TRADITIONAL MYSORE ASHTANGA
With Damien & Andrea

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Damien and Andrea have a combined 20 years of experience practicing and teaching Ashtanga yoga, as well as other self-development skills. Having 2 teachers in the room ensures that you have plenty of attention and help to work on your tight spots and support your practice. They shares their passion for yoga with humor, compassion and a light heart.

Damien De Bastier
Damien came from a psychology background when he was introduced to Ashtanga yoga in 1998. He fell in love at first stretch as he recognized the ideal blending of his inclination for sports, meditation and self-inquiry.

He also experienced first-hand the healing potential of yoga as he came to the practice with a crumpled knee that was healed within a short time. Fascinated by this holistic miracle Damien soon found himself in Mysore, India to study with yoga master Sri K Pattabhi Jois, grandson Sharath and has been returning regularly ever since.

In 2000 he moved to Washington D.C. to apprentice under the guidance of his uncle at the Ashtanga Yoga Center. Teaching full time since, he floats with the wind and has lived in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Barcelona, and now Bali, Indonesia.

His understanding of yoga was refined through an open, inquisitive frame of mind and the influences of Richard Freeman, Tim Miller, the Advaita perspective and the wisdom of his ganesha knee.

Authorized by Guruji in 2007, he is honored to share the gifts of the Ashtanga method as it has been transmitted to him. Today, he sees yoga as the practice of being aware to what is going on in the moment and of stretching oneself to embody one’s Self full potential.

Andrea Drottholm
Andrea ‘s life is strongly coloured by a multi-cultural heritage. Born in Sweden from Hungarian parents, she speaks 6 languages and  lived in 8 countries around the world before settling down in Barcelona for over 10 years. She now untied the ropes loose again to fly free and teach yoga.

Her Athletic and active spirit lead her to explore dancing, various sports, and styles of yoga before she was introducedd to the Ashtanga  practice by Diane Bell in 2002. At first a mean to stay fit, the practice grew more profound and meaningful to finally take over her life. It transformed her from being a night-owl into an early bird; not an easy task she admits,  especially when immersed in the spanish culture. She now assertains that Ashtanga is the train on her path toward Truth.

Her 1st visit to Mysore, India in 2006 deepened her commitment to the Ashtanga method into a process of awareness and self-reflection. She has since returned again to continue her studies of the yoga way.
A successful entrepreneur  with 20 years experience in the service industry (consult www.Akaza.net if you need a short term rent in Barcelona :), she also is a certified Life Coach, and has been sharing her passion for yoga with young children 4-12.

She now teaches older children 20-70 and assists Damien in Mysore classes. She feels grateful for the light of yoga and keeps learning  from her practice and from her students.