Patanjali’s Ashtanga: Vinyasa Retreat & Teaching Skills #304
An Immersion into the tradition of Hatha Yoga
TEACHER(s)
Thanasis Saramourtsis
Nancy Hitzanidou
DATE
26 - 30 October, 2021,
4 nights
CATEGORY
Yoga
Retreat & Teacher Training
PRICE
SHORT OPTION: From 370 Euro
LONG OPTION : From 730 Euro
Our Invitation for You
In an ideal environment, join us in a journey toward our Innermost Self, following the traditional path of Hatha Yoga.
Morning: Ashtanga Vinyasa Mysore practice
Afternoon: Deeper Asana study, inspired from Ashtanga Vinyasa and Vinyasa Krama
Pranayama & Meditation: From the classical yogic text “Hatha Yoga Pradipika” of the 14th cent.
Program Description: Ashtanga and Classical Hatha Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a system of physical postures of Hatha Yoga, intimately linked with the breath, combining specific sequences of postures (asanas), in conjunction with the breath (vinyasa), while maintaining an internal focus of attention (dristhi). Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is traditionally practiced “individually” (Mysore self-practice); in the group, each practitioner is performing the asanas following his/her internal/own rhythm, according to his/her needs and ability, under the guidance of the teacher, being progressively guided to personal development and deeper understanding of he posturtes and the Ashtanga system in total. This unique method has become known under the name of “Mysore style”.
Patanjali’s “Yoga Sutra” form the epitome of this Science of the Soul. In just 195 verses, the sage sheds light on the working of the mind, making these ancient teachings equally relevant -not to say crucial- in our days. In his treatise, the sage Patanjali marked the ways in which the world we live in is being formed in our mind, and determined the path that has to be followed by the practitioner, in order to overcome emotional pain and suffering. As he clearly states in Sutra 2.16: “Future suffering has to be avoided.”
A few words about Tradition of Hatha Yoga
An Immersion into the tradition of Hatha Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, introduced by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is one of the world most renowned systems of Yoga. Inextricably linking physical postures with the breath, in an harmonious and dynamic flow, it is often described as “meditation in motion”. In the morning, it will be practiced in its most traditional form of self-practice, while in the afternoon session, we will delve into the study of each asana, drawing also inspiration from the traditional practice of Vinyasa Krama of Krishnamacharya, and his first book “Yoga Makaranda”. In this book, 96 asanas, which form the bulk of Ashtanga Vinyasa 1st and 2nd series, have been introduced for the first time .
Our immersion into Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga will be complemented by the study (and practice) of the topmost scripture of Classical Yoga, the “Yoga Sutras” of Patanjali, in which the eight-fold path of Yoga, including the Yogin’s ethical precepts, and the practices of Asana, Pranayama and Meditation, have been clearly expounded for the first time in the history of Yoga.
Daily Schedule
• 8:00 – 9:00: Kriya/Pranayama practices – Meditation
• 9:00 – 11:00: Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Practice (Mysore-style and/or Led practice)
• 11:00: Brunch
• 17:30 – 19:00: Ashtanga & Vinyasa Krama Asana study
• 19:00 – 20:00 : Yoga Sutras of Patanjali from a Tantric Liberating View
• 20:00 : Dinner
• 21:00 – 22:00: Satsang, Chanting
By 17:00 (not before 15:00 please)
18:30 Welcome circle… Easy introduction practice, dinner, and early bed time.
Normally after brunch… Latest by noon…
Sometimes we may have to ask for an early room check out by 10.00—11.00am
Hatha Yoga Practice recommended.
A 3-month practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa is a plus, but not a requirement
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois: “Yoga Mala”
Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor: “The Art of Vinyasa”
Any translation or commentary of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Short Biography of the Teacher(s)
Thanasis Saramourtsis
Thanasis began his journey into Yoga in 2006, in Yoga Arts School with Joanna Hatzisavva, after having practiced martial arts for a long time (Kung-Fu, Qi-Qong, Judo). A special stage in this journey has been the acquaintance and systematic involvement with the system of Aṣṭāṅga Vinyasa Yoga, under the guidance of exceptional teachers.
He has attended numerous trainings on many types of modern Yoga, which have infused in him the belief that Yoga is one and –should be– is simple. He has been authorized to teach the 1st and 2nd series of Aṣṭāṅga Vinyasa Yoga by Manju Jois, Aṣṭāṅga Yoga Guru of Mysore, and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois’s eldest son. Another area of exploration is the Vinyasa Krama Yoga method, which he is currently practicing and studying.
Short Biography of the Teacher(s)
Nancy Hitzanidou
Nancy’s deep love for Yoga as a physical exercise, as a philosophy and as a way of life, led her to complete in 2008 the Yoga Alliance 200-hour Teachers Training Program, and subsequently, in 2011, the Yoga Alliance 500-hour Teachers Training Program at NYSY Studios. In 2016, she was certified from the Traditional Yoga Studies Institute (Georg and Brenda Feuerstein), for having completed a 3-year Distance Learning Course (800-hour) in Philosophy and History of Yoga.
