21 - 27 FEBRUARY 2021
7 DAYS INTENSIVE
WITH KPJAYI CERTIFIED TEACHER
PHILIPPA ASHER

7 DAYS INTENSIVE WITH KPJAYI CERTIFIED TEACHER PHILIPPA ASHER
An opportunity to delve into all aspects of the Ashtanga yoga system in a small group, with a KPJAYI Certified teacher who has studied with Pattabhi Jois and Sharath for over twenty years. Practitioners can enjoy daily traditional Ashtanga Guided self-practice, a Sanskrit-counted Led Primary Series class; explore and put into practice Ashtanga Asana Concepts and Technique; learn how to become Flexible, Open and Balanced in all areas of the body; practice simple Pranayama and Meditation techniques; discuss yoga Philosophy, History and have the chance to ask questions about the Ashtanga yoga method. Primary to Advanced B Series Ashtanga yoga Practitioners welcome.
On Friday morning (February 26th), there will be a Sanskrit-Counted Led Primary Series class and pranayama session. Friday & Saturday afternoons are workshop.
Sunday, February 21 - MORNING MYSORE - 1st Batch at 06:00 am, 2nd Batch at 08:00 am
Monday, February 22 - MORNING MYSORE - 1st Batch at 06:00 am, 2nd Batch at 08:00 am
Tuesday, February 23 - MORNING MYSORE - 1st Batch at 06:00 am, 2nd Batch at 08:00 am
Wednesday, February 24 - MORNING MYSORE - 1st Batch at 06:00 am, 2nd Batch at 08:00 am
Thursday, February 25 - MORNING MYSORE - 1st Batch at 06:00 am, 2nd Batch at 08:00 am
Friday, February 26 - LED PRIMARY SERIES at 07:30 - 09:00 am, PRANAYAMA at 09:00 - 09:30 am
(spaces limited to 11 students, student must have completed full primary)
Friday, February 26 - AFTERNOON WORKSHOP ON BODY OPENING & BACKBENDS at 02:00 - 04:00 pm
(spaces limited to 11 students)
Saturday, February 27 - AFTERNOON WORKSHOP ON TECHNIQUE, CONCEPTS at 02:00 - 04:00 pm
(spaces limited to 11 students)
Saturday, February 27 - AFTERNOON WORKSHOP YOGA PHILOSOPHY at 04:30 - 06:30 pm
(spaces limited to 11 students)
PRICES:
Mysore, led classes and pranayama class is included for The Shala Dubai students with the membership of a monthly pass, a 3-month pass, a 6-month pass, and a 12 class pass.
Non-members:
AED 1520 (vat inclusive), includes access to 5 Mysore morning sessions, Friday Full Primary, Pranayama + all 3 workshops
AED 840 (vat inclusive), includes access to 5 Mysore morning sessions
Workshop prices:
Non- Member drop in/workshop: AED 315/ session
Member drop in /Workshop: AED 263/ session
Or AED 630/for all 3 sessions (members), AED 790/for all 3 sessions (non-members)
KPJAYI authorized teachers receive a 15% discount on the Mysore package and receive the member rate for the workshops.
During this week we will not be accepting drop-in for Mysore class and Friday led class.
To book your spots please book online with Zoga:
LOCATION:
ZOGA Yoga Cafe | Downtown Burj Khalifa, Business Bay, Southridge Tower 6, Street level
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES:
Ashtanga Guided Self-Practice
Following the traditional ‘guided self-practice’ method of learning/practicing Ashtanga asana (where one posture is mastered by the practitioner with perfect synchronization of tristhana, steadiness, ease, joy, and safe physical/energetic alignment, before learning the next), you will have the opportunity to deepen and develop your asana technique and practice, whilst being guided through methods of approaching the more challenging postures.
Sanskrit-Counted Primary Series, Pranayama
In the traditional Ashtanga asana method, the week culminates with a Sanskrit-Counted Led Primary Series class, where all practitioners follow the exact count of the teacher, move and breathe together, and are adjusted when necessary. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the Sanskrit asana names, the precise vinyasa counts and iron out any uncertainties within the asana practice. The Led Primary Series class begins with chanting a few lines from the Yoga Taravali and Patañjali Invocation and ends with reciting the first verse of the Mangala Mantra. After the asana practice, pranayama techniques such as rechaka, puruaka, kumbhaka and nadi shodhana will be explored, culminating in dhyana (meditation).
Body Opening & Backbends
The Ashtanga asana method gives us the opportunity to make space in the mind, physical body, breath, and energetic body, so that optimum health, openness, strength, steadiness, and balance may be cultivated and enjoyed. With openness, prana can move freely around the physical and energetic bodies. Firstly we will explore how to make space in the body, so that challenging asanas that require extreme levels of flexibility, may become achievable. Having lengthened the spine and hip flexors, strengthened the legs and arms, and opened the shoulders and chest, we will then delve into mastering backbends which not only stimulate the nervous system but revitalize our energy levels and can make us feel exhilarated.
Technique, Concepts, Q&A
In order to be grounded and steady in the asana practice and to encourage safe physical alignment, we need to learn how to connect with the floor and indeed our bodies. There are several key aspects in the Ashtanga asana system, which when understood and felt in the body, mind, and breath, can make the impossible become possible. Through mastering and synchronizing tristhana, vinyasa and safe postural alignment in our practice, we can develop tools that will invite the more challenging asanas to reveal themselves, enabling us to feel the state of yoga. As well as refining technique, alignment, and concepts of the method, practitioners will be encouraged to ask questions and to deepen their understanding of the Ashtanga asana system.
Philosophy, History, Q&A
The Patañjalayogaśāstra describes yoga, how to achieve the state of yoga, qualities that might be gained from mastery of the practice, and the power of liberation. Whilst the Sutras offer pithy statements about the discipline of yoga and the Eight Limbs (ashta anga) which can lead us there, it is when we unpack their wisdom (allowing them to resonate with our lives today, 2000 years later, in a culture very different from where they were composed), that we can bring to light their significance and relevance. We will discuss broad philosophical aspects of yoga, how they relate to our daily practice and lives today, the evolution of the hatha yoga, and of course, questions/thoughts about the practice of Ashtanga yoga can be discussed.
ABOUT PHILIPPA
From London, Philippa Asher is one of a few Ashtanga yoga practitioners in the world (and the only British woman), to be Certified by Sri K Pattabhi Jois, to teach the Ashtanga yoga method in his tradition. She has learned the Primary, Intermediate, Advanced A, and Advanced B Series directly from Pattabhi Jois and Sharath (at the Krishna Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India) and shares the Ashtanga system, internationally.
After a vocational ballet school training from age twelve and twenty-five years of studying and teaching dance at universities and ballet companies all over the UK, Philippa randomly walked into an Ashtanga yoga class in London. It was a life-changing incident, that made complete sense.
From the late 1990s, she began learning the Ashtanga system, daily before work (in the media, film and music industries). For twenty years she has studied for several months each year at KPJAYI in Mysore (and on tour), practicing under the guidance of guru Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath Jois.
Philippa’s dedicated passion for Ashtanga yoga, background as a trained dancer and experience as a qualified teacher (Post Graduate Certificate in the Education of Adults), gives her an intuitive and sound understanding of bodies, yoga asanas, people and how they learn.
To book your spots please book online with Zoga:


