Adam Keen Purple Valley Tenerife

Viewed through the wider lens of the yoga tradition, the style of Ashtanga yoga is part of Hatha yoga tradition, one based on the alignment of inner energy in the body. Which is not, so esoteric to be beyond explanation. How to move traditionally, as well as safely and effectively can be explained in clear and simple terms.

So, we explore together how our modern yoga might relate outwards to change the whole of our lives for the better. 

How we relate what we’re doing in the practice of yoga asana to yoga ‘off the mat’ needs to be given more practical consideration than it often gets. Yoga asana is meant to be the start and not the end of living a life oriented through yoga. We will come back together before dinner for contemplation through yoga texts, history and philosophy in a practical way in which everyone can engage with, along with some gentle breathwork and simple meditation exercises.

This Retreat Is for You If:

  • You have a sincere desire to learn more about Ashtanga yoga as it has been taught over the years in Mysore.
  • You already know or are willing to memorise at least the Ashtanga sun salutation A&B along with most of the standing postures.
  • You are willing to partake in workshops that are a mix of talks and exercises.
  • You are not looking for strong adjustments in your asana practice. Adam gives physical assistance and guidance but not ‘adjustments’.

What You Can Expect:

  • A friendly and inclusive group with a range of ages and abilities.
  • To learn practical asana technique and make discoveries in your practice.
  • Delicious and nutritious meals.
  • To experience India in a comfortable way.
  • To make new friends and engage with a support group.
  • To return with a fresh outlook, renewed enthusiasm and energy for your practice.

The Yoga

Each week this retreat includes the following sessions:

  • 5 Mysore classes.
  • 1 led class.
  • 4 workshops on asana technique.
  • 4 afternoon sessions based on breathwork, relaxation, history of yoga, philosophy.

Mysore Self-Practice Classes (5 per week)

Adam teaches the Mysore self-practice classes yoga following the traditional Ashtanga yoga sequences as taught by Sharath Jois Mysore and asks for you to generally stick to these. It is fine if you can’t ‘do’ all of the asanas and he will offer modifications or sometimes let you skip certain postures if he thinks you are not able to work within them.

He does request that you memorise at least sun salutations A and B along with most of the standing sequence before your arrival so that he can focus on helping you with your technique rather than telling you what comes next. If you are unsure about this, feel free to get in touch with us at info@keenonyoga.com

Practice Sheets

You can download and print the PDFs below to learn from and you can bring them to class as well.

Primary Series Practice Sheets

Intermediate Series Practice Sheets

Videos

The YouTube videos below show Adam teaching the primary and intermediate series and can also help you learn the sequences. You do not have to do each asana perfectly, but you should know what comes next mainly until the seated sequence.

Primary Series YouTube Video 

Intermediate Series YouTube Video  

Led Primary with Instructions (1 per week)

A unique style of led class featuring both the vinyasa count as well as one fundamental cue for each

posture. Everyone will be made to feel welcome and safe in participating in this class, with options given regarding variations so everyone can do their version of the whole Primary series. There is no perfect or ‘traditional’ way we must do the postures, and the sequence doesn’t move sequentially – in as much as some of the later postures are more accessible than those in the middle of the series.

Asana workshops (4 per week)

Our mornings after the self-practice class will be spent exploring how to stretch ‘inwardly’ in yoga asana both to strengthen our outer body as well as regulate our inner (nervous system).

Afternoon Sessions (4 per week)

Afternoons will be a mix of yoga relaxation, contemplation, yoga history and philosophy.

Suggested reading material for before or during the retreat

  • Ashtanga Yoga: A Teacher’s Companion – Adam Keen – Free PDF will be sent to you; we will also look into options to print in Goa and costs for that.
  • The Bhagavad Gita translation by Stanley Lombardo
  • The Truth of Yoga by Daniel Simpson

Program Schedule (subject to change)

Daily Schedule

7:00 am: Mysore Class – Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs.
7:00 am: Led Class – Friday
8:30 am: Fruit, coffee, tea
9.30 am: Asana Workshops (4 per week)
11:00 am: Brunch
5:00 pm: Afternoon Sessions (4 per week)
6:30 pm: Dinner

