Dates: Thursday November 7 - Sunday November 10, 2019
          Thursday November 28 - Sunday December 1, 2019
Retreat Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Teacher: Mana Takai

Learn how to build a sustainable self-practice through the Ashtanga system. Empower your own practice by building discipline and an understanding of sequencing through the Ashtanga Primary Series. Learn how the breath and drishti (gaze point) work with asana (physical postures) to cultivate concentration. This retreat is recommended for anyone who already practices Ashtanga yoga, or for practitioners of other disciplines who would like to learn a little bit more about this style of yoga in a warm, intimate, and open-minded environment.
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Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a system of yoga transmitted to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009). This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. Ashtanga can be practiced in a guided format, or as a self-practice (Mysore style) where teachers move around the room simply to give adjustments. It is practiced in a set sequence each time. The first sequence of the Ashtanga system is known as the Ashtanga Primary Series. Once practitioners have mastered the Primary series, they can move on to the Secondary Series, and so on and so forth. Ashtanga has given rise to other popular forms of yoga such as Vinyasa flow. 
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The Retreat

The intention of this retreat is to use the Ashtanga practice as a basis for learning how to build discipline, concentration and a regular self-practice. While the Ashtanga system can be strict in its requirements, we take a softer approach by recognizing that not all bodies are made alike, and to ensure that modifications and accessory movements are given for students who may need additional help to work their way into each of the postures of the series. The philosophy of Ashtanga Yoga will be discussed so that students understand the "whys" behind the approach. This retreat is intended for anyone who has been interested in the practice of Ashtanga, and who is looking for a more open-minded introduction; practitioners of other yoga disciplines who would like to dip their toes into this practice; and regular practitioners of Ashtanga Yoga who would like to immerse in it for a few days. 
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Sample Itinerary

Day 1
1:30PM Arrival and check in
4:00PM Introductions and overview,
​followed by opening ceremony
5:00PM Sunset Vinyasa Flow and Meditation
7:30PM Organic Buffet Dinner

​Day 2
7:30AM Pranayama and Meditation
8:00AM Sunrise Vinyasa Flow
9:30AM Breakfast

2:00PM Asana workshop:
・Physical alignment and actions of each posture
・Principles of movement and safety in Practice/developing a lifelong practice
・Proper vinyasa count of Primary series


4:00PM Ashtanga Mysore Practice
（the teacher will give hands on assistant and teach you the sequence individually）
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7:30PM Organic Buffet Dinner

Day 3
7:30AM Pranayama and Meditation
8:00AM Sunrise Vinyasa Flow
9:30AM Breakfast

2:30PM Afternoon discussion:
・Basics of Ashtanga Vinyasa system
・Introducing the Tristan system(3 pillars of Ashtanga)
・Reviewing the limbs of Ashtanga
・Opening and closing Mantra

4:00PM Ashtanga Mysore Practice
（the teacher will give hands on assistant and teach you the sequence individually）
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7:30PM Organic Buffet Dinner

Day 4
7:30AM Pranayama and Meditation
8:00AM Sunrise Vinyasa Flow
9:30AM Breakfast
11:00AM Closing ceremony
12:00PM Check out and departure

* This is a sample itinerary. The actual schedule on the retreat may change slightly as a result of students' level of experience and needs. We endeavor to make your experience as relevant as possible and changes may be made along the way to enable us to do so. 
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About Mana Takai

In 2016, Mana left her creative director/consultant position in Japan's fashion industry after almost 2 decades. She started traveling more to get closer to her true nature and joined yoga classes while traveling in Southeast Asia. After she got back to Tokyo, she took practicing seriously. She finally decided to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand to change her lifestyle from one of the busiest cities, Tokyo, and go back to the sprit itself. She has found healing, compassion, and peaceful mind through ashtanga yoga practice and meditation. This transformation is what she shares and offers through her teachings. Mana has been extensively studying, practicing, teaching, and traveling throughout the world including , Thailand, Laos, Japan and Washington DC, USA. 

​Fun fact: In 2016, Mana came to Laos as a student on one of our retreats. Since then, she has returned to two more retreats (once as an assistant). Mana also came back to Laos to teach regular classes as part of the Luang Prabang Yoga team. See more about Mana at: www.ManaTakai.com

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