Asthanga yoga teacher (and legend) David Swenson is coming to Sweden, Vaxjo and to our yogaplace Veda March 25-27 in 2016!, it’s been more than ten years since David was in Sweden! Don’t miss the opportunity to study with David. You are sure to return home with greater insights into your practice and a smile on your face.

We are very proud and happy to be hosting this event in the beautiful PM Hotel in the centre of Vaxjo. They will be serving a special vegetarian dish, for those wanting, on saturday evening, 7pm at the PM Hotel and discount for those choosing to stay at this hotel. For details about booking, please scroll down to the bottom of this page.

Videoclip: David Swenson On yoga for everyone
Videoclip: David Swenson On using humour in yoga

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEKEND
(we do reserve ourselves for small changes in the schedule)

Friday evening 25/3 2016. 6 -8 pm
ASHTANGA YOGA: AN INTRODUCTION
Exploring the Fundamentals
This class is an introduction to Ashtanga Yoga. It is open to all levels of experience or lack there of. The building blocks of Ashtanga Yoga will be explored through the basic elements of Breath, Bandhas and Vinyasa. There will be a short discussion followed by an introductory flow through an abbreviated sequence from the First Series. The class will end with a guided deep relaxation.

Saturday 26/3 2016.9 – 11:00 am
ALL ABOARD THE ASHTANGA TRAIN
Yoga Chikitsa: A Fully Conducted Primary Series Class
This class is designed for those already familiar with the First Series of Ashtanga Yoga. It will be conducted like a train ride that will continue flowing along all of the way from the opening sun salutations to the closing sequence. There will be time at the end of the flow to enjoy a deep relaxation.

Sat 26/3 2016, 1:00 – 3:30 pm
FLYING FLOATING AND HANDSTANDING
A Fun-filled exploration of Vinyasa and Arm-balances
One of the greatest challenges of the Ashtanga flow is the vinyasa. In this class David will break the vinyasa down into its components. He likes to refer to this as: ”The Physics of Flight”. The class will also explore the elements of handstands and arm-balances. This will all be done through the avenue of partner work. There is always plenty of laughter and fun as well as a depth of information in this class. All levels may attend even if you have never done a handstand before. Alternatives are always given.

Sat 26/3 2016. 4 – 5:30 pm
BREATH, BANDHAS AND PRANAYAMA
Exploring the Mantra of Ujjayi and the Mysteries of Energy Locks In Sanskrit
Man means Mind and Tra means to Free or Deliver. Therefore the word Mantra means to Free the Mind. There are many mantras in yoga such as Om, Hare Krishna, Om Namo Shivaya and a plethora of others. In Ashtanga Yoga the mantra is the sound of our breath: Ujjayi. There is no other sound more universal than breath. It is not tied to language or culture and is ”chanted” from the first moment of birth. This class will focus on the mantra of ujjayi within asana practice as well as during pranayama. In addition to breath work the class will also explore the invisible world of Bandhas. We well attempt to gain greater understanding of these subtle yet powerful tools through interactive discussion as well as a series of practical exercises.

Sunday 27/3 2016. 8.30 – 10.30 am
NADI SHODANA / A GUIDED TOUR
An Introduction to the Intermediate Series of Ashtanga Yoga Students should have a regular practice of the First Series in order to attend this class. There will be an introductory discussion of the dynamics inherent to the Second Series. David will then lead the class through a portion of First Series acting as a springboard into as much of the Second Series as seems appropriate. There will be a variety of options given for each posture in order to allow multiple approaches.

Sun 27/3 2016. 12am – 2 pm
INVERSIONS, BACKBENDS AND SITTING WITH YOUR BREATH
Finding Stability When the World is Inverted and Returning Home to Breath
This class will turn your world upside/down in order to explore the dynamics of inverting the body through building a solid foundation from which to grow while also looking at the opposing forces at play in Inversions. Backbends will be redefined as front openings and sitting quietly will be explored as an active participation in self-exploration through developing a relationship with our lifelong companion, breath.

Sun 27/3 2016. 2.30 – 4 pm
EIGHT LIMBS AND DAILY LIFE
How does this practice apply within the context of daily living? Underlying the mysterious and complex philosophy of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras there is a truly profound simplicity that may be applied within the context of our daily lives. This class will discuss the Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga and explore their applications within our day-to-day life. What is the use of Philosophy without real application? We may memorize quotations or stanzas from great writings but unless we can apply them within our life they are merely words spoken rather than knowledge realized.

Pricing and booking details for the workshop sessions:
You Register here. Please send an email to: linda@vedayoga.se if you need any assistance since the booking is in swedish. Price: 400 SEK per session is to be paid to bankgiro: 5785-4523 at registration. Mark your payment with your first and last name + name/names of the session/sessions. Full payment is required. There are no refunds for cancellations.

Price and booking details the vegetarian dish (saturday) & room at the PM Hotel
The Vegetarian dish is: 190 SEK including dessert, at PM Hotel saturday evening at 7 pm. You can call the hotelreception to make this bookning on: +46470 759 700 or email: reservations@pmhotel.se.
Discount pricing for a doubleroom is 1590 SEK and for a singleroom 1290 SEK the booking for this as above, dircetly to the hotel, mention bookingcode: Vedayoga March 26.. Please let us know if you need any assistance with your booking.

About David
David began practicing yoga at a very early age.  His older brother Doug was his first teacher. They practiced hatha yoga from whatever books they could find.
David’s introduction to Ashtanga came in 1973 when he met David Williams and Nancy Gilgoff in Encinitas, California. In 1975 David and Nancy brought K. Pattabhi Jois to the U.S. for the first time and Swenson was fortunate enough to be there. He then initiated studies directly with the master. Swenson made his first trip to Mysore in 1977 and learned the full Ashtanga system as it was originally taught by K. Pattabhi Jois.
David Swenson is recognized today as one of the world’s foremost practitioners and instructors of Ashtanga Yoga.