Yoga & TRE Workshops with Maria Alfaro

Workshops with Maria Alfaro

An hour session of all levels yoga will precede the revolutionary Trauma Releasing Exercises..
Corte Madera	Sunday, June 13th 2010 1:00-3:30 PM	Yoga Center of Marin 518A Tamalpais Drive www.yogacenterofmarin.com
San Jose	Sunday, July 18th 2010 1:00 - 3:30 PM	Downtown Yoga Shala 450 S 1st Street www.downtownyogashala.com
Santa Cruz	Saturday, July 31st 2010 Noon - 2:30 PM	The Santa Cruz Chi Center East Cliff Shopping Center www.santacruzchicenter.com
Seaside	Sunday, August 8th 2010 1:00-3:30 PM	Seaside Yoga Sanctuary 1360 Freemont Blvd. www.seasideyogasanctuary.com
Sebastopol	Sunday, August 14th 2010 2:30-5:00 PM	Devi Yoga Center 7151 Wilton Ave www.deviyogacenter.com
Willow Glen	Sunday, August 15th 2010 1:00 - 3:30 PM	Willow Glen Yoga 1188 Lincoln Ave www.willowglenyoga.com
Berkeley	Saturday, August 28th 2010 1:00 - 3:30 PM	7th Heaven Yoga 2820 7th St., Berkeley, CA 94710 www.7thheavenyoga.com
Corte Madera	Sunday, Sept. 12th 2010 1:00-3:30 PM	Yoga Center of Marin 518A Tamalpais Drive www.yogacenterofmarin.com
Healdsburg	Saturday, Sept. 25th 2010 1:00-3:30 PM	Healdsburg Yoga Studio 459 Healdsburg Ave www.healdsburgyoga.com
Oakland	Sunday, Sept. 26th 2010 1:30-4:00 PM	Piedmont Yoga Studio 3966 Piedmont Ave www.piedmontyoga.com
TRE was developed by bioenergetic therapist David Berceli. Click here to learn more!

Other Yoga Classes with Maria

Yoga Classes in Santa Cruz, Los Gatos and San Jose	Yogadventure Yoga Retreats in Southern Italy
Maria is also available for private Yoga and Yoga & TRE sessions. For more information, please contact Maria

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What is TRE (Trauma Releasing Exercises)

TRE is a gentle, simple and profound technique that facilitates the lengthening and relaxation of the psoas muscle. This relaxation provides a very effective release of physical and emotional tension and stress. The psoas is a very thick, deep and stubborn muscle that acts as a guardian of our lower belly. In its role of protector of our organs it contracts and tightens, becoming shorter in response to life's small and big traumatic experiences. A tight psoas can cause many problems including sciatica and lower back pain, just to mention a few.

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TRE was developed by David Berceli, a bioenergetic therapist , who has used it successfully all over the world for almost two decades working with soldiers, police officers, fire fighters and survivors of war, earthquakes and other traumatic circumstances to help alleviate the many symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The TRE exercises work the legs, tiring them and creating a trembling response, which begins in the legs and often spreads throughout the body. This gentle shaking is actually the nervous system's way of discharging long-held tension or unconscious muscle contraction in order to restore the body to wholeness.

Yoga and TRE

Maria has been teaching Yoga since 1997 in California and internationally. She developed her "Yoga and TRE" workshops six years ago with the initial intention of bringing this remarkable technique to her yoga community. As it turned out this workshop attracted not only the yoga practitioners but also many people who knew little about yoga
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From the feedback of many workshop participants, a gentle hour long Yoga practice is a very soothing way to prepare anybody to receive the very kinesthetically oriented work of TRE. Some deep breathing and a few basic asanas helps direct people's awareness out of their heads and into their bodies. Their body's wisdom can then do the rest.

"Yoga and TRE" is suitable for people of all ages and levels of fitness! The Yoga in the workshop is simple and the TRE exercises can be modified to accommodate anybody's needs. Maria creates a supportive environment which makes people feel safe and she leads her workshops with compassion and sense of humor.

