Ashtanga Retreat in Turkey with Adam Keen

SATURDAY AUGUST 3RD TO 10TH, 2024

Ashtanga Yoga From The Inside Out

Join Adam Keen for this Ashtanga retreat in Turkey in the charming town of Alacati. Adam talks quite freely about the history as well as the modern inception and influences upon the practice of Ashtanga. While appreciating the tradition based on his own years spent in Mysore, he is convinced that the practice needs to be made to work for individuals and not vice versa.

It must make life easier, more comfortable, not harder! There is a way to practice that’s equally dynamic and effective for progress yet safe, gentle, effective, and suited to the uniqueness of each body.  Adam’s retreat will show you how to incorporate these principles in this unique setting.

You can expect:

• A friendly and inclusive group with a range of ages and abilities.
• To make new discoveries in your practice
• Delicious and nutritious meals.
• Lots of laughs.
• To be surprised by the astounding healing nature of this area of Izmir
• To make new friends and engage with a support group.
• To return with renewed enthusiasm and energy for your practice.

All levels of practitioners are welcome - from beginners to advanced.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

Brunch 10.30 a.m.

Dinner 6.30 p.m.

Mysore:  Sunday to Friday, 6.30 to 9.00 a.m.

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. Adam is happy if you need practice sheets, or he or Theresa will show you the postures.

Sunday, 4.00 to 5.30 pm: Fundamentals of An Effective Practice

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 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.

Monday, 4.00 to 5.30 pm: 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.

Tuesday, 4.00 to 5.30 pm: Hip Openers for all Levels

The hips are the foundation of the yoga practice, without exaggeration, every asana targets them. However, in terms of opening the hips, it's not the as we think of them as being in the front for doing lotus or getting knees to the floor in badha konasana.

It is actually the back of the hips we are looking to work with. In other words, the sacrum area. This is more subtle than the external rotation of the hip joint. In this workshop we will look carefully at the effective work to be found here, whether your challenge is lotus, marichyasana D or leg(s) behind head, you will find a new approach to solving your personal challenge.

Thursday, 4.00 to 5.30 pm:  The Meaning of Tradition

A run-through of the modern history of asana and the more recent tradition of Pattabhi Jois’ Ashtanga yoga. Just because what we practice may be more recent than we think, it does not render it less valid. Rather, it allows us to see what we want to keep as effective, and what was political, cultural, or circumstantial that is now confusing or surfeit to purpose.

 Friday: Open Q & A (recorded)

An open discussion on the workshops and anything else that’s on your mind.  A hugely enjoyable finale where Adam always talks honestly about his own background, experiences in practice, and what his practice has evolved to as well as giving his ideas (and often further resource tips), on all the questions you bring to the table.

Alaçati

Alaçati is a super cute town with a laid-back atmosphere on the Çeşme Peninsula to the west of Izmir. It is one of the most traditional towns in Turkey, with narrow, cobbled streets, colourful houses, vintage boutiques, antique shops, and cafes with tables on the streets. The area is also home to the Alaçatı yacht marina and the famous Port Alaçatı development.

This is an ideal setting to relax, unwind and people-watch during your time away from the mat. It is just a short drive or cycle ride to some good beaches on the coast which are known for windsurfing.