Weekend Workshop with David Swenson
A Detailed Tour of Ashtanga Yoga
Flowing, Flying, Breathing, and Looking Within
21.-23. March 2025
Teacher Training: 24.-30. March 2025
Detailed Weekend Workshop Schedule:
Friday
evening 6 – 8 pm
ASHTANGA BASICS
Exploring the FUNdamentals
This class is an introduction to Ashtanga Yoga open to all levels of experience or lack there of.
The building blocks of Ashtanga Yoga will be explored through what David refers to as The Five Elements of Practice; Breath, Bandhas, Drishti, Asana and Vinyasa. After the short discussion David will conduct an introductory flow through an abbreviated sequence from the First Series. This is a great way to gain a taste of Ashtanga under the guidance of one of the world’s most renowned and compassionate instructors.
If you are curious to know more about this dynamic and flowing system then come and join David for a fun, flowing, user-friendly adventure into the basics of Ashtanga Yoga.
*Cautionary Note: You might actually enjoy it
Saturday:
9 – 11:00
FULLY LED PRIMARY SERIES
Dancing with the Breath in a First Series Flow
This class is designed for those already familiar with the First Series of Ashtanga Yoga yet it is open to all levels of proficiency from the daily-practicing aficionados to the novice fit-it-in-when-I-can weekend warriors and everyone in between. The class will be conducted like a choreographed dance flowing along all of the way from the opening sun salutations to the closing savasana. David will spend time at the beginning of class to introduce alternatives to some of the more challenging asanas as well as offer user-friendly vinyasa options. There will be time at the end of the flow to enjoy a soothing, deep relaxation.
Required Items: Mat and Breath
12:30 – 3:00
FLYING FLOATING AND HANDSTANDING
A Fun-filled exploration of Vinyasa and Arm-balances
One of the greatest challenges of the Ashtanga flow is the vinyasa. In this class David will break the vinyasa down into its components. He likes to refer to this as: “The Physics of Flight”. The class will also explore the elements of handstands and arm-balances.
This will all be done through the avenue of partner work. There is always plenty of laughter and fun as well as a depth of information in this class. All levels may attend even if you have never done a handstand before. Alternatives are always given.
3:30 – 5:00
BREATH, BANDHAS AND PRANAYAMA
Exploring the Mantra of Ujjayi and the Mystical Energy of Bandhas
In Sanskrit, Man means Mind and Tra means to Free or Deliver. Therefore the word Mantra means to Free the Mind. There are many mantras in yoga such as Om, Hare Krishna, Om Namo Shivaya and a plethora of others. In Ashtanga Yoga the mantra is the sound of our breath: Ujjayi. There is no other sound more universal than breath. It is not tied to language or culture and is “chanted” from the first moment of birth. This class will focus on the mantra of ujjayi within asana practice as well as during pranayama. In addition to breath work the class will also explore the invisible world of Bandhas. We well attempt to gain greater understanding of these subtle yet powerful tools through interactive discussion as well as a series of practical exercises.
Sunday
9 – 11
NADI SHODANA / A GUIDED TOUR
An Introduction to the Intermediate Series of Ashtanga Yoga
Students should have a regular practice of the First Series in order to attend this class. There will be an introductory discussion of the dynamics inherent to the Second Series. David will then lead the class through a portion of First Series acting as a springboard into as much of the Second Series as seems appropriate. There will be a variety of options given for each posture in order to allow multiple approaches.
12:30 – 3:00
INVERSIONS, BACKBENDS AND SITTING WITH YOUR BREATH
Finding Stability When the World is Inverted and Returning Home to Breath
This class will turn your world upside/down in order to explore the dynamics of inverting the body through building a solid foundation from which to grow while also looking at the opposing forces at play in Inversions. Backbends will be redefined as front openings and sitting quietly will be explored as an active participation in self-exploration through developing a relationship with our lifelong companion, breath.
3:30 – 5:00
EIGHT LIMBS AND DAILY LIFE
How does this practice apply within the context of daily living?
Underlying the mysterious and complex philosophy of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras there is a truly profound simplicity that may be applied within the context of our daily lives. This class will discuss the Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga and explore their applications within our day-to-day life. What is the use of Philosophy without real application? We may memorize quotations or stanzas from great writings but unless we can apply them within our life they are merely words spoken rather than knowledge realized.
Cost:
Teacher Training: 1100€
Weekend Workshop:330€
Both together: 1350€
Please write as an e-Mail with your full name to sign in here,
after receiving your e-Mail, we will send you the payment options
after we received your payment your spot is reserved.
Following cancellation policy will apply:
If you cancel up to 8 weeks before the event, you will get reimbursed 90% of your payment,
If you cancel up to 6 weeks before the event, you will get reimbursed 80% of your payment.
After this date there is no cancellation possible, we hope for your understanding.
Meet David Swenson
David began his journey of Yoga in 1969 when he and his brother Doug practiced in a small park at the end of their street in Houston, Texas. There were few sources for yoga at that time so they practiced from whatever books they could find.
In 1973 David discovered Ashtanga after he met David Williams and Nancy Gilgoff in Encinitas, CA. In 1975 David and Nancy brought K. Pattabhi Jois to the U.S. for the first time and Swenson was fortunate enough to be there. He then initiated studies directly with the master. He made his first trip to Mysore in 1977. David is one of only a handful of Westerners to have learned the full Ashtanga system including all of the asana sequences and pranayama as originally taught by K. Pattabhi Jois.
Today David is recognized as one of the world’s foremost practitioners and instructors of Ashtanga Yoga. He tirelessly travels year round to teach and offer workshops. His courses are presented in a supportive and compassionate fashion making it accessible to all levels of practitioner to participate.
