David Swenson returns to PURE for Ashtanga Yoga Workshops & 40hr Teacher Training! Don't miss the opportunity to learn from a yoga luminary!
David is recognized as one of the world’s foremost practitioners and instructors of Ashtanga Yoga. All of his courses are presented in a supportive and compassionate fashion making it accessible to all levels of practitioners to participate. David is known for his ability to modify the Ashtanga practice with grace and good-humor. Join us for a weekend of exploration of this flowing, liberating practice (April 5-7).
Friday, April 5 @ 6-8:00pm Fully Led Primary Series Flow - $50 - SOLD OUT!
Dancing with the Breath in a First Series Rhythm
This class is designed for those already familiar with the First Series of Ashtanga Yoga yet it is open to all levels of proficiency from the daily-practicing aficionados to the novice fit-it-in-when-I-can weekend warriors and everyone in between. The class will be conducted like a choreographed dance flowing all of the way from the opening sun salutations to the closing savasana. David will spend time at the beginning of class to introduce alternatives to some of the more challenging asanas as well as offer user-friendly vinyasa options. Class will be followed by an open discussion allowing students to ask David questions about any topics of interest.
Required Items: Mat and Breath
Saturday, April 6 @ 8:30-11:30am Half & Half Fun Fest - $60
Half First Series and Half Second Series Makes for Full Fun
This class is a talk-through of Half of Primary Series and Half of Intermediate Series. In Ashtanga the traditional approach for entering the Intermediate Series is to use the Primary Series as a yogic springboard to propel the student forward. Intermediate Series can be intimidating yet David has a way of presenting it in an accessible and engaging manner. Those that feel a bit uncertain about taking that first step into the realms of the Intermediate Series will find comfort in knowing that David always keeps it Fun, Safe and Incredibly Informative as he guides the group along in a compassionate and thoughtful manner using the first half of Primary Series as a wonderful gateway into Intermediate.
Come and experience the joy and wonder of exploring new asanas or deepening awareness and ability for the ones you are already familiar with!
Saturday, April 6 @ 1:30-4:00pm Scorpions, Peacocks and Insects that fly. Oh My! - $50
Exploring the Asana Jungle and the Animals Within
It would appear as though the first yogis observed nature to gain inspiration and insight into their development of asanas and yoga itself. There is a wonderful ‘zoological’ component to many asanas such as the Peacock, Scorpion, Frog, Crane, Dog, Flying Insect, Crocodile, Horse and many more. In this class David will present ways to approach these amazing creatures with care, wonder and joy through partner work and individual flow. He is open to any suggestions of ‘animal’ postures that the participants may want to explore as well. This class is really fun and sure to put a smile on your face. Of course if there are “non-animal” asanas of interest we can explore those as well :)
The Wild and Wonderful Asana Animals are Waiting for You!
Sunday, April 7 @ 8:30-11:30am Intermediate Series for FUN! - $60
Experience a Compassionate Presentation of Intermediate Series
Many people are frightened of or intimidated by the Intermediate Series of Ashtanga yet it is truly one of the most fun and exciting sequences! David will present the asanas with great compassion, patience and humor. This class is designed for experienced Ashtanga practitioners yet is open to anyone wishing to explore this dynamic routine. David will methodically work through the entire series offering options and user-friendly alternatives as he goes. Class will be followed by an open discussion allowing students to ask David questions about any topics of interest.
Sunday, April 7 @ 1:30-4:00pm Tools, Talents & Techniques for Teachers - $50
Presenting Yoga to the Individual for Health, Healing and Happiness
It is quite easy to teach someone that already knows how to do something. It only requires a verbal command and then waiting for the action to take place. But is that really teaching? Actual teaching requires specialized skill sets in order to apply the yoga to the needs of each individual. Every class that we teach can be considered a mixed-level class. This means special attention needs to be paid to those that are not readily able to do an asana or grasp an instruction. This requires patience, insight, sensitivity, experience and the ability to communicate clearly. Teachers need to be ready to deal with any circumstance that they are confronted with. It is our duty to find a way to present the yoga to anyone that is interested. Ashtanga is not meant to be some kind of elite fitness program just for people with two arms, two legs and a strong, flexible body. Pattabhi Jois once worked with a quadriplegic boy in Mysore. He did not refuse him due to limitation.
This class will look at ways to work with both people with a healthy body as well as those with injuries or special conditions that limit their ability. By learning to recognize the inherent lines of energy in an asana a teacher can discover ways of bringing the student into harmony with those lines while also working within the realms of their limitations and abilities. This will be done through Q and A to explore specific conditions and situations as well as practical work with partners to apply the techniques.
This class is great for teachers or those just wanting to gain more insights into personal practice or helping others with theirs.
April 8-14 | Primary Series Teacher Training
This 40-hour course is designed as an intensive immersion into the teaching techniques of the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga.
Early Bird Rate (before January 31) $1195
Regular Rate (after January 31) $1295
Schedule
Monday, April 8 - 8:30 - 11:45 am & 1:45 - 4:15 pm
Tuesday, April 9 - Friday, April 12 - 8:30 - 11:30 am & 1:15 - 4:15 pm
Saturday, April 13 - 8a-12p and 1:30 - 3:30p
Sunday, April 14 - 8a-12p
Are you a yoga teacher or simply want a deeper immersion? Stay for the 40-hour Teacher Training course immediately following (April 8-14). This course will cover the teaching techniques of the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga. The participants will learn safe and effective hands-on adjustments through partner work for all of the asanas, practicalities of conducting a class and yoga theory. This is a deep immersion into the details underlying the practice and teaching of Ashtanga Yoga. During the course all participants will be engaged in teaching and adjusting each other through. It is a fun and energizing experience. There is a wealth of invaluable knowledge to be learned and tools for practice to be gained by all attending.
Participants should have a consistent personal practice of Ashtanga Yoga and understand the flow and sequencing of the primary series asanas. The course is not designed as an avenue to learn the sequence but rather to teach Ashtanga Yoga or to deepen an existing practice.
As in all courses run by David there is sure to be plenty of laughter and joy woven into the experience. Many previous participants have commented about learning more than they’d ever imagined possible in a weeklong course while having so much fun in the process.
Don’t miss this opportunity!
Please note: no refunds will be issued for special events/classes. Thank you for your understanding!