Weekly Schedule

Sunday 20th
7:00 am: Mysore Ashtanga Self Practice
9:30 am: Mobility Over Flexibility
5:00 pm: Getting to Know Names, Breathwork and Meditation

Monday 21st
7:00 am: Mysore Ashtanga Self Practice
9:30 am: Standing Postures – Understanding the Basic Push-Pull Action
5:00 pm: Yoga Breathing Basics – the magic of the diaphragm

Tuesday 22nd
7:00 am: Mysore Ashtanga Self Practice
5:00 pm: History of Classical Yoga

Wednesday 23rd
7:00 am: Mysore Ashtanga Self Practice
9:30 am: The Seated Postures of The Primary Series and Their Deeper Significance

Thursday 24th
7:00 am: Mysore Ashtanga Self Practice
5:00 pm: Basics of Yoga Philosophy

Friday 25th
7:00 am: Led Ashtanga Primary with some Intermediate tbc
9:30 am: Building Strength in Your Yoga Practice, Arm Balances, Jump Backs and Extra Exercises

Saturday 26th – Free Day Off

Sunday 27th
7:00 am: Mysore Ashtanga Self Practice
9:30 am: Vinyasa, what it means to Ashtanga Yoga and How to Apply the Technique Most Skillfully
5:00 pm: Intro to Advaita Vedanta, Breathwork & Meditation 

Monday 28th
7:00 am: Mysore Ashtanga Self Practice
9:30 am: Backbends What They Mean and How to Do Them
5:00 pm: Bhagavad Gita for Modern Life

Tuesday 29th
7:00 am: Mysore Ashtanga Self Practice
5:00 pm: History of Modern Yoga 

Wednesday 30th
7:00 am: Mysore Ashtanga Self Practice
9:30 am: An Introduction to The Intermediate Series for Everyone

Thursday 31st
7:00 am: Mysore Ashtanga Self Practice
5:00 pm: Meditation & Wrap Up Discussion How Yoga Asana Practice Might Be Related to Daily Life

Friday
7:00 am: Led Ashtanga Primary with some Intermediate tbc
9:30 am: Hip Openers and A Short Hip Opening Sequence

Friday 1st PM or Saturday 2nd AM – Departures

All Are Welcome

Everywhere we go we are known for being a friendly group without cliques, hierarchy or favourites. We welcome all students with an interest in Ashtanga yoga and using the set sequences to your best advantage no matter what you relate to.

  • All physical levels and ages 
  • Nationality, Country, Religion
  • Gender
  • Age

Celebrating The Holidays

Goa is a Christian state in India so don’t be surprised to see nativity scenes and Santas as you arrive to the airport and through the area. As we said above, we welcome all faiths and those with no allegiance to any formal religion or spiritual belief. 

This is our third retreat falling over the days of Christmas and we tend not to do anything traditional on the day, no secret Santa etc, however if you like bringing something from your culture or holiday to share with the group, either a food or anything you can think of that could be fun. Last year we shared a traditional Irish Christmas cake with the group, and it was delightful.

About The Teacher

Adam Keen
Adam has been a yoga practitioner since 1999 and has taught Ashtanga yoga internationally for over twenty years. His style is open, non-dogmatic and eclectic while remaining rooted in an appreciation of the benefits of the method of ashtanga as he learnt it in Mysore, India.

In 2012 he completed the Advanced A sequence with Sharath who granted him authorisation to teach.  Adam meets all students where they are, hopefully, with humour, kindness and inspiration, holding a safe and supportive space for personal enquiry. Equally at home teaching all levels, he gives all students attention and interest. He is democratic in his approach and kind and believes that the practice should not feel like a test.

Coming from an academic background in philosophy and a professional one as a chef, he is knowledgeable, practical, and relatable in his approach. Many consider him humorous too.

Adam and his wife Theresa run the online yoga platform Keen on Yoga and he hosts the Keen on Yoga Podcast interviewing many of the world’s most renowned Ashtanga teachers and philosophical academics.

Instagram: @adam_keen_ashtanga & @keen_on_yoga

Booking Information

Please read the Terms & Conditions before booking a retreat.

Accommodation Options

Take a look at our accommodation options: