ASHTANGA WEEKEND WORKSHOP
ALL LEVELS WELCOME
This workshop is suitable for anyone interested in Ashtanga with motivation to learn. David is skillful in providing explanations of elusive, often unspoken aspects of the practice. In weekend workshop’s, he offers clinic style led classes that investigate specific aspects of the practice that help students come to new perspectives on how to practice more intelligently, safely and joyfully.
In his workshops David offers a combination of both traditional counted vinyasa led classes and clinic style led classes that investigate specific aspects of the practice in varying levels of detail. These important classes feature more verbal instruction; they give students a chance to slow things down, see new ways to orient during practice, get explanations of elusive, often unspoken aspects of the practice, and understand the Ashtanga method in greater, more subtle detail. Mysore, chanting and kirtan classes are also frequently included in a workshop.
During the weekend David weaves together studies of asana, pranayama, bandhas, vinyasa, chanting, bhakti yoga, yoga sutra’s and other elements to help develop Ashtanga Vidya (knowledge).
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW SCHEDULE
Friday, May 4
5:30-7:30pm -- Ashtanga Foundations I: The Five Allies in Surya Namaskara
Saturday, May 5
9:00-11:30am -- Mysore plus Breath and Bandhas (1 hr and 45 min for Mysore, 45 min for Breath and Bandhas)
11:30am -12:30pm -- Break
12:30-2:00pm -- Yoga Sutras Talk on Book 1, Sutras 18-22
Sunday, May 6
9:00-10:45am -- Mysore
10:45-11:45am -- Question and Answer
WORKSHOP PROGRAMME DETAIL
ASHTANGA FOUNDATIONS I: The Allies in Surya Namaskara
In this class we’ll look at the root techniques that form the internal practice of Ashtanga Yoga by carefully studying their application to the nine positions of Surya Namaskara. The root techniques, or allies include pranayama (conscious breathing), vinyasa (positioning), bandha’s (locks), dristi (gazing), and dhyana (meditation). The positions of Surya Namaskara provide the perfect foundational basis for exploring the important role that each of the allies plays in creating a mature, sustainable yoga practice. We’ll also explore how to internally connect the allies, and see how the creative interaction between them can help you to awaken the entire inner ‘field’ (ksetra) of consciousness. Awakening the inner field gives you a special kind of intuitive intelligence that pervades the body and helps you better use limbs 3 and 4 to move towards mastery of all eight limbs in the system.
MYSORE
Mysore class provides the student with a concentrated and heightened learning experience that will help he/she develop practical and technical yoga skills and be immersed in the inspirational magic and poetic soul of the practice. Each student will receive valuable one to one guidance from David on developing his/her personal practice. The student will develop skill in applying the practice techniques in ways that are logical, challenging, intelligent and fun. David focuses on learning how to follow the Ashtanga system and at the same time creating a practice that honors individuality, versatility and creativity. The last 45 minutes of each Mysore class is dedicated to breath and bandhas work led by David.
YOGA SUTRAS TALK, BOOK 1, SUTRAS 18-22
This class will begin with a 10 minute chanting portion. This is an excellent introductory way to experience the sound vibration of the sanskrit language as a means to meditation. After chanting David will give a talk on Book 1, Sutras 18-22; this is one of the most famous sutras in Patanjali’s, Yoga Sutras, and talks about the 5 qualities to cultivate for progress in practice.
Sraddha—FAITH
Virya—ENERGY/STRENGTH
Smrti—MEMORY
Samadhi—MEDITATION
Prajna—AWAKENING OF WISDOM OR INSIGHT
This unique combination of qualities are meant to be cultivated and are the gifts of your practice. They can be thought of as 5 jars that you want to fill and keep filling. David will discuss each one of these powerhouse words in this talk. Study of the Yoga Sutras offers key insights on how to better work with your mind in your daily asana practice.
QUESTION AND ANSWER
Feel free to write your question down and ask it anonymously or ask David directly in class. The question can be on any topic regarding the practice.
Investment:
$200 Regular
$150 Early Bird (Ends March 15, 2018)
Payment and cancellation policy: Full payment is required to reserve your spot. There will be a 20% administration fee on refunds for cancellations made two weeks in advance. There are no refunds for cancellations made less than two weeks prior to the workshop.
