Immersion Program
September 2024 - August 2025
Ashtanga Year Long Immersion Program 2024-2025
Do you want to nourish your practice, increase personal inquiry, and commit to a year of study in the Ashtanga system? If so, consider joining the next yearlong Ashtanga Intensive which will begin in the Fall of 2024. This program is both for new students and students who have completed an immersion before. If you've already participated in the past, let me know what you'd like to get out of this year that is different than previous years. I welcome new and returning immersion students.
The year of study will provide support, encouragement, care, and accountability for your yoga and meditation practice. You will develop a deeper understanding of the primary series of Ashtanga Yoga. We will explore the Eight Limbs and yoga philosophy as it relates to daily life, social equity, and how we take our yoga practice off the mat and into the world. We will talk about cultural appropriation versus appreciation, how yoga has not been an open place for all, and the roots of yoga as it was originally intended. You will be introduced to Ayurveda and the chakras and how they relate to practice, life, and inner connection. We will complement the vigor of the Ashtanga practice with monthly Yin practices to give the body a chance to soften, unwind, and decompress.
We will use various modalities including Pranayama, meditation, the Eight Limbs, anatomy, and Ayurveda over 12 the months. I require a minimum of 8 students to sign up (and a maximum of 12). The intensive will begin in early September.
We will meet 9 weekends over the year in person at BYC, plus we will have an Immersion Retreat at Finch+Fern. You will have study to do on your own as well which will help the study that happens during immersive weekends.
Sample weekend schedule:
-possible Friday evenings
-Saturdays 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm
-Sundays 12:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Weekend Dates:
- Sept 28-29
- Oct 26-27
- Nov On Your Own
- Dec 7-8
- Jan 11-12
- Feb 7-9
- March 8-9
- April 25-27 Retreat
- May On Your Own
- June 6-8
- July 20
- Aug TBD
Requirements
All students wanting to attend the 2024-2025 immersion program, must have some prior study/knowledge of the Ashtanga Primary Series.
To be considered for the immersion please write a personal essay that thoroughly answers the following questions:
- Why do you get on your mat?
- How do you envision taking yoga off your mat?
- What does yoga mean to you?
- What do you know about social equity as it relates to yoga?
- What do you most struggle with in the practice?
- What do you hope to gain from this immersion program?
- How will you make time for the immersion in your daily life?
- If you are not currently a yoga student of Melanie’s, include information about your current Ashtanga practice and who you study with.
- What will be your biggest challenge in working within a group? And how will you work with this challenge?
- What are your scheduling conflicts?
Fees and registration
The personal essay and $500 deposit must be sent in to guarantee your spot, as space is limited. Please email Melanie at melyoga@hotmail.com with any inquiries regarding course content, requirements, or space availability.
If you are not accepted into the program, your deposit will be refunded.
Early Bird Cost: $2598 (Paid in 3 payments: Deposit paid before June 15 + 2 payments of $1049).
Regular plan: $2852 (Paid in 4 payments: Deposit paid after June 15 + 3 payments of $784 ).
Retreat
Weekend of April 12-14, 2024
Gualala, California
The space is limited to 8 students. This will be a weekend of meditation, Ashtanga yoga, and relaxation. Finch + Fern Grove is nestled in the redwood trees in Mendocino County in the coastal town of Gualala, CA. The property is on unceded Pomo Land about 3 hours North of Berkeley, CA. Retreat arrival time is any time after 4:30 pm on Friday and departure is midday on Sunday. Dinner will be on your own Friday. Feel free to bring dinner with you or plan to eat at one of the local restaurants. The program will begin Friday around 7 pm. More details about the program to follow retreat registration. The cost for the retreat is on a sliding scale $375-$550. It includes 2 nights' stay at Finch + Fern Grove, evening snacks (Friday), 4 meals, use of the hot tub, and all yoga & meditation instruction. The accommodations are varied. There is room for folks to camp, stay in a rustic hand-built A-frame, as well as stay indoors. A portion of the proceeds will go to the local band of Pomo Indians.
