Ashtanga Yoga Workshops with Richard Freeman
March 5-11^th 2010

About Richard

Richard Freeman has been a student of yoga since 1968. He has spent nearly nine years in Asia studying various traditions which he incorporates into the Ashtanga yoga practice as taught by his principal teacher, K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India.

Richard’s background includes studying Sufism in Iran, Zen and Vipassana Buddhist practice, Bhakti and traditional Hatha yoga in India. Starting in 1974 he also began an in-depth study of Iyengar yoga, which eventually led him to Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga.

Richard is an avid student of both Western and Eastern philosophy, as well as Sanskrit. His ability to juxtapose various viewpoints, without losing the depth and integrity of each, has helped him develop a unique, metaphorical teaching style.

Workshop A: Weekend Intensive - "the core principles" (March 5^th to 7^th 2010)

This workshop is highly recommended to practicioners of all levels!
Richards subtle and intelligent teachings provide a huge ground for amazing discoveries in your practice.
It is open to students of all traditions other than complete beginners.

This workshop will include five sessions on different topics starting Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.

Session I: Internal Methodology of Vinyasa (Friday 5^th, 15:00 - 17:30)

A step by step exploration of the basic thread of form, breathing, and movement upon which the classical series of postures in the Ashtanga Vinyasa system is strung.  We will explore the bio-mechanical principles of alignment and the meditative principle of awakening core breathing in context of the Ashtanga system.  Using a rich context of philosophy and meditative insight, this class will allow participants to bring a new degree of freedom, technical skill and compassion to their every day practice.

Session II: Ashtanga Yoga: Central Axis and Universal Form (Saturday 6^th, 08:00 - 10:30)

This is a deep exploration of how true internal alignment is used in posture and movement and how those rhythms translate into breathing and meditation. Students will learn small, subtle adjustments in form and attitude that can make problematic and difficult poses produce their fruits.  Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner of Ashtanga yoga, you’ll learn new ways to adapt to the present moment and make your practice graceful and free.

Session III: Mulabandha is Not What You “Think” (Saturday 6^th, 13:30 - 16:30)

To flow gracefully and effortlessly in and out of poses, it is essential to stay vibrant and grounded in the breathing.  This class will be based on a study of the essential and elusive activity of Mulabandha and the strong grounding effect of correct ujjayi pranayama.  The actual Mulabandha is a conjunction of complimentary movement patterns which open the central axis of the body right up through the root of the palate.  We will flow seamlessly through these movement patterns, following the thread of the central axis.

Session IV: Detailed Meditative Flow (Sunday 7^th, 08:00 - 10:30)

An intricate exploration of the postures of the primary series of the Ashtanga system.  The universal form of internally integrated yoga posture will be  experienced as a continuous joining and separating of masculine and feminine movements.  Students will learn to pay close attention to the meditative quality of form and movement as a means of bringing refinement to their practice. Fine detailed attention to subtle technique will prove to be the way of avoiding injury and integrating obstacles.

Session V: Inversions and the Palate (Sunday 7^th, 13:30 - 16:30)

In this class we will refine the Finishing Poses (Inversions and sitting posture) by working the subtle movements of the shoulders, arms, neck, head, spine, tongue and palate. Like a perfect desert after a fine meal, these gentle subtleties will aid in making Pranayama and meditation natural.  The last 45 minutes of the class can be a talk on the internal aspects Yoga

Workshop B: Four Days Intensive "Master classes" (March 8^th to 11^th 2010)

During the four days from Monday to Thursday we will continue to explore the opposing forces in the body and breathing system and how their observeration and integration help understanding the core principles of the Ashtanga Yoga system - bandhas, pranayama and drishti.

These more advanced yet very acessible classes provide new tools for exploring, re-aligning and deepening the individual practice.
They will also help teachers finding manifold new ways of understanding and expressing the subtle teachings of the Ashtanga Vinyasa system.

All classes aim at helping you understand the ingenious linking of the physical practices with the deep psychological background of the Yoga tradition.
The afternoon sesssions will focus on some main philosophical aspects of the ancient Yoga traditions and how they approach the same goals from a different angle.

The morning classes will include the following topics.

Schedule Monday March 8^th to Thursday 11^th