Yoga and breath – “The essence of life”
6x Tuesdays at 18.00 – 19.50 in ESPOO, 25.4. -30.5.2023
All sessions are recorded on video – in case you cannot make it class (watchable only for course participants)
Ashtanga asana practice, prānāyāma/breathwork, philosophy and theory (hatha yoga pradipika, sutras + other literature)
FULLY BOOKED
Ashtanga yoga
We practice Ashtanga yoga, with selected asanas from both primary- and intermediate series, and some other hatha yoga practices as well.
All sessions are 1h 50min and includes: yoga asana practice (~70 minutes led ashtanga yoga) and breathwork practice and theory (~30-40 minutes).
Breathwork & prānāyāma
Apart from studying the theory and philosophy of prānāyāma, you will learn how to use your breath in the asana practice to not only create a more calm atmosphere in the mind and releasing excessive tension in the body, but also to create more strength, focus, and use the breath to move with ease.
Learning to consciously use your breath in daily life is also vital if you are suffering from anxiety or stress related symptoms.
Requirements
You do not need any prior experience in ashtanga yoga to join, but previous experience in ashtanga yoga will be beneficial. Anyone who is interested in a physical yoga practice and philosophy can join.
In my teaching style I teach healthy set-ups for each pose (for all levels), so that you get versatile and beneficial asana practice on a whole.
Introduction for beginners (0€)
If you have never practiced ashtanga yoga, you must attend the introduction before the first session on Tuesday the 25th of April at 17.00 – 18.00.
If you can practice the Surya Namaskar A on your own, then you do not need the introduction.
Course schedule
Risk-free: All sessions are recorded on video, and watchable after 1-2 days online – in case you cannot make it to class.
Tuesday 25th of April 2023
17.00 – 18.00 – Intro for beginners (mandatory if you have never practiced ashtanga yoga)
18.10 – 19.20 – 70 minute ashtanga yoga practice – Primary series on focus part I
19.20 – 20.00 – Prānāyāma introduction and practice – Begin to deepen your breath – 3 step breathing
Tuesday 2nd of May 2023
18.00 – 19.10 – 70 minute ashtanga yoga practice – Primary series on focus part II
19.10 – 19.50 – Prānāyāma practice and discussion – The basics of prānāyāma, reechaka, puuraka, kumbhaka – slowing down the breath
Tuesday 9th of May 2023
18.00 – 19.20 – 70 minute ashtanga yoga practice – The backbends of the second series part I
19.20 – 19.50 – Prānāyāma practice and discussion – Finding the bandhas – Uddiyana kriya
Tuesday 16th of May 2023
18.00 – 19.20 – 70 minute ashtanga yoga practice – The backbends of the second series part II
19.20 – 19.50 – Prānāyāma practice and discussion – Finding the bandhas – Moola bandha, the master key
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
18.00 – 19.20 – 75 minute ashtanga yoga practice – The twists of the second series
19.20 – 19.50 – Prānāyāma practice and discussion – Prānāyāma sequence: Anuloma & viloma -ujjayi prānāyāma.
Tuesday 30th of May 2023
18.00 – 19.20 – 70 minute ashtanga yoga practice – Fun stuff 🙂
19.20 – 19.50 – Prānāyāma practice and discussion – Prānāyāma sequence: Anuloma, viloma & pratiloma -ujjayi prānāyāma. Long practice.
Shala etiquette – for the consideration of your fellow students
Calm atmosphere 😌
We try to keep a quiet and calm atmosphere in the yoga shala, and keep every day conversations and chatter to a minimum in the practice space. Ideally the yoga shala is a clean and neutral space for you to enter, where you can focus on your spiritual practice.
No perfumes 🛀 !IMPORTANT!
Avoid using perfumes and any strong deodorants in the shala. Washing yourself before practice, and practice in clean clothes is good enough 👌. A mild or close to fragrance-free deodorant is nice. When you bring your own blanket, try to find one that is close to fragrance-free.
Many people, especially people with allergies, may experience the breathing practice as difficult with strong perfumes in the room, and may even trigger anxiety symptoms and attacks.
Be on time ⏱️
Should you be late, enter and calmly join the practice. It’s no biggie. The teacher will show you a spot for your mat.
Meet your teacher
Alex is a Swedish-speaking Finn and father of two, who started practicing yoga at home around 2012, and has been practicing and teaching hatha and vinyasa yoga since 2014 (Seasonal Yoga). In 2015 Alex became a certified hatha yoga teacher and founded Raseborgs Yogaskola, now called Yogashala Raseborg.
During the summer of 2015 Alex fell in love with the depth of the ashtanga yoga practice in 2015 with his teachers in Helsingin Astanga Joogakoulu in their summer camp in Houtskari (Petri Räisänen & Juha Javanainen). Ever since Alex makes sure not to miss any of their traditional Ashtanga summer camps.
Alex has been teaching over 3000 hours of yoga classes with a wide range of people, while managing Raseborgs Yogaskola, and has actively been practicing with different world renowned teachers on different workshop, such as Eddie Stern, Kino McGregor, Simon Borg-Olivier, and also online courses with David Garrigues.
“In my teaching style I teach healthy set-ups for each pose (for all levels), so that you get versatile and beneficial asana practice on a whole. The practice is all about you as a student of yoga and life.
To me it’s important that the practices are taught in a safe, healthy and effective way for each student. The idea of “gatekeeper” poses do not exist in my teaching.
I believe that we as yoga teachers need to understand that all people are different, and to embrace, or celebrate, the movement patterns of each individual.
You will learn to turn your senses inward (pratyāhāra), improve your focus and learn to practice to the rhythm of your own breath. The meditation and concentration makes the practice meaningful, and is a gateway to your inner dimensions. A yoga practice should be a practice in concentration and meditation. In ashtanga and hatha yoga we use our bodies to achieve this practice.”
PRICING
Full course (6 classes / 11 hours): 180€
Drop-in 1h50min session: 36€ (if spots available)
NO RISK – All sessions on video
Due to separate renting of the yoga shala in Kauklahti, we cannot offer any refunds on your payments in case you cannot make it to class. All sessions will be recorded on video available 1-2 days after each session, which is convenient should you fall ill or be absent for other reasons (travel etc). The videos are not published publicly, and are only viewable for the course participants. The camera is filming mainly the teacher, and possible someone in the front row is visible from time to time.
TEACHING LANGUAGE
Main teaching language is English, but you can speak and ask questions in Swedish and Finnish as well.
VENUE
Anandamaya Yoga & Wellness Studio in Kauklahti (Köklax) Espoo.
Address: Emil Halmeen tie 1F, 02780 Espoo (Kauklahti)
TEACHER
Alex Lemberg
Registration / Sign-up form
You will receive an invoice or payment instructions 1-2 days after registration, which should be paid within 7 banking days, or on the same day as the course begins, whichever comes first. Your spot is secured upon successful payment.