Athens, Greece

May 7-9, 2027

Register - https://www.avrayoga.gr/contact

Workshop Overview

Ashtanga Yoga: The Basics, Beautifully Done
 

Join certified Ashtanga teacher, David Garrigues, for a unique weekend designed especially for
those who want a safe, intelligent, and inspiring approach to the power and joy of Ashtanga
Yoga. Whether you’re a veteran or completely new to the practice this workshop will help you
build a solid foundation — in a clear, accessible, and flexible way.
Too often, students either think Ashtanga isn’t for them, or if they do take up the practice, they
focus on complex poses too soon and get stuck in rigid sequences — all without ever truly
learning the basics. In this workshop, you’ll experience the brilliant structure of Ashtanga and
discover how it can serve you and your unique needs and preferences.

You’ll learn the guiding principles behind every pose and movement — so you don’t just copy
shapes but understand why you do what you do. For example:
• Why Samasthiti (the idea of equal standing) is the hidden root of every posture.
• How to adopt the empowering mentality I call the crouch and spring — helping you set up
and launch each transition with strength, intention, and purposeful action.
• How to use your legs and arms as a solid foundation so your spine can awaken and probe
space naturally and creatively.

Class Details

Friday Night 
Topic: The Foundation — Sun Salutations
We’ll open the weekend by studying how to begin: the Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations).
Learn how each position and each transition sets the tone for your entire practice — and how to
move and strike poses with clarity, strength, and ease.

Saturday Morning 
Topic: Standing Poses & Seated Postures (Part 1)
We’ll build on the foundation with the standing poses — the essential stabilizing asanas that
root you to the earth and prepare your hips and spine for deeper work. We’ll also introduce selected seated postures from the Primary Series, showing how to adapt them safely and
meaningfully for all bodies.

Saturday Afternoon 
Topic: Pranayama & Mudra
Explore the breath — the fifth asana principle — and learn simple, powerful introductory
pranayama techniques that arise naturally from the practice of asanas and vinyasas. We’ll also
enjoy an introduction to mudras (the sixth asana principle), deepening your inner connection
and energy flow.

Sunday Morning 
Topic: Seated Postures (Part 2) & Finishing Poses
We’ll return to the seated postures, then progress into the finishing sequence: building a solid
foundation for backbends, shoulderstand, and headstand. You’ll learn how to wrap up your
practice in a balanced, complete way that leaves you grounded and refreshed.

Sunday Late Morning
Topic: The Seven Asana Principles & Yoga Philosophy
To close, we’ll gather for a talk and Q&A on the seven guiding principles that make this practice
intelligent and sustainable. We’ll also touch on key ideas from yoga philosophy that illuminate
the approach we’ve explored throughout the weekend.

Register

All registration done through Avra Yoga.