INTRODUCTION TO ASHTANGA YOGA

Have you always wanted to try Ashtanga Yoga? During these series of workshops you will learn the traditional practice of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa). We will focus on the Half Primary Series. 

You will learn correct alignment in the postures, and a little bit about the background and history of Ashtanga Yoga. You will be guided through the practice including Sanskrit names, counts, and chants. You will also learn the correct breathing technique used in this practice: a free-breathing technique with sound, based on the Ujjayi Pranayama. Your teacher Desirée will not only guide you through the traditional practice, but she will also demo the postures ánd teach you how to get into the postures safely.

If you’ve never tried this style of practice before, you’ll be able to learn the postures in a loving and fun setting and if you’re a seasoned practitioner you will be able to join in to enjoy and deepen your practice! These workshops are designed in such a way that you will get the most out of your personal practice.

The workshops are open to students of any level, although a medium level of physical endurance is recommended. If you are currently experiencing certain (physical) complaints, please contact us to discuss whether these workshops are right for you.

If, by the end of the workshops, we will have enough students that are interested in taking weekly Ashtanga Yoga classes, we will open a class on Wednesday evenings from 19.00-20.15. 

Practical information

Dates: Saturdays (26/3 – 2/4 – 9/4)

Time: 10.00 – 12.00 am

Plus 1 free class: Wednesday 13 April 19.00-20.15

Price: €55,- (Special Deal!)

Teacher: Desirée Aerts

Language: English

What the workshops will look like

Workshop 1: Saturday 26 March 2022 | 10.00-12.00

Discover what Ashtanga Yoga is, and learn a bit about the history (Yoga Sutras). Learn about the Tristana method, the opening mantra, and why and what we are chanting. You will carefully be guided through the free-breathing technique with sound, based on the Ujjayi Pranayama. Then we will take a closer look at the Sun Salutations, and a few standing poses, plus the final 3 seated closing ploses.

Workshop 2: Saturday 2 April 2022 | 10.00-12.00

We will repeat the postures learned during the previous workshop, and answer any questions so far. Then our practice will start with the Sun Salutations and the standing postures learned up until now. We will dive deeper in the remaining standing poses, and maybe even a couple of seated postures.

Workshop 3: Saturday 9 April 2022 | 10.00-12.00

We will repeat the postures learned during the previous workshop, and answer any questions so far. Next we will practice everything we have gone over, and add in the final seated postures (up until Navasana), and the remaining poses of the finishing sequence. You will also learn the closing mantra of Ashtanga Yoga, what it means, and the history behind it.

Extra class (free): Wednesday evening 13 April 2022 | 19.00-20.15

Get a taste of an Ashtanga Led class and get ready to practice everything you have learned so far: the Half Primary Series of Ashtanga. 

About the teacher

Aloha! My name is Desirée. Through the practice of yoga I feel more in alignment and connected to my true self. It has taught me to be my authentic self and to follow my own path. In addition to the physical practice of yoga asana, I also like to delve into the spiritual practice. With a deep interest in a holistic approach to life, I studied natural nutrition and Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest healing systems that originated in India.

My love for yoga has inspired me to take multiple teacher trainings, and my yoga education is based on Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga, and Trauma Conscious Yoga. I am also a certified Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga teacher. My main teachings are focused and based on Ashtanga Yoga, but I also teach the above mentioned styles, and Hot Yoga.

In my spare time I love to be creative. I like to cook delicious vegan dishes and can often be found outside. I am always happiest when surrounded by the people I love, and my sweet labrador.

Looking forward to meeting you on the yoga mat!