200-Hour Ashtanga & Mindfulness Programme

200-Hour Ashtanga & Mindfulness Programme with David Robson & Jelena Vesić

With Guest Teachers Arielle Nash, Sandra Pribanić, and Vikram Jeet Singh

Dates: June 28 - August 2, 2025

Location: Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto

Investment: $4950 + HST(13%)

Apply Here

Payment Options:

RESERVE YOUR SPOT (Full Payment)

RESERVE YOUR SPOT (20% Deposit)

Includes:

50 hours: Mysore & Led classes with David & Jelena
45 hours: Workshops with David & Jelena
20 hours: Pranayama & Meditation with David & Jelena
20 hours: Anatomy with Arielle Nash
20 hours: Yoga Philosophy with Vikram Jeet Singh
15 hours: Non-contact study/online courses with David & Jelena
10 hours: Embodied Psychotherapy with Sandra Pribanić
10 hours: Yama & Niyama with David & Jelena
10 hours: Practicum/Assisting in the Mysore room with David & Jelena

Required Reading List:

Yoga Mala by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
Ashtanga Yoga Anusthana by Sri R. Sharath Jois
The Wise Heart by Jack Kornfield
AYCT Ashtanga Primary Series Intensive Workbook & Assisting School Manual (included in the cost of the training)

Become fully embodied in your personal practice & support others in deepening their own.

In this extensive 200-hour training, you’ll shift from being a dedicated Ashtanga practitioner to fully living and embodying the Ashtanga yoga tradition. With comprehensive workshops, Mysore and led classes, online resources, hands-on learning, and more, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to deepen your own personal practice as well as confidently guide others through theirs.

What You’ll Learn

Philosophy and Tradition (taught by Vikram Jeet Singh): Explore the roots of Ashtanga yoga, including its eight-limbed path and its relevance in modern life.
In-Depth Workshops: Learn proper technique, alignment, and the traditional vinyasa Sanskrit count for each pose in Ashtanga’s Primary Series.
The Foundations of Assisting: Explore the principles of safe and effective hands-on adjustment techniques and modifications, rooted in the Ashtanga yoga tradition. Acquire skills to detect alignment errors and know how to correct poses with precise cueing, both verbally and physically.
Anatomy and Alignment (taught by Arielle Nash): Gain a deep understanding of the human body to ensure precision and safety in every assist.
Mindful Communication (taught by Sandra Pribanić): Develop the skills to hold space and connect with students respectfully and intuitively, creating a supportive and empowering environment.
Pranayama and Meditation: Develop a deeper connection with your breath and cultivate inner stillness.
Sequencing and Support: Understand how to assist within a structured Ashtanga sequence while adapting to individual needs, including how to support students with injuries.

This Programme Is For You If

You are a practitioner who is passionate about yoga and you want to deepen and refine your personal practice.
You are a yoga teacher or aspiring teacher seeking to enhance your understanding of the Ashtanga yoga tradition.
You want to build confidence in your own teaching and understand how to provide hands-on adjustments safely and effectively.
You value the transformative power of yoga and want to support others on their journey.
You are curious about the principles of Ashtanga yoga and how they can elevate your practice and teaching.
You want to live with greater awareness and cultivate peace within yourself and the world around you.

Why Choose This Programme?

Expert Guidance: Learn from dedicated senior teachers with extensive experience in the Ashtanga yoga tradition. The guest teachers for Anatomy, Embodied Psychotherapy, and Yoga Philosophy are also leaders in their respective fields.
Hands-On Experience: Practice and refine your skills with real-time feedback in a supportive environment.
Structured Immersion: Move through a series of workshops and embodied practices designed to build cumulative knowledge and reinforce the teachings.
Comprehensive Approach: From vinyasa counts to alignment and pranayama to philosophy, explore every facet of the Ashtanga yoga tradition.
Community Connection: Join a like-minded group of Ashtanga enthusiasts and build lasting relationships with people from all over the world.
Personal Growth: Challenge your limits and uncover new levels of strength, flexibility, and mindfulness.

Get personalized attention and hands-on practice!
Space is limited to provide you with an intimate setting for learning.

Investment: $4950 + HST(13%)

Investment Includes:

200 hours of instruction
Unlimited AYCT membership for the duration of the programme & mat storage
AYCT Ashtanga Primary Series Intensive Workbook & Assisting School Manual
Canadian Yoga Alliance Certificate of Completion (200-hour)

Does NOT Include:

Travel and accommodation costs

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Complete Your Application
Fill out the application form to share your background, intentions, and goals for this training. This helps us ensure a meaningful and supportive experience for all participants.
Confirm Your Enrollment
A 20% deposit is required to reserve your spot in the training. The final balance is due by May 31, 2025. Alternatively, full payment can be made to confirm your enrollment.

