Saturday March 15
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

When we see someone practice Ashtanga Vinyasa it looks like moving meditation – where the movement is truly married to the breath and every inhale and every exhale has an expression, meaning and movement story attached.

This practice is made up of all the still places (asana stithi) and the places that join them – the vinyasas. And in this workshop we will explore some of the signature movements that join the postures.

Jump backs and jump throughs can be extremely challenging but the journey to master them, is about learning integration, understanding the connection to our core, and really appreciating the power of bandhas.

In this workshop we will:

• learn about bandhas
• learn the principles of core strength
• learn drills to help us understand lightness
• break down jump backs and jump throughs into parts we can practice

Saturday April 12
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Backbends are among the most misunderstood and challenging categories of yoga poses. They can evoke both emotional and physical resistance, as they require vulnerability, openness, and a deep connection to body awareness. While we may aspire to achieve deep backbends, improper practice can lead to vertebral compression or, in extreme cases, injury. Even seasoned practitioners often experience discomfort and struggle with these poses.

In this workshop, we will delve into the art and science of backbending. By gaining a deeper understanding of backbend anatomy, you will learn how to approach these poses safely and intelligently. We will explore preparation techniques designed to enhance mobility, strength, and alignment, enabling you to identify key areas of focus to progress towards deeper, more sustainable backbends. Hint: It’s not just about your spine!

This session is ideal for:

• Practitioners already working on or transitioning into full backbends.
• Non-Ashtanga students seeking to develop, refine, and elevate their backbend practice.

Programme

Saturday April 26
8:30-10:00am – Led Primary
10:15 – 11:00am Conference

AED 150. Students with monthly memberships may attend at no additional charge.

2:00-4:00pm – Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series (part one)
This is session is open to beginners or any current practitioners interested to learn the traditional method for Ashtanga practice.

AED 300 or AED 575 for both sessions

Sunday April 27
10:30am – 12:00pm – Chanting & Philosophy Talk -Ekīkaraṇa (Integration)
Join Usha exploring the concept of Ekīkaraṇa (integration) – how to apply the teachings of Ashtanga Yoga to daily life, and how to walk the path of a traditional yoga in today’s modern world.

AED 150

2:00-4:00pm
Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series (part two)
This workshops will build on Saturday’s class.

AED 575 for both sessions

About Usha

Usha Rani Chittoor was born in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh. As she was born in a Brahmin priest family since her childhood she had a deep impression of her grandmother practicing Bhakti Yoga. At the age of 17 she worked in ‘Om Shantidhama Veda Gurukula’ on the banks of river Kaveri. Here she assisted in organising Yoga summer camps, Ayurvedic pharmacy, serving in the rural medical program and had a rare opportunity to help in organising ‘APTHORYAMA SOMAYAGA’ in Kerala (2004). There were many guest lectures organised on the topics of Yoga and spirituality; here she developed an interest to become a student of Yoga. She did her Diploma in Montessori education system (a scientific child education), later she also obtained Master’s Degree in English and Hindi Literature. As a freelancer she trained many school teachers in Montessori Method.

Usha’s Yoga journey took a different lane when she heard about ‘Ashtanga Yoga & Shri. K.Pattabhi Jois’. Her desire to learn Ashtanga Yoga was so strong that destiny brought her to Mysore in 2007. Since then she has been fortunate to be a disciple of renowned Yoga master ‘Paramaguru Sharath Jois’, eventually she became his secretary and has got a golden opportunity to assist her Guru Sharath Jois in the regular Yoga classes at KPJAYI, Mysore. She was blessed to assist him in the Yoga classes held in China, Uttarakashi & Rishikesh. Usha is an Authorised Ashtanga Yoga Teacher, having received the formal blessings of her Guru Sharath Jois to teach this age-old Yogic method.

Usha believes that by surrendering to ‘Guru’ with devotion and determined yoga practice, one can attain higher levels of spirituality.