mat.  ​Teaching yin yoga Sequencing based on anatomy, meridian theory and fascial lines  Holding space, using voice, cueing and language to effectively guide students  Opportunities to practice teaching  Basic self-care for yoga teachers  This module focuses on the practical skills needed to teach yin yoga effectively and authentically, in a way that sustains both teacher and students. You will look at what it means to hold space, how to develop your voice and vocabulary, and how to care for yourself when you teach. And of course you will teach one another to get practice and understanding of what that means practically.

---

The first and the last modules are held IN-PERSON:
​

FEBRUARY 22 – 25 in peron in Berlin VEA STUDIO, Naunynstraße 38 ​Non-residential: please arrange your own accommodation if you are attending from outside Berlin. Lecture sessions will be recorded but not livestreamed, in-person attendance is needed to commence the training. SESSION TIMES MODULE 1 (FEB 22-25): Thursday 9am – 12pm Friday 2pm – 6:30pm Saturday 2pm – 8pm Sunday 10am – 4:30pm  Community building is a core value for Liina and Valerie, therefore the initiation into the Yin and Fascia training will be in person, where we begin to cultivate the fertile soil for learning, practicing, sharing and growing together.

MAY 29 – JUNE 2 immersion retreat in Odenwald (5,5h by train from Berlin) Yellow Yoga retreat center “Gebhardshütte” Residential integration and immersion retreat: food and accommodation provided.  No recordings or livestreams, in-person attendance is required to complete the training.  MODULE 4 (MAY 29 -JUNE 2) : Arrival Wednesday evening – departure Sunday at noon. Destination station: Hetzbach Beerfelden Bahnhof Closest airport: Frankfurt Airport The purpose of the last module is to integrate the knowledge learnt so far, to practice teaching with each other, and to explore what teaching yin means beside sequences, and how to share your unique voice, confidently and with ease. The retreat setting will allow abundant space and time to work together, individuallyand in smaller groups, but also to spend time in nature and to share meals and time together between the sessions.

TRAINING FEE:​

TESTIMONIALS

I’m so glad that I did the yin yoga teacher training with Liina Tael and Valerie Hartwich. I had high expectations of this course – and it was even better than I expected! Both of them have a deep understanding of the key physical & spiritual aspects of the yin practice – and they’re very passionate about sharing that knowledge with others. Their careful guidance created a really special atmosphere within the group and allowed everyone to learn and share and grow together. Each person in the group was allowed and encouraged to explore and develop their own style of teaching, and there was a lot of focus placed on personal experiences and feelings. I learned so much – as a yoga practitioner, a teacher and a person. Thank you, Liina & Valerie!     Marisa You two planted a wonderful yin yoga seed in my garden and I find it super funny that I chose the yy tt even though I did not have a lot of yin yoga experience before! But I think, that might exactly have been what my (un)conscious was looking for… Barbara

​I truly enjoyed this course. I entered a realm of learning I had never previously explored and it was truly transformative. The techniques we learnt have profoundly informed my practice in general and the amount of deeply-set tension I have resolved is truly astonishing. Thank you Liina and Valerie!     Anastasia The Yin And Fascia TT with Liina and Valérie is so special thanks to their two personalities, and to their distinct but deeply complementary backgrounds and approaches to Yin. Apart from their rich, dense and generous inputs and knowledge, a big highlight of this training was the group dynamic and the space that was given to honest exchanges and common reflections. It was all a deeply nourishing human experience and I wish it’d go on for many more months. Léa

The yin training offered from Liina and Valerie was a wonderful experience and enrichment not only for yoga but for all the areas in life. Authenticity and care, lots of input, inspiration, knowledge, experience… I am grateful I have been a part of it, and thank you again for being so flexible and also letting space for the student to express himself.     Fanny Liina and Valerie’s training changed the way I practice yoga. I would recommend it to everyone who’s interested in deepening their practice and making it more personal, whether they are a yoga teacher or not.      Raphaelle

3-week morning challenge: “Fascia Yoga” with Valerie Hartwich
Jan 16-Feb 03, 2023
Mo-Fr 08.30-10.00
Studio Sonne (Sonnenallee 67) & online
English
135€

Register here.

