all aboard the ashtanga train

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Weekend with David Swenson (USA) as your conductor!
fri-sun, sept 23-25, 2005

location : the yogaloft
level: intermediate workshop

the yoga loft presents david swenson, for the very first time in cologne, germany! This very special weekend will be a total immersion into the ashtanga vinyasa primary series. David will teach a variety of intriguing classes based on surya namaskar sequences (sun salutations) & ujjayi pranayama (breath) technique. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to experience an incredible weekend of yoga, laughter and fun with one of the world’s top yoga teachers.

David Swenson began practicing yoga at a very early age. He did begin in 1969 at the age of 13. His older brother Doug was his first teacher. They practiced hatha yoga from whatever books they could find. David's introduction to ashtanga came in 1973 when he met David Williams and Nancy Gilgoff in Encinitas, California. 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. Swenson made his first trip to Mysore in 1977 and learned the full ashtanga system as it was originally taught by K. Pattabhi Jois. David Swenson is recognized today as one of the worlds foremost practitioners and instructors of ashtanga yoga.

friday, sept 23rd
18:00-21:00
all aboard the ashtanga train
yoga chikitsa: A fully conducted primary series class.
This class is designed for those already familiar with the first series of ashtanga yoga. It will be conducted like a train ride that will continue flowing along all of the way from the opening sun salutations to the closing sequence. There will be time at the end of the flow to enjoy a deep relaxation.

saturday, sept 24th
9:00-12:00
“the phyics of flight”: flying, floating and hand-standing. a fun-filled exploration of vinyasa and handstands.
One of the greatest challenges of the ashtanga flow is the vinyasa. In this class David will break the vinyasa down into it’s components of breath and movement into what he calls: “the physics of flight”. The class will also explore the elements of hand-standing.This will all be done through the avenue of partner work. There is always plenty of laughter and fun as well as a flood of information in this class.

14:00-17:00
length is strength
This class is an exploration of the effects of creating length as a method of moving deeper within our practice while also enhancing breath

sunday, sept 25th
9:00-12:00
inversions, backbends and sitting with your 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.

14:00-16:00
reach out and touch someone: a look at hands-on adjustment techniques
This class will focus on the basic techniques of applying safe and practical methods of hands-on adjusting. This will be done through partner work and the exploration of a handful of asanas starting with the downward dog. It is a fun class open to all levels. One need not be a teacher to attend. There is much to learn about our own practice when we assist others.

16:00-17:00
satsang
questions & answers about practice, theory, philosophy & whatever's on your mind followed by a short meditation.