Yoga Retreat

Ashtanga Yoga & Active Isolated Stretching: Wisdom & Science

May 14 - 21, 2011

with Adarsh & Heleen Williams

About the Retreat

The morning program will include a mixture of Guided and Mysore Style Ashtanga Class.

Afternoon Program will focus on Anatomy of Yoga and Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) Workshops. For each session we will draw from variations of basic, intermediate and advanced yoga postures, giving yogis a useful tool in the refinement of their practice. Students will apply the AIS techniques to a large variety of postures including twists, back bends, forward bends, side bends, standing, inverted, and arm balancing.

Ashtanga Yoga & Active Isolated Stretching: Wisdom & Science

Traditional Yoga teaches us to use the vehicle of body, breath, and mind to overcome the inherent obstacles created by those same elements. That is "using a thorn to remove a thorn." This retreat is aimed at giving additional insight into our practice especially through a scientific approach to body, breath, and meditation.

As animals, the human being is quite unique in that our bodies become stiff and weak as we age. Of course there are many contributing factors to this such as diet, stress, and sedentary lifestyle. But isn't it strange that some people, even those practicing yoga never seem to get past a certain plateau?

Active Isolated Stretching works with the body's natural intelligence to safely elongate muscle and deep myofascial tissue. Using precise bodily positioning, AIS isolates specific muscles for a stretch lasting no more than 2 seconds (yes, 2 seconds!). This 2 second stretch allows for optimal flow of blood, oxygen and nourishment without triggering the protective contraction of the muscle avoiding painful tears caused by prolonged static stretching. The stretch is repeated up to 10 times to gradually increase mobility in the muscle and joint. The isolated contraction builds specific muscle tone and strength and trains muscles to fire in the correct patterns therefore increasing bodily awareness and coordination.

Students of yoga benefit from learning the method of AIS:

• greater isolated flexibility
• greater isolated strength
• greater body awareness
• address common postural misalignment
• repair injured muscles, open joints, and break up scar tissue
• awaken dormant or atrophied muscles
• blind spots in practice may be identified and addressed
• gain an intuitive sense of alignment in yoga postures

This workshop will teach you how to isolate, stretch, and strengthen virtually every muscle of the body. You may expect a course in essential muscular anatomy along with detailed instruction in complete Active Isolated Stretching routines for upper and lower body and discover how AIS complements yoga postures and vinyasa.

Workshop 1: Upper body part 1 - "How to Loosen up your Neck & Shoulders"
neck flexors, extensors, side flexors, rotators, sternocleidomastoid, jaw/tmj pectorals, deltoids, biceps, rotator cuff, rhomboids, latasimus dorsi, serratus anterior, trapezius, levator scapula

Workshop 2: Lower body part 1 - "How to Open your Hamstrings, Psoas & Back"
Pelvic floor, psoas, gluteals, hamstrings, hip rotators, leg adductors/abductors, IT band, quadriceps, abs + obliques, erector spinae (back), respiratory diaphragm

Workshop 3: Lower body part 2 - "Happy Feet"
review of lower body part 1. calf, Achilles tendon, tibialis anterior (shin), ankle invertor/evertor, foot pronators/supinators, toes

Workshop 4: Upper body part 2 - "Relief for the Wrists and Hands"
review of upper body part 1. Elbow flexors, biceps, triceps, forearm supinators/pronators, wrist flexors/extensors, thumb, fingers

Workshop 5 : Integration of Previous Workshops

This course is open to all levels of students.

About the Teachers

Adarsh teaches a contemplative style of yoga that embraces both modern innovation and traditional wisdom. Since 1995, Adarsh has been engaged in the field of natural healing and has received certifications in therapeutic massage and active isolated stretching. He continues as a student of Ashtanga Yoga and its sister sciences of Sanskrit, Ayurveda, and Bhakti. Adarsh has continuously traveled to Asia since 2001 for study and pilgrimage and has received teaching Authorization by his late Guruji Shri. K Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Adarsh directs the Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Palo Alto, CA specializing in progressive instruction for beginner through advanced levels.

Through in depth study of human anatomy and physiology and formal training as a massage therapist, Adarsh is highly regarded for his sensitive yet deep adjusting style. He has experience working with a wide variety of students of diverse abilities, ages, and backgrounds. With a deeply held belief that anyone can develop a personal yoga practice, Adarsh is an energetic teacher who infuses his enthusiasm for practice and hard work in his students.

Heleen started practicing yoga in 1992 during college in the Netherlands. For 8 years she practiced Sivananda Yoga and eventually completed the TTC (teacher training course) at the ashram in upstate New York.

Shortly after, Heleen moved to London to pursue life as a yoga teacher which in turn led her to a position of General Manager at one of London's best known dance and holistic centres. During this time she studied Ashtanga Yoga with Liz Lark and John Scott. John inspired her to go to Mysore and study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. After meeting Guruji on his world tour in 2001 she traveled to India the following year to study at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute and has been to India many times since.

Most recently Heleen has trained and completed her certification in Japanese Restorative Therapy.

Heleen and Adarsh live in Palo Alto CA where they run their Ashtanga Yoga Shala and live life with their two children Evan and Maya. They co-teach many of their classes and aim to give students a foundation in traditional yoga, which is practical and non-dogmatic. Both are skilled in verbal and manual adjustments and have the ability to convey the essence of the practice whether it be grounded in the physical or subtle realms.

The Daily Schedule

The program begins at 5pm on the first day of the retreat with a group welcome and departure is at 12pm on the last day.
The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the teacher.

Based on request and availability, you are welcome to arrive early or extend your stay, our Residential and Wellness Programs details are on http://www.yoga-thailand.com/yoga-holidays.html

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