Exploring Asana with Alys Pardoe

Exploring Asana through the philosophy of yoga.

An embodied, practical workshop that explores the physical aspects of yoga and how they weave together with its underlying philosophical principles. It offers a safe and supportive space for learning, asking questions, and deepening both your teaching and/or personal practice. Together, we move beyond shapes and alignment, into a more intentional and embodied understanding of asana.

A 4-hour workshop designed for yoga teachers and dedicated practitioners who wish to deepen their understanding of asana beyond form — into sensation, awareness, and intelligent application.

Guided by Alys Pardoe, director of Ashtanga Yoga Margaret River, and assisted by Maria, physiotherapist and yoga teacher, this workshop offers an integrated approach to alignment, hands-on assisting, and embodied practice.

Together, we explore asana as an opportunity to cultivate balance in both body and mind — shifting from something we simply perform into a more meaningful and responsive experience.

Throughout the session, we will explore the ability to read bodies, recognise individual differences in structure and movement, and adapt postures with greater sensitivity and precision.

We will explore the role of the fascia system and its influence on movement and function, offering deeper insight into anatomical diversity and how this relates to both modern anatomical understanding and traditional concepts such as the “Nadis” and “Sthira Sukham”.

Intention will be placed on the art of hands-on assisting — not only the how, but the why and when. This includes a reflective exploration of the ethics of touch in contemporary yoga, cultivating awareness, respect, and presence in every interaction, and understanding when it is more appropriate not to assist.

Whether you are refining your teaching skills or seeking a deeper connection to your own practice, this workshop offers a thoughtful, practical, and enriching space to explore the layers of asana with clarity and intention.

This marks the fourth offering of Exploring Asana in the South West of Western Australia. Following two sold-out events in Margaret River and Perth, we are excited to bring this experience to the Dunsborough community.