Zen Yoga Center 200 YTT w/Ashtanga Focus Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga
Lead Instructor, Christine Donovan, ERYT-500 & Guest Advanced Ashtanga Instructor, Stacy Ingham and
Guest Advanced Ashtanga Instructor, Michael Johnson, ERYT-500
First Week: What is Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga?
We’ll define Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, cover a brief history of the practice, and discuss what sets this practice apart from other forms of yoga. The roots & history of Ashtanga Yoga, ethics and concerns.. Students will learn about the 5 key aspects of the practice - Breath, Bandha, Dristhi (tristana), asana and vinyasa. These terms will be defined and discussed in the context of the Ashtanga Vinyasa practice. We’ll also discuss the Eight Limbs (Ashtanga) of Raja yoga - Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
Each day students will begin learning the Ashtanga Vinyasa sequence, beginning with being led through the Sun Salutations, so that they able to practice them independently. We will cover alignment and intentions of postures, and techniques for adjusting students in the postures. Sessions will also include an opportunity to chant the Opening and Closing Mantra that are traditional to Ashtanga yoga, and an introductory pranayama practice.
Second Week: Nuts and Bolts
This session will focus more on the nuts and bolts of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Practice. Students will learn how the practice is structured, and the Sanskrit names of the postures in the Primary Series. We’ll discuss the importance of learning the vinyasa counting method in Sanskrit, and students will have a chance to practice counting the Sun Salutations.
Asana practice will continue from the previous session, likely finishing the Standing Sequence of postures and moving into the beginning of the Primary Series Seated postures. A focus on foundational principles of alignment will be the central theme.
Each week will cover alignment and intentions of postures, and techniques for adjusting students in the postures. Sessions will also include an opportunity to chant the Opening and Closing Mantra that are traditional to Ashtanga yoga, and an introductory pranayama practice.
Third Week: Putting It All Together
The discussion for this week will be centered around how to make Ashtanga a regular part of the students’ lives. We’ll talk about Mysore style practice vs Led practice classes, from both a student and a teacher’s perspective. We’ll cover when and how often to practice, and how much to do each time. Students will have an opportunity to ask questions to help guide the discussion, wrapping up the workshop in a way that will facilitate their continued journey with Ashtanga Yoga.
The asana practice for this week will focus on the transitional movements in the practice. This will likely mean taking a closer look at the jump back and jump through actions that are a large part of the Ashtanga seated sequence. We will also discuss the important role of efficiency of movement and breath in practice, and bring together those 5 key aspects covered in the first week.
Each week will cover alignment and intentions of postures, and techniques for adjusting students in the postures. Sessions will also include an opportunity to chant the Opening and Closing Mantra that are traditional to Ashtanga yoga, and an introductory pranayama practice.
Fourth Week: Practice, Practicum & Graduation
The discussion for this final week will be review and taking a look forward into the second series. We’ll continue the discussion about developing a Mysore style practice vs Led practice classes, from both a student and a teacher’s perspective. We’ll cover how to guide students through the primary series and when to introduce new postures, when and how offen they should practice, and how much to do each time. Students will have an opportunity to ask questions to help guide the discussion, wrapping up in a way that will facilitate their continued journey with Ashtanga Yoga.
The asana practice for this week will focus on the complete primary series practice. Students will have an opportunity practice, to lead teaching the standing postures, provide assists and observe students. This week we'll be putting it all together preparing student on their journey teaching ashtanga yoga..
Each week will cover alignment and intentions of postures, and techniques for adjusting students in the postures. Sessions will also include an opportunity to chant the Opening and Closing Mantra that are traditional to Ashtanga yoga, and an introductory pranayama practice.