Assisting School 2017

Assisting School is a course for those interested in the Ashtanga Yoga system, and who want to learn more about the tradition of Ashtanga and the Mysore-style of practice. This is NOT a teacher training course. This course will NOT provide any credentials or certificates that state you are a teacher. If you want to be Authorized to teach Ashtanga Yoga, you need to go and study with Sharath Jois at KPJAYI in Mysore, India.

The goal of this program is to communicate a thorough knowledge of the Ashtanga Yoga Mysore-style technique, a keen eye for anatomy, and safe assisting practices. The focus of this course will be hands-on adjusting techniques and working in the mysore room. The course will also offer training in functional anatomy with Arielle Nash, and a section on learning how to actively listen to and help students with Sandra Pribanic.

Friday, July 28 to Thursday, August 10, 2017

The pre-requisite for this course is AYCT’s Ashtanga Primary Series Intensive. Enrollment in Assisting School includes an Unlimited Membership to practice at AYCT for the duration of the course.

Course Structure

Adjustment Techniques

This section is the focus of Assisting School: gaining the tools to assist and adjust students. These workshops will cover different techniques and options for assisting. David will also focus on how to assist and support students with back, knee, shoulder and hip injuries and spotting issues that might lead to discomfort or pain.

Practicum: Assisting in the Mysore room

Under the guidance of David Robson, you will have the opportunity to use what you have learned in Assisting School in the Mysore room. Learning from David in the busy AYCT studio is excellent training in helping a variety of levels of practitioner, establishing trust, and problem solving adjustments.

Anatomy

Proper knowledge of movement mechanics and integrated anatomy will help you to give safe and effective individual adjustments with confidence. This portion of the course goes beyond basic muscle and bone anatomy, covering all the body’s systems and introduces the fascial lines. This segment provides a holistic understanding of how the body functions and responds to specific adjustments. This portion of the course will be taught by Arielle Nash.

Additional Skills in Listening and Helping

A unique part of Mysore style practice is the dialogue that opens up between teacher and student. Psychotherapist and Ashtangi Sandra Pribanic will lead series of classes on creating a safe space for practitioners and using listening techniques to create awareness of student’s needs.

Schedule

Week 1

  • Friday, July 28: 6 – 9 pm: Anatomy
  • Saturday, July 29: 8 – 9:30 am: Led Primary | 10 am – 5 pm: Anatomy
  • Sunday, July 30: 10 am – 5 pm: Anatomy
  • Monday, July 31: M Mysore | 1 – 4 pm: Workshop
  • Tuesday, August 1: AM Mysore | 1 – 4 pm: Workshop
  • Wednesday, August 2: AM Mysore | 1 – 4 pm: Workshop
  • Thursday, August 3: AM Mysore | 1 – 4 pm: Workshop

Week 2

  • Friday, August 4: AM Mysore | 1 – 4 pm: Workshop | 6 – 9 pm: Workshop
  • Saturday, August 5: 8 – 9:30 am: Led Primary |10 – 5 pm: Workshop
  • Sunday, August 6: 10 am – 5 pm: Workshop
  • Monday, August 7: AM Mysore | 1 – 4 pm: Workshop
  • Tuesday, August 8: 1 – 4 pm: Workshop
  • Wednesday, August 9: AM Mysore | 1 – 4 pm: Workshop
  • Thursday, August 10: AM Mysore

Practicum hours will be scheduled on the day of the first workshop and will consist of 4 x 1.5 hour shifts during morning and evening Mysore class.

Price

$1,750 +HST

A $500 + HST non-refundable deposit is required upon acceptance into the course. The remaining balance will be due on or before July 2nd, 2016. There are no refunds or credits once full payment is accepted. Enrollment in Assisting School includes an Unlimited Membership to practice at AYCT for the duration of the training.

For both Primary Series Intensive & Assisting School: $2,400 +HST.

Pre-requisites & Application

Interested applicants must have previously completed AYCT’s Primary Series Intensive with David Robson. Applicants must also have an established, daily Mysore-style practice.

To apply for the training, please send the following information to info@ashtangatoronto.com with the subject: AS Application.

  • Name
  • Address
  • Occupation
  • How long you have practiced Ashtanga and where
  • Describe any injuries and/or conditions that would need to be considered when assisting
  • What you hope to gain from Assisting School

Registration

Assisting School is limited to 16 participants. Registration requires application, and is confirmed with the payment of the deposit.

Call AYCT at (647) 342-6550 with any questions or to register by phone.

Assisting School Faculty

David Robson

David began a daily practice in 1998 while at university studying Comparative Religion. After graduating, David made his first trip to Mysore, India in 2002, where he initiated studies with his teacher Sharath Jois. Since then he has returned to Mysore annually to deepen and enrich his practice and teaching.

In 2007, David was Authorized to teach Ashtanga.

David teaches workshops and retreats around the world. He has also released an influential series of instructional videos on Ashtanga called Learn To Float.

Jelena Vesić

After studying ballet for 16 years, Jelena made Yoga her sole focus in 2009. She has studied with her teacher, David Robson, since 2010, and is now leading the evening Mysore program at AYCT. She often assists David Robson on workshops and retreats in Toronto and around the world.

Arielle Nash

Arielle is a dedicated Ashtangi with over a decade of teaching experience. Holding a degree in Sport Science, extensive professional courses and certifications and following a career training pro athletes, Arielle is also well versed in anatomy, biomechanics and movement patterning, and she applies this to her teaching daily. Over the last 10 years, she has had the opportunity to teach alongside, or study with highly skilled teachers such as David Robson, Richard Freeman & Mary Taylor, Sri OP Tiwari, Jeff & Harmony Lichty, Chuck Miller, and Prem & Rahda. Her primary teachers are Paul Dallaghan (Thailand), and R. Sharath Jois (Mysore, India), to who she travels annually to study. She is the founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Project, who has conducted global research on Ashtanga, gender difference and injury. Arielle teaches continuing education courses for yoga teachers, focusing on women’s anatomy, prenatal yoga (yoga for pregnant women), injury prevention and rehab, and adjustment techniques.

Sandra Pribanic

“Knowledge is only rumor until it lives in your bones.” ~ Asaro tribe

Sandra found Ashtanga “by coincidence” in 2011, and has been inspired by daily practice since. Her work is about exploring places where mind–body–heart–spirit can experience connectedness (however briefly!), about recognizing what moves and makes one alive, about creating space for what is loud inside (intense/difficult emotions) to quiet down, and what is quiet to get heard. Above all, about making space for all there is. Sandra is a Registered Psychotherapist, with a private practice in Toronto. Her practice and teaching integrate body-centered, psychodynamic and transpersonal psychotherapy, craniosacral and energy work.