Report on Richard Spahn Ashtanga retreat 2002

"Hey.... that course was just 7 days wasn’t it?"

7 consecutive days of Astanga 2 hour practice with Richard Spahn who teaches astanga workshops in various countries for most of the year.

Si sios agus Lig do Scith…. Not for the last week anyhow ;-)

For details on June 2nd - 9th 2006 Richard Spahn's course Ashtanga 7 day retreat with Richard Spahn

There sure was a good bit of living within the past week. Sunny clouds, silky dolphins, a group of really nice people with very mixed levels of Yoga experience, a unique environment and an amazing Astanga yoga teacher Richard Spahn who has been teaching Astanga yoga for 15 years .



So why have you not heard Richard’s name here before?

That is because Richard has only started coming to Ireland to teach since last year. But don’t worry. You will definitely be hearing a lot more about Richard in the years to come. And you may be lucky enough to book a place with him the next time. But be warned, there are already 9 people with their names down already ;-) and if they only tell their friends……

One day of drissle rain. One day of sunbathing listening to some good sounds. And all days of healthy, ever-changing, heights and layers of clouds which made those relatively short periods of warmish sunshine feel just great.

The time schedule was not rushed, and the whole week developed from moment to moment. The schedule of the week flowed rather than followed a set plan. Most of the excursions and walks were chosen at the last minute based on the weather patterns of that hour of the day. And its not a matter of looking chart on the news ;-) On the West coast in the Burren one never knows what is going to blow in over the next couple of hours. One never knows what is going to happen next in the Burren. One simply goes with the flow.



The one thing that did follow a set plan was the 8:30 – 10:30 Astanga class with Richard Spahn. How to lead a self practice practically in its smooth running and flowing, whilst still giving instructions and actually leading the cycle.



This was Astanga at its best. Introduced and taught in the true sense of Yoga. The group had a varying range of abilities and yoga experience . Each felt the experience and daily practice stretched themselves to their limits and slightly beyond, much of the time. All the individuals of the small group of 9 people received individual attention. Attention was given to each person’s energy levels, their postures, breathing alignment, development and progression, and increasing difficulty introduced on a personal basis as the week progressed.



This was the Astanga introduction to the practice which you would like anyone to receive. No peering over the heads of others to try to see the teacher knowing they can’t see you too often.

There were 6 people who stayed for the full 7 days. 3 additional people stayed for the first weekend of the course and a few more joined as they were leaving.



The rest of the week included a trip to the dolphin, a climb up Mulloughmore, an afternoon’s sail in a Galway bay hooker Kinvara style, the newly ‘cleaned up’ Poulnabrone missing its small dolmins, the Ailwee caves, Paddi’s feasts of vegetarian which are at a level of restaurant class (not surprisingly as Paddi ran Seventh Heaven. For Vegetarian Cooking course click Vegetarian cooking weekend



So half the group set off for the top of Mulloughmore while the rest ambled around the lower slopes taking in the amazing views, unique Burren rock complete with its wide range of wild flowers and plants.



So this was where they were going to build the interpretive centre. Its great to put your feet up after that nice walk (and sometimes scramble) up Mulloughmore. Thats the peak above.



Comin back down one can see for miles over the Burren landscape of rock, lakes, trees, grass and lots more rock!



Some parts of the descent required good concentration and a little bit of scrambling.



One's senses were nourished by the unique surroundings and one's awareness was definitely in the present as one's eyes maintained a good focus on the Burren rock with each footstep.

Emerging from the small hazel patch and coming back out into the light cannot be described here.



"Hey, what type of flower is that one?"



So thats where the rest of the group are ;-) Half the group ventured to the top of Mulloghmore while the other half walked on the lower rock checking out the wild flowers and also checking out the hazy sun rays.



And not one taker in the week for a visit to the pub life in Kinvara. Everyone fully emersed in the wholehearted healythy atmosphere of raw vegatable and gingered fruit drinks and a good hearthy breakfast to last for the day ahead. And after a fun filled adventure in the afternoon, a vegetarian delight which was prepared by Paddi.



