What it is
This is a very unique and wonderful opportunity to retreat with one of the most respected and experienced ashtanga yoga teachers and to share this week with other dedicated practitioners from all over the world!We are very honored to share this week of ashtanga yoga at the beautiful Mandali retreat centre with Eddie and Jocelyne Stern. They are the co-founders of Ashtanga Yoga New York, the Brooklyn Yoga Club and the Brooklyn Ganesha Temple. They studied under Ashtanga Yoga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois from 1991 until his passing in 2009. Eddie has published several books on Pattabhi Jois and Ashtanga Yoga, including a translation of Pattabhi Jois’s 1960 treatise, Yoga Mala. Jocelyne and Eddie continue to study with Pattabhi Jois’s grandson and successor, Paramaguru R. Sharath Jois.
This retreat is a great opportunity to experience the true and pure essence of this uniquely comprehensive system of yoga, under the guidance of these highly recognized teachers of Ashtanga Yoga who embody an authentic expression of how eastern wisdom can be relevant to our western lives.
In their first ever week-long retreat, Eddie and Jocelyne will focus on teaching the basic and foundational principles of yoga as a healing practice, one that helps to release long-held emotions and fixed ideas, builds vitality and positivity, and leads us to live in alignment with the deeper purpose of our lives.
The topics that we will discuss during the daily lectures will use the principle of kriya yoga, or the three practices that reduce our mental blockages, as our format. These three are physical practices like asanas and pranayama, breathing practices that include chanting, and meditations that help us examine our emotional bodies. Our entire existence is an experience in consciousness, and each of these three practices examine this idea in practical ways, so that our experience of our true self becomes more pronounced, or more profound.
Each day we will have Mysore practice, pranayama, meditation, chanting, lectures, and yoga therapy, through the different periods of the day. There will be plenty of time for asking questions, and as the group size is limited, more time for talking, investigating, and exploring inwardly. Beginning students who have limited experience in Ashtanga Yoga are also welcome.
Suggested Program
SUGGESTED PROGRAMArrival day (Friday 24 August)
14:30 Arrival and check-in
17:30 - 18:30 Welcome & Ganesh Puja
19:00 - 20:00 Dinner
Daily Schedule (from Saturday 25 to Wednesday 29 August)
6:15 - 7:00 Morningmeditation and chanting of Shanti Mantras
7:00 - 10:00 Mysore practice
10:00 - 10:30- Breakfast
10:30 - 12:00 Chanting & Philosophy
13:00 - 16:30 Lunch and Free Time
16:30 - 18:30 Lecture - Therapy class - Pranayama
19:00 - 20:00 Dinner and rest
Departure day ( Thursday 30 August)
6:15 - 7:00 Morning chanting of Shanti Mantras and Pranayma
7:00 - 10:00 Mysore practice
10:00 - 10:30- Breakfast
10:30 - 11:30 Closing Puja
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
14:30 Departure