David & Jelena 2025
Workshop: 5 day intensive
We are honoured to welcome for the first time David Robson and Jelena Vesić, two of the most recognized Ashtanga Yoga teachers in the world.
As a student it is a real privilege to be able to host your teachers, and be part of this wonderful path call Parampara ( following the tradition).
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5 days to immerse yourself in the transformative Ashtanga Yoga Sadhana, going beyond the physical shape of the asana to discover or refine this moving meditation practice.
Ashtanga Yoga Intensive includes: Mysore style classes, a led primary series with the traditional Sanskrit count, workshops , meditation, pranayama and the possibility to make this workshop interactif and unique with your questions.
Practitioners of all levels are welcomed , from beginners to experienced.
This is a unique opportunity to learn directly from two highly experienced teachers and to establish some strong foundation in the Ashtanga Yoga and its Tradition.
If you’re new to ashtanga but DON’T know the sequence yet, get in touch.
Planning
WEDNESDAY 28 MAY
6h30
Mysore
13h
Pranayama & Meditation – 45m
David will begin the session by leading you through some gentle pranayama, seated breathing exercises. Jelena will then guide you through a seated Mindfulness Meditation practice.
Les fondamentaux de l'Ashtanga- 2 HRS
The work of physical precision is embodied focus. This workshop will help you sharpen your focus by defining the coordinates and alignment conditions of Ashtanga’s opening sequence of Fundamental Postures
THURSDAY 29 MAY
6h30
Mysore
13h
Pranayama & Meditation – 45m
Knees, hips & forward folds - 2HRS
Ashtanga is full of forward folds and knee bends. Correct technique and alignment is important in order to avoid injuring the hamstrings, lower back, or knees.
FRIDAY 30 MAY
6h30
Mysore
13h
Pranayama & Meditation – 45m
Pain free Backbending - 2HRS
Explore the principles of alignment for Ashtanga’s Primary & Intermediate Series backbends. By learning correct technique for the poses, take the pain out of backbending and allow your body to safely go deeper into the postures.
SATURDAY 31 MAY
7h00
Led full primary series
David and Jelena will lead you through Ashtanga’s Primary Series with the traditional Sanskrit count, and include some detailed instructions along the way.
9h00
Pranayama & Meditation – 45m
13h
Jump Backs and jump Throughs
Explore the principles of alignment for Ashtanga’s Primary & Intermediate Series backbends. By learning correct technique for the poses, take the pain out of backbending and allow your body to safely go deeper into the postures.
SUNDAY JUNE 1ST
7h00
Mysore
11h00
Pranayama & Meditation – 45m
Alignment & assists – 2h
Physical adjustments are one of the cornerstones of studying and teaching the Ashtanga tradition. In this workshop we will explore some ideas and actions for assisting different postures in the Ashtanga practice. This workshop is open to teachers and non-teachers who want to learn about the postures from a different perspective
13h00
Q&R-30min
A chance to ask Jelena and David questions about topics covered over the weekend, or anything else you want to know about Ashtanga.
REGISTRATION AVAILABLE FROM 1/08/2024
FULL INTENSIVE: 610€
EARLY BIRD for payment by
NOVEMBER 20th: 570€
We strongly advise you if at all possible, to book the full event, as we can not guarantee there will be spots available in individual sessions later on, because David and Jelena always sell out very quickly.
If availability allows us, we will open the weekend only and single workshops tickets closer to the date.
SINGLE WORKSHOP: 80€
SINGLE MYSORE 60€
SINGLE LED 60€
The registration fee already paid is neither refundable nor transferable.
DAVID ROBSON
David is a practitioner and teacher of Ashtanga Yoga, in the tradition of Sharath Yoga Centre (SYC). David is the director of the Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto, where he leads one of the world’s largest Mysore programs outside of India.
David began a daily practice in 1998 while at university studying Comparative Religion. After graduating, David made his first trip to Mysore, India in 2002, where he initiated studies with his teacher Sharath Jois. Since then he has returned to Mysore annually to deepen and enrich his practice and teaching.
In 2007, David was Authorized to teach Ashtanga and now holds a level 2 authorization.
David has become well-known on social media for his educational and entertaining yes/no tutorials. Through these videos he's become one of the most recognized and respected Ashtanga Yoga teachers worldwide.
David teaches the morning mysore program at Ashtanga Toronto, and leads workshops and retreats around the world with his wife Jelena.
JELENA VESIČ
After four years of doing her PhD (Political Science, York University, Toronto), Jelena decided to walk away and dedicate herself to teaching Ashtanga Yoga full time. She’s been teaching since 2014, and is now leading the evening Mysore program at AYCT. Alongside her husband, David Robson, Jelena teaches workshops and retreats in Toronto and around the world.
Jelena first came to yoga through dance. As a former ballet dancer of 16 years, the structure and rigour of the Ashtanga Yoga practice felt like home. Drawn to the discipline, mindfulness of the movement and emphasis on the breath, Jelena made the Ashtanga practice her sole focus in 2009.
Jelena has maintained a daily Ashtanga practice for over a decade. She’s made many trips to Mysore, India to study with her teacher, Sharath Jois. In addition, Jelena also considers herself to be a student of Jack Kornfield, a Buddhist teacher and clinical psychologist. She’s completed his and Tara Brach’s “The Power of Awareness” course and their two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program.
Lastly, Jelena’s true passion lies in promoting rescue and adoption of (street) dogs. You can often find her sharing her love for #adoptdontshop on her IG, and sharing the joys of living with her two fur-babies, Goku and Khani, both celebrities in their own right.