SUMMER IMMERSION

SINTRA, PORTUGAL

JUNE 16 -JULY 12, 2024

The space we hold as teachers can be only as open and supportive as the space that we hold for ourselves. For genuine yoga to happen, our space must be warmed by the natural generosity of our hearts and brightened by the innate clarity of our minds. Then we can welcome others into that same space, where we can relate to them openly, naturally, as mutual friends and lovers of yoga. This is what teaching yoga is all about.

In this program, we practice listening to the natural wisdom of our bodies, and settling into the open space of our hearts. And from within this space, where we all have to room to breathe, we explore the somatic practices of asana, pranayama, chanting and meditation - not as performative rituals, but as ways of contemplating the wonder of our embodiment, and allowing our minds to unravel.

We study yoga from anatomical, psychological, philosophical and spiritual points of view. We trace the connections between these perspectives, and back to our own experiences, while refining our practical techniques of assisting, adjusting, and adapting yoga practices to unique bodies and circumstances. Through this process, we broaden our perspective on the meaning of yoga, and we dramatically enhance our abilities to teach.

program

This course is designed for those who practice in the self-directed “Mysore” style of Ashtanga, but who are open to the integration of related vinyasa-krama sequencing into the same space. In our workshops, we will explore the intelligent adaptation of the Ashtanga Vinyasa system, but also explore some sequencing from outside the Ashtanga syllabus, in order to broaden and enrich our offerings as teachers.

This month-long immersion allows us to reach beyond the cursory explanations and sweeping ideas of shorter workshops to touch the cusp of focus, precision, and immediacy that teaching requires. This is an opportunity for us to immerse together in the space of yoga, in the common ground of our breathing bodies, and to share that space consciously, while honing our abilities to share.

My intention in offering this program is to provide a space to which we, as devoted students and teachers, can return again and again, to share our inspirations and insights, to sharpen our skills and knowledge, and to refresh our passion for yoga.

schedule

The program is organized into four full practice weeks. At a glance:

Sunday-Thursday (7am-1pm)

Friday (7am-10am)

Saturday (off)

Typical Day

7:00-9:00 - mysore

9:00-9:30 - break

9:30-11:30 - alignment/assisting lab

11:30-12:00 - break

12:00-1:00 - pranayama/philosophy/chanting

Guided classes will be held on Fridays. Saturdays will be off for resting.

venue

Our immersion will be held in a quiet, spacious yoga shala, made of wood and metal and glass, nestled in a beautiful, protected piece of forest on the edge of the old center of Sintra. This is an extraordinary venue in an enchanted and historical city, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to spend a month here with you. Sintra has a full spectrum of options for accommodation (and Lisbon is very near and accessible as well), so you are sure to find something that works for you.

requisites

To take this immersion, you must be an impassioned yoga practitioner, grounded in a daily self-directed “Mysore-style” asana practice. Also, you must have an open mind and be ready to look at your actual relationship to yoga, and to your body, with open eyes. Beyond that, there are no requirements of proficiency or aptitude, or credential, and people with unique conditions and injuries are absolutely welcome to join.

enrollment

Space is strictly limited to 25 people. As this immersion is about sharing a space of intimacy and evolving together as a group, there are no partial enrollments. In other words, we kindly invite you to commit to the full four weeks of the course. (Of course, missing a day here or there for personal reasons is fine.). Because we end each day at 1pm, many students work remotely in the afternoon.

tuition

Tuition is €2800 until Feb 1, thereafter it’s €3200. To reserve your space, make a €600 EUR deposit, then pay the remaining balance by April 19. To register or inquire, email Rachel by clicking the button below.