Ashtanga Immersion 2026-2027

Not Scheduled Yet

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 2026. 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 for approximately eight to nine weekends over the year in person at BYC, plus we may 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

Requirements

All students wanting to attend the 2026-2027 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?