MatthewSweeney

ASHTANGA VINYASA

with Matthew Sweeney

July 17-19, and July 24-26, 2009

Early bird discount $185 for each weekend if paid before June 16 '09

Late fee is $220.

An $85 deposit will hold a spot for you.

This workshop is an informative and practical exploration of Ashtanga Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga,

including traditional Ashtanga Yoga, therapeutic Vinyasa sequences and Yoga philosophy.

For both novice and advanced Yoga enthusiasts, here is a unique opportunity to practice under

Matthew delivers his workshops with enthusiasm and a fun, allowing you to explore the joy of Yoga.

Most recently, Matthew includes flowing led practices and insightful guidance on various hints,

tricks and techniques for some of the more intricate aspects of Asana practice. These sessions are useful

for Yoga practitioners from any tradition and are not just aimed at traditional Ashtanga Yoga students.

Beginning with a short introduction about the workshop and Vinyasa Yoga this class will commence with Moon Sequence.

Feeling tired? Depleted? Injured? Or otherwise a bit low? This sequence is a gentle flowing Vinyasa form accessible for all levels.

Although this sequence was originally intended for practice on the full moon, the new moon and during the menstrual cycle,

it is appropriate at any time for women or men. This sequence emphasises the hips, groin, lower spine and abdominals,

which will feel awake and alive after moving through the postures. It takes pressure off the neck, shoulders and wrists

(common from the standard jumps in the Ashtanga series) and is useful as a regular alternative to the intense heat of the

We will explore the methods and techniques necessary to implement greater ease and ability with jumping through and

jumping back. Beginning with a warm up based on the traditional series, we will then then explore the jumps in Suryanamaskara

followed by the jumps in and out of the sitting postures--both cross-legged and straight-legged. These useful techniques have been

comprehensively developed over many years and are applicable for students of any level.

This class will begin with a short Vinyasa warm up. This will be followed by exploring variations of back bending and drop backs.

Simple hands on exercises will be provided to increase awareness of the articulation of the lower spine, pelvic floor and psoas muscles.

This session will also include some practical advice for understanding and applying the mula bandha, or root lock and will conclude with

Taught in a flowing and informative manner, this class will take the students through the Primary Series from start to finish.

Students will be encouraged to attempt the postures to their own particular level of ability to avoid pain and injury and to

maximize the sense of joy and ease that is possible in the traditional sequence. A discussion and answer session will

conclude this class, with examination of some of the anatomical and physiological outlines of the Primary

seated postures and individual body types. Some Ashtanga Yoga experience is necessary for this class,

This class will begin with a short warm up designed to open the shoulders and upper back, followed by an exploration of

headstand and handstand. A combination of easy to follow techniques and a fun atmosphere of learning will infuse this session.

This class will finish with the subtle aspects of Yoga including Pranayama (breathing exercises), Meditation and a final question and answer session.

Mysore style classes
Monday to Thursday Mornings July 20-24- limited to 15 students per session.

If you are new to the traditional Ashtanga system give yourself the opportunity to begin a personal practice under the guidance

of one on the world’s most renowned international Ashtanga teacher. Existing Ashtanga practitioners will also flourish under his

encouraging and informed eye. Individual attention, adjustments and verbal guidance will be given to support each student and

This weekend workshop is intended to be both adventurous and progressive, ultimately designed to allow students to learn t

he Vinyasa Krama sequences in full, eventually towards self practice. All students will be encouraged to come back to the self

practice classes during the week following in order to memorise and integrate the Moon Sequence and beyond.

Beginning with a short introduction about the workshop and Vinyasa Yoga this class will commence with Moon Sequence.

Feeling tired? Depleted? Injured? Or otherwise a bit low? This sequence is a gentle flowing Vinyasa form accessible for all levels.

Although this sequence was originally intended for practice on the full moon, the new moon and during the menstrual cycle,

it is appropriate at any time for women or men. This sequence emphasises the hips, groin, lower spine and abdominals,

which will feel awake and alive after moving through the postures. It takes pressure off the neck, shoulders and wrists

(common from the standard jumps in the Ashtanga series) and is useful as a regular alternative to the intense heat of the

The morning class will begin with a Pranayama session on Ujjayi breath and Uddiyana Bandha (diaphragmatic lock).

There are five core aspects of the Lion sequence; the standing postures, therapeutic and intermediate-level back bending,

hip opening postures, inversions such as headstand, fore-arm balance and handstand, and therapeutic prone postures.

This sequence, also called the sacrum series, is designed to encourage greater mobility and strength in the lower spine and hips.

The postures of this series can also be divided into two halves: to be practiced with more therapy and support in mind,

or to be practiced with more fire and an adventurous heart. Both aspects will be explored in this class.

This class will take the students through the Moon Sequence once again, with increased focus on the flow and gentleness of the practice.

This session will conclude with question and answer time to facilitate the possibility of each student integrating the sequence into home practice.

Have you ever wanted to fly around on your mat and experience variations in balance, stability and movement from multiple perspectives?

This sequence combines front and side balances with multiple inversion postures, backbends and an alternative finishing sequence.

Like all of Matthew's series, the postures in the flying sequence are linked one after the other; each set of postures are the building

blocks to work towards the subsequent set. Although Uddi Krama involves some advanced Asana, the movements and

The following link is an audio interview with Matthew, approximately 45 minutes long.

Matthew talks about Yoga practice, Yoga in daily life, his upcoming Vinyasa book and meditation.

It provides a great glimpse into Matthew’s teaching style. This interview was kindly organized by Lara at Yoga Peeps.

Matthew's knowledge of Yoga encompasses 20 years of practice and 14 years experience as a teacher.

His education includes Shiatsu massage, Yoga therapy, Iyengar Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga. Matthew's teaching combines the

tradition of Ashtanga Yoga with the therapeutic needs of each student. He provides an individual approach to the Mysore method

and is renowned for the attention he gives to both novice and advanced students.

Matthew is widely regarded as one of the world's most advanced exponents of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga as taught by

Shri. K. Pattabhi Jois. His Asana practice includes "Advanced B", or 4th Series. He studies regularly at the Ashtanga Yoga

Research Institute in Mysore India where he completed "Advanced A", or 3rd Series in 1996.

After many years of Ashtanga practice Matthew has developed his own unique Vinyasa sequences which he promotes and teaches

as suitable alternatives to the standard series. These unique Vinyasa classes are conducted to encourage students to apply a therapeutic

approach to their personal practice and to encourage a creative and adventurous heart.

Matthew travels and teaches Yoga workshops in Australia, Asia, North America and Europe.