Ashtanga Enthusiast Gathering 8-10 SEP 2023

This is a non-commercial gathering of Ashtanga enthusiasts and teachers from all backgrounds, schools and places. We meet at the amazing "Spreefeld" in the heart of Berlin right on the banks of Spree river between Jannowitzbrücke and Ostbahnhof.

We will have a daily big mysore style class taught by as many teachers as needed. In addition there are pranayama sessions, discussions on yoga philosophy and other topics such as “the development of Ashtanga”, “common good economy”, “yoga and social-ecology”, "climate change". We will speak about different strategies to avoid Ashtanga injuries in teaching and practice and all matters that come up in the discussions. 

The most important part is the in-between, the meeting and getting-to-know of each other between the sessions, the exchange of experiences, ideas and dreams. 

This is a call to all open-minded Ashtanga teachers and practitioners to share their experiences with all sorts of Yoga practices and discuss what is close to their hearts. May it be asana topics, philosophy, pranayama...

The financial side

This event is non-profit and donation based. We just have to charge enough for covering two dinners (precious meeting time!!!), location cost, travel and accommodation expenses for participating teachers and whatever else costs money. 

The vision

Listen to a short podcast about how this event came into existence (sorry, only in German).

Grischa, the founder of Ashtanga Yoga Berlin fell in love with Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga more than two decades ago. It was a fascinating entry point to the vast ocean of Yogic ideas and practices with a far spread, open minded community of practitioners and teachers.

Today we find a scattered landscape of various schools and teachers even among Ashtanga studios. There is almost no communication, no exchange of ideas and experience. The logic of capitalism seems to turn even ancient traditions such as Yoga into an empty marketing facade. Nowadays "Yoga" seems to justify and promote a superficial, selfish, and in many ways destructive lifestyle  - exactly opposite to the original Yoga as described in the ancient scriptures. 

Let's discuss how Yoga can improve how we deal with each other and the planet - rather than making things even worse. Yogic ethics (yamas and niyamas) are meant to be the fruitful soil of all our practices, teachings, communications and in fact every minute of our lives. Let's build a tradition and community in which different perspectives integrate and no longer separate. Let's establish exchange among yoga teachers and students to support each other rather than cultivating borders based on selfishness and fear. Let's make Ashtanga and Yoga in general a better place!

Everyone is welcome to join and support this project. If you have questions join our Telegram group https://t.me/+oI8ekx9HTtNiNTAy or send an email to [email protected]

Spreefeld is an awesome location right on the banks of the Spree river. The large industrial style Yoga hall with its special wooden floor can easily fit 50 practitioners for the Mysore practice. A Sauna and small "nature-swimming-pool" welcome us after practice. We will eat breakfast and dinner together in the separate dining hall and can relax in the garden and boat house.

This is the maps location for the practice space. https://goo.gl/maps/RsRVse3J6QNnKfqo8

IMPORTANT: In addition to registering please enter your name and other information in this google form. You will be asked which days you participate and which dinners you would like to join: https://forms.gle/p9jRCMPZpUsinnYx5

Also please join the Telegram group: https://t.me/+oI8ekx9HTtNiNTAy to:

• find a place to stay in Berlin
• offer your couch for practitioners from other places!
• get to know each other before the gathering, to share your ideas and dreams with us. 

Pricing considerations!

All prices contain 2 dinners (by Spreefeld catering and/or our favorite Indian vegetarian restaurand in Kreuzberg).
Please be fair when evaluating your own income. We calculated the average of your payments to be around the "normal" rate. If you are able to spend money on workshops, travel or party we hope you also value our tremendous efforts. 

Please try to come for the whole weekend. If that's not possible use the "sponsor" button for any arbitrary amount you find reasonable. 

Travel considerations

Please only travel by train, bus or shared car. Don't let Yoga ever be an excuse for the excessive air travel CO2 emissions. We can't heal ourselves by destroying the planet.