Instar Yoga: Yoga for Metamorphosis with Rich Risbridger

Bio:
Rich began practicing yoga in gyms in 1999 but thanks to the teaching of Jen Malone and David Vendetti in Boston, he gave up the gym membership for a full time commitment to Ashtanga yoga. In early 2006 he left his home in hurricane ravaged New Orleans to pursue his devotion to yoga and his passion for performance in San Francisco. Rich completed his teacher training with Clayton Horton and David Lurey at Greenpath Yoga in 2006 and has diversified his training since then with teachers including David Swenson, Shiva Rea, Cameron Shayne, Ana Forrest, Dharma Mittra, and Les Leventhal.

Rooted in his own experience, Rich believes strongly in the principles of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika--that physical yoga is spiritually transformational. The hatha yogi need not seek transformation, for in the practice transformation finds the yogi. Rich’s vinyasa classes mix elements of traditional Ashtanga with his experience as a circus aerialist and acrobatic dancer. With variations provided for students of all levels, his classes challenge one to mindfulness of the body and focus on the breath while striving to further one’s personal practice in a spirit of humility, compassion, and playfulness. Rich strives to provide a meditation in motion that leaves one both energized and full of tranquility.

In addition to his activities as a yoga teacher, Rich does graphic design for the the yoga, healing, and arts communities with clients including Yoga Tree San Francisco, tells original fairytales as Onkel Woland, and performs with the Dreamtime Circus, the Lucid Dream Lounge, and Copper Lantern Fire Theater. He is also a metalworker who regularly volunteers and takes classes at The Crucible.


Schedule Notes: Due to changes in the situation at The Vulcan Unit #1, Thursdays at The Vulcan are off until further notice. Same for Wednesday classes. There is no change to my classes at 7th Heaven, but semi-private classes will be by appointment until further notice. Please email me if you would like a class. Public classes: 7th Heaven Yoga on 2820 7th St in Berkeley, CA Ashtanga Vinyasa from 5:30pm to 7pm on Wednesdays After a vigorous warm-up of modified sun-salutations we explore balancing and stretching poses, arm balances, and inversions transitioning eventually to meditation and Shavasana in the form of the Ashtanga sequencing system. Overall, the practice provides a combination of vigor, concentration, and mindfulness in a spirit that is challenging and playful. Level 2-3 class. Ashtanga Full Primary Series from 5pm to 6:30pm on Sundays This is a led class of the traditional set of 67 asanas including the "fundamental asanas", "primary asanas", and "finishing asanas" completed in one and a half hours. Level 2-3 class. Visit the website of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute or this excellent site www.ashtangayoga.info for a description of this practice. Subsitute Teaching: I am honored to begin subsitute teaching at T he Mindful Body in San Francisco. Check The Mindful Body Schedule or look here for these classes. I am also teaching at 24 Hour Fitness in Berkeley and Oakland. Semi-private Classes: If you are interested in creating a semi-private class at your location, please email me and we can discuss your needs for a class. Private classes: I greatly enjoy being able to tailor my instruction to an individual's specific needs. Please send me an email to enquire about private instruction. As an artist myself and a believer in making yoga available to all, I price my private classes on a sliding scale.

Why "Instar"? I have a particular fondness for moths and butterflies and their process of transformation. Instars are the stages of caterpillar metamorphosis between each molt. As the caterpillar grows and successively sheds its skin, it transforms. I find a similar process in the practice of yoga--ever evolving toward taking flight. Though the caterpillar may only know it is eating, whether or not it has an intent to transform, it is the nature of the being to do so. To me, the process mirrors the human being involved in the practice of yoga. Here is a fun page explaining the metamorphosis of a butterfly.
Bio: Rich began practicing yoga in gyms in 1999 but thanks to the teaching of Jen Malone and David Vendetti in Boston, he gave up the gym membership for a full time commitment to Ashtanga yoga. In early 2006 he left his home in hurricane ravaged New Orleans to pursue his devotion to yoga and his passion for performance in San Francisco. Rich completed his teacher training with Clayton Horton and David Lurey at Greenpath Yoga in 2006 and has diversified his training since then with teachers including David Swenson, Shiva Rea, Cameron Shayne, Ana Forrest, Dharma Mittra, and Les Leventhal. Rooted in his own experience, Rich believes strongly in the principles of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika--that physical yoga is spiritually transformational. The hatha yogi need not seek transformation, for in the practice transformation finds the yogi. Rich’s vinyasa classes mix elements of traditional Ashtanga with his experience as a circus aerialist and acrobatic dancer. With variations provided for students of all levels, his classes challenge one to mindfulness of the body and focus on the breath while striving to further one’s personal practice in a spirit of humility, compassion, and playfulness. Rich strives to provide a meditation in motion that leaves one both energized and full of tranquility. In addition to his activities as a yoga teacher, Rich does graphic design for the the yoga, healing, and arts communities with clients including Yoga Tree San Francisco, tells original fairytales as Onkel Woland, and performs with the Dreamtime Circus, the Lucid Dream Lounge, and Copper Lantern Fire Theater. He is also a metalworker who regularly volunteers and takes classes at The Crucible.
a little pranayama for you... Design by dragonbutterfly design. Yoga photos by Daniel Garcia, Focal Intent Photography Fire Breathing Photo by Curtis Finger, Finger Photography

1190 28th Street, Emeryville, CA	510.717.5607	rich@instaryoga.com