(Participants will receive the Zoom-Info to join the morning challenge together with your booking confirmation via e-mail. Yellow yoga will record the morning challenge and the recording will be available to watch for 48h for all yogis.)

The fascia has in recent years been scientifically recognised as central to our well-being, from mobility, to healing, the immune system, or emotional states. It has also become obvious it plays a key role in sensory perception, or awareness, and could be what ancient yogis referred to as koshas and chakras.

This course will explain what fascia is, how it functions and what it needs to support greater overall health. It will also make esoteric concepts such as chakras, nadhis, and koshas accessible and translatable in modern terms. In fact, diving into the world of fascia is like stepping into a magical realm of possibilities, opening up simple, practical and deeply impactful ways to deepen your connection with your body and the world around, to tap into your own healing power and experience the state of union that is yoga.

Each week will focus on a specific area of the body and we will move in specific ways to help you explore where your discomfort comes from and how to shift it. You will be offered simple movements and tools to use in daily life, as well as variations for your regular yoga practice to help keep your fascia healthy, and personalise your yoga practice, be it vinyasa and yin yoga.

Week 1
– Fascia for the jaw/neck/shoulders.
– What is fascia.
– The main fascia lines in the body.
– Basic principles of fascia yoga in vinyasa.

Week 2
– Fascia for the middle and lower spine/diaphragm.
– What fascia needs for health.
– Basic principles of fascia yoga in yin.

Week 3
– Fascia for the hips/pelvis/legs.
– Fascia and the energy body: similarities in nature and needs.
– Fascia, perception and intuition.

All levels are welcome. Bring a journal for taking notes.

3 weekends online plus 3-day non-residential immersion in Berlin 

with 

LIINA TAEL & VALERIE HARTWICH 

February 11 -13 & 25 -27 (both online) 

March 11-13 (online) &  24 – 27 (immersion in Berlin) 

Bildungspraemien accepted!

Explore the rich depth of yin as a practice and way of life 

Learn to safely and confidently practice and teach it 

Find your own voice as a yin teacher 

Teach yin yoga safely and confidently

Are you seeking a solid, practical, well-rounded understanding of yin yoga, whether to deepen your practice or teaching? This teacher training is set up to give you a wholesome introduction to yin yoga, build a foundation and support you to develop on your own yin journey as a student and teacher. 

This training will give you a comprehensive knowledge of yin through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), functional movement, as well as fascia and somatic yoga, so you can find your own yin path in a safe and meaningful way. Last but not least, this training integrates contemplative self-inquiry work to help refine what the practice means for you, how it can enrich your daily life, and how you want to share it with the world. 

Through lectures, pre-recorded tutorials, experimentation in your body, practice sessions, in-depth posture labs and homework for self-inquiry, you will explore the wholesome effect this potent practice has on the body, mind and spirit. 

The training is structured in four modules, each devoted to a specific focus. 

Each training module consists of daily yin yoga practices, lectures, interactive embodiment exercises/inquiries, group work, discussions and homework assignments. Your further journey into practicing and teaching yin yoga will be supported by a comprehensive 100 page manual and suggestions for further reading materials and resources. 

The 70-hour training consists of: 

• 60 hours live of streaming and in person sessions 
• 10 hours of homework assignments between the sessions 

The training is offered as a combination of ONLINE live streaming modules and a non-residential in person immersion in Berlin as the final weekend of the course. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1) Yin yoga according to western anatomy 

(Functional approach to yoga) 

• The principles of yin yoga 
• Tension versus compression 
• Sensation based alignment, functional approach, skeletal variation 
• The science behind yin yoga 
• How to teach the core yin postures safely, offer variations and use props 

The first module provides you with a solid foundation and understanding of the anatomy of yin poses, based on the functional approach to yoga (the Paul Grilley method). It introduces the 7 archetypal pose families and teaches about target areas. You’ll understand skeletal restrictions and anatomical aspects of poses ,to efficiently adapt and use variations and props to make the practice accessible to a wide range of bodies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2) Yin yoga, fascia and somatics 

