TRACING THE THREAD OF BREATH

FEB 27th - 28th 2021

A TWO DAY IMMERSION INTO THE METHOD AND PHILOSOPHY OF ASHTANGA YOGA. IN THIS WORKSHOP WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO DIVE DEEPER INTO SOME OF THE SPECIFIC ELEMENTS THAT MAKE UP THE ASHTANGA PRACTICE AND EXAMINE THEM WITH A CLOSER EYE. IT IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE YOUR PRACTICE TO A DEEPER LEVEL WHILE EXPLORING THE PHILOSOPHY AND TECHNICAL DETAILS BEHIND SOME OF THE CENTRAL COMPONENTS OF THE PRACTICE.

Overview

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13TH

• GUIDED PRIMARY SERIES CLASS WITH PRANAYAMA
• BACKBENDING CLASS
• MEDITATION BREATHWORK AND SATSANG

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14TH

• GUIDED PRIMARY SERIES CLASS WITH PRANAYAMA
• JUMP BACK AND JUMP THROUGH CLASS
• Q&A SESSION

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

SATURDAY

8:00AM - 10:00 AM　GUIDED PRIMARY SERIES

A slow and detailed guided primary series class with specific cues to drop the practitioner into a deeper meditative experience through the postures. It aims to guide the practitioner to cultivate a technically precise practice, while simultaneously directing the awareness towards the subtle layers of the practice. A guided primary series class is the best way to learn the timing, proper vinyasa count as well as the overall flow and rhythm of the class.

John masterfully guides the practitioner on how to harness the internal awareness to strike deeper layers of realization and subtle insight through the medium of the dynamic sequence. This class will be available to all levels and variations and alternative postures will be given to all beginners.

10:30AM - 12:30PM ：CHURNING OF THE OCEAN ー BACKBENDING WITH STRENGTH AND GRACE

Backbends are of the most powerful movements in the Ashtanga yoga method. Yet, they can be daunting and intimidating, and sometimes difficult to practice safely. The aim of this session is to grasp to principles behind doing a safe and deep backbend. Deep postural work is a physical representation of the degree we are open and often highlight emotions we carry in our own being. The deeper we awaken and open our bodies the more layers are removed between our limited sense of self and the Infinite.

John skillfully elucidates the connection between emotions, the heart and deep backbends and believes that back-bending offers direct access to work with fears, anxiety and blocks that exist in our heart and face them with strength and grace resulting in a feeling of lightness and expansion. The class will be accessible to all levels and variations and modifications of backbends and other exercises will be offered to accommodate all body types and levels of experience.

4:00PM - 6:00PM BREATHWORK, MEDITATION AND SATSANG

‘Breath-work’ is a modern spin on ancient pranayama and other breathing practices and provides a potent way to strongly energize the body and stimulate a deep emotional catharsis. Ultimately, it allows us to enter deeper into our own hearts and access and release hidden traumas and energies that inhibit us from feeling free.

Dozens of students have found John’s breath work sessions to be the perfect segue into a deeper meditation or an emotional breakthrough; The group creates a safe vessel for allowing deeper felt emotions and experiences to collectively access a space that’s highly receptive towards inquiring into the deeper truth of our being.

SUNDAY

8:00 - 10:00 AM GUIDED PRIMARY SERIES

Guided Primary series focusing on integrating many of the aspects and insights of the previous day. We will follow the traditional Sanskrit count but also add on another layer of subtle guidance for both alignment and awakening deeper intuition through directing the mind to the inner world. Again, this class will be open to all levels and variations and modifications will be available for all students.

10:30 AM- 12:00 PM TRANSITIONS JUMP BACK AND JUMP THROUGH

Jumping back and jumping through are among the most challenging movements and originally the hallmark of the Ashtanga Yoga method. Mastering this tricky and rather difficult move requires patience, humility, and years of consistent practice and show the practitioner that there are no shortcuts to success. Rather, ease and steadiness only build with TAPAS – spiritual discipline that burns impurities.

Proper technique that are integral to jumping back and through are the bedrock of the weightless floating transition used in Ashtanga. The sensation of being light as a feather yet controlling your body against the force of gravity brings a unique feeling of self mastery.

There are multiple ways to approach jump back and jump through as well as important strength building exercises. In this workshop we will break down the mechanics of this movement both within the practice as well as offer additional drills and exercises to build foundational strength and technique to master this movement. Over time, these are guaranteed to build both mental and physical strength that will translate into effortless floating. While mastering the jump back jump through can take years, we’ll offer basic steps for all practioners at every level in this workshop.

4:00PM - 6:00PM BREATHWORK, MEDITATION AND SATSANG