Some benefits you may expect from Yoga and TRE

Release of deep chronic tension and increase of overall energy and stamina

Improved mood and decrease of aches and pains

Discharge of buried emotional and physical trauma

"Shake loose" unconscious involuntary muscular contraction

Promotes deep relaxation and improves circulation

Increase of the body sensitivity to pleasure

Improved sense of being grounded

The healing of sciatica

Increased flexibility

A therapist's testimonial about Yoga and TRE

I have noticed 3 different benefits from the TRE workshops that I have attended with Maria: First off, it has helped mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma. I work with the seriously mentally ill and frequently I am completely drained by the end of the day, mentally and emotionally. I have noticed such a relief from that "burn out" and have told many of my colleagues about this work and encouraged them to try it for themselves to challenge the compassion fatigue that occurs for so many people that work on the helping field.

Secondly, my aches and pains that were a fairly chronic issue after I would play soccer or run are GONE! It is wonderful. I was certain I was going to have to deal with arthritis at an early age but now I feel that I can be active for many years to come!

Third, my running improved significantly after I did the TRE exercises. My stride is stronger, I am mentally into the run and feeling good which is tremendous because I have been struggling with this for years now. I will be running a 1/2 marathon this weekend and I plan to prep and recover by doing the TRE exercises. Thanks Maria for teaching this valuable tool!--- ----____-------Kris Campbell LMFT (San Jose)

About Maria Alfaro -

Maria is a native Italian who lives and teaches in Santa Cruz, California. She has 23 years yoga experience and extensive training in Iyengar, Ashtanga and Forrest Yoga. She completed two one year long Advanced Studies Programs of 320 hours each with Rodney Yee in 1997 and 1998 and a two month long Teacher Training with Ana Forrest in 2000. In 2004 she was trained in TRE by David Berceli and has been teaching his work ever since. Presently she is studying Shadow Yoga under the guidance of Scott Blossom in San Francisco

Since 1999 Maria also trained at the Institute of Martial Arts of Santa Cruz, studying the Yang and Chen styles of Tai Chi. She is accomplished in the Long Sets of both styles, in the Chinese Broad Sword, Straight Sword, Staff and in Qi Gong. She currently teaches the Short Yang Set in San Jose.
Maria has received certification for her trainings in Reichi and Esalen massage. She has an eclectic background that includes living at the Esalen Institute, in Big Sur, CA

for 18 months in 1993 and 1994. There she participated in the life of the community and the work/study program, taking many enriching workshops, seminars and trainings including Gestalt Therapy, Bio-Drama, Shamanism, Tantra, Massage, Spiritual Massage, Voice and theatrical expression, Painting and more. She also spent a few years in Asia, especially India and Indonesia, running a jewelery businness and studying Yoga and meditation (Zen and Vipassana)

Maria has background in theatrical performance and modern dance, improvisational comedy, political and environmental activism and extensive world travel.

Maria knows that TRE is an extraordinary tool for healing ourselves and the planet and that each person can benefit from it in a deep way. She is passionate about teaching TRE and she looks forward to continuing her studies with David Berceli and to spreading his revolutionary work for the good of all.

Since 1997 Maria also teaches weekly yoga classes and leads yoga retreats in Southern Italy since 2000.

If you have any questions or would like to invite Maria to teach a workshop at your studio, please contact her at:
maria@yogadventure.com
Tel. 831 462-1846

For more information on Maria's classes and retreats and more testimonials on her work please visit: www.yogadventure.com

For more information on David Berceli and his work please go to:
www.traumaprevention.com

More testimonials about Maria's Yoga and TRE workshops

Life is stressful and most of us are aware of the places our stress surfaces: neck and shoulders, stomach, bowels, jaw, etc. What was not known to me, even though I am a medical doctor, is
how much stress we carry around in our pelvis. TRE shows you that. The first time I went to TRE,
I was a little surprised at how different it was from the Ashtanga/ Iyengar yoga I regularly do.
It wasn't until the next day that I realized TRE had gotten me to a place that yoga had not yet.
The difference was amazing and even though the TRE sequence is only about 90 minutes, the
benefits of it persist. TRE is not just for people with sciatica (though it does help that too),
it's not just for people who have hip and back problems; it's for anyone who has experienced
stress in life. And let's face it who hasn't ? Korina De Bruyne MD (San Jose)

