Highlights from Mark Robberds' Workshop

At the end of October we had the pleasure of hosting Mark Robberds at Yogayama here in Stockholm. Mark was magic! He transmutes the practice in a way that is both beautiful, thought provoking and inspiring merging our connection to the heart. More and more, this is where I'm driving at in my own reflections. If it doesn't open our hearts and minds, then what's the point? 

To follow more of what Mark is up to in the world you can find him at www.markrobberds.com

Maintaining A Meditative Energy During Yoga - Petri Räisänen

In this video I really appreciate Petri's approach in creating a meditative environment in the Mysore room. It is something I do my best to emulate, maintaining an atmosphere that is healing and conducive for practitioners to discover the practice of Ashtanga yoga on the inside, observing their internal energies. No one is a better example of this than Petri Räisänen. 

Ashtanga Yoga and Anatomy with David Keil

Above is a playlist of talks with Ashtanga yoga teacher, David Keil in regards to the Ashtanga yoga practice, specific poses as well as taking a look at anatomy. Good stuff all around.

Ashtanga Yoga Demonstration by Mark Robberds

Here's an inspiring demonstration video by Certified Ashtanga yoga teacher, Mark Robberds from Australia. He'll be making his way to Stockholm for the first time this October to lead a four day Ashtanga yoga workshop. More details to come soon! Until then, enjoy the video. 

A Dialogue With Petri Raisanen

I really enjoyed this dialogue with Finnish, Ashtanga yoga senior teacher, Petri Raisanen. Since I live in Scandinavia I've had the pleasure of meeting and practicing with him on a number of occasions when he teaches in Stockholm twice a year. The talk goes into many various avenues such as traditional Finnish folk healing to of course the practice of Ashtanga yoga. This is a lengthy video but one worth watching when you can carve out the time. 

Back In the Ring

What an amazing project this is. I have to hand it to R. Alexander Medin, a Certified teacher of Ashtanga yoga, on this incredible and very honest work. He is always working with various edges and going that extra mile. Respect! 

Ashtanga Yoga Teacher, Elena De Martin

I've had the sincere pleasure of meeting Elena De Martin in Mysore, India on a number of occasions and I find her simply lovely, yet so open and honest. If ever in Milan you know where to practice. 

Jörgen Christiansson

During the first week of June we had the pleasure of hosting Jörgen Christiansson at Yogayama to share his wisdom and insight in regards to the practice of Ashtanga yoga which included a week of Mysore practice, but of course. Jörgen is the only Swedish certified teacher and to have him back in his homeland under these circumstances made it extras special for those native to Sweden and also to those who are not, hahaha. He's a hands on teacher who honors the tradition in a way that runs deep within him. Living in L.A. and teaching at his own center Omkar108 Yoga take the time to visit if ever in the area. For those in Sweden who missed the opportunity to practice with him he'll be back next year in early June. It's time Sweden celebrated this Swedish teacher who has spent the last few decades traveling the world and studying yoga.

Many thanks to you Jörgen! See you next year if not before! 

☮

Immersion into the Tradition

This week, we at Yogayama are hosting David Robson while he facilitates an in depth study into the tradition of Ashtanga yoga. As you can guess, there is much to uncover when it comes to the simplicity of the practice, the most important part. With attending to the drishti  in each posture and the energetic components of bandhas and the asana, there's a reason why the wisdom of the practice only arises through doing it. However, taking the time to study each component with curiosity and contemplation builds greater awareness, hence the opportunity to immerse oneself into the practice of Ashtanga yoga. We are deeply grateful to David who has taken the time to extend his experience to the international students participating in the immersion.

David Robson is the co-owner and director of Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto. With 100+ students each morning, he leads one of the world’s largest Mysore programs. After completing a degree in Comparative Religion, David made his first trip to Mysore, India in 2002, where he initiated studies with his teacher R. Sharath Jois. Since then he has returned annually to deepen and enrich his practice and teaching. David also teaches internationally. For more info visit www.learntofloat.com.

Sweet Collaboration

As I posted several days ago, I'll be hosting our 2nd annual Ashtanga Yoga Retreat in Salento, Italy and collaborating with someone who I feel is a pioneer when it comes to the matters of the heart. I introduce you to, Sati Chmelar, or who many know as, Shannon Sati Rose Chmelar. A beautiful and stunning yogini from the inside out. I am beyond excited to work in conjunction with another woman who exudes such passion and enthusiasm with an open heart in all that she does. An inspiring woman indeed. I have to say, there aren't many out there like her and is one of the main reasons I jumped at the chance to work with her.

Join us for an exciting week this coming September! For more info scroll down below, or visit my website at www.larugayoga.com.

 For booking info contact, info@yogainsalento.com.

Shannon Rose Chmelar (Sati) is an American yoga teacher who teaches the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system and various philosophical traditions including Classical Yoga, Vedanta, and Mahayana Buddhism. She is also a writer, massage therapist, and multi-media performance artist. Sati teaches in the United States, Europe, and Asia and is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. She is the Founder and Director of Vasudhaiva, an educational institute and retreat company dedicated to the study of classical Indian thought, Buddhism, and Yoga. In all of her work, she strives to illuminate how ancient wisdom teachings may help us overcome our daily struggles and cultivate a more compassionate existence.

To learn more about Sati:

Website: www.satiyogini.com

Vasudhaiva: www.vasudhaiva.com

Email: satiyogini@gmail.com

Sati also has a collection of insightful podcasts. Take a listen, click here.

Sati's blog:

www.satiyogini.wordpress.com

Richard Freeman Talks on Mula Bandha

Richard Freeman talks about the deeper, more subtle aspects of the elusive, mula bandha.