Ashtanga Yoga Workshop in Bangkok, Thailand

What:     Ashtanga Yoga Weekend Workshop with Laruga Glaser
Where:   Ashtanga Yoga Center of Bangkok, Thailand
When:    12 - 14 December 2014

The Program

Friday
12 December

7:00 - 9:00    Led Primary Series
12:00 - 2:30  Arm Balance with Power and Grace

Saturday
13 December

Intermediate Series in Detail
8:00 - 10:30  1st half
1:00 - 3:30    2nd half

Sunday
14 December

8:00 - 10:00   Led Primary Series
1:00 - 3:30     The Art of Ashtanga Yoga


For more information and booking email: contact@aybkk.com

Budapest

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of visiting the young and thriving Ashtanga yoga community at Bandha Works in Budapest, Hungary, and what a community it was! Enthusiastic, thirsty to learn, this community was formed only a year ago and the energy and unity they created within the year was truly inspirational to witness as well as experience. I loved every minute of my contact with the students and left deeply touched by their willingness and sincerity to dive into the heart of the practice with both feet! It warmed my heart. It energized my teaching. There's no doubt that heart of the student enlivens the heart of the teacher, and the learning goes both ways!

As a city I can't say enough about the beauty and history that is Budapest. The architecture, the history, the people! Everyone speaks of Paris, London, and Rome when planning to visit Europe but if you have the opportunity I would definitely put Budapest on the list!

Geneva

At the beginning of November I had the pleasure of traveling to Geneva, Switzerland to lead an Ashtanga yoga workshop there. One cannot deny one of the benefits of this work is visiting fascinating new places and meeting generous and warm hearted people and Geneva was no different. A beautiful city nestled between two mountain ranges, on a clear day you can see Mount Blanc in the distance, the highest peak of the Alps. The city is clean, affluent and surprisingly diverse, with more than 50% of its inhabitants being foreign. A french speaking city, whereas other parts of Switzerland are German speaking, I couldn't help but enjoy hearing french being spoken. Ooo la la!

The quality of life is high in Geneva and I was pleasantly surprised at how well mixed various cultures and races mixed together. It was very refreshing to see. The bonds we forge with others shouldn't always be defined by what makes us comfortable but also by what wakes us up to see another perspective, another way of life. Travel teaches me so much and it is also amazing to see this represented in some of the places I have the sincere privilege to visit.

Thank you, Sarajevo

Last weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina for the second time teaching and sharing the practice of Ashtanga yoga. Here yoga is new and on the fringe but nonetheless there are those that are offering it to the people. A country hit hard by war in years past still leaves its mark. Recently, floods have also ravaged the areas outside Sarajevo in and around the countryside.

It is a beautiful thing when the practice offers healing to those who have realized challenge on every level. Quite honestly I can't truly identify with how one deals with such tragedy and at the same time I have learned how resilient the human spirit is, that yes, life moves on no matter what.

I extend my gratitude to the budding Ashtangis of Sarajevo. Thank you for your hospitality. A big thanks to Mike and Aida for paving the way where it may not be the most popular of pursuits, but no doubt one of priceless value to their students. 

Workshop in Cologne, Germany

As usual I'm late with my posts. Life keeps moving yet the rate at which I upload my photos and collect my thoughts seem to move much slower lately. In April, I traveled to Cologne, Germany in that I was invited to teach a weekend workshop there. It was my fourth trip sharing the practice of Ashtanga yoga. I will return this September as well. Cologne is a lovely city. My first trip I took the obligatory photo of Cologne's Cathedral, otherwise known as the High Cathedral of St. Peter. Let me tell you it is an awesome sight. Now, I take more intimate photos of the city. Such as this much smaller church above that remains nameless. Cologne is very quaint, green, bicycle friendly, city that has a welcoming rhythm to it. Everywhere I go it is a such a privilege to share this practice with others. Thank you, Cologne!

The next time I'll be teaching in Cologne is 12 - 14 September 2014 at Ashtanga Yoga Mitte. 

Workshop Journal: Athens, Greece

Last weekend I traveled to Athens, Greece for the second time conducting an Ashtanga yoga workshop. I loved the Greek people and the country before and this second time it only reaffirmed my experience and love for this amazing place. Of course the land is beautiful, but even more so are it's people. Warm, open, fun-loving, it really brought into perspective how important it is to look to the brighter side of life. A reminder we can all use from time to time.

