At Ashtanga Yoga Boston, we are interested in providing a solid foundation for every student's practice. We are particularly interested in helping beginners start and establish a practice. To that end, we periodically offer workshops based on the fundamentals of Ashtanga yoga. While these workshops are geared for beginners, experienced practitioners, including those returning to the practice after time off, can also benefit from deeper exploration of breath, bandhas and drishti.
Ashtanga Yoga Complete Beginners' Workshop:
99% Practice, 1% Theory
Friday, April 11, 6:00-8:00pm
Saturday, April 12, 10:00am-12:00 noon
Sunday, April 13, 2:00-4:00pm
Instructors: George Whiteside / Mary Flinn
Cost: $90 ($80 by April 1) or $40 for any single session
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois has said that Ashtanga yoga is "99% practice, 1% theory." In that spirit, we offer an introduction to Ashtanga yoga that is intended to be practical. The goal is for each participant to come away with a solid understanding of the Ashtanga system and the basis for beginning a regular Ashtanga practice. Starting with proper breathing technique and engagement of the energy locks, or bandhas, as the foundation for practice, participants will be guided through the postures of the Primary Series one at a time. Each posture will be described. It is hoped that by the end of the weekend participants will have a short practice that they can do on their own.
Key Areas of Exploration:
- ujjayi breathing, the technique used in Ashtanga yoga to heat the body and stimulate the movement of blood and life energy
- engagement and use of the bandhas during practice
- maintaining concentration by holding steady the gazing point, or drishti
Each session will begin with a led practice, starting with Sun Salutations and concluding in shavasana (relaxation). Through the course of the workshop, we will try to go farther into the Primary Series. After each practice period, there will be time for questions, sharing of experience and discussion.
On the final day, several techniques for deepening relaxation at the end of practice, such as scanning the body and concentrating on the pulse, will be presented.
*** Enrollment is limited. ***
Advance registration is recommended
(Please see below).
A student's place will be held upon receipt of full payment in advance. Students can register for "Complete Beginners" or "Posture Clinic" or both together. Payment may be made by cash or check at the school, or by check mailed to:
Ashtanga Yoga Boston
186 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Please include an email address (or phone number) for confirmation and indicate which sessions you are registering for.
Refund Policy
50% refund up to two weeks before the workshop (March 27); no refunds thereafter.
SPACE IS LIMITED — SIGN UP EARLY!
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(617) 497-4244
