ASHTANGA WORKSHOP: Unravelling the Primary Series (3 Parts)
with Carla Araos
Sun 02.03.25, 10:15 – 12:15
Sun 06.04.25, 10:15 – 12:15
Sun 18.05.25, 10:15 – 12:15
Open Level (but not suitable for yoga beginners)
79 CHF per class*
220 CHF for all 3 parts
In this workshop, we will look closely at a section (Half Primary) of the primary series or Yoga Chikizta, the most healing and therapeutic sequence of the Ashtanga yoga method.
You will begin the path of self-discovery, a long-term process that requires dedication, discipline, determination, trust, and patience. See below for more information about each part.
Sunday 2nd March 2025
Part 1: Samasthiti to Virabhadrasana & Finishing Sequence.
Sunday 6th April 2025
Part 2: Dandasana to Janu Sirsasana A.
Sunday 18th May 2025
Part 3: Unravelling the primary series Part 3: Janu sirsasana to Navasana.
Ashtanga is a method for everyone. It provides you with a structure, but you can work within this structure at your own pace, safely and intelligently practising with mindfulness and acceptance. Modifications can be done for different levels of experience or in case of injury, and there is always the option to skip certain poses if necessary, hence your practice is sustainable, long-lasting, and beneficial. It will take you to a place of great compassion and understanding toward yourself and others
We will look closely at the three elements of Tristana (breath, bandhas and drishti). These fundamental tools will transform your practice, cultivate presence, focus and stability, and make your asana practice a full mind and body experience that transcends from your mat into all aspects of life.
This workshop is for any curious student interested in learning from the beginning or continuing to learn the Ashtanga method. For those who want to start practising Ashtanga, it will provide a solid foundation. For those who have some experience with the practice, it will be an opportunity to clarify and deepen your understanding of this method.
This is an open-level workshop. It is open for those who have existing yoga experience but is not suitable for complete beginners to yoga.
*This is a 3-part workshop. You can book all 3 parts together or independently, but you should be familiar with the practice until the point where we left it in the previous part.
SOUNDING BODIES
Voice, Movement & Rhythm Workshop
with Niria
Sun 15.06.25, 14:00 – 17:00
Open Level
Price: 90 CHF
Discover your unique expression through voice, movement, and rhythm!
This workshop combines simple body and vocal exercises with playful improvisation, based on different contemporary dance and vocal approaches.
Rhythmic and harmonic practices in circle formations will allow you to experience yourself as an individual and as part of a whole – supported by the energy of the group.
Through guided explorations, you will gain tools to deepen your creative expression while having the space to create and shape your own unique expressions.
No musical or dance experience required.
If you love expressing yourself through movement and voice, want to deepen your creativity, or simply enjoy an inspiring and playful atmosphere, this workshop is for you!
108 SUN SALUTATIONS:
A Homage to the Sun
with Carla Araos
Sun 22.06.25, 10:15 – 13:15
Open Level (not suitable for complete beginners)
Price: 108 CHF
Let’s celebrate the summer solstice!
We invite you to join us for an energising, powerful, and inspiring ‘moving meditation’ as we flow together through 108 Sun Salutations. Our movement honours the sun, the solar spirit symbolising the infinite light of pure consciousness.
We invite you to look deep inside yourself for an intention. This is especially important during this practice, as it is in this intention that you will find the willpower and the desire to keep going.
Practising the 108 Sun Salutations requires not only tapas (discipline) but also Satya (honesty) and Ahimsa (non-violence). Practise mindfully, diligently, and intelligently. Pause if needed, and enjoy being grounded by your breath.
The number 108 has many symbolic meanings and is considered sacred and auspicious across many disciplines. In yoga, the number 108 refers to spiritual completion. Ancient yogis believed that we can be in harmony with the rhythms of nature by completing practices in rounds of this sacred number. It connects the body, mind, and universe, especially when there is a period of change, such as an equinox or solstice. As we gather energy through repetition, we can use it to start the season renewed and inspired.
This practice is an opportunity to re-energise and reignite your practice. Afterwards, we will finish with a relaxing and extended savasana.
This is an open-level event, but prior Sun Salutation experience is recommended.
EMBRACING CHANGE:
Spring Yoga and Meditation Workshop
with Carla Araos
Sun 04.05.25, 10:15 – 13:15
Open Level (not suitable for complete beginners)
Price: 90 CHF
Welcome change with open arms and a receptive heart. Spring is a season of renewal, of cleansing, sorting, of fresh starts, and a time full of potential. A time to pause and reflect on what truly matters so we can direct our energy where it counts.
Through the practice of pranayama, asana, chanting, and meditation we will deepen the connection to ourselves, invite renewal, and cultivate strength and flexibility in our bodies and in our ability to adapt and grow. Together, we will learn to welcome the unknown and unpredictable, trusting that each shift is an opportunity for new beginnings and expansion, no matter how gentle or powerful.
This workshop is for anyone interested in exploring other limbs of Yoga, as we will:
- Chant together, which helps strengthen the sense of community, lift our moods, and reduce negative thought patterns. The practice of rhythmic, repetitive vocalization also becomes a way to work with our breath, boosting our energy and clarity.
