Description

For the first time in Barcelona. Andrew Eppler´s Ashtanga weekend workshop

Friday 13th January 2023 18.00 – 20.00

Evening – Foundations of Ashtanga

Andrew will begin his workshop by saying a few words about his approach to practising Ashtanga Yoga. Our first practice will be a lead sequence that will give instructions and ideas to work within our Mysore sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Working within the traditional framework of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga we will explore techniques for refining the practice.

• The essence of Vinyasa – Historical Perspective and Practical application
• Breath Rhythm
• Fundamentals of therapeutic work
• Working around injuries
• Developing a sustainable, lifelong, pain-free and joyful practice

Saturday 14th January 2023 7.00 – 10:00

Morning – Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga (3hrs)

We will begin with a short discussion about the type of adjustments Andrew will be using in the class. Then we will move into a half-hour warm-up using self-massage and somatic movement. After this, we go into the Mysore format where everyone is free to practice at their own pace. Andrew will be helping with his unique style of adjusting postures which he has developed over many years of teaching and practising Ashtanga Yoga.

• Resistance Based Adjustments
• Reciprocal Inhibition
• Massage Based Adjustment
• How to address the asymmetry of the body in our practice
• The Art of Warming Up
• Guidelines for communication during adjustment of postures
• How to avoid injuries

Saturday 15th January 2023 13:00 – 16:00

Afternoon Moving Deeper into our Practice – Mudra, Bandha and Energetic Anatomy (3 hrs)

Andrew will begin by talking about Surya Namaskar’s philosophy and the fundamental ideas that Ashtanga Yoga is based upon. In this class, we will explore the internal practices of yoga which take us beyond the physical body into the internal practices which yoga is based upon. The core principles of Hatha Yoga will be explained. We will practice the bandha mudras and some pranayama. This class will be excellent for those who are trying to establish a seated, meditative practice in addition to their asana practice.

• The Heart of the Sun and the significance of Pingala Nadi
• Bandhas explained in detail with corresponding Mudra practice.
• Preparation for Pranayama
• Importance of Pratyahara
• Koshas
• Vayus
• Chakras
• Nadis

Sunday 16th January 2023 7.00 – 10:00

Morning – Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga (3 Hrs)

We will begin with a brief summary of the techniques and suggestions taught thus far. Andrew will give a pranayama exercise for everyone to practice at the end of their asana practice. Raja Vinyasa technique will be discussed. Based on the three Gunas, this approach to yoga involves Therapeutic Preparation (Tamas Guna) Structured Asanas (Raja Guna) and Pranayama/Meditation (Satva Guna). Mysore Practice will follow. Everyone is encouraged to practice asanas as much as they feel is appropriate and then finish with the Pranayama techniques taught at the beginning of the class.

• Combining Therapy, Asana, and Pranayama
• Raja Vinyasa Yoga
• Sustainable and Joyful Ashtanga Yoga Practice
• Diet and Lifestyle
• Role of Toxins in Yoga
• Final thoughts and suggestions for asana practice

Sunday 16th January 2023 13:00 – 16:00

Afternoon – Ashtanga Darshan

In our final session, Andrew will speak on Yoga Philosophy. Drawing from years of experience with the Sanskrit Scholars of Mysore, he will express his views on what yoga means and how to define “traditional practice.” We will discuss the relationship between the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali Sutras and how the timeless teachings of yoga apply to our modern paradigm. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers and sharing of experiences after the lecture.

• Theoretical Foundations of Yoga
• The fundamental purpose of Yoga Practice
• Freedom and Personal Evolution
• Pitfalls along the path
• Karma Yoga
• Buddhi Yoga
• Bhakti Yoga
• Raja Yoga