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.