- Practice an asana sequence that stimulates both physical and subtle channels, reawakening and re-energizing the body, boosting circulation to the digestive system, promoting movement, and releasing old and stagnant energy. This increases the sense of lightness, as well as physical and mental space.
- Take a moment to listen deeply to yourself through the practice of meditation.
The asana portion will be taught with plenty of options for you to explore with an open heart and a curious mind.
This is an open-level workshop. It is open for those who have existing yoga experience but is not suitable for complete beginners to yoga.
EASTER SPECIAL:
Awakening Clarity
Flow, Balance, & Fresh Perspectives
with Carla Araos
Fri 18.04.25, 10:15 – 12:15
Open Level
Price: 70 CHF
This special Easter Friday, our yoga practice will serve as a powerful metaphor for embracing new ways of seeing, responding to, and engaging with life, helping us navigate our challenges with greater clarity and openness.
We’ll explore the theme of finding a fresh perspective and seeing the world with new eyes.
We’ll begin with an energizing flow that warms and awakens the body, preparing both body and mind for balance and inversions. Through a thoughtfully sequenced series of poses, we’ll invite a deeper awareness of how we move and how we perceive the world around us.
Using props and various modifications, each of us will be guided to discover our unique expression of every posture.
Come with curiosity and leave with a renewed sense of perspective, empowered to approach life’s challenges with a fresh outlook.
EASTER SPECIAL:
Moving Forward with an Open Heart
with Carla Araos
Mon 21.04.25, 10:15 – 12:15
Open Level
Price: 70 CHF
Celebrate the bank holiday with a lively flow class, where the soothing rhythm of our breath gently guides us toward a calm, centred mind.
Together, we’ll explore forward folds and backbends, embracing change with the openness and wisdom that comes from the heart.
Through deep, mindful breathing in each movement, we’ll prepare ourselves to stay open, ready to welcome the ease of life’s flow and the growth that arises in times of challenge.
SPRING REFLECTION RETREAT
with Carla Araos
3 Day Yoga Retreat in Graubünden
Fri 11.04 – Sun 13.04.25
Open Level
Price: See here for info
Berghotel Sterna, Sterna 12, 7404, Feldis/Veulden, Graubünden
When winter says goodbye and spring arrives, we meet here at 1500 m above sea level to practise together, breathe freely, recharge, and to gain new perspectives.
This weekend retreat gives you the opportunity to take strength from nature. You will use the energy from the beautiful surroundings and the cool spring air to turn your mind inwards, to look deeply within yourself so you can clean, sort, and start peeling off the layers of winter. It is a chance to decide which seeds you want to plant and cultivate to bloom beautifully in the coming season. You will explore what is meaningful to you and where you need to concentrate your energy and your focus.
For more information about the retreat, including the schedule, pricing, accommodation, and how to book, please visit this link.
This retreat is an invitation to explore with an open heart and a curious mind. Connecting with nature, cultivating the ability to see things in a new or broader way, and practicing in a group of like-minded people will help you seize the opportunities presented by the changing seasons.
It includes yoga asana, meditation, pranayama, chanting and yoga nidra. The asana part is taught with many options for all yoga levels.
Basic knowledge of yoga is recommended for participation. Carla teaches in English, but she also understands and speaks German.
The Berghotel Sterna in the Domleschg region, Graubünden, Switzerland, is a special place of peace and relaxation. Please see here for more info about this beautiful location.
SUNDAY SPECIAL: Synergy Yoga
with Jlona Kopf
Sun 23.03.25, 17:00 – 18:15
Open Level
Price: 40 CHF
In this special class, you will be guided through a mindful practice that prioritises core engagement and spinal alignment. This practice offers you a sustainable approach to building strength without tension and cultivating flexibility without strain. Feel warmth and bliss radiate from within as you create balance and harmony in your body.
Drawing from her own experience of using yoga to find balance in a fast-paced life, Jlona creates an inclusive space where everyone, regardless of age, experience, or physical limitations, can feel supported. Whether you’re looking to relieve stress, increase mental focus, or build physical strength, this class will leave you feeling both relaxed and empowered.
Suitable for all levels, the class blends dynamic flows and mindful movement, guiding you to connect deeply with your body and mind.
Jlona teaches in English and can provide instructions in German when needed.
SUNDAY SPECIAL:
REST (Restore & Relax)
with Carla Araos
Sun 16.03.25, 17:00 – 18:30
Open Level
Price: 40 CHF
This special class is an invitation for you to rest, relax, nourish, and replenish yourself. Come and enjoy an afternoon just “being”, without expectations nor pressure.
The class will consist of a restorative asana practice and deep relaxation (Yoga Nidra), all supporting our main intention, to rest. This is a well-rounded practice that will help you to integrate the physical, emotional & spiritual “layers”.
This class is designed for yoga and meditation students of all levels, from beginners to advance students.
