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Ashtanga Retreat

You are here: Home1 / Ashtanga Retreat

Guest Teacher Program

Ashtanga Retreat

with Adam Keen
February 24 – March 2, 2024

About The Retreat

We are delighted to announce Adam’s first time teaching an Ashtanga retreat in Thailand. We will host a private group for one week of Ashtanga classes and workshops at the beautiful Samahita Retreat Centre, right on the beach in southern Koh Samui.

Everyone is welcome to join us as we focus on the following:

  • Exploring how to make the practice work for you whilst maintaining a commitment to the traditional method.
  • Connecting to yourself more deeply through your breath.
  • Learn how to work with injuries and obstacles.
  • Finding a renewed enthusiasm for a daily practice that nurtures rather than punishes you.
  • Above all, it’s a chance to recharge yourself and reinvigorate interest in your practice.
Ashtanga Retreat

A holistic attitude will be conveyed in all we do together, from the practice classes and workshops to the philosophy. This is an inclusive space, and everyone will be treated and embraced as they are without pressure to be anything else. There will be Mysore-style classes and workshops as well as plenty of time to relax and enjoy the stunning setting and treatments on offer at Samahita.

All levels of practitioners are welcome – from beginners to advanced.

Mealtimes are a communal affair where you can comfortably sit wherever you wish. You can have brunch directly after morning class or you might prefer a swim first, or herbal steam before heading down for your evening meal. Guests from all the programs happening at the centre mix comfortably and this is one of the special charms of Samahita – a wonderful ‘collection’ of beings.

Adam Keen

Adam Keen

Adam has taught Ashtanga yoga for almost 25 years. Coming from an academic background in philosophy and a professional one as a chef, he is knowledgeable, practical, and relatable in his approach. Many consider him humorous too.

Adam is one of a few students who completed the Advanced A series in Mysore with Sharathji and received Level 2 Authorisation in 2012. However, he is equally at home teaching all levels and gives all students the same attention and interest. He is democratic in his approach and kind and believes that the practice should not feel like an exam.

Instead, it is his firm belief that the practice can remain traditional and be suited to the demands and needs of each body without contradiction. This means that everyone will be considered on their terms as they need as opposed to being fitted into a generalised template.

Adam and his wife Theresa run the online yoga platform Keen on Yoga from their current home in Bali. He hosts the Keen on Yoga Podcast & YouTube channel, interviewing many of the world’s most renowned Ashtanga teachers and philosophical academics.

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Daily Schedule

6:30am Morning class
9.45am – 1.00pm Brunch buffet
4:00pm – 6:00pm Afternoon workshop
6:00pm – 8:00pm Complimentary herbal steam room available
6.00pm – 8.00pm Dinner buffet
7.30pm Evening program or quiet time

SUNDAY TO THURSDAY 6.30 AM: MYSORE

Adam gives yoga assists that are safe, and non-intrusive, he does not believe in forcing people into postures. He uses energetic pointers and resistance stretches so everyone can progress naturally and safely as their bodies dictate. The class is based on an exploration of how you can find profound work in what you are doing.

All practitioners will be approached individually so that the system is made to work for you instead of you for the system. Adam is happy if you need practice sheets, or he or Theresa will show you the postures. This is a great way to begin an Ashtanga practice.

Friday 6.30 am: Led Primary

SUNDAY 4.00 – 5.30 pm: The New Fundamentals

Outside of pushing ourselves into increasingly demanding shapes, what are we meant to be doing in them? Moreover, how do we most skilfully approach the asanas, so they convey the kind of peace we are looking for, as opposed to a battle with our own bodies?

In this workshop, we will explore in detail the fundamental technique basis of Ashtanga yoga known as The Trishtana; posture, bandha, and Drishti, and how they relate to each other – if used most carefully- to produce a profound, flowing, and freer experience of Self.

MONDAY 4.00 – 5.30 pm: Taking It Forward

If we are looking at finding one experience in yoga – why are there so many different postures and (apparently) linear series there to challenge us? Why do we need to work so hard?! In this workshop we will expand the general principles of technique to looking at particulars; to see how and why we use different postures when we are ultimately working towards an experience of peace.

TUESDAY 4.00 – 5.30 pm: Principles of Strength: Arm Balances and Jump Throughs

Whether you can jump back or not, arm balance well or not, there are ways to do this more sustainably. Strength is less prioritised than flexibility in the practice, but it is also, perhaps, less well understood. In this workshop, we will cover the foundations of how to build strength in the practice without injuring the shoulders or wrists as so often can be the case. Here, there are a few basic tips that can be applied for everyone, wherever you are on their journey with strength; so you keep inspired by seeing clear progress with this.

THURSDAY 4.00 – 5.30 pm: Backbend with Ease and Comfort

Backbends are a bad translation of the original Sanskrit term dhanura or bow. In understanding that you are not meant to be bending your back, but bowing your body, everything can change. This then involves more focus on stretching the front of your body as opposed to what we often are found to be doing – pushing into our already over-used lower back area.

In this workshop, we will also look at the early postures of the Intermediate series and how to do these simpler bows in order to develop the big bow that we all know and love that comes at the end of all of our practices.

FRIDAY 4.00 – 5.30 pm: A Little Basic Yoga Philosophy, Summary And Q&A

Finally, why do we do what we do? We all enjoy it, but where did this practice come from and where does it fit into the wider tradition of yoga in all its other forms? We will take a wider look at what we are doing in asana to see how we may in fact approach it in different ways. Moreover, how we might be inspired and guided in practice by knowing a little more about its ancient (as well as its’ modern) origins.

Space will be left also to clear up any confusion and go through any remaining questions.

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Food should not only be healthy, it should be absolutely delicious. Local, organic, healthy oils and no sugar, Thai and more, prepared with real care.

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A variety of private and semi-private options, clean, airy and comfortable. Just what you need.

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Samahita Retreat
55/20-24 Moo 4 T. Namuang
Koh Samui Surat Thani 84140
Thailand

info@samahitaretreat.com

Main : +66 (0) 77 920 090
Cell : +66 (0) 831 752 730

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