Karlita Armenta and Taylor Hunt
March 16, 2024 - March 30, 2024
Join Taylor and Karlita for a 2-week immersion
Join Taylor and Karlita for two transformative weeks of Ashtanga yoga with daily morning practice and afternoon workshops. During the retreat, we’ll dive deeper into the philosophy behind the Ashtanga method, explore alignment and proper Asana technique to safely approach the practice, and connect to the inner self through mindfulness and movement. Participants will be guided on a journey of self-exploration learning about the therapeutic benefits and how the practice translates into our daily lives.
Taylor and Karlita are committed to making the Ashtanga practice accessible for all levels of experience, including beginners. They have taught workshops around the world and enthusiastically share insights they’ve gained about the practice from many years of study.
Course teachers
Taylor Hunt
Taylor Hunt is a devoted practitioner and teacher of Ashtanga yoga. He makes yearly trips to Mysore, India to study under the guidance of his teacher, R. Sharath Jois. In 2013, Taylor was granted Level 2 Authorization to teach and has had the honor of assisting Sharath on several
occasions. Taylor is dedicated to sharing the healing practice with others and providing a community where practitioners can find support in their practice and daily lives. Seeking to preserve the traditional method, Taylor teaches daily Mysore classes at Ashtanga Yoga Columbus and Savannah and offers workshops around the world. He is also the author of A Way From Darkness and director of the Trini Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the life-changing practice of Ashtanga with those suffering from addiction. He continues to inspire others through his story of personal transformation and accessible approach to the
practice. To learn more about Taylor, please visit www.taylorhuntyoga.com, www.awayfromdarkness.com, and www.trinifoundation.org.
Karlita Armenta
Karlita Armenta is a level 2 Authorized teacher by her teacher Sri. Sharath Jois. She found the practice of Ashtanga Yoga after have been a classical dancer for 15 years in the Russian Vaganova system.
Karlita has had a daily Ashtanga practice since she was 18 years old and her passion and dedication led to multiple Mysore trips to India to deepen in her studies of Ashtanga with Sharat Jois. She received Level 1 authorization in 2016 and Level 2 in 2018.
Karlita has travelled the world contributing to creating a world-wide ashtanga community, and to share her interpretation of the Ashtanga Yoga method, which not only focuses on the Asanas (postures), but also on how to carry the mindset of Yoga into our daily life outside the mat.
Together with her mother, she created a holistic space called Casa Atma in Puebla México where they offer classes, events, and retreats for anyone who is interested in the path of self-observation and self-inquiry, through various spiritual practices.
“I never started a yoga practice with the intention of becoming a teacher, the authorization is a gift of my commitment and the urge to know my being.
I have had a connection with myself and my physical body since I was very young. I have learned to take care of it and listen to it. I know that my body is a book which guides me into a deeper understanding of my mind and emotions. Being a guide to others is a beautiful consequence of my own dedication to the practice, and I know that firstly, I’m always an apprentice. I’m honoured and grateful for my life experience.”
Course content/daily schedule
Each week consists of 5 morning Mysore classes, 1 led class, and 4 afternoon workshops.
Below is an example of a weekly schedule. Please note that the timings of classes may be changed and adjusted to best nourish the teaching environment and the student. Additional activities not mentioned on the schedule may be added.
Saturday 16 March
Arrival Day
Students will have access to the rooms after 2pm.
All students should try to participate in this first get together.
2pm-5pm Arrive to retreat
5pm-6:30pm Dharma Talk and information meeting
Join Taylor for an evening discussing the philosophy of the Ashtanga Yoga method. He will share his story and how the practice helped him find his true path. Learn how this transformational and healing practice can work in your life and how to overcome some of the roadblocks along the way.
Sunday 17 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
11.30-1.30 Tristhana Method: Breath, Bandha, & Dristhi
Come prepared to explore the basis of the Ashtanga method known as tristhana. Tristhana means the three places of attention: breath with bandha (internal energy locks), asana, and dristhi (gazing point). When practiced simultaneously, the tristhana method becomes a tool to steady the mind transforming the physical practice into a moving meditation. In this workshop, we will explore the internal elements of the practice while taking a deeper look at the fundamental poses of the vinyasa sequence.
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Monday 18 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
11.30-1.30 Foundations: Ground Your Practice
In this workshop, we will take an in-depth look at the Ashtanga Yoga method while discussing the standing poses of the Primary Series. These poses play an integral role in beginning the process of purification, realigning the skeletal system, and toning the leg muscles. We will spend ample time exploring proper alignment and techniques to work through restricted movements.
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Tuesday 19 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
Day off from afternoon workshop!
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Wednesday 20 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
11.30-1.30 Sadhana Workshop: Sutra, Chanting, Pranayama
Join Taylor for an interactive and experiential workshop exploring the other limbs of Ashtanga yoga through chanting, yogic philosophy, and meditation. Taylor will share various methods and insights gained through many years of study with Vedic scholar, Sree Ashwath. Participants will
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Thursday 21 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
11.30-1.30 Exploring Backbends
Backbends are a wonderful way to strengthen the back and balance the body after the many forward folds of the Primary Series. Join Taylor to learn proper alignment and technique to safely approach back bending. We will explore a diverse collection of backbends from the Primary and Second series designed to open the front of the body and realign the spine.
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Friday 22 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
1.00pm to 3.00pm Beach outing!!
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Saturday 23 march
Day OFF!!
10am Brunch
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Sunday 24 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
11.30-1.30 workshop
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Monday 25 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
11.30-1.30 Transitions: Lifting Up and Jumping Back
In the Ashtanga system, the vinyasa is the thread that links each posture like the beads of a mala. While lifting up, jumping back, and jumping through may seem daunting at first, this course lays the groundwork to begin building the core strength and bandha awareness that allows you to access these transitions. Learn how to begin moving through these transitions with ease to bring grace and fluidity to your practice. This is a fun and challenging workshop for all levels of practitioners.
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Tuesday 26 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
Day off from afternoon workshop!
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Wednesday 27 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
11.30-1.30 Workshop
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Thursday 28 March
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
11.30-1.30 Arm Balances: Learn to Fly
Join Taylor for a fun and interactive workshop exploring arm balances from the Second and Third series. We will begin with a breakdown of the structural components, including shoulder position and stability, necessary to safely approach the transitions of the Primary Series. Then, start to take flight with the Second and Third series arm balances. By understanding the mechanics, students can learn how to safely approach these challenging postures with integrity.
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Friday 29 march
7-9 am Mysore
10am Brunch
3.30pm Chai and fruits
6.00pm Dinner
Saturday 30 March
9.00am Check out from rooms and Breakfast
Booking information
Please read the booking information before booking a retreat.
Accommodation Options
Take a look at our 3 accommodation options: