David Robson
Jelena Vesić
BIOGRAPHY
David Robson
David Robson is a practitioner and teacher of Ashtanga Yoga, in the tradition of Sharath Yoga Centre (SYC). David is the director of the Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto, where he leads one of the world’s largest Mysore programs outside of India.
David began a daily practice in 1998 while at university studying Comparative Religion. After graduating, David made his first trip to Mysore, India in 2003, where he initiated studies with his teacher Shri Sharath Jois. Since then he has returned to Mysore annually to deepen and enrich his practice and teaching. David holds Certification from the Sharath Yoga Centre.
David has become well-known on social media for his educational and entertaining teaching. Through these videos he’s become one of the most recognized and respected Ashtanga Yoga teachers worldwide.
David teaches the morning mysore program at Ashtanga Toronto, and leads workshops and retreats around the world with his wife Jelena.
Jelena Vesić
After four years of doing her PhD (Political Science, York University, Toronto), Jelena decided to walk away and dedicate herself to teaching Ashtanga Yoga full time. She’s been teaching since 2014, and now leads the Mysore program at Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto, as well as teaches workshops and retreats around the world.
Jelena first came to yoga through dance. As a former ballet dancer of 16 years, the structure and rigour of the Ashtanga Yoga practice felt like home. Drawn to the discipline, mindfulness of the movement and emphasis on the breath, Jelena made the Ashtanga practice her sole focus in 2009.
Jelena has maintained a daily Ashtanga practice for over a decade. She’s made many trips to Mysore, India to study with her teacher, Sharath Jois, and holds Level 2 Authorization. In addition, Jelena also considers herself to be a student of Jack Kornfield, a Buddhist teacher and clinical psychologist. She’s completed his and Tara Brach’s “The Power of Awareness” course and their two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program.
Workshops Schedule
Pranayama and Meditation
Saturday, September 19 at 8 AM
Cultivate a deeper body-breath-mind connection with this guided pranayama and meditation session. Thoughtfully paired to help you experience positive changes both on and off the mat.
Included with your Festival Passport.
Led Ashtanga Primary Series
Saturday, September 19 at 9 AM
David and Jelena will lead you through Ashtanga's Primary Series with the traditional Sanskrit count, and include detailed instructions along the way.
Included with your Festival Passport.
Freedom, Strength and Ease in Backbends - an Ashtanga approach
Samedi 19 septembre à 14h
Backbends can often feel compressed, lacking in space, or even painful. But with the right technique and understanding, they can become a practice of openness and ease.
In this workshop, we’ll explore the key principles that create safe and sustainable backbends, including spinal mechanics, shoulder mobility, hip extension, breath, and intelligent muscular engagement. Rather than forcing flexibility, you’ll learn how to distribute the bend evenly throughout the body so that the spine feels supported and spacious.
1 Ashtanga Workshop: $48 members / $55 non-members
2 Ashtanga Workshops: $88 members / $100 non-members
The Art of Floating - an Ashtanga approach
Sunday, September 20 at 9:30 AM
Floating happens when a combination of coordinated movements creates lightness, control, and fluidity in your practice.
In this workshop, we'll break down the mechanics of floating step by step, exploring the strength, timing, breath, and body awareness that make jumping back, jumping forward, floating through, and balancing possible.
1 Ashtanga Workshop: $48 members / $55 non-members
2 Ashtanga Workshops: $88 members / $100 non-members