Upside Down & Backwards: Playing with Asanas & Transitions
with Laura Olson
Saturday, April 27th, 12:00-2:00pm
$30 to register/ $35 day-of
Midtown Studio
Often we focus so much on the pose that we forget there’s deep magic in the middle places. Take a deep dive into transitions, jumps, binds and inversions with a touch of Lila, a playful approach. Bring your questions, favorite and least favorite poses and transitions, and don’t forget your sense of adventure.
Laura Olson
As a former dancer, Laura has always been kinesthetic, but yoga is what made her finally feel at home. A devoted Ashtangi and reverently rebellious yoga teacher, she has studied extensively in the United States as well as in Mysore, India with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Jois. Laura teaches both traditional Ashtanga as well as Ashtanga-influenced vinyasa in workshops, classes, and private lessons in the New York City and Woodstock areas.
Day 1: Saturday, September 8th, 1-4pm Open to students new to the Mysore method, including absolute beginners
On Day 1 we will explore the fundamentals of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series. The Primary Series is the first series we learn in the Ashtanga Yoga system, anyone new to Ashtanga Yoga begins here. We will approach the practice with the intention to start attending the early morning Mysore program. Discover ways to memorize the sequence, which is necessary if we are interested in practicing using the traditional Mysore method. Once you have completed Day 1 and Day 2 of this weekend, you will have the basic foundations needed to join in the early morning practice group which meets Monday, Wednesday, Friday anytime between 6:30-8:30am* (*you may arrive any time and are required to finish your practice by 8:30am).
On Day 1, learn:
a little about the background of this method, where it comes from and the benefits of practicing Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga
the foundations for this practice Surya Namaskar A and B, the standing sequence and the closing sequence.
ways to learn and memorize the sequence.
Those attending Day 1 are welcome to attend the Sunday Led Primary Series class on 9/9 at no extra charge to participate or to just observe.
Day 2: Sunday, September 9th, 1-4pm Open to students who attended Day 1 and to those who have a current Mysore Style practice*. (*If you do not have a current Mysore practice, please attend Day 1)
On Day 2 we will dive deep in to the theory and practice of Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga. Anyone who has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga or those who have attended Day 1 of the Mysore Style Ashtanga Exploration Weekend will benefit from this workshop. We will explore the principles that support this method of yoga practice in detail giving those who attend many tools to take with them into the Mysore room and can then apply in an individual way to their personal practice. This 3 hour workshop is packed full of information, bring a notebook and pen! You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the practice in general as well as personal questions related to your own practice.
On Day 2, learn the following:
Ashtanga Yoga follows the `Tristana` approach to yoga practice ~ Breath, Bandha/Posture, Drishti. We will learn the details of this method and find out why and how it leads to a state of dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and ultimately samadhi (liberation/enlightenment). We will practice this method using various postures from the Ashtanga Primary Series in order to experience the breath, the bandhas and the drishti as it happens in your own practice.
When you attend a Mysore Style class you will primarily receive hands on adjustments with minimal verbal cues. We will learn about this approach, how to assess if a physical adjustment is safe for your body and how receive adjustments in a way that will ultimately benefit your practice.