Illuminate Your Practice

Would you like to shine a new light on your Ashtanga Yoga practice?

For many of us our yoga practice is deeply important.
All of us have a personal reason as to why we step on a mat or a cushion. Why we learn to breathe deeper and why we explore moving with more freedom. The ancient teachings share that practice is cultivated for a long time and without interruption, yet to do so with enthusiasm and with reverence.

When we are reminded of these principles can we look again at the process of yoga we have undertaken in our own lives? How has the practice unfolded itself in us over time? Has it’s fruits landing with patience? Importantly, can we see the type of awareness we have brought, that we are bringing, to our practice?

The way we practice is so important. If we practice with that sense of enthusiasm and reverence, with a kind and mindful awareness, a new, more open approach to our practice is possible. 

Whoever you are, whatever you bring, this Ashtanga Yoga and mindfulness immersion will shine a light on your practice. It will illuminate what’s coming up for you; what you’re going through and help you to explore different ways of moving through it. Whether you are working with an injury, feel a little stuck in your practice, or feel like you’re flying, this immersion will meet you where you are.

This immersion is for all practitioners of Ashtanga, whether beginner or advanced, to discover their own way of practicing this profound system of yoga.Scott will draw on his 18 years of experience teaching Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga and Mindfulness to shine a light on your yoga practice and help you discover something fresh…

Course Content

The immersion will include:

• Mindfulness meditation
• Pranayama/breathing techniques
• Ashtanga yoga - Self practice and guided classes
• Chanting
• Philosophy
• Movement technique and theory

What you will gain from the immersion:
Over the intensive you will gain insight into your own patterns of practice and how to move in your own unique way. If working with pain or injuries there will be fresh light on how to alleviate and work with these issues. We will use the wider context of anatomy, mindfulness and philosophy to see how we can notice things in a fresh way. This will also help you to see the practice of yoga in a wider context to your life. 

Retreat schedule 

Morning Classes
There will be instruction and guidance in:
mindfulness
pranayama
ashtanga yoga mysore self practice
Yoga philosophy
Movement theory
anatomy

Afternoon workshops
There will be four 1.5hr afternoon workshops uncovering the deeper patterns and ways we can see how we shine a light on our practice and life.
We will draw on the philosophical background of the yoga sutra and the Buddhas Sattiphatana sutta to look at the psychological and anatomical patterns that when we all practice. 

Teacher

Scott Johnson has been practicing yoga since 1999. He is the co-founder and director at Stillpoint Yoga London which he established in 2009. Stillpoint is one of only two dedicated Ashtanga Yoga self practice spaces in London. Scott has taught Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga at Stillpoint since it opened. He was introduced to the practice of Ashtanga yoga by John Scott in 2002 and has studied with him ever since.

Scott is authorised to teach the primary and intermediate series of ashtanga yoga by Manju Jois and has a deep connection to the ancient practices of pranayama and vedic chanting that Manju shares. Scott has also undergone extensive Mindfulness training under the tutelage of Cathy Mae Keralse at Clear Mind International, gaining their level 3 certificate in Mindfulness and Compassion in 2015.

Scott teaches with encouragement, insight and integrity to the teachings of Ashtanga yoga and mindfulness that he has had access to. His deep love of the contemplative side of these practice creates a rich, nurturing environment and he is deeply dedicated to the healing power of yoga and mindfulness in the people that he is fortunate to meet.

Scott sees movement and mindfulness as the same, a deeply holistic approach to discovering our own unique patterns. He brings these insights into every class he teaches. His devotion and dedication to these practices assists practitioners in discovering how contemplative practice can unfold not only personally on the mat, but also to find deeper meaning in their daily lives.

Scott is also the host of Stillpoints: A podcast with Scott Johnson where he engages in inspiring conversations with those whose lives have been changed by yoga and contemplative practices.

Practical details about the retreat center

Currently the internet at the retreat is not reliable. If you are dependent on internet for work, we ask you to bring your own data on your phone, to which you can connect your laptop, if needed. Phones work very well. There is also a cafe 10 minutes from the retreat with good internet, however, it is a busy cafe and not very suitable for work. 

Finca Naranjas (previously Cristoforo), our retreat centre is a very simple yet beautiful place, built by an architect named Denis Devaris, who had an intention to create a meeting point for Spiritual seekers. Built slowly over 30 years using volcanic rocks from the island, the rooms are all unique with their own distinct personalities featuring beautiful details and personal touches. Given the nature of these types of buildings, imperfection is to be expected with a plumbing system not quite up to modern standards! However, set right into the land with a wonderfully lush garden, Cristoforo really is an oasis in South Tenerife. When packing for your retreat, make sure you add warmer clothes. From December till March the mornings and evenings can be quite chilly. The rooms are not heated, but are equipped with cozy duvets and hot water bottles for the beds. All rooms are equipped with a water kettle.

The meals
The food served at the retreat will be mainly vegan and completely vegetarian, prepared freshly everyday by our wonderful retreat chefs. We try were possible to use local and organic products. We sometimes use eggs or dairy in the kitchen. If you have food allergies/sensitivities, please let us know. Gluten free options are available. We have a self service tea & coffee station for guest use and try to provide fruit for snacking during the day.
You have the option to enjoy your food either inside or outside in the beautiful garden.

The practice
Maximum number of students is 25.
Morning classes will be taught with maximum 16 students in each class.

Practice will take place inside the beautiful wooden garden Shala. Savasana is usually taken outside to make space in the Shala, especially during full retreats and occasionally afternoon workshops will take place outside. Make sure you pack warm practice clothes for Savasana.

Arrival day and check out. 
The rooms are available after 3pm. The retreat starts with an introduction meeting at 5pm, followed by dinner at 6.30pm. All students should aim to arrive for the introduction meeting. The first practice is on Sunday morning and the last practice is on Friday in the morning. The check out is on Saturday at 9am. 

Accommodation
We have 4 different accommodation options. The list below shows the rooms that are available to book. 

Premium rooms
The premium rooms are the largest rooms at the retreat. These rooms have attached indoor bathrooms.
Shared: 1250 GBP
Currently available: Danae 1

Single: 1550 GBP
Currently available: Casita 1, Casita 2, Palmera

Standard
The standard rooms are smaller than the premium rooms. These rooms have attached, indoor bathrooms. La Granja is an apartment with 2 rooms which share a bathroom. 
Shared: 1050 GBP
Currently available: 5 Peldanos (1 female spot available)

Single: 1350 GBP
Currently available: Sold out!

Budget
The budget rooms are the smallest rooms at the retreat. Some of the rooms share bathrooms, a few of them are outdoors bathrooms. In a few of the rooms there may have disturbance from the road.
Shared: 900 GBP
Currently available: Fuente 2, Pino de Oro

Single: 1200 GBP
Currently available: Sold out!

Dormitory ( 3 persons sharing)
The dormitory is a spacious room for 3 persons. It has an attached bathroom. 
Shared: 780 GBP
Currently available: Danae 2 (1 female spot available)

The accomodation price is all-inclusive (includes accommodation, all meals and yoga). There is an option to pay a deposit of 50% of the full amount to secure your place. The deposit is non-refundable and the balance must be paid at least 4 weeks prior to the start date.

Please note that we have a limited amount of single rooms for this retreat. Before booking a single room confirm availability with us on info@yogagoa.com.

To book this retreat, follow the link below and complete the form to make your payment. 

Book this retreat

To book this retreat, complete the form on our Make A Payment page