April 25-27, 2025
Shiva Shack
*** ALL LEVELS WELCOME ***
Register: https://shivashackchicago.com/
This workshop is suitable for anyone interested in Ashtanga who is motivated to learn. David is skillful at explaining elusive, often unspoken aspects of the practice. In a weekend workshop, he offers clinic-style classes that investigate specific aspects of the practice, helping students gain new perspectives on how to practice more intelligently, safely, and joyfully.
David will utilize the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd series to explore the three major asana categories in each Series— backbends, standing postures, arm balances, and hip openers. With each series, we’ll work with different options ranging from more accessible to more complex. We’ll explore different versions, exercises, modifications, and drills; every student can find suitable and soulful ways of playing with the various poses. You’ll develop your knowledge of asana as an overall subject and better understand which specific poses and versions to include in your personal practice.
In addition, we’ll identify the important landmarks of progressing from a primary level understanding of yoga to a more intermediate or advanced understanding.
Sample of poses to be studied:
BACKBENDS
2nd series: Shalabhasana, Dhanurasana, Ustrasana, Laghu Varjrasana, and Kapotasana
3rd series: Viparita Dandasana, Natarajasana, Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana
ARM BALANCES
2nd series: Bakasana, Tittibhasana, Pincha Mayurasana, Karandvasana, Mayurasana, Nakrasana, 7 Sirsasana variations
3rd series: Galavasana, Astavakrasana
HIP OPENERS
2nd series: Eka Pada Sirsasana, Dwi Pada Sirsasana, Yoga Nidrasana, Vatayanasana, Gomukhasana
3rd series: Kashyapasana, Durvasana, Pari Purna Matseyandrasana
The 3 sublime aspects of pranayama feature the art of exhaling, the art of inhaling, and the art of retention. Further playful explorations of the Ashtanga yoga pranayama sequence—including work with Bhastrika, Surya and Chandra Bhedana, and Sitali techniques. Applying “Sthira Sukham” to your pranayama seat (both supine and upright options.) Working with some helpful layers of breathing techniques that up lead up to Kumbhaka—the central focus of pranayama.
List of layers of breathing techniques as follows:
A) Natural breath
B) Ujjayi
C) Prana and Apana Vayu’s (twins that are opposites)
1) Apana Vayu-the downward-moving contraction of force awakened by exhaling
2) Prana Vayu-the upward-moving expansion force awakened by inhaling
D) Mudras or energetic seals, locks,
1) Uddiyana Bandha during retention after exhaling
2) Mula Bandha during retention after exhaling
3) Jalandhara Bandha during retention after inhalationE) Kumbhaka retention, creating a pause/rest/gap between breaths
1) Viloma interrupting the breath in stages (ex and in)
2) retention after exhaling before inhaling
3) retention after inhaling before exhaling
April 25
6:00-8:00pm – Hip openers
April 26
9 – 11:30am — Arm Balances and Inversions
Break
12:30-2:00pm - The 3 Sublime Aspects of Pranayama (pt 1)
April 27
9 - 11am – Backbends
break
11:30am-1pm - The 3 Sublime Aspects of Pranayama (pt 2)
To register and learn more details visit, https://shivashackchicago.com/
