ASHTANGA YOGA RECONSIDERED
A 2-Day Weekend Workshop with Adam Keen
in Vienna May 25-26 2024

Adam’s teaching of Ashtanga is informed by his experience with many senior teachers during his time as manager of Purple Valley from 2006, as well as his unique opportunity to deep dive on his podcast Keen on Yoga.

Being one of only very few students anywhere to complete the advanced A series in Mysore with Sharthji (in a record-short time), Adam has had direct physical experience with asanas that not many have.  Being a philosopher at heart, he has contemplated deeply all aspects of the practice and teaching.

Adam imparts his knowledge in an understanding and compassionate way so all students can progress and gain interest in their daily practice aside from being a set of rules and restrictions. This is a unique opportunity to experience all that he has to share.

Saturday, May 25^th

8.00 – 10.00 Mysore

Adam teaches traditionally as he learned and experienced it in Mysore, defined by subtle, inner techniques. Following the sequences as they are in Mysore, adaptations will be given to keep you moving forward.  Practitioners will be approached individually and offered a gentle and holistic approach to physical assistance (if you want that).  All are welcome to the Mysore class.

10.30 – 12.00 Fundamentals of Yoga

The building blocks of the work in asana are deeper than just making shapes. Using asanas from the primary series Adam will show how you can move forward in the series effectively and safely. We will discuss using active as opposed to passive stretches and how to best work with them using right tension to set up with forces structured within the body.

13.00 – 14.30 Jump Through & Jump Back

The benefits of the jump through and back vinyasa are available to everyone in learning to do an effective version of it, one that gets the movement at its basic level and can then be developed further. And it’s worth putting a little time in here; this movement hugely develops scapula mobility and engages the lower abdomen in such a way that the digestive function and metabolism are hugely improved. It also feels great!  This is a fun class where everyone will go knowing how to work to develop it further for themselves.

15.00 – 16.00 Discussion History of Modern Yoga + Q&A

A short lecture with time for questions on the roots of modern asana and how the modern Ashtanga Yoga tradition relates to this. Then, also, how this tradition itself has evolved over the last 50 years from when it was first taught by Krishnamacharya in the Mysore Royal Palace.

Sunday, May 26^th

8.00 – 10.00 Mysore

10.30 – 12.00 Back Bends with Comfort

Not many people know that originally urdhva dhanurasana came at the end of the Intermediate Series. This makes sense as it gives students more time to work on the backbends in the series itself before attempting the full wheel.

This workshop will look at back bends in a new way which will help mentally and physically with this asana, making it comfortable and accessible for all. You may be surprised at how a small switch of focus and a few tips may make all the difference here.

Adam is one of only a few students to have completed the Advanced A series in Mysore with Sharathji. He received Level 2 Authorisation in 2012 and has taught Ashtanga yoga for almost 25 years. Equally at home teaching all levels, he gives all students attention and interest. He is democratic in his approach and kind.

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. His firm belief is that the practice can remain traditional and be suited to the demands and needs of each body without contradiction.

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