Mostly early nights were chosen either lounging in the passive solar heated upstairs room with the ceiling to floor views over the Burren, a solar delight of warmth, moving palm tree leaves and an easy good healthy relaxed calm atmosphere of freedom and ease…. Or else sitting in the patio area and listening to the sounds of the many kinds of wild birds.



Or enjoying a deep tissue full body massage by our professional massuese Nuala.



Richard takes the time to answer some questions on Yoga.



Mornings call was at 7:30 am. And then a stretch and a smile and a few short chats, showers, and dare we say it cups of coffeee… (this is a relaxed yoga atmosphere…. You can take coffee or tea rather than risk withdrawal from something you’re not going to stay off anyhow.)

And then back on the mats at 8:30 AM bright fresh and ready for more.



No point of photos of the Yoga. You’ve seen them all before. Anyhow the practice was so flowing, there was no time for photos during the practice.

If you want to see photos of Yoga from other courses click Photo Gallery



The Cliffs of Moher don’t look like much of a height from a distance…. But up close



I know its hard to believe …. But yes those people are actually standing so close to the edge of that cliff. I guess from where they are they can’t see that they are standing on a big overhang of ancient rock from the Cliffs of Moher.



Anyhow the camera lens was not big enough to capture these dimensions, nor height, nor beauty of the views.



One never knows what one will see on the pier in Kinvara.



Another afternoon while we were strolling on the pier in Kinvara we met Mehall who took us out in his traditional sailing boat know as a Galway Bay Hooker.



"Its been over 6 years since I've sailed on this hooker.... and it feels as great as ever" Dave



Margaret and Madeline smiling as usual.



Mehall leans back just to check we are on course he divines a course through the mussel rafts in Kinvara bay, while Maria handles the gib lines. No winches on these hookers!



Hey Richard looks like he has found a nice spot to take in the sights.



There's even plenty of time to ask questions to Richard during the day.



Its like someone switches off the wind as we swing round from tacking to a lovely lesurely run back in towards Kinvara Quay with its casle sitting at the side of the bay.



Hey does it usually come over that close?

"Life is sooooo good!"



This is what I call "Swimming with the dolphin"



Hey, that’s nothin’….. wait until you see it coming up the slip way ;-)





Even the dog wants to play with the dolphin…. Named Mara.

These long Summer days where it is still bright at 11:00 PM makes a week appear to be a month when you considers the amount of activities and evenets which filled the week. The other side of the coin is that the week just flew and the week seemed a little too short for most of us.

Next Course with Richard Spahn May 30th - June 6th 2003 1 week long.

Some comments from people on the course;

"6th June 2002: A fabalous week of introduction to Astanga with Richard who has a magical practice and who has more than inspired me. Dave THANK YOU for making the stay here in this wonderful place sooo good!, and for all the wonderful trips to the Burren. Wishing you every success with your vision for the future." Love, Madeline "P.S. The sun beds and the Beatles on Thursday were great. Thanks! ;-) "

This came from Madeline who has a lot of previous Yoga experience but who has not practiced Astanga before.

"Dave, what can I say ... what an introduction to Yoga. Astanga is the way to go.... it will change my life. We were so lucky to have Richard and yourself teaching us the ways. The walks in the Burren were really complimentary after yoga practice in the morning. I had a great week... agreat experience. I could go on.... food ....sailing.... I wish you the very best in developing the centre further. Best Wishes, Maria Chandler June 2002"

This came from Maria for who this week was an introduction to the whole world of Yoga.

And from myself "Richard, although my primary practice is satyananda yoga, I've been practicing Astanga for over 4 years on and off. This was by far the best exposure to the practice, without ego, but with clear attention to all aspects of our being. I was well extended to my limits (and beyond ;-) while still not feeling aches (well not much) throughout the 7 day daily practice. Thank you for coming over, and this is no doubt a beginning of a regular contact as your follwers here begin to grow in numbers. Hare OM"

For details on courses for the next few months click
Calendar of Retreats

Some comments from people from previous courses
Comments from previous courses

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