Iyengar Yoga Workshop with Antonella
Join us at YogaOnCrete and experience lightness of body and spirit and the joy of honouring and nurturing your needs through the practice of Iyengar yoga and meditation, daily encounters with the cool, turquoise Mediterranean waters at quiet beaches, idyllic unspoilt surroundings, and wholesome, vegetarian, local food, excursions, a warm and welcoming group of people and much more!
During the course, we will learn how to enter into deeper contact with our Body and Mind using the yoga asanas. You will observe the effect of each pose and the responses of your physical, mental and emotional body. Different poses in fact have a different impact on your body and on your nervous system, mind and emotions. The self-awareness that you will acquire during the course of the week, will accompany you in your daily activities helping you in respecting your real needs regarding food intake, resting moments and observing energy levels changing during the day.
There will be two classes per day. In the morning class, we will practice more active poses, while in the evening class we will focus on restorative poses and meditation to finish the day.
No previous experience in yoga is required for participation in the course, while more experienced students will discover tools for deepening their practice!
Vacation Highlights
- Daily morning and afternoon Iyengar yoga class
- Daily meditation
- Option for private 1:1 Guided Drawing® therapy sessions (a form of art therapy based on the Somatic Experiencing®)
- Professional and experienced yoga instructor
- 7 nights' accommodation in traditional guesthouse located near beach
- 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners included
- A round trip to the beautiful Sweet Water beach
- Linen and towels provided
Course Programme
The week begins with an introductory class at 6.00 p.m. on the day of arrival, and the day's programme closes with dinner. All other days begin at 8.00 a.m. with a 1.5 hour Iyengar yoga class, in which more active poses will be practiced.
After breakfast guests are free to relax and enjoy the beach and sunshine, receive a massage treatment, or explore the village and region. The second class of the day in the late afternoon will focus on restorative poses and meditation to finish the day, and is followed by dinner.
The fourth day of the week is a rest day from classes; an optional excursion can be arranged, including a guided hike through a gorge of the region (usually the magnificent Aradaina gorge) or other season appropriate hike, ending at the beach (approx. €25 depending on number of participants going). All breakfasts and 5 dinners are offered at the house, while on two of the nights guests are free to dine out in the village restaurants (not included in the course cost; approx. €15 for a full meal including drinks). Individual excursions (e.g., hikes, boat trips) can also be arranged during the week. On the last day of each week, departure can be arranged after morning class and breakfast.
The number of guests is limited to 14, to create a warm and friendly atmosphere, and to ascertain that individual attention is given in the classes.
Iyengar yoga
The classes comprise of a series of asanas (physical postures), usually sustained for some time so that the body and its necessary actions can be observed within the posture, pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditative techniques (sitting in silence, concentration techniques), through which the development of awareness of the body and mind in the present moment and deep relaxation are practiced.
Iyengar yoga was developed through the pioneering work of B.K.S. Iyengar, who freed the classical yoga postures (asanas) from their Indian mystique and with the use of props made them suitable for Westerners, who want to have a clear understanding of what happens in a yoga posture. A typical Iyengar yoga class focuses on precision of movement, correct alignment, and the study of the ‘muscle and mind’ actions and resistance necessary to enter a state of concentration. Breathing awareness is emphasized in every asana in order to deepen the experience. Through consistent practice the student overcomes physical and mental/emotional limits and develops a deep awareness of the body, power, control, patience and physical and mental harmony.Antonella Cusimano
Antonella encountered yoga in 2000 through her dance career. Experiencing the profound transformation and healing effect on her Body and Mind through Iyengar Yoga practice, she decided to follow the 3 years of Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training program in Amsterdam, plus a 4th year to certify as Junior Intermediate I. She started teaching in 2004 and never stopped ever since.
She has followed Iyengar yoga teachers in workshops and conventions in Europe, India and United States: Christian Pisano, Rita Keller, Alexis Simon, Swati and Rajiv Chanchani, Carrie Owerko, Manouso Manos, Geeta and Prashant Iyengar. Through these many experiences, she acquired knowledge and developed her own way of teaching, which focuses on developing self-awareness. She is also particularly interested in the effect of yoga practice on the nervous system.
During workshops, she also uses Vipassana meditation as a tool to explore and soothe the mind.
Since 2004 she has been teaching in dance and cultural institutions, private companies, yoga studios and workshops dealing with very different kinds of people, ages and needs from professional dancers to elderly people. She teaches groups and 1:1 sessions in person and online.
‘What inspires me to keep teaching is the fascinating discovery of every individual as a unique Universe and how the practice can help them in developing self-awareness, healing their bodies and mind, and learn to trust and communicate more with themselves’.
Antonella is also an Initiatic Art Therapist certified at the Institute of Sensory Motor Art Therapy (ISAT) Australia. She uses Guided Drawing® in 1:1 sessions, which is a form of Art Therapy developed by Cornelia Elbrecht (Founder of ISAT). Guided Drawing® is a therapeutical tool based on the Somatic Experiencing® developed by Peter Levine.
Antonella speaks Italian, English, French, SpanishPrices
- €620 shared non en suite accommodation (2 in a room) with use of the communal bathroom.
- €710 shared en suite accommodation (3 in a room) or single non-ensuite (with use of common bathroom).
- €770 shared en suite twin or double room.
- €970 single en suite accommodation (please note that single room availability is limited).
- €550 non-participating partner sharing a room.
- €610 work-exchange option (only one place per week): about 2-3 hours’ help per day with light household tasks (e.g., washing dishes, cleaning yoga studio) that does not interfere with the attendance of all classes. Accommodation in triple room
- (all inclusive) per person per week
