Wayne Krassner's Introduction to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a very thorough and technically detailed instruction course.

The course builds slowly and progressively through the poses and movements to lay the foundation for a smart, strong and lasting practice.

Perfect for beginners and excellent refresher for intermediate to advanced students

 

Ideally the complete intro course requires about 12 x 2 hour sessions but can be offered for less weeks with less content. Sample course ‘The Basics’ a 4 week course covers the sessions 1-3

Each 2 hour session is designed to optimize the receiving of information and the integrating it into experience.

 

Course agenda:

1. Theory: 

The course starts with a delineation of the theory of Ashtanga Yoga, the eight limbs and the practical elements of Tristhana: Asana, Vinyasa and Dristhi   1 - 2 hour session                                                                                                                                            

All sessions will detail the proper alignment, vinyasa and dristhi for each and every pose. Modifications will be offered adapting the practice for all levels.

 

2. Surya Namaskar A + B.    

The day begins with the sun and so does the practice. Sun salutes are a dynamic sequence of movements that warm up the body making it light and luminescent. There are 2 variations of Surya Namaskar/Sun Salutation A + B.         2 hours

 

3. Opening Postures:                                                                                                                                

Once the body is warmed up practice moves into a set of poses know as opening poses. This session will begin with Sun Salutes and introduce one by one all of the opening poses. Padangusthasana; Padahastasana; Trikonasana A + B; Parsvakonasana A + B; Prasarita Padottonasana A, B, C, D; Parsvatonasana.                                                  

2 sessions 2 hour each

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4. Primary / 1st Series Begins                                                                                                          

Ashtanga yoga is divided into 6 progressive sequences each theoretically more difficult and subtle. The 1st / Primary series known as Yoga Chiktsa / Yoga Therapy works to create healthy muscular and bone structure developing good posture and energetic flow. Primary Series begins after opening poses: Utitha Hasta Padangusthasana; Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana; Utkatasana; Virrabhadrasana A + B

2 hours

 

5. Seated Poses Part 1.                                                                                                                              

The bulk of Primary series is a seated and supine sequence of poses linked with 3 elements / poses of the Sun Salute to maintain the heat and flow of the practice. Dandasana; Paschimattonasana A, B + C; Purvottanasana; Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimattonasana; Tiriang Mukha Eka Pada Paschimattonasana.                                            

2 hours

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6. Seated Poses Part 2. Janusirsasana A, B + C; Marichyasana A, B, C, + D;  Navasana:  Up to Navasana the sequence is considered 'Half Primary'series.

2 hours

 

7. Ashtanga Primary / 1st Series is commonly divided in two parts and when guided for beginners it is know as half primary, after that is the second half of poses that are a bit more challenging. Bujapidasana; Kurmasana + Supta Kurmasana; Garbha Pindasana; Baddha Konasana; Upavishta Konasana A + B; Supta Konasana; Supta Hasta Padangusthasana; Ubhaya Padangusthasana; Urdhva Mukha Paschimattonasana; Setu Bhandhasana.                    

2 sessions 2 hour each

 

8.Finishing Postures                                                                                                                                  

Urdhva Dhanurasana; Salambha Sarvangasana; Halasana; Karna Pidasana; Urhdva Padmasana; Pindasana; Matsyasana; Uttana Padasana; Sirsasana; Balasana; Baddha Padmasana; Yoga Mudrasana; Padmasana; Tolasana

2 sessions 2 hour each ​