Deepen Your Practice, Transform Your Path
An Ashtanga Yoga Adventure with Yvette Sanderson & Donna Southwell
July 2026 – February 2027
6 Weekends • 8 Months • Two Inspiring Locations • Two Teachers Walking the Path Beside You
Yvette & Donna come together to offer a completely unique, in-depth training experience. Join us for this exploration of practice, philosophy, breath, health & wellbeing, personal growth, and so much more. An Ashtanga Yoga Adventure is designed to deepen your practice, expand your understanding, and transform the way you experience yoga and yourself.
An Ashtanga Path Toward Strength, Clarity, and Self‑Understanding
Whether you are new to ashtanga or already walking this path, this adventure invites you to discover how the practice can support, challenge, and transform you over time. We explore the sequences step by step, weaving in asana practice, breath, focus, and philosophy to build not just strength and flexibility, but steadiness and self-understanding. This is less about achievement and more about allowing space for growth, reflection and inner stillness
Three weekends at Yoga Sangha, Cheadle (South Manchester)
Three weekends at Calderdale Yoga Centre, Hebden Bridge (West Yorkshire)
The foundation of the course is a detailed exploration of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series and its many components. We will also explore Pranayama, Meditation, Chanting, Yoga Nidra, Ayurveda, Intermediate Ashtanga Postures, East and West Spiritual Paths and philosophy, joy, exploration, community and so much more
Each weekend includes Mysore practice, led classes, technique workshops, meditation, pranayama, chanting, Ayurvedic insights, and lots more to nourish body, mind, and spirit.
"This course is designed to give you the tools, clarity, and confidence to grow"
Whether your goal is to become a more skilful teacher or to deepen your personal practice
What You Can Expect
Over the course of the six weekends, you will develop a thorough understanding of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series, and a delve into the 2nd series, including:
• Traditional Sanskrit vinyasa counting
• Structural anatomy and alignment
• Hands-on adjustments and safe assisting – all practitioners will benefit from understanding this element
• Classical pranayama and complementary breathing techniques
• Philosophy through critical thinking and personal inquiry
• Ayurvedic principles for nourishment, balance, and wellbeing
• Chanting to connect with sound, rhythm, and spirit
• Joyful exploration and community experiences
Transforming Your Relationship with the Practice
This training is not about changing Ashtanga Yoga. It is about helping you see it in a new, deeper way. You will develop a rich and nuanced understanding of the practice, creating a personal map that supports mindful teaching, insightful observation, and a deeper connection to yourself. Ashtanga Yoga can serve as a mirror to life, revealing patterns, strengths, and the areas where growth is calling.
Throughout the course, you will explore what may be holding you back, discover what nurtures your evolution, and learn how yoga can become a transformative force both on and off the mat. This is a space for learning, reflection, empowerment, joy, and personal growth
Every participant’s journey is unique. Some will focus on teaching, others on deepening their own practice. All students are respected, supported, and guided. Each participant will have access to a mentor who offers guidance during the weekends and ongoing support after the course.
Complementary home-learning modules in chanting, philosophy, sutra study, meditation, and Ayurveda provide additional enrichment. A certificate of completion is awarded at the end of the program.
- A Note on Accreditation
This training is not affiliated with any self-regulating yoga organisations. Its authenticity comes from the experience, knowledge, and dedication of the teachers, and from the depth and integrity of the practice itself. It is grounded in lived experience and a genuine commitment to supporting each student’s growth
"My hope is that through the training you will discover a pathway to presence: Exploring Ashtanga with depth and ease"
Yvette
Your Training Days
Mornings
• Meditation to centre and awaken the mind
• Pranayama to bring awareness and vitality to the breath
• Mysore-style self-practice, allowing for individual growth within the group
Students already practicing the Second Series can continue their journey. Those newer to intermediate postures will focus on the Primary Series, gradually adding new postures as appropriate, safely and mindfully.
Afternoons
Sessions are designed to deepen your understanding of the practice and your body, including:
• Technical foundations of postures
• Thoughtful modifications to suit your body
• Traditional Sanskrit vinyasa counting and posture names
• Observing and understanding both physically and energetically
• Safe, mindful hands-on adjustments
• Breath mechanics and the role of pranayama
• Using props effectively to support alignment and comfort
• Drishti — cultivating awareness through gaze
• Bandha — understanding the internal locks and core engagement
• Kriyas — cleansing techniques including Kapalabhati, Neti, Trataka, and Nauli
• Journaling
• Art of Relaxation/Yoga Nidra
• Restorative Yoga
• Holistic Well-being, Womens Health and The Ageing Process
• Exploring Ayurveda
• Chanting, joy, and creative exploration as part of a holistic approach to life
“I invite you to Meet Ashtanga differently — where strength softens into steadiness, and stillness rises from within.”
Donna
Dates
2026
July 4/5 Yoga Sangha - Cheadle South Manchester
Sept 5/6 Calderdale Yoga Centre - Hebden Bridge West Yorkshire
Oct 10/11 Yoga Sangha - Cheadle South Manchester
Nov 7/8 Calderdale Yoga Centre - Hebden Bridge West Yorkshire
2027
Jan 9/10 Yoga Sangha - Cheadle South Manchester
Feb 6/7 Calderdale Yoga Centre - Hebden Bridge West Yorkshire
Spaces will be limited, so please book today
There are two prices. £900 pay in full or £1,000 with a £250 deposit and the balance on installments