TRE is an invaluable healing and wellness technique. I took this workshop in
March of this year and highly recommend it to everyone on the planet.
Diana Moll, L.Ac. (Santa Cruz)

Dear Maria, I wanted to thank you for the great Yoga and TRE workshop
I attended with you last month. I have been doing Yoga for over 15 years and I'm always
looking for ways to deepen my practise and I found your TRE workshop did just that. Some
of the deep releases I felt from just one workshop were wonderful and gave me more insight to
my work with yoga. Thank you for sharing your gift of teaching TRE. With much love and metta.
Henry Salameh (Santa Cruz)

I took the "Yoga and TRE" with Maria a few months ago in San Jose and I have been
doing the TRE@ home ever since. For sure I have noticed a big difference with my
sciatica. Thank you soooo much for offering this powerful workshop!
Laura M. (San Jose)

Having done the TRE work with Maria to heal my sciatica, I am a total believer!
Suzanna G. (San Jose)

Thank you also for a wonderful session! The workshop was fantastic and the TRE did immediate
wonders for my sciatica. I've been doing the TRE the last couple of days at home (though
probably not as precise as how we did it in class!), and my lower back is feeling A LOT
better. I plan on "stacking" this with my daily routine of running and yoga.
Tony N. (Santa Cruz)

I have suffered from sciatica for many years. Since I learned TRE from Maria 3 years ago I
have been able to live pain free. I still use the technique every time that I feel the sciatica
starting to bother me. I do the exercises and the pain goes away. It is miraculous!
Matt Jones (Santa Cruz)

I am excited about TRE being taught by Maria. Her veteran experience in Tai Chi and
Yoga allows the student's awareness to prepare for an exciting TRE class.
ShuLei Tong (Santa Cruz).
www.ShuLeiHealingArts.com

TRE gives participants the freedom to actively engage in their own healing process physically,
mentally and emotionally. To enhance the state of the Body, you enhance every day's experience!
_MJF (Santa Cruz)

I took Maria's "Yoga and TRE" workshop on the recommendation of many people who spoke in
glowing terms about it. I honestly didn't expect such immediate results! I have been suffering
from relocation blues since we moved here in April, often crying and threatening to move
back East. However, since taking the workshop, I haven't cried once and I never
mentioned moving back again. Off course I still miss my friends and family but the
blues is gone! This is a wonderful gift, not only for me but also for my husband
who had to hear me crying and complaining for months. Thank you so much
Maria for making this work available... It has truly changed my life!
Arlene W. (San Jose)
When I first heard about Maria's workshop, I imagined people on the floor screaming and
wailing away their grief. It wasn't like that at all. The work is so gentle and subtle that it
would be easy to think that nothing really happens- but then, afterwards, l felt like a car
who has been well tuned and drives more smoothly. I can't even recall my experience
during the two times I took the "Yoga and TRE" workshop with Maria. Both times,
however, I floated at the end of class and felt as if I had shed a heavy load. I slept
like a child the following nights and woke up feeling light and full of joy.
The soundtrack to this workshop could be the Rolling Stones' "Emotional Rescue".
The physical benefits are profound and numerous, but I want to focus here on
what this work does for a person mentally: it helps clean your windshield
so that you can see yourself and the world more clearly!
Anne Heffron (San Jose)

I want to testify that, in 54+years of sciatica and psoas muscle problems, I never experienced
a release system such as this TRE. The body simply knows exactly what to do when lead
through several gentle movements. This natural release of the body takes no effort
at all, you just participate with letting go. The aftermath is peacefulness, lightness
and comfort. It is almost as the stressed areas just ware themselves out and away.
The gentle yoga that is taught before the process is like water trickling through
the body. This is a remarkable technique. I have experienced a great sense of health
with this pleasant and gentle work. It is very simple, easy and non-threatening.
Joy Allbright (Santa Cruz)