This is a unique chance to meet Ellen Johannesen, a KPJAYI level 2 authorized Ashtangi living in Nepal, and study Yoga, Buddhism and meditation with her. Ellen, who owns a Master's Degree in Tibetan Buddhism and Himalayan Languages, will share with us the central ideas of Buddhism and introduce us to some of the life-changing meditation techniques practiced by the yogis of the Himalayas. These techniques, that are today applied by practitioners worldwide, aims at creating a peaceful mind and develop compassion for all living beings. They also form the necessary foundation for overcoming passivity and burn-out and create a humane and inclusive society. If you are seeking to enhance and energize your heart and mind, this might just be the retreat for you!

The day starts with yoga, where Ellen teaches Ashtanga in her characteristic way: supplying the serene Counted Vinyasa method with her playful approach to movement - inspired by dance and functional anatomy. With more than 20 years of teaching experience and a background as a professional dancer, Ellen is an extremely skillful Ashtanga practitioner and teacher, from whom you guaranteed will pick up some new moves!

Furthermore, there will be classes in philosophy and meditation, in which we examine how meditation can move the mind in a positive direction and create a real change in how we perceive the world. As devotion and trust are the foundations of stable meditation practice, we will end the day with loving-kindness meditation and chanting.

Program

Monday

14.00 - 16.30 Arrival
17.00 - 18.00 Introduction to the week with gentle yoga
18.00 - 19.00 Dinner
19.00 - 20.00 Evening meditation: breath as a link between body and mind

Tuesday

07.00 - 07.30 Led morning meditation
07.30 - 09.00 Yoga (Mysore/led)
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
11.00 – 13.00 Yoga philosophy, why do we meditate and why?
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
15.00 – 16.00 Free time
16.00- 17.30 Workshop: the physical and subtle body, mindfulness and breath in Ashtanga practice
18.00 - 19.00 Dinner
19.00 - 20.00 Chanting and meditation

Wednesday

07.00 - 07.30 Led morning meditation
07.30 - 09.00 Yoga (Mysore/led)
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
11.00 – 13.00 Yoga philosophy
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
15.00 – 16.00 Free time
16.00- 17.30 Workshop: yoga technique
18.00 - 19.00 Dinner
19.00 - 20.00 Chanting and meditation

Thursday

07.00 - 07.30 Led morning meditation
07.30 - 09.00 Yoga (Mysore/led)
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
11.00 – 13.00 Yoga philosophy
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
15.00 – 16.00 Free time
16.00- 17.30 Workshop: yoga technique, Questions and answers
18.00 - 19.00 Dinner
19.00 - 20.00 Chanting and meditation

Friday

07.00 - 07.30 Led morning meditation
07.30 - 09.00 Yoga (Mysore/led)
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
11.00 – 13.00 Yoga philosophy
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
15.00 – 16.00 Free time
16.00- 17.30 Workshop: relax and restore
18.00 - 19.00 Dinner
19.00 - 20.00 Chanting and meditation

Saturday

07.30 - 09.00 Yoga (Mysore/led)
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast
11.00 – 13.00 Yoga philosophy, Q &A and summary
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch

The retreat is suitable for those who have practiced some Ashtanga before, but there is no requirement that you have a daily practice!

Ellen Johannesen was one of the very first Ashtanga Teachers in Norway, and founded Ashtanga Yoga Oslo in 2002. In 2005, she obtained an Authorization as Ashtanga Yoga teacher from Mysore. Ellen is deeply interested in Buddhism, and has lived for nearly 3 years in a Tibetan Monastery in Bylakuppe, India. She later moved to Kathmandu, where she first studied to become a Tibetan translator and interpreter, and later completed a Master Degree in Buddhist studies and Tibetan language.

Currently, Ellen runs an Ashtanga yoga shala in Kathmandhu and is a highly appreciated and popular teacher for both Yoga and Buddhist philosophy in Norway and abroad.

More info: www.ashtanganepal.no

Instaram: ashtanganepal