ATT-300 Course 1: Functional Anatomy, Biomechanics & Āsana Intensive: Extremities to Core & Engaged Dynamic Sequencing
July 23 – August 5, 2023
Arielle Nash, Gill Breetzke and Daniel Stringer
A course for teachers and interested practitioners focused on developing a greater base in the function of the body and how to relate that in both practice and teaching. Explore functional anatomy and biomechanics relating to the core, spine, shoulder-arms-hands, and the pelvic girdle’s relationship with lower limbs. Plus, build your practice and teaching repertoire through āsana detail and experience in sequencing & teaching of arm balances, deep hip opening, and backbending posture categories.
This course fulfills 100-hours of the Advanced TT 300-hours certification.
This course continues to develop āsana study and further details and expands on the anatomy and movement science knowledge covered at the 200-hour level. Anatomy is explored from the perspective of a whole-body movement system that highlights the fascial network and āsana-specific biomechanics.
You will progress your āsana teaching and practice skills through a full dive into the processes behind class sequencing as you more deeply explore an expanded range of postures and their variations.
The course begins with a review of the key āsana concepts and terminological language so students who have graduated from any school’s 200-hour program can continue together based on this deeper understanding.
The functional anatomy and related physiology are explored through theory using anatomical models, videos, power points, live demonstration, and experiential guided movement practices.
Āsana in yoga has a definite purpose and psychological end-goal but offers tremendous physical benefits when done with that purpose in mind. This differs to āsana done in a purely physical understanding. Hence, key concepts of āsana define what it means to be a yoga pose (āsana) as opposed to a stretch, contortion, or movement and, as a result, how to derive the benefit of āsana while doing it.
Detailed āsana clinics bring the anatomy theory into practice and teaching through progressive preparations, alignment principles, safety precautions, cueing, sequencing and hands-on assisting within an Engaged Dynamic Āsana practice. Āsanas in this course will include:
Arm Balances & Inversions
Deep Hips & Backbends
Advanced Exploration
With a large repertoire of āsanas, the specific āsana covered each time this course is offered will vary, allowing for ongoing āsana development as these courses continue to run.
Morning practice includes meditation and breathwork-to-prānāyāma following the classical method outlined in Psycho-Physical (Hatha-Rāja) Yoga, as taught by Centered Yoga at Samahita. Yoga practice continues with Engaged Dynamic Āsana, alternating between guided class with instruction by the teacher to self-practice, so that the collection of āsanas detailed in the afternoon workshops can be both taught in practice and developed in one’s own time. The afternoon program will be divided between both functional anatomy sessions and āsana explore, teach, and sequence sessions.
The program begins at 5pm on the first day of the training with a group welcome. Check out is by 12pm on your last day. The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the teacher.
| 5.45 am | Beach sunrise silent watch or walk (optional way to start the day) |
| 7.00 – 8.30 am | MEDITATION & BREATH: Opening kriyas that lead into sitting Centered meditative internal practices and silence followed by Breath practice and basic Prānāyāma methods. |
| 8.30 – 10.30 am | DYNAMIC ĀSANA: GUIDED EDA: Engaged Dynamic Asana – Guided sequence options or SELF – Teacher Assisted Self-Practice Integrating previous afternoon’s content |
| 10.30 am – 1.30 pm | BRUNCH BUFFET |
| 2.30 – 2:50 pm | Snack and refreshment |
| 3.00 – 4.30 pm | THEORY LECTURE: Anatomy & Movement Theory Session |
| 4:45 – 6.15 pm | PRACTICAL: Asana & Movement Practical and Practice Teaching |
| 6:00 – 8.00 pm | Complimentary herbal steam room available – great after class with a swim and a beach walk, just before …… DINNER BUFFET |
| 8.00 pm | Your own private time |
Arielle has spent over 20 years studying the human body and it’s response to movement. She has been an educator in the field for 15 years. She says balancing her life as a yoga studio owner, yoga teacher, teacher trainer, international presenter and mom of twins, has been made possible by the clarity, discipline and stamina gained through 16 years as a dedicated practitioner. Arielle has seen the practice help thousands of students and knows it has the ability to make a positive change in people when practiced consistently and intelligently with self-compassion.
