Weekend workshop with Garth McLean 20-22 June 2025: Adapting to the Needs of the Nervous System

Event Description:

About the workshop

NOTE: This is a full weekend workshop suitable for all levels (https://dhiy.org/iyengar-class-levels). Attending the whole weekend is strongly recommended.

We all have a nervous system. Sometimes we may face a challenge that is nervous system related. In this workshop we will seek to soothe and balance the nervous and immune systems to calm any chaos and restore a sense of balance, physically and emotionally, according to the individual’s needs and ability. Health is simply a by-product of proper yoga practice. Through iconic alignment of asana (physical postures) and pranayama (breath work) we can fortify stability and mobility to keep mobile and endure what may not be able to be cured.

Garth offers his years of experience steeped in compassionate exploration and incorporating a creative, adaptive approach to encourage, elevate and empower students of all levels of ability with and without physical challenges to go beyond any perceived limitations of the body and mind. Garth’s goal is to help provide all practitioners with tangible, practical tools to further enhance your health.

All are welcome. Seasoned practitioners as well as those with physical challenges are welcome. Those with physical challenges must be able to transfer to and from the floor, with or without assistance.

Special interest for persons with MS, Parkinson’s, Long Covid, neurological and movement challenges, and teachers of yoga. Adaptations offered according to the individual’s ability and condition. As the weekend is cumulative, attending the entire weekend is strongly recommended though not a pre-requisite.

Friday 6–8pm: Orientation and Restorative Session

After a brief orientation and introduction, we will embark on a restorative session to observe and experience how a restorative approach has the potential
to quieten and calm the nervous system and mind.
A restorative practice can offer the practitioner rest, recovery and recuperation for the muscles and internal organs of the body.
This can often provide a deeper rest for the body and mind than sleep.
When asanas are done in preparation for and in combination with pranayama (breath work), a restorative practice can revitalize and aid in physical and mental recovery from any fatigue that may be present.
Look to a restorative and pranayama practice to help ease stress, calm the nerves, rejuvenate the body and mind.

Saturday 10am-12:30pm: General Asana Class

Taking into consideration the needs, ability and level of those in attendance, we will explore a range of asanas to enhance mobility, strength and balance.
Steeped in Iyengar Yoga, Garth will keenly draw upon his insight and experience to scale the practice to benefit and empower each individual.
Garth’s approach can be especially potent for the persons dealing with nervous system conditions and related challenges.

Saturday 2pm-4:30pm – General Asana/Pranayama Class

In the afternoon session, we will continue our exploration to support healthy parasympathetic nervous system responses that correlate to rest and digest for the practitioner.
Further guidance and refinement will be offered based on participant feedback, comfort and energy levels, to move forward with either a quieting or dynamic approach while tailoring the asanas to suit individual needs.

Sunday 10am-2pm (with break) – General to Intermediate Asana

BKS Iyengar always encouraged his students to keep on learning, regardless of the level of practice, and to take a step towards improving and refining one’s practice.
Building upon the previous sessions and taking into consideration where one is in their practice, in this empowering class, practitioners will be safely guided, one step at a time, to proceed towards finding pathways to realize goals that might otherwise seem inaccessible.
Of course, it’s great to aim high, but it is also vital to respect where we are on any given day with awareness, compassion and self-acceptance.
Through the Iyengars’ inventive use of props we can practice asanas to remove barriers and discover a transformative, rewarding experience one step at a time.
Attendance in a previous session is highly recommended to attend Sunday.

About the teacher

Recognized internationally for working with persons with neurological and movement challenges, Garth McLean’s journey with Iyengar Yoga emphasizes accessibility, inclusion and adaptive practice when required.
Steeped in the tradition of Iyengar Yoga, Garth brings years of experience (Introductory to Advanced) coupled with compassionate exploration and creative adaptation to empower students of all levels of ability to move beyond perceived limitations.

Garth is a senior level Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher “CIYT” (Level 3 – Intermediate Sr III), a Certified Yoga Therapist and Approved Professional Development Provider with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT), and a Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500) and Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with Yoga Alliance. Garth studies annually with the Iyengar family in Pune, India since 2000.

He is a published author of Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis, A Practical Guide for People with MS and Yoga Teachers, (Singing Dragon Books, London 2020). Based in Los Angeles, Garth offers public classes and specialty courses, locally and internationally. Since the onset of the pandemic safety restrictions, Garth offers classes and workshops online.