• Understanding the centrality of fascia for yin 
• Supporting healthy fascia 
• Understanding what yin and somatics offer the fascia 
• Fascia lines and related poses/movements 
• Sequencing with a fascia focus 

This module explores the nature and importance of fascia in the body, and what a fascia approach has to offer the yin practice, and vice versa. Understanding fascia is pivotal in any type of health, yoga or movement related education, because it helps you grasp how everyday movements and habits shape the body from the inside, and how to use this knowledge to create impactful sequences. This approach also brings understanding of what we  feel during a pose and how to find the healthy ‘edge’ that supports the tissues, as well as how to deal with chronic pain and support healing. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3) Yin yoga, subtle body and introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine 

(with a Chinese Medicine specialist and acupuncturist as a guest lecturer) 

• Taoist philosophy and yin-yang theory 
• 5 Element Theory 
• 3 treasures of Taoism (Qi, Jing, Shen) 
• The organs, meridian and sinew energy channels and their connection to yin yoga practice 

This module offers an introduction to the vast field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), bringing a concise guide of the connections between TCM and yin yoga. You will discover how Taoist philosophy can enrich and inform your own practice, your teaching and your general comprehension of health and balanced living. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4) Yin yoga off the mat & self-inquiry 

• The practical tools of yin for everyday challenges 
• Creating mini yin/somatic sequences for daily life, for your own well-being and that of your students 
• Psychosomatics and yin 
• The role of the nervous system in healing, learning and implementing change 

This YTT approaches yin yoga as a contemplative practice that can support us off the mat, by bringing together self-inquiry and sensory awareness. You’ll explore in theory and practice yin as a tool for self-awareness that helps activate your capacity for self-healing and agency on and off the mat. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4) Teaching yin yoga 

• sequencing based on anatomy, meridian theory and fascial lines 
• holding space, using voice, cueing and language to effectively guide students 
• opportunities to practice teaching 
• basic self-care for yoga teachers 

This module focuses on the practical skills needed to teach yin yoga effectively and authentically, in a way that sustains both teacher and students. You will look at what it means to hold space, how to develop your voice and vocabulary, and how to care for yourself when you teach. And of course you will teach one another to get practice and understanding of what that means practically. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ONLINE TRAINING TIMES & DATES: 

The online weekend schedule consists of a yin yoga class on Fridays and lectures + practice sessions on Saturdays and Sundays.

Fridays 20:00 – 21:30, Saturdays 13:30 – 19:00, Sundays 9:30 – 17:00 

The 3 weekends are designed to offer roadmaps and tools to different approaches to yin yoga:

Yin yoga & western anatomy (Feb 11-13) 

Yin yoga, fascia & somatics (Feb 25 – 27) 

Yin yoga, subtle body & introduction to TCM (March 11-13) 

3-DAY IN PERSON IMMERSION IN BERLIN 

Yin yoga off the mat & self-inquiry (March 24 – 27) 

The in person module will be held at a yoga studio in central Berlin. The exact location and session times will be outlined later. The broad time-frame reserved for this module is from Thursday 4pm (24.04) until Sunday 5pm (27.03). Anyone attending from outside Berlin is responsible for organising their own accommodation.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE TEACHERS

Liina Tael and Valerie Hartwich are Berlin based teachers dedicated to yoga as a practice of inquiry that helps people grow meaning in their lives, greater passion for life and deeper understanding of self and others. Together they combine over 20 years of teaching experience.

Their approach is shaped by their combined background in yoga, psychology and sociology, bodywork and Traditional Chinese Medicine in connection to Yin yoga. If you are in Berlin and want to visit their classes before committing to the training, here are links to their teaching schedules: Liina and Valerie. If you cannot make it to class, they both also have online offerings where you can get a taste of their teaching styles: Liina and Valerie .

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PRICE

We aim to offer an inclusive, affordable training that fosters a sense of reciprocity, belonging and co-creation. We accept Bildungspraemien towards payment for the training. Please inform us you would like to use yours when inquiring.