SUNDAY SPECIAL: Candlelight Yoga
with Carla Araos
Sunday 23.02.2025, 17:00 – 18:30
Ljus Studio, Nordstrasse 195, 8037 Zürich
Open Level
Price: 40 CHF
This class is an opportunity to honour the wintertime, a time of beautiful introspection when the evenings are longer and darker.
So many times, changing seasons are left unnoticed. Maybe it is because of the goal-oriented society we live in, but if we move with awareness even during the winter we can harvest the energy that resides there, in the space in between, and bring it with us to our destination. This destination could be a place, a day, an asana, etc.
We will move slowly through the practice. The breath and transitions between poses being the primary focus. If you have a busy mind, moving slowly will improve your mental focus and encourage you to stay in the moment.
This practice will help to calm and strengthen the nervous system and release stress. It will build and develop balance, strength, flexibility, and breathing capacity. The slow pace will allow you to calm your mind and get a better understanding of how the movement impacts your body and your surroundings.
It is meditation in motion; a method to go deeper within ourselves, cultivating wholesome mental states for the benefit of us and others.
SUNDAY SPECIAL: The Hip Class
with Carla Araos
Sunday 08.12.2024, 17:00 – 18:30
Ljus Studio, Nordstrasse 195, 8037 Zürich
Open Level
Price: 40 CHF
In this special, we will work intensely on the hips, both actively and passively. It will be a mild-paced practice and there will be lots of work using gravity and the floor as support. The intention is to strengthen, stabilise, and release tension in the muscles and tissues around the hips and pelvis.
Our modern lifestyles and the stress levels we are exposed to make the lower part of our bodies progressively tighten. Releasing tension around the hips can be very intense, not only physically, but also emotionally. We will work in a space of kindness and compassion. With the breath, we will give time and space for our bodies to trust and, hopefully, find a little bit of freedom.
Learning to understand the connection between the hips and a healthy and pain-free back. We will find ways to approach postures safely, using gravity, the floor, and the breath. We will move patiently into the asanas, harvesting the healing effects and the power to rejuvenate the whole spine through consistent practice of them.
CHARITY CLASS
ASHTANGA MEETS RESTORATIVE
Class in benefit of Amigos de los Animales
Sunday 22.09.2024, 11:00 – 12:30
Ljus Studio, Nordstrasse 195, 8037 Zürich
Open Level
Price: 40 CHF*
Proceeds from the class on 22 September 2024 will be donated to AMIGOS DE LOS ANIMALES DE GRANADA, SPAIN. Thanks for the support to the animals!
Ashtanga Meets Restorative Charity Class
with Carla Araos
The class is divided into two contrasting, but complementary parts. The first is dedicated to the Ashtanga Vinyasa method, which purifies the body/mind, enhances balance, strength, and flexibility. We move through asanas emphasising the breath, gaze, and alignment. The second involves restorative postures held passively for longer to activate the nervous system and aid relaxation. The class aims to balance the opposing forces of the dynamic and energetic Ashtanga method and the static and nourishing restorative practice.
You can always donate more than the cost of the class at the studio 🙂
*As this is a charity class, the class fee is not refundable.
SUNDAY SPECIAL: Autumn Flow
with Carla Araos
Sunday 24.11.2024, 17:00 – 18:30
Ljus Studio, Nordstrasse 195, 8037 Zürich
Open Level
Price: 40 CHF*
Autumn invites us to seek balance. It is time to strengthen our digestive fire (or agni as it’s known in Ayurveda) by incorporating warming and stimulating asanas along with grounding and calming movements that can profoundly soothe the nervous system during our yoga practice.
Come to explore the spiritual and physical benefits of a smooth practice featuring many twists. These poses will increase our energy levels by stimulating the digestive fire, helping us to release tension, reduce stress, fatigue, and anxiety in the process. This journey will cultivate clarity, create space, and enhance vitality.
SUNDAY SPECIAL:
Detox Yoga. Ignite your Digestive Fire
with Sabrina Cerea
Sunday 16.02.2025, 10:30 – 12:00
Ljus Studio, Nordstrasse 195, 8037 Zürich
Open Level
Price: 40 CHF
This special class is designed to stimulate Agni, the transformative energy responsible for digestion, assimilation, and metabolism. Agni, which in Sanskrit means “fire”, according to Ayurveda represents the body’s ability to transform food, thoughts, and experiences into energy and vitality. After the holidays, both body and mind can benefit from a fresh start to regain balance and lightness.
Through the element of fire, we’ll explore a dynamic sequence that includes:
- Activating poses, to raise your heart rate, warm up the body, and boost metabolism.
- Deep twists, to massage the stomach and intestines, stimulate digestion, and facilitate the release of accumulated toxins.
- Gentle inversions, to activate the thyroid and support overall energetic balance.
According to Ayurveda, when Agni is weak, Ama – a toxic substance – accumulates in the body, disrupting digestion and affecting mental and emotional clarity. This practice will help you purify your body, reignite your metabolism, and restore a sense of vitality and well-being.
Get ready to awaken your inner fire and feel more energised, centred, and connected.
This practice is suitable for all levels.
Ljus Studio
Nordstrasse 195 8037 Zürich
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