She has been blessed with the opportunity to spend significant time of study over 15 years with senior teachers Richard Freeman, Dr. Paul Dallaghan and Sri OP Tiwari and has made several trips to Mysore, India, to practice with R. Sharath Jois. Because of these influences and her exercise science degree, her teaching is a clear example of East meets West. She highly regards tradition and respects the roots of practice and the true purpose of yoga as a tool of self-understanding. At the same time, she applies latest scientific understandings of human function and what is practical for the modern student of yoga.
Following her passion for understanding what lies beneath her experience, she is currently undertaking a research Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology and Anatomy at the University of Victoria. Having been at the respected E-RYT500 level for over 10 years, and teaching movement professionals for 20, Arielle teaches continuing education courses for yoga teachers, focusing on yoga anatomy, fascial integration, Somatic movement, Prenatal yoga, and adjustment techniques. She has a keen interest in the effect of asana on the nervous system.
Gill was born in South Africa, and has lived abroad in the UK, Ireland and Asia. She began her international teaching career, working in Inner city London schools, supporting children from challenging backgrounds, then on to Dublin and Yangon. Koh Samui is now her home where she combines her love of yoga and music in this unique transformational place. She began her daily practice of yoga in 2004, training with Paul Dallaghan and Richard Freeman, and is Yoga Alliance (500RYT) and 1100 hour Centered Yoga Certified teacher. Samahita has always been a welcoming, transformative space for her and in early 2016 she was grateful to fully embrace this magical place and call it home.
Daniel began practicing Yoga in his home town Bristol, U.K. in 2003. In 2006 he was led to Samahita in Koh Samui where he found his primary teacher Paul Dallaghan, an inspiring man with whom Daniel felt a deeper connection. He spent 10 years teaching in the vibrant yoga scene of Hong Kong at numerous studios including Pure Yoga and remains connected to the community. This was also a time of cross-discipline learning and experimentation with yoga practice and teaching.
Daniel teaches breathwork and an in-depth vinyasa yoga system that includes strong and well aligned form with intelligent and practical sequencing. This allows students to express their full potential safely but also takes into account individual differences. He supports ongoing development of yoga students and teachers as part of the Centered Yoga Teacher Training.
Daniel is registered with Yoga Alliance at the ERYT 500 Level and as a Continuing Education Provider.
Rates are in US Dollars, are per person, and are fully inclusive of room, buffets, and practices for the duration of the program dates
| Private Room | $2,614 |
| Semi-Private Room | $2,354 |
| Shared Two-Bedroom Loft | $2,094 |
If you also wish to join the 100-hour Pranayama & Your Yoga Practice course from June 17-30, please email reservations at info@samahitaretreat.com to book your room for the full month of advanced trainings.
Want to extend your stay?
| Length of Training | Rate per Extra Night for YogaCoreCycle | ||
| Private Room | Semi-Private Room | Shared Two-Bedroom Loft | |
| 2 weeks | $118 / night | $98 / night | $78 / night |
| 4 weeks | $108 / night | $88 / night | $68 / night |
| 6 weeks | $98 / night | $78 / night | $58 / night |
*These discounts also apply to an extended stay on a wellness program.
Confirm your rate and book all extended stays directly with reservations info@samahitaretreat.com
Subject to availability, we have Friends & Family rates for any registered Samahita Retreat guest’s partner, family member or friend, who is not interested in participating in any of the programs but will stay in a room and board capacity. Shared accommodation, food, and the facilities are open to them. If they prefer to engage in the selection of yoga, breath, meditation, and fitness classes every day then a separate booking under YogaCoreCycle is advised
