Yoga Tantra is an ancient form of Yoga that dates back to the great Mahasiddhi yogis of India. These great Mahasiddis formed the foundation of yoga as we know it today in its many forms and traditions. These practices and teachings were passed down from Master to student, some were written down whilst others were passed down in an oral tradition only. Due to the kindness of our Teachers this wisdom is available through the Indian classical texts such as the Yoga Sutras and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika as well as Tibetan texts from authors such as Naropa, Je Tsongkapa, the Dalai Lamas and many other Tibetan Lamas. The only way to receive the true transmission of these teachings and practices is through an authentic lineage and Master.
Yoga Tantra is a form of yoga that joins body, mind and prana in practices designed for achieving the ultimate state of Samadhi or Enlightenment. The traditional practices of asana, pranayama and meditation are each used to work with all these vital levels of our being. We can use this relationship between the body, breath, mind and prana to generate realizations evolving us to higher levels of wisdom and compassion.
All forms of yoga are ultimately for transforming our being to its highest spiritual potential. The practices and philosophies of yoga are essentially methods for reaching these highest goals. All the ancient texts and teachings were for reaching these goals. When students showed great potential and special interest in these higher practices they would be taught privately, individually and even secretly by their master. In this way all the great yogis of our time have been trained by their masters. In this age of spiritual advancement there are many who seek the highest spiritual goals and this course is designed to give such practitioners the utmost opportunities to pursue their highest wish.
This course aims to transmit from an authentic lineage the practices involving body, breath, mind and prana so the student can advance through spiritual realizations culminating in the highest levels of wisdom and compassion. All aspects of these practices will be drawn from our Yoga Tantra lineage and classical texts hand translated by the Teachers of this lineage; the transmission of these practices is as pure as it was when it first came from the Master Mahsiddhis of ancient India. Everything will be taught from experience rather than just theory and textual descriptions.
On completion of the course students can graduate to the advanced Yoga Tantra studies program. This program requires special empowerment into the practices and rituals with a commitment to a daily practice. Admittance to this post graduate course is to the discretion of the Teachers and may require completion of preparatory studies.
Each weekend will incorporate the theory and practice of asana and pranayama as well as yogic philosophy, yogic physiology and meditation. Each weekend course will progress students and it is expected that students will continue their practice on completion of each weekend course and be able to demonstrate progress in order to enroll into subsequent weekend courses.
Enrollment involves a written application and personal interview in order to ensure that this course is appropriate to each student’s individual needs and goals. Enrolled students may also apply to take the course as a teacher training course. Only YTAA registered students may enroll into the Teacher Training module for the asana series taught while all students are eligible to enroll to the teacher training module for the classical texts. Enrolment forms are available here.
Fri 10th 6pm to Mon 13th 4pm July located Central Coast, New South Wales
Fri 25th 6pm to Mon 28th 4pm September located Melbourne, Victoria
Fri 20th 6pm to Mon 23rd 4pm November located Central Coast, New South Wales
January 2010 dates TBA
A $100 deposit for each of the four weekends is required with enrolment, totaling $400 by Fri 19th June. After the required deposit of $100 for each of the four weekends the cost of each weekend is then $250 including accommodation and course materials.
Lama Giselle is a yogic practitioner and teacher trained in many traditions. She is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Sanskrit scholar and translator, naturopath and counselor. She is the founder of the Yoga Studies Institute of Australia and the director of the Diamond Cutter Buddhist Study Centre. Lama Giselle teaches Buddhism, yoga, meditation, sacred dance and Sanskrit in America and in Australia at the Diamond Mountain University.
Lama Giselle has studied closely with her Gurus Geshe Michael Roach, Lama Christie McNally and Lama Ani Pelma for the past 15 years. Her study has involved a thorough foundation in Tibetan Buddhism, yoga and Yogic philosophy culminating in the extensive study and practices of Yoga Tantra. She has received authentic empowerments from the lineages of Mahasiddhis Naropa, Niguma and Arya Nagarjuna in the Yoga Tantras of Bairava, Kechari Vajrayogini, Kali and Chittamani. Her time is spent training, teaching and giving empowerments with her spiritual partner Lama Ben to ensure the preservation of these highest Yoga Tantra lineage practices. Currently they are both building a retreat centre to conduct a great three year retreat with their students in 2011.
Lama Giselle’s Teachers have spent their whole lives mastering the lineage transmission of Yoga Tantra from their own teachers including 20 years of study in the Tibetan Monastic and Indian systems, empowerments from many great masters and a great three year retreat. Geshe Michael and Lama Christie McNally travel around the world teaching and preserving the Yoga Tantra lineage as well as teach the Yoga Tantra program at Diamond Mountain University. They have written many books on the subjects of yoga, meditation and Buddhist philosophy.