The weekend went entirely too fast. As the saying goes, time flies when you are having fun and on so many levels I did. Honestly however, sharing this practice no matter where I go is a blessing. Leaving Athens I felt as if my heart was bursting by the kindness, generosity and enthusiasm of the people there. It goes without saying, the practice has a way of connecting us together in way that goes deeper because we are actively discovering our higher nature. One that we all share.

Thank you House of Yoga!

A BIG thank you to Saavas and Sofia at House of Yoga!

Into The Heart of Practice: Ashtanga Yoga Retreat

Into the Heart of Practice

Ashtanga Yoga Retreat with Laruga Glaser

In Salento, Italy

14 - 21 June, 2014

Delve inside the transformative practice of Ashtanga Yoga, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and currently R. Sharath Jois of Mysore, India. Our retreat will benefit practitioners from all levels of experience, from beginners to more advanced. Experience a comprehensive week that will stretch your limits as well as expand your awareness into the greater depths of your being with ample time to reflect, connect, and enjoy.

Laruga will infuse the practice of Ashtanga yoga inside the heart of its philosophical teachings through practice, contemplative lectures and group dialogue. You will experience a life affirming week that will challenge and inspire within the beautiful setting of Salento, Italy.

Mysore Sessions and Technique Classes

* Mysore classes will be held every morning 8:00 – 10:00 *

Technique Class Topics

1. Vinyasa Integration

In this class special attention will be focused on moving with conscious awareness, in union with conscious breath, otherwise known as vinyāsa. Trouble shooting areas of instability that may be present, we will delve more thoroughly into how to build strength, with care and attention, building upon internal alignment. Focused points of attention will include practical application of Tristhānam (posture, breath, gaze) into each movement, promoting a calm center and accessing sense withdrawal, known as pratyāhāra. Learn to activate and open the energy channels of the body without strain. Discover balance, support and integrity in strength-based postures such as techniques for jumping back and jumping through as well as structural breakdown of challenging poses and transitions.

2. Backbending Awareness

The paradox when backbending is we must be strong and soft at the same time; uniting the energy of strength and surrender. In this class, learn the basic components of backbending with integrity to the natural flow of the body, as well as, experiencing the concept of active release. When actively releasing, we will learn to use grounding mechanisms to deepen our awareness, while fully utilizing the breath. These fundamental techniques allow the body to find depth and strength, while at the same time, letting go.

3. Arm Balancing Architecture

Experience the exhilaration arm balances bring in a playful and explorative way, while learning the basic elements and foundational techniques to successfully build an arm balance practice. Proper alignment, strength building, as well as, energizing the subtle body will be addressed in this inspiring and informative workshop.

For More Information and Booking
Website: www.yogainsalento.com
Email: info@yogainsalento.com
Phone: +39 0836 600 284

Highlights from Moscow

Last November I spent 6 glorious days in Moscow, Russia. I know, I'm late posting but better late than never! The hospitality extended was truly heartwarming and I owe it to the spirit of the Russian people. You are magnificent! Thank you!!!

Ashtanga Yoga Workshop in Sarajevo

“The purpose of all the major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts.” (The Dali Lama)

The week before last I had the pleasure of being invited to Sarajevo to teach a weekend Ashtanga yoga workshop at Prana Yoga Studio in the heart of the city. Before my arrival I was filled with curiosity in regards to Sarajevo, remembering the complex history, horrors, and atrocities that happened there. Even to this day I don't understand it fully, however during and since my visit, I have gained deeper understanding. Remnants of the war are mostly gone but still visible and knowing what I know now I am fascinated by the strength and determination of the human spirit. No matter what, life moves on. Still, on some level, I have to ask myself, how could this have happend in my lifetime? How and why wasn't there more done to help stop the senseless killings? It haunts me.

Nonetheless, there are those who desire to move on from a higher state of consciousness. One reason why both Mike and Aida have touched me so deeply. Being the very first Ashtanga yoga center in the city they have truly broken ground in giving those the tools to reach greater awareness through the practice. It's needed, and even in the rise of skepticism they have one by one touched those with their sincere offering to give and enlighten the people of Sarajevo ready to take the leap. They're doing it and it's so inspiring!

Not only was the group willing to take the plunge, discovering all the practice has to offer but  also we had participants not only from Bosnia, but Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia together in one room making it happen.

T H A N K   Y O U 

♥

Below are a collection of Instagram(s) I took while in Sarajevo. 

Mike and Aida, 

The beautiful couple who own Prana Yoga Studio in Sarajevo

 Catholic Church

 A Mosque in the City Center

 Orthodox Church

 Orthodox Church

 Sarajevo Skyline near "Old Town" 

 Sarajevo Theater