Since 2008, she teaches classes, leads workshops, and serves as a faculty for Yoga Teacher Training Programs, in which the physical postures, meditation and applied Yoga Philosophy interweave and inspire each other.
Photo credit: Ioanna Fotiadou
Description of the Retreat
Η Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga είναι ένα σύστημα φυσικών ασκήσεων της Hatha Yoga, συνδεδεμένων με την αναπνοή, που συνδυάζει διαδοχικές ασκήσεις (asana) σε συγχρονισμένη ροή με την αναπνοή (vinyasa) και την εσωτερική εστίαση της προσοχής.
Περιγραφή Προγράμματος
Η Ashtanga παραδοσιακά ασκείται «ατομικά» (Mysore self-practice), όπου ομάδες ασκούμενων εξασκούνται μαζί ακολουθώντας ο καθένας τον δικό του ρυθμό, βάσει των προσωπικών αναγκών και ικανοτήτων τουs υπό την επίβλεψη του δασκάλου, οδηγούμενoι έτσι βαθμιαία στην σταδιακή ανάπτυξη και βαθύτερη κατανόηση των στάσεων. Η μοναδική αυτή μέθοδος έγινε γνωστή ως “Mysore style”.
Τα “Yoga Sutra” του Ινδού σοφού Patanjali αποτελούν την επιτομή αυτής της Επιστήμης της Ψυχής. Μέσα σε 195 μόνον στίχους, ο σοφός αναλύει τη λειτουργία του νού, αναδεικνύοντας τις διδασκαλίες αυτές ως ένα πολύτιμο -έως κρίσιμο- βοήθημα για τον σύγχρονο αναζητητή.
Στην πραγματεία του αυτή, ο σοφός κατέδειξε πώς ο κόσμος στον οποίο ζούμε, κυριολεκτικά διαμορφώνεται μέσα στον νου μας, και καθόρισε το μονοπάτι που πρέπει να ακολουθήσει ο ασκούμενος προκειμένου να απαλλαγεί από τον εσωτερικό πόνο και βάσανα. Όπως αναφέρεται στο Sutra 2.16: «Ο μελλοντικός πόνος πρέπει να αποφευχθεί.»
Κατανοώντας την Αστάγκα
Η Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, που δημιουργήθηκε από τον Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, είναι ένα από τα πιο αναγνωρισμένα σύγχρονα συστήματα Yoga. Συνδέοντας άρρηκτα τις σωματικές στάσεις με την αναπνοή, σε μια αρμονική και δυναμική ροή, συχνά χαρακτηρίζεται ως «διαλογισμός εν κινήσει». Τα πρωινά, θα την ασκούμε στην πιο παραδοσιακή της μορφή, αυτήν της προσωπικής πρακτικής, ενώ τα απογεύματα, θα εμβαθύνουμε στη μελέτη κάθε στάσης ξεχωριστά, αντλώντας επίσης έμπνευση από το σύστημα της Vinyasa Krama του Krishnamacharya και το 1ο βιβλίο του Yoga Makaranda όπου για πρώτη φορά παρουσιάζονται διεξοδικά 95 διαφορετικές asana, που αποτέλεσαν τον προπομπό της 1ης και 2ης σειράς της Ashtanga.
Η εμβάθυνσή μας στην Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga θα ολοκληρωθεί με τη μελέτη και πρακτική του κορυφαίου εγχειριδίου της Κλασικής Yoga, τα περίφημα “Yoga Sutra” του Patanjali. Στο κείμενο αυτό, το οκταμελές γιογκικό μονοπάτι, με τους Ηθικούς Κανόνες του Γιόγκι, και τις πρακτικές της Asana, Pranayama, και Διαλογισμού, παρουσιάστηκαν και αναλύθηκαν για πρώτη φορά στην ιστορία της Yoga.
Value & Prerequisites
LONG OPTION(5 nights)
Euro 730, 5 nights in triple occupancy
Euro 850, 5 nights in double occupancy
Euro 1100 for single occupancy
Short Option 3 nights:
Euro 370, 3 nightsin triple occupancy
Euro 450, 3 nights in double occupancy
Euro 680 for single occupancy
- Accommodations, 6 nights, SHORT OPTION: 4 Nights
- Daily Yoga classes & meditation
- Delicious Vegetarian Brunch Daily and 4 Dinners for the week
- All yoga equipment and accessories
- Biodegradable toiletries
- Transfer to and from Zen Rocks Mani
- Transfers around Zen Rocks and the area
- Additional therapeutic treatments or private yoga sessions where applicable.
Looking forward to welcoming you to Zen Rocks, rediscover yourself in paradise.
ROOM ACCOMMODATIONS
Double Room
Deluxe Triple Room with Sea View. This triple room features a balcony, dining area and minibar. Share a room with two of your friends or two other retreat guests.
Triple Room
Deluxe Triple Room with Sea View. This triple room features a balcony, dining area and minibar. Share a room with two of your friends or two other retreat guests.
Quadruple Room
Deluxe Quadruple Room with Sea View. This quadruple room features a balcony, dining area and minibar. Share a room with three of your friends or three other retreat guests.
