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Breath & Ashtanga: An Immersion with Melissa Lau

Starstreet Precinct – Wan Chai

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ABOUT

Building upon the success of last year’s Breath & Ashtanga workshop, Melissa is pleased to offer an immersive experience that aims to establish a regular yoga practice. Each morning, we will explore three prescribed sets of yoga sequences – kriya (cleansing technique), pranayama (breath regulation), and asana (posture) – in the form of Ashtanga Primary Series in both led class-style as well as Mysore-style. The afternoon session will be Asana Clinics, which will allow us to deepen our understanding of key Ashtanga poses.

 

Emphasis will be placed on mastering the correct technique for these prescribed sequences, enabling students to cultivate a strong foundation of practice. Our mornings will begin with a seated meditation before moving into kriya, followed by an asana practice in the form of the Ashtanga Primary Series in Mysore-style. This series is a self-paced fixed-sequence practice in Vinyasa-style. We will end with pranayama and relaxation, allowing the benefits of our practice to fully integrate.

 

*This immersion is open to students with previous experience in Ashtanga Yoga.

Friday, 29 November 7:00pm-8:30pm Welcoming & forming the study circle

  • Prescription of sequence for the next morning’s practice according to each individual’s level and condition
  • Learning the basics of Kriya for the weekend morning practices
  • How to modify your practice during your menstrual cycle or rehabilitation of injuries
  • Setting and sealing the intention through Pranayama
Saturday, 30 November 7:30am-8:30am Pre-Asana practice

  • Silent sitting
  • Prescribed Kriya practice
8:30am-10:30am Asana practice: Led Ashtanga Primary Series (until Supta Kurmasana)

  • Emphasised study on the link between Breath, Vinyasa count and transitional movement
10:30am-11:30am Pranayama & sitting after deep Asana practice, the body is open, and the mind is still. It is a great time to practice Pranayama in depth.

  • Prescribed Pranayama practice
  • Sitting/Savasana
12:30pm-2:30pm Asana clinic #1 – The Foundation of Primary Series: Standing Poses
We will explore a detailed breakdown of a few foundational poses in the Standing Sequence of the Ashtanga Primary Series. Expect to learn more about the main principles of movement and anatomical alignment in key standing poses like Utthita Trikonasana (triangle pose), Utthita Parsvakonasana (side angle pose) and Prasarita Padottanasana (wide-legged forward bend pose), etc. Learning about the foundations is important as they form the building blocks for more advanced poses in the second half of the Primary Series.
Sunday, 01 December 7:30am-8:30am Pre-Asana practice

  • Silent sitting
  • Prescribed Kriya practice
8:30am-10:30am Asana practice: Ashtanga Primary Series in Mysore style (Self-paced Asana practice with teacher’s guidance)

  • Students who are new the Mysore-style class will be prescribed a tailor-made sequence from the Ashtanga Primary Series by the teacher. Throughout the 2 hours, the teacher will be present in the room to give each student individual hands-on and verbal adjustments. For first-timers, expect to have around 1.5 hour of practice.
  • Students who have prior experience to Mysore-style class will receive guidance from the teacher on the day before to establish focal areas to work on in their practice.
10:30am-11:30am Pranayama & sitting after deep Asana practice – the body is open, and the mind is still. It is a great time to practise Pranayama in depth.

  • Prescribed Pranayama practice
  • Sitting/Savasana
12:30pm-2:30pm Asana Clinic #2 – The Marichyasanas and the Tortoise. In continuation of our previous Asana Clinic, we’ll delve deeper into the ‘hump’ of the Ashtanga Primary Series, specifically the Marichyasana Series and the Kurmasana Series. These particular asanas pose a significant challenge for many students and require focused exploration. Expect to learn more about the main principles of movement and anatomical alignment in Marichyasana A, B, C, D (sage twist pose), Kurmasana (tortoise pose), Supta Kurmasana (sleeping tortoise pose), and the Vinyasa-transition which involves Bakasana (crow pose).

Location, schedule & fees

Registration
Friday
29
Nov
Fri ,
29
  Nov
7:00am - 2:30pm
Breath & Ashtanga: An Immersion with Melissa Lau - Full Workshop (A total of 13.5 hours) [WS2964]
Register
Early Bird
HK$2,850
ended
Regular Price
HK$3,166
Ends 26 Nov
Saturday
30
Nov
Sat ,
30
  Nov
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Breath & Ashtanga: An Immersion with Melissa Lau - Saturday Asana Clinic #1 Drop-In (2 hours) [WS2964]
Register
Early Bird
HK$560
ended
Regular Price
HK$622
Ends 26 Nov
Sunday
1
Dec
Sun ,
1
  Dec
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Breath & Ashtanga: An Immersion with Melissa Lau - Sunday Asana Clinic #2 Drop-In (2 hours) [WS2964]
Register
Early Bird
HK$560
ended
Regular Price
HK$622
Ends 26 Nov
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LOCATION
Starstreet Precinct
Wanchai
Yoga
3-19 Wing Fung Street, Starstreet Precinct, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Melissa Lau
Melissa's journey into yoga began with a life-changing trip to Bali in 2012, which led her to Ashtanga Yoga. Despite initially pursuing architecture, Melissa found her passion in yoga. Guided by mentors Dylan Bernstein and Clayton Horton, she went on to study with R. Sharath Jois in Mysore, India and transitioned to a career in teaching yoga. Her classes emphasise intelligence in breath and movement. It brings her great joy when students leave the class feeling lighter, calmer, and warmer at heart.