Retreat
February 1-4, 2024
Ashtanga Yoga Retreat at the Bell Valley Retreat Center
Boonville, California
A long-weekend meditation and yoga retreat in beautiful Bell Valley Retreat Center.
CLeanse
Pre-cleanse: Week of Oct 15. Cleanse: Sunday, Oct 22 thru Friday, Oct 27, 2023
Restore, Rejuvenate, Revitalize
September 22 marks the official change of season from summer to Fall; October 14 marks the first new moon of the Fall Season. Both of these are great times to begin again. I invite you to use the time between September 22 through October 21 to rejuvenate and restore and then join me for the annual Ayurvedic-based cleanse on October 22 to revitalize.
Start intentionally reflecting on what is in and out of balance in your life. Where can you pause? How can you decrease stress to create a sense of rejuvenation? Is there anything in your wellness routines that could use a spark?
Spend time each week from October 22 through the end of the cleanse deepening your practices (or starting practices) in yoga, meditation, self-reflection, or new routines, all with the intent to create a sense of restoration and rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit. You will be amazed how this will benefit your body's response to the cleanse.
The pre-cleanse begins the week of Oct 15, and the cleanse goes from Sunday, Oct 22 thru Friday, Oct 27.
The cleanse is based on the science of Ayurveda and is a great way to nourish yourself. It cleanses your palate and your body from sugar, gluten, dairy, meat, alcohol, and caffeine. They mono diet of mung beans, rice, and spices acts like a sponge to help clean the intestines and clear toxins from the entire system. It promotes optimal health and enhances immunity, which is quite helpful before the winter months.
Email me back if you'd like to participate in the cleanse. You can pick up the materials from class, my front porch, or for an additional cost you can have them mailed to you if needed.
The cost of the cleanse is $75. Please make your payment via check, Zelle, Applepay, or Venmo.
As soon as I receive payment, I will arrange a time for you to come and pick up your digestive herbs, digestive tea, and Tulsi tea.
Retreat
February 2-5, 2023
Boonville, California
Join me at the beautiful Bell Valley Retreat Center, located about 2.5 hours North of the Bay Area. This long weekend meditation and yoga retreat is open to all levels of yoga practitioners. Students will have the opportunity for deep practice with daily meditation, deep stretch classes, and hatha flow style classes, as well as specialized workshops designed to address students' individual needs. The retreat will also include pranayama and time for self-reflection. There will be ample time to slow down, eat well, and restore.
Our group will have the exclusive use of the facilities and accommodations during our stay. Treat yourself.
Immersion Program
November 2022 - October 2023 *
* Actual start date depends on enrollment.
This intensive is open to all Ashtanga students with a solid Half Primary Practice.
Cost for the immersion: $2,735
(Early Bird Cost: $2,498 if deposit is paid by September 14, 2022; Extended payment plan cost $2895
The immersion program helps deepen your yoga practice and consists of intensive study over a twelve-month period. We will focus on knowledge and understanding of the Ashtanga Primary Series, through study of the sutras, Pranayama, Vipassana, meditation, Eight Limbs, Ayurveda, adjustments, anatomy, and community. The program will also include a nutrition component and a deep dive into social equity through the lens of yoga philosphy.
Weekend intensives will begin in November 2022** and will continue through October 2023. There will be time for self-study as well. This will make for a more meaningful experience overall and will encourage students to develop their own practice with the accountability of the group. For students who already have a daily practice, this time will be used for attending classes and observing. During this time, you can have a private check-in with Melanie. The 2022-2023 Immersion will also include study of the Intermediate Series of Ashtanga. Space is limited to ensure individualized attention may be provided.
Yoga at the Center
Tuesday, July 6, 10:30-11:45 am
Bringing the Pieces Together with Dia Penning & Melanie Green
Join Dia and Melanie for a yoga class centered around accepting of all the parts of you that make you, you. As female identified folks, we often experience our bodies in disconnected ways. There are so many things that impact how we feel about ourselves. This yoga class is a space to practice bringing the pieces together and experiencing what is possible when we are aware of and integrate the connection between our bodies, minds, and spirits. We will begin with a short meditation, followed by a physical practice incorporating poses for both stability and expansiveness. The practice will be a mixture of active, restorative, and yin postures and is intended for all bodies and abilities.