Our training is like the community of a permaculture garden, in which plants grow stronger and more resilient by being paired with companion plants. Healthy, thriving and generous environments celebrate diversity, reciprocity and the development of collective strength through the celebration of different skill qualities, capacities and needs.

In this spirit we offer payment options along a sliding scale based on individual income. In this system, those who have stabler, more comfortable financial situations support those who wish to grow, but have more restrictive means. This helps make the training more accessible and inclusive. 

Tier 1- Community Support – Seed: 800€ (limited to 3 spots)

This tier is for anyone facing financial challenges, but committed to grow their teaching or practice.

Tier 2 – Community Sustainer – Soil: 1100€ 

This tier is for average income, and represents the actual costs of the training.

Tier 3 – Community Supporter – Fertilizer 1300€  

This tier is for those who are financially well resourced and therefore able to support the true value of this work while making the course available at a reduced price.  

FOR REGISTRATION AND QUESTIONS:

e-mail : Valerie at valerie@essentiallymoving.com

Svadhyaya – the study of the self as a central yogic practice

Weekdays February 18th to March 9th, 8.30-10 weekdays

The practice of yoga incorporates the study of body, mind, heart and our relationship to the world and life happening around us. This is called Svadhyaya, and is a crucial tool to bring us into a deeper state of union, or yoga, through the development of our awareness into all the areas of our lives. It gives us an understanding of how we function, as well as what we can do to bring more balance and agency into our lives. This is essential for yoga to be a deeply transformative practice that helps us and those around us.

We will work with a range of practices and tools, drawn from various yoga lineages, and other self-study practices to explore our relationships in and to our body, to our identity as ‘me’, and to the world around us. These will include partner work, journalling, meditations, vinyasa, yin, somatic yoga and breath work.

At the end of our time together you will have a clearer picture of who you are and how you work, what you must be mindful of, and tools to help you deal with specific situations and circumstances.

Week 1: The body – connections – potential – needs
– A brief look at our incredible anatomy and all its interconnections, from breath, nervous system, through to bones, muscles and fascia
– A discovery of proprioception, interception and what they can help us with
– Vinyasa, yin, somatic yoga, breath meditation in movement and in stillness, journalling, partner work

Week 2: Self/Identity/Emotions – patterns – choice – discovery
– A brief look at how thoughts and emotions affect our physical and non physical state, and a link to koshas
– A look at whether yoga is a search for a better version of ourselves or a better understanding and relation to ourselves
– Vinyasa, yin, somatic yoga, journalling, breath meditation in movement and stillness, partner work, observation of our self-talk, embodiment work using asanas as metaphors

Week 3: The world and I – relations – agency – responsibility
– A brief introduction into how our relationships and behaviors hold the key to deeper patterns of our identity/ego
– Vinyasa, yin, somatic yoga, embodiment work using asanas as metaphors, aikido, partner work, journalling, reflection on asana likes and dislikes
– Balance sheet of personal patterns in body, mind/heart and in the world, with tools to help, and self-practice

Yoga and meditation are two domains which used to belong to the hippie, esoteric scenes until recently. Since modern medical research took an interest in them, these old spiritual teachings have found their place in the lives of millions of people. The healing and relaxing power of sounds and rhythms have equally been known and used for millenia.

In our events you will practice a mindful and quiet form of yoga, mixing gentle movements with Yin and Feldenkrais, accompanied by the warm and moving sounds of the Viola de Gamba and the Setar, played by Christiane Gerhardt and Elshan Gashimi.

This will lead you, in your own individual way, supported by the guidance of the experienced yoga teacher Valerie Hartwich on a journey to your own inner stillness.

Each session addresses a specific part of the body, which will be shared in the introduction, as well as the musical accompaniment. You need neither fitness, nor yoga experience for our events. Simply come as you are! Indeed, yin yoga is particularly well suited as a complement to active physical practices, be they yoga or other, since it develops deep body awareness and relaxation.

For our Luftraum dates, we kindly ask you to bring a mat, and warm, comfortable clothes, as well as possibly a blanket or large shawl. Should you have neither mat nor blanket, do let us know in advance so we may provide you with them.

To book email valerie@essentiallymoving.com