Adarsh Williams teaches a contemplative style of yoga that embraces both modern innovation and traditional wisdom. Since 1995, Adarsh has been engaged in the field of natural healing and has received certifications in therapeutic massage and active isolated stretching. He continues as a student of Ashtanga Yoga and its sister studies of Sanskrit, Ayurveda, and Bhakti.
As an Authorized Ashtanga teacher, Adarsh has continuously traveled to Asia since 2001 for study and pilgrimage. Adarsh strives to pass on the precise method of Ashtanga as taught to him by his late Guruji, Shri. K Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Believing that the best teacher is one who inspires students to - practice, practice, practice- , his approach is individualized, compassionate, and respectful, allowing each practitioner to receive the appropriate attention without any one person getting lost in the crowd of students. He maintains the exact method of counting vinyasa, dristhi, pranayama, asana, and bandha which form the core techniques of Ashtanga.
Through in-depth study of human anatomy and physiology and formal training as a massage therapist, Adarsh is highly regarded for his sensitive yet deep adjusting style. He has experience working with a wide variety of students of diverse abilities, ages, and backgrounds. With a deeply held belief that anyone can develop a personal yoga practice, Adarsh is an energetic teacher who infuses his enthusiasm for practice and hard work in his students.
Prior to coming to Taiwan, Adarsh directed the Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Palo Alto, CA specializing in progressive instruction for beginner through advanced levels.
Learn to move better, improve position and take your practice to the next level!
This weekend workshop presents fresh perspectives on movement and mobility systems. Adarsh has distilled the best practices of physical therapy, sports science and classical yoga for you to optimize practice performance, prevent injuries, and avoid pain and frustration down the road.
In short, it's about removing the complexity around movement and position, and help you to seamlessly integrate functional movement into your practice.
Adarsh's progressions will take you step by step from basic positions into realms of strength, mobility and skill otherwise impossible:
STRENGTH
- L - Sit
- Plank
- Jump back/through
- Arm balance
- Hand stand
MOBILITY
- M | WOD System (www.mobilitywod.com)
- joint capsules (banded work)
- self myofascia release (ball work)
- splits
- thoracic bridge
- lotus
SKILL
- move better
- feel stronger
- get flexible
- deep relaxation
- pranayama
- meditation
- yoga philosophy
Incorporating the best practices of physical therapy, sports science and classical yoga, you will:
- recover faster
- avoid injury
- rehab aches and pains
- step up your game
This experiential workshop combines movement, lecture and hands on modalities in an interactive environment that is both personal and practical.
Daily Schedule
Morning Practice 09:00~12:00
- Guided Pranayama (yoga breathing)
- Guided Ashtanga Yoga (primary, intermediate postures)
- Guided Meditation
Afternoon Workshop 13:30~16:30
- Movement & Mobility
- Hands-on Adjustments
- Self treatment for musculoskeletal pain, injury
Suitable For
STUDENTS to move better, treat sore spots, and avoid injuries.
TEACHERS to incorporate functional movement in their teaching. COACHES to integrate functional yoga in their training.
CE Credit
12 hours of CEU credits for Yoga Alliance.
Advancing Towards Second Series
Do not miss this rare opportunity to participate in Taiwan's most comprehensive Ashtanga Second Series Immersion with focus on step by step progression. Now is the chance to lock down the basics, break through limitation, and advance your practice.
The aim of second series is Nadi Shodhana, which means to "purify the channels" and stimulate the vital energy, prana. This is achieved through back bending, deep twists, hip opening postures and arm balances in conjunction with yoga breathing and meditative flow. This course is perfect for teachers and dedicated yoga students to deepen their experience in vinyasa & the internal purification of Second Series.
As we tackle more challenging practice such as the second series, we often push too hard or not quite sure how to breakthrough our bottleneck. Adarsh's progressions help you move safely from basic asana to redefine your "edge":
- Build strength through traditional body weight practice
- Master the basics, then learn to fly
- Understand the rules of mobility
- Increase physical energy through yoga interval training
- Cultivate vital energy through yoga breathing
- Experience meditation and Flow
- Recover faster with self myofascia release
Morning Practice
- Pranayama & Meditation for 2nd Series
- Full Vinyasa - understanding the traditional vinyasa counting method and sequencing of all postures in the 2nd series.
- Deep Relaxation and tissue recovery
Afternoon Workshop
- Asana- a detailed look at the 2nd Series, focus on correct position and movement, how to modify, and path ways for improvement.
- Mobility specific to 2nd Series
- Adjustments-- how to give and receive manual adjustments, and how to self adjust
- Adarsh's best tricks for solving tricky poses!
- Self Myofascia Release for 2nd Series
Daily Schedule
09:00 -12:00 morning session
13:30 -16:30 afternoon session
Suitable For
FOR TEACHERS, TRAINERS, COACHES, AND STUDENTS
At the end of this Immersion, you will be better able to:
- Identify postural, movement inefficiencies
- Prep and prime for movement practice
- Deep Relaxation and tissue recovery
- Apply Performance breathing to movement/sport
- Self treatment for musculoskeletal pain, injury
CE Credit
30 hours of CEU credit for Yoga Alliance
Back in 2004, I remember being surprised to receive an invitation to join the Intermediate Series class.
It was my third trip to Mysore and while I had made significant progress, I had little of the “natural” talent of many of the super-stars of yoga that I practiced along side.
But, there I was, finishing the assisted back-bending sequence, and Guruji Pattabhi Jois said to me, “2nd Series, you come.”
As I limped out of the Shala that day, I thought to confirm with Sharath that I could, in-fact, attend the 2nd Series class. He gave me a doubtful, yet affirmative shrug.
Like any new beginning, there was a learning curve and it took some time before the back bends and deep hip openers felt routine, but the change that I did not expect — was the significant improvement in my First Series!
Back in the day, before my time in Mysore even, senior teachers talk about how Primary & Intermediate Series were learned at the same time. They were considered “two sides of the same coin.”
Primary Series to improve forward bending and detox the organs, Intermediate Series to improve back bending and nervous system health.
Over time, with the growing numbers of students, the standards for progression in Mysore became more rigorous and fewer were “allowed” to progress into 2nd Series.
The truth is, with proper progression, and adherence to proper mechanics, the 2nd Series is open to various levels of students. A cursory glance at the Series reveals many postures that are used in Physical Therapy clinics to rehab injuries. While some of the asana are highly advanced, there are always worthy substitutions that offer the same (sometimes more) benefit without the extreme contortion.
Many Senior Ashtanga teachers have guided students of various physical abilities safely through the Intermediate Series, and watched them grow in the process.
Perhaps the problem is in the name? Instead of “1st” and “2nd” Series, it would be better to call one the “Forward Bend Series” and the other “Back Bending Series” or stick with the cool-sounding Sanskrit names: “Yoga Chikitsa” and “Nadi Shodhana.”
When the student shows a competence within the basics of breath, movement and position, certainly there is no harm adding variety of sequences. For the best of both worlds, practice 1st and 2nd Series. It’s like I tell me children, “one hand washes the other.”
Adarsh Williams
