Introduction to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 · 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 · 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 · 𝐧𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 · 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 · 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐭

For some, Ashtanga is associated with a strong, fast-paced, somewhat inaccessible practice. All too often, students resist their first visit at our Shala because they are feeling intimidated or perhaps inadequate for the practice. Nothing is further from the truth, so this is something we desire to change.

By all means, sincere practice (done in an intelligent way, consistently and over a long period of time) can strengthen and condition any body to place itself in impossible-looking Asanas.

But unlike common belief, Ashtanga Vinyasa has the ability to be one of the most accessible Yoga styles and it can be fully tailored to anyone's needs and abilities, wherever they may be starting from.

The Primary Series itself is called Yoga Therapy, and we can easily modify it to suit injuries, health conditions, pregnancy and more...

If starting has been something you have been resisting, or if you have been practising other styles of Yoga but find yourself curious about creating a self-guided home practice, this 4-hour workshop will empower you to do just that, with no experience required.

You can also use this workshop as an opportunity to rebuild your foundations and leave with fresh eyes on your daily practice.

Underneath the sequence sit three quiet pillars that give our practice its structure, fluidity and characteristic introspection. These are called Bandha, Breath and Dristhi. Together, they are called Tristana. The foundation of the entire system is a solid set of 10 psychological and mental tools to help us live in community and prosper in our individual lives, so the practice extends far beyond the mat.

During the workshop, we will get a chance to explore all of these elements, as well as the more physical aspects of the practice, including alignment, strengthening drills, modifications and variations, using props and preventing injury.

𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤.

This will be done based on your self assessment during a Movement Lab, where we test your comfort, range of motion and balance in the different chains of movement.
‼️ 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲.

Also let us know of any injuries and health conditions, and if you are menstruating.

I accidentally stumbled upon Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga roughly 15 years ago, searching for ways to improve a chronic back pain condition. As I deepened my practice and gradually uncovered its many layers, I started itching to share what I was learning with my loved ones. What began as playful exploration with family and friends gradually and steadily became my biggest passion and purpose.

I completed my 500-hour YTT in 2019. Since then I have taught over 1,500 students and more than 10,000 hours.

My teaching focus is based on therapeutic benefits and accessibility. I assess every student thoroughly and create a blend of Asana, Pranayama and Meditation that suits their experience and personal needs.

I encourage a respectful and gentle approach to practice. That being said, the human body needs to be safely stressed in order to remain strong and resilient, and I will often challenge your beliefs on your own limits.

Info: We start the workshop by slowing down the breath and the nervous system, before a practical exploration of Bandha, deep core strength and Ujjayi breath. We then break down and adapt as needed a traditional set sequence of Asanas. The standing sequence will be repeated twice to help memory and integrate alignment with the three pillars (Tristana).

Info: Eat lightly, ideally early in the break, because headstand is coming

Info: We open with a restorative version of the finishing postures, play with some strength drills, and set up the 3 stages to progress towards Sirsasana (headstand, but with the head slightly off the ground!) There will be some group work, and the teacher will assist you if you'd like to experience going upside down safely on the day. You will also get wall-supported variations to practice on your own.

Following Pranayama and Savasana, the final hour is all about you!

In the Movement Lab, we test your joints, spine, mobility and balance, and you record your results as we go. This is the base of the self practice plan that we will create and deliver to you after the workshop to match to your goals and the time you truly have. We also look at injury prevention and safe progressions before concluding with a brief Q&A session.

Event venue & nearby stays

Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Melbourne, 110-112 Argyle Street, Fitzroy, Australia

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