Email Melanie or Dia for more more information or to register.
Retreat
January 27-30, 2022
Boonville, California
Join me at the beautiful Bell Valley Retreat Center, located about 2.5 hours North of the Bay Area. This long weekend Ashtanga yoga retreat is open to all levels of Ashtanga practitioners. Students will have the opportunity for deep practice with guided and mysore style classes, as well as specialized workshops designed to address students' individual needs. The retreat will also include meditation, pranayama, restorative practice, and time for self-reflection. There will be ample time to slow down, eat well, and restore.
Our group will have the exclusive use of the facilities and accommodations during our stay. Treat yourself
Ashtanga Intensive
Saturday, April 24 & Sunday, April 25
Day Long Ashtanga Intensive via Zoom
This intensive is open to all Ashtanga students with a solid 1/2 Primary Practice.
Cost for the Weekend: $200
(Early Bird $150 if paid by March 15)
It is highly recommended that you attend all sessions. If you'd like to register, but cost is an issue, please let me know.
Schedule for Saturday, April 24:
- 8:30 am Meditation & Full Primary (modified as needed)
- Break
- 10:30 am How can I live the Yamas & Niyamas
- Break
- 2:30 pm Intermediate Series Exploration Part 1 (we'll begin with a few sun salutations and explore chest opening, hip opening, arm balancing - there will be lots of modifications given)
- Break
- 4:30 pm Meditation
Schedule for Sunday, April 25:
- 9:00 am Meditation & Intermediate Series Practice (you are welcome even if you are new to the Intermediate Series)
Break
- 10:30 am Yoga in my Life: Why do I practice? What is the purpose? How do I sustain my practice during difficult times? How do I take my practice into the world? What if I get injured? How do I deal with the repetition of practice and feeling unmotivated?
- Break
- 2:30 pm Second Series Exploration Part 2 (we'll begin with a few sun salutations and then explore postures in the latter part of second series - there will be ways to modify for all)
- Break
- 4:30 Meditation & Closure
Immersion Program
July 2021 through June 2022
The immersion program helps deepen your yoga practice and consists of intensive study over a twelve-month period. We will focus on knowledge and understanding of the Ashtanga Primary Series, through study of the sutras, Pranayama, Vipassana, meditation, Eight Limbs, Ayurveda, adjustments, anatomy, and community. The program will also include a nutrition component.
Weekend intensives will begin in June 2021** and will continue through May 2022. There will be time for self-study as well. This will make for a more meaningful experience overall and will encourage students to develop their own practice with the accountability of the group. For students who already have a daily practice, this time will be used for attending classes and observing. During this time, you can have a private check-in with Melanie. The 2021-2022 Immersion will also include study of the Intermediate Series of Ashtanga. Space is limited to ensure individualized attention may be provided.
Tentative Dates:
- July 17 zoom practice & check-in
- August 21 & 22 in person
- September 18 & 19 in person
- October 16 & 17 in person
- November 6 in person
- December self-study
- January 22 zoom practice & check-in
- February 19 & 20 in person
- March 19 & 20 in person
- April 23 & 24 in person
- June TBD
**Actual start date depends on Covid19; we will likely be able to start in July 2021.
Cost for Immersion $2,600
(Early Bird Cost: $2,450 if deposit is paid by April 30, 2021)
Retreat
January 23-26, 2020
Boonville, California
Join me at the beautiful Bell Valley Retreat Center, located about 2.5 hours North of the Bay Area. This long weekend Ashtanga yoga retreat is open to all levels of Ashtanga practitioners. Students will have the opportunity for deep practice with guided and mysore style classes, as well as specialized workshops designed to address students' individual needs. The retreat will also include meditation, pranayama, restorative practice, and time for self-reflection. There will be ample time to slow down, eat well, and restore.
Our group will have the exclusive use of the facilities and accommodations during our stay. Treat yourself!
