Ashtanga Workshop in Melbourne with Adam Keen

January 13th and 14th, 2024

This is Adam's first time in Australia and he is really looking forward to it.  The workshop is organised by The Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Melbourne.

The Tip of The Iceberg: Ashtanga from The Inside Out 

The method of Ashtanga is often considered to be about the degree of determination one can exert in squeezing oneself into increasingly demanding postures.

However, this is neither effective nor person-centred. Instead, there is another approach; one where the shape is not the primary concern, but rather the cultivation of an internal method behind the shape.

Once that is implemented, the shape follows on naturally and comfortably as it should for each individual without struggle. And the practice is also more effective and sustainable over the long term.

Saturday, January 13th

7.00 – 9.00 Mysore

Adam teaches traditionally as he learned and experienced it in Mysore, defined by subtle, inner techniques. Following the sequences as they are in Mysore, adaptations will be given to keep you moving forward.

Practitioners will be approached individually and offered a gentle and holistic approach to physical assistance (if you want that).  All are welcome to the Mysore class, there is no problem if you need practice sheets to follow along with.

9:30 - 11:00 Fundamentals

The building blocks of the work in asana are deeper than just making shapes. Using asanas from the primary series Adam will show how you can move forward in all of the series’ effectively and safely. We will discuss using active as opposed to passive stretches and how to best work with them using right tension to set up with forces structured within the body.

12.00 - 13:30 Jump Through & Jump Back

Jump through and jump back are more than just for fun, they engage the core and use the breath in the most basic way.  Everyone can attain some form of this movement instead of skipping or ignoring it and get the benefits, which are great.

These movements are more important than the postures they link together. Firstly, because it is an incredibly efficient movement through which to mobilise the shoulder blades (which are the seat of our functional mobility). Second, because of its effect on the digestive system, the seat of our organic health.

This doesn’t mean we have to be floating back and forth necessarily (though with these tips we may build up to it). Through understanding the basic components, which can be done by everyone, we can each develop our version of it.

Sunday, January 13th

7.00 – 9.00 am Mysore

Adam teaches traditionally as he learned and experienced it in Mysore, defined by subtle, inner techniques. Following the sequences as they are in Mysore, adaptations will be given to keep you moving forward.

Practitioners will be approached individually and offered a gentle and holistic approach to physical assistance (if you want that).  All are welcome to the Mysore class, there is no problem if you need practice sheets to follow along with.

10:30-12.00 Backbends
In changing one’s mentality towards what we are doing here to ‘front-stretching’ rather than ‘back bending’, we can make these postures comfortable where we may have thought this was impossible.

The workshop will focus on the backbend that comes at the end of the Primary Series and the gentler backbends we find at the start of the Intermediate series. Indeed, originally, urdhva dhanurasana came after these postures - only after students had gone through all the intermediate series.  You may be surprised at how a small switch of focus and a few tips may make all the difference here

13.00 – 14.00 Practice chat + Q&A
We will discuss together the roots of modern asana and then how this relates and intertwines with the roots of Ashtanga yoga. Then, how the tradition of Ashtanga yoga has evolved to get to where it has today.

Bookings managed by Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Melbourne.

Adam Keen Bio

Adam has been practising yoga since 1999 and teaching since 2004. He is one of only a few students to have completed the Advanced A series in Mysore with Sharathji and received Level 2 Authorisation in 2012.

Equally at home teaching all levels, he gives all students attention and interest. He is democratic in his approach and kind and believes that the practice should not feel like a test. Coming from an academic background in philosophy and a professional one as a chef, he is knowledgeable, practical, and relatable in his approach. Many consider him humorous too.

Adam and his wife Theresa run the online yoga platform Keen on Yoga and he hosts the Keen on Yoga Podcast & YouTube channel, interviewing many of the world’s most renowned Ashtanga teachers and philosophical academics.

Instagram: @adam_keen_ashtanga & @keen_on_yoga