The art of yoga āsana
Adjustments & Assisting Retreat
With Rory Viggers
Spring 2022
Devon, UK
For yoga teachers who want to elevate, refine and enrich your āsana teaching skills, knowledge and personal practice.
Learn how to empower and help your students through the art of safe and intelligent hands-on adjustments.
During this weekend you will learn…
Precise and safe adjustment techniques.
Application, method and approach of the asana groups (Standing Postures, Seated Postures, Forward Bends, Twistings, Inversions, Backbends).
Where to look at the student in each asana.
How to adapt asanas for different body types.
When to help and when not to help.
How to feel and listen to the students body.
Develop confidence in adjusting and decision making.
Common errors in hands-on adjustments.
What not to do (even though you may have been taught that it’s ok).
Connect and practice with other like-minded teachers.
Elevate your own practice, teaching and ability to help others.
Small group size for greater individual focus and attention.
Open to teachers from all Hatha disciplines (eg. Iyengar, Ashtanga, Sivananda, etc.).
15 hours of adjustment practice (accredited CPD).
The language of the brain is words.
The language of the body is feeling and touch.
The skill in adjustments is first of all knowing where to look. Once you understand this, you can find a solution.
A helpful adjustment is one where a precise touch gives your student information to enable them to make the adjustment themselves.
An unhelpful adjustment is where you confuse the body with too much touch and sensory information and ‘do the adjustment for them’.
During this weekend you will explore a range of asana types, deconstruct them and learn how to really help your students.
I have learnt adjustments through my teacher Dona Holleman, universally regarded as one of the last living asana masters.
She has spend the past 60 years (she is 80) dedicating her life to yoga, taking the practice into the future. Up to 6 hours a day of daily asana practice, she has experimented, developed and refined asana to an art form. She has meticulous knowledge of the body and asana. Many incredible senior yoga teachers will have their roots traced back to her or one of her students.
I’ve studied full-time with Dona for many years and have learnt her genius adjustments, method and approach to asana.
Nothing is left to chance. Everything is actioned with knowledge, intension, precision and purpose.
We’ve helped hundreds of teachers and students develop and refine their skills in understanding the body, asana and adjusting.
I look forward to sharing some of these insights and techniques to help you empower your students and inspire your own personal asana sadhana.
Your Teacher
Rory Viggers
Rory's unique teaching style skilfully enables you to uncover a greater depth of awareness and understanding in your practice. Informed by multi-disciplines his approach is intelligent, passionate and insightful. I am a direct student of one of the last living greats, Dona Holleman. The yoga I share has purpose, intention, precision, intelligence and soul. It continues to be informed by all the inspirations in my life, past and current teachers, mentors, trailblazers and most importantly from the precious and essential time in my own daily Sadhana where ideas are incubated, experimented and processed. I teach long term practitioners, yoga teachers, yoga teacher teachers and those new to yoga with my partner Dory Walker.
”Both Rory and Dory are such exceptional teachers; their knowledge, wisdom and understanding (both of the anatomy of yoga and the philosophy) shines through”
Tabitha, Yoga Teacher
"To be guided along the path whilst connecting together in sangha finding our own way home is vital today. Thank you so much for being such knowledgeable and sincere guides offering what so many don’t”
Sona, Yoga Teacher
Sample Schedule
Friday
3pm: Arrivals
4pm - 7pm: Adjustments
Dinner
Saturday
8am - 11am: Adjustments
Brunch
2pm - 6pm: Adjustments
Dinner
Evening
Sunday
8am - 11am: Adjustments
Brunch
1pm - 3pm: Adjustments
Lunch then departures
In-between sessions and evenings:
Free time, enjoy the surrounding countryside, time for personal practice and connect with other yoga teachers.
Location
Bala Brook residential retreat centre is nestled in its own valley on the southern edge of Dartmoor National Park.
The retreat centre is located beside a fast-flowing moorland brook and surrounded by nature. It provides a tranquil, beautiful and nurturing setting.
Register for this weekend
Twin Room
Shared Bathroom
early bird £495pp
(Regular price £525)
Twin room ensuite
early bird £550pp
(Regular price £597)
Single room
shared bathroom
early bird £550pp
(Regular price £575)
Single room ensuite
early bird £600pp
(Regular price £650)
Price include all tuition, meals & snacks (organic & vegetarian) and accommodation
”There are yoga teachers and then there are teachers of yoga. Rory belongs to the latter group. There are some yoga classes I go to just in order not to practice by myself, but in Rory’s classes I always learn something new; and, I really mean always. Rory’s classes are not merely about strength and flexibility (even though they are about that too), he rather teaches ever new ways to get into an asana, ways to become aware of and awaken muscle groups you never knew existed, and to relax and become confident in your body. Rory has a wealth of knowledge of the human body that he’s most skilled in articulating and sharing for a more embodied way of being in the world (not just on the mat).”
AH, Yoga Practitioner
"Having practised yoga for many years, it was a huge relief to find that your professionalism and approach to teaching was in synch with my own and I felt totally at ease and responsive with being a student under your careful and artful guidance. You both are yoga craftsmen."
Liz, Yoga Teacher
FAQs
Is this weekend suitable for me?
This programme is open to yoga teachers who have completed a 200 hour training.
Which system of yoga is this?
The adjustments are relevant to all forms of Asana. Our students include teachers of Ashtanga, Iyengar, Sivananda and many more, who have used these techniques and methods to enhance their own system.
Can you cater for my diet?
All meals are vegetarian. We can cater for any dietary requirements. You can make a note of these on the booking form.
What yoga equipment do I need to bring?
We can provide all equipment but if you have your own mat, blocks, belts etc, you can bring.
What else do I need to bring?
Notepad & pen.
contact us
If you have any questions, please contact us here