Week of Ashtanga Yoga with Asta Caplan in Yoga in Salento, Zollino, in the heart of the Salento. Twenty minutes from both coasts and from cultural centres such as Lecce, Otranto and Gallipoli.

BOOK YOUR STAY WITH YOGA IN SALENTO
7 nights
6 brunches
7 vegetarian dinners
1 breakfast
double, single or shared rooms
A very wide swimming pool and beautiful gardens
Spa Healing Center. Treatments and massages on request

https://yogainsalento.com/2018/10/ashtanga-yoga-practice-for-life-with-asta-caplan/

BOOK YOUR YOGA PROGRAM DIRECTLY WITH ASTA BY EMAIL:
Full retreat week: 350,- Euro
Morning practice only: 230,- Euro
Afternoons only: 180,- Euro
Single morning: 35,- Euro
Single afternoon: 35,- Euro
Discounts for local YIS students and staff

DESCRIPTION OF THE RETREAT PRACTICE WEEK

Morning practice in the peace and tranquility of the shala is the heart and the gateway to our deep dive into your individual the practice of Ashtanga yoga.
The individually guided and assisted morning practice is complemented by afternoon workshops with Asta. These classes will help you to deepen your understanding of this powerful yet subtle practice of movement and breath bound together in meditation and self discovery.
The afternoon workshops will concentrate on sustainable access to asana with an increased understanding of our body’s alignment and technique through balance of flexibility and strength. We’ll explore the gateway between our two nervous systems and our body and mind with introduction and practice of pranayama breath-work.
The detailed content of the afternoon workshop classes will be adjusted to the needs of the participants. This retreat is suitable for practitioners of all levels from beginners to advanced series B (fourth series) and will provide an opportunity to develop your skills, refine your technique and deepen your connection with the practice of Ashtanga Yoga.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, this workshop will provide you with an opportunity to cultivate inner peace, physical strength, and mental clarity.

The retreat schedule

8.11. 2025 Saturday
Arrival and welcome dinner.

9.11.2025 Sunday Morning
7:00-9:30 Led primary series & pranayama

Afternoon 15:00-18:00
Breathing in Ashtanga yoga in the space of transition and rhythm. In this class we’ll explore the concept of vinyasa and transitions with some hip opening. We explore the relation of breath and focus connecting the awareness in the body and mind. From struggles with jump trough to our journey in deeper practice of yoga as meditation in movement our breath will carry us through.
Q&A & Pranayama

10.11.2025 Monday Morning
6:30-8:30 & 8:30–10:30
Guided and assisted self practice (Mysore-style) with individual guidance according to student’s current level. In two groups of maximum 16 students/group.

Afternoon 15:00-18:00
Hip opening and leg mobility for happier knees and lower back
We will start by exploring at the versatility of rotation in the largest joint of our body: the hip. The emphasis is in the active use of our muscles in aligning and powering up our legs for sustainable freer movement and to undo restrictions that are commonly causing trouble with knees and lower back.
Other focus point is the essential part our lower body plays in fuller back bends. We work on extending our hip flexors and releasing the muscles connecting our lower backs to the front of our hips. We’ll use the the parallel line of movement from standing towards hanumanasana (splits) as tool to explore the long lines of movement connecting all the way through our bodies.

11.11.2025 Tuesday Morning
6:30-8:30 & 8:30–10:30
Guided and assisted self practice (Mysore-style) with individual guidance according to student’s current level. In groups of maximum 16 students/group.

12.11.2025 Wednesday Morning
6:30-8:30 & 8:30–10:30
Guided and assisted self practice (Mysore-style) with individual guidance according to student’s current level. In groups of maximum 16 students/group.

Afternoon 15:00-18:00
Backbending & opening our heart.
We’ll take a holistic look at the physical and mental demands of sustainable and joyful deeper back bending. If you just wish to improve your everyday posture or you’re dreaming of inverted arm balance back bending; In all its forms the process of back bending can be transformational!
Back bending requires a lot of mental courage and stability and this is why it can be very helpful for a practitioner to have a better understanding of the technique and elements of the movement. This opens up new joyful possibilities of discovery when working towards and beyond one’s limits.
We will warm up thoroughly and then start exploring the range of movement, strength and stability needed for safe and strong back bends of all levels of flexibility. It’ll be a play ground for questions and individual challenges.
We will use both the traditional asana from primary and intermediate series of Ashtanga yoga as well as some targeted stretches and exercises to discover possible individual current restrictions in our mobility as well as our way to greater freedom of active range of mobility.

Pranayama

13.11.2025 Thursday Morning
6:30-8:30 & 8:30–10:30
Guided and assisted self practice (Mysore-style) with individual guidance according to student’s current level. In groups of maximum 16 students/group.

14.11.2025 Friday Morning
6:30-8:30 & 8:30–10:30
Guided and assisted self practice (Mysore-style) with individual guidance according to student’s current level. In groups of maximum 16 students/group.

Afternoon 15:00-18:00
Connecting to the whole of you – Exploring balance & inversion.
Bring your wildest dreams into this class and challenge your idea of what’s possible for you in your practice! If you have a wish list of things you’d like to try: This is the place for play and exploration. One breath at a time, nothing is impossible.
Pranayama

15.11.2025 Saturday
6:30-9:00 Led primary series & farewell