A Jam Session is a thing that most advanced yogis seem to intuitively understand, even if they find it difficult to articulate. My development of Jam Sessions was inspired primarily by the practice at gatherings of the European Yogi Nomads, as well as the way that my teacher, Meghan Currie, structures her own workshop weekends. It is an intense practice session, with a slow build up to a complex asana flow. There is also often a themed introduction, and a long savasana/yoga nidra to finish. This structure helps bring the yogi through the place of mechanically executing commands, to the observation of a beautiful shared flow in community.
One unique element that has worked well in Jams that I have both led and participated in has been the practice of team-teaching the Jam. It helps reinforce the individual’s experience of the community flow by diluting the influence of any single individual. It also encourages creativity among the leaders as they find ways to weave together each unique approach to leading asana.
While a Jam Session is typically a Vinyasa practice, a Slow Jam is broader, with more emphasis on Yin techniques and the sensual experience of asana practice. A Slow Jam may even incorporate a Yin segment into the extended practice. This also makes the Slow Jam practice accessible to a wider audience, as the slower pace changes the focus from the community flow of the Jam Session to concentration on the sensual experience of the Slow Jam.
Obviously there are many similarities between a Slow Jam and a Jam Session; but the differences are significant enough to attract different audiences. Both are emotionally charged, and emphasize experience over technique, but a Slow Jam looks to a more contemplative mood and a more individual focus. Additionally the use of team teaching is less important to a Slow Jam because the focus is more on the individual.
Yoga has always had an element of self-practice to it. A student would spend time with their teacher, and also spend time living their life while implementing the lessons learned from the teacher. This workshop/series is designed to empower people to find that balance between their own necessary work and the assistance and support they receive from a teacher in a studio setting.
In particular, yogis tend to encounter three different road blocks in developing their home practice: confidence, skills, and motivation. In the primary sessions, this workshop will address the confidence issue with teacher-led practices that will help them develop skills to use in their own practice. Additionally, motivational support could be provided by an optional on-line support group.
The teacher-led supports include:
Prepared sequences will also be provided to the group in an illustrated form. It would be even better to supplement this with online video, via YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram. These tools could also be used to facilitate an on-line support group for a limited period (it typically takes 4-6 weeks to establish a new habit) to help students become established in their home practice. It might also be useful to include a repeat/extension of the base workshop at intervals during the sadhana period (every other week for a six week sadhana) to help support the motivational aspect, while also allowing students to bring their own questions and difficulties for deeper understanding of the teaching.
david