Important: Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis after completing the application form and payment process. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible opportunity!

Scholarships: AYCT offers scholarships to dedicated students with limited and demonstrated financial needs. This year we are able to offer two students partial scholarships covering 50% of the Ashtanga & Mindfulness Programme cost. To apply, complete the scholarship section of the application form.

Cancellation Policy: We accept cancellations up to May 31, 2025 for a full refund minus an administration fee (20% of the original workshop fee). No refunds are available for cancellations made on or after June 1, 2025.

Teachers

David Robson

David Robson is a practitioner and teacher of Ashtanga Yoga, in the tradition of Sharath Yoga Centre (SYC). He’s a co-director of the Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto, where he leads one of the world’s largest Mysore style programs.

David began a daily practice in 1998 while at university studying Comparative Religion. After graduating, he made his first trip to Mysore, India in 2002, where he initiated studies with his teacher Sharath Jois. In 2007, David was authorized to teach Ashtanga.

He has become well known on social media for his educational and entertaining tutorials. He also leads workshops and retreats around the world with his wife Jelena.

Jelena Vesić

After four years of pursuing 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 is a co-director of the Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto where she leads one of the world’s largest Mysore programs. Jelena also teaches workshops and retreats in Toronto and around the world with her husband David.
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 made many trips to Mysore, India and studied with her teacher, Shri Sharath Jois. 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 two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program.

Lastly, Jelena’s true passion lies in promoting rescue and adoption of (street) dogs. You can often find her sharing her love for #adoptdontshop on her IG, and sharing the joys of living with her two fur-babies, Goku and Khani, both celebrities in their own right.

Arielle Nash

Arielle has spent over 20 years studying the human body and its response to movement. She is a long-time dedicated practitioner with over two decades of teaching experience. Her teaching is informed by her tenure training elite athletes, formal academic study, wisdom passed down from her teachers, and personal experience. Arielle holds a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Functional Anatomy, along with an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology.

Arielle has led and been the lead anatomy educator in over 50 yoga teacher trainings, both foundational and advanced. Over the past 20 years, she has been blessed with the opportunity to teach alongside or spend significant time of study with highly skilled senior teachers, including Richard Freeman, Dr. Paul Dallaghan, Sri OP Tiwari, and David Robson. Prior to his passing, she made several trips to Mysore, India, to practice with R. Sharath Jois.

It was her observations of students that led her to inquire deeper into the workings of yoga on physiology and the connections among our psychology, neurobiology, and movement. This inquiry fueled her master’s research exploring the interconnectedness of the human stress response, muscle tension, and pain experience. This, combined with the influence of her teachers, makes her teaching a clear example of East meets West. She highly regards and understands the tradition and roots of practice and the true purpose of yoga as a tool of self-understanding. At the same time, she applies the latest scientific understandings of human function to meet the practical needs of modern yoga students. A constant student of the human body, she supports practitioners and teachers in their journey with a broad and informed perspective.

Adding to her experience, Arielle owned and operated Ashtanga Yoga Victoria for nearly a decade, franchised sport conditioning centres internationally, and runs a yoga-based somatic healing program at a renowned mental health facility. She remains the lead anatomy and physiology educator at the highly regarded Samahita Retreat in Thailand.
Having been at the respected E-RYT500 level for over 15 years, Arielle teaches continuing education courses for yoga teachers and movement professionals, focusing on yoga anatomy, fascial integration, somatic movement, prenatal yoga, and adjustment techniques. She regularly teaches classes in her home city, Victoria, BC, is a faculty member in the School of Sport and Exercise Science at Camosun College, and is a mother of school-aged twins.

Sandra Pribanić

Sandra is a Registered Psychotherapist with private practices in Toronto and Collingwood. Her holistic approach to both therapy and teaching integrates body-centered, psychodynamic, and transpersonal psychotherapy, alongside neuroscience, early childhood developmental theories, and trauma-informed practices focused on relational and collective healing. She also incorporates craniosacral therapy and energy work into her practice.

Sandra’s journey with Ashtanga yoga began in 2011, and it has since become a foundational element of both her personal and professional life. Through her teaching, she invites students to deepen their connection with themselves, fostering authenticity, mindfulness, and presence. Sandra believes that Ashtanga is not just a physical practice, but a transformative process that creates space for all parts of who we are - empowering us to live with greater awareness and cultivate peace within ourselves and the world around us.

Vikram Jeet Singh

Vikram took his first asana class at Modo Yoga in the fall of 2006 and fell in love with the practice right away. After practicing consistently for about a year and a half, he completed the 500-hour Modo Teacher Training in Kerala, India in March 2008.
A few months later, Vikram decided to switch careers and ultimately left his HR job to pursue a full-time teaching career. Vikram has taught at various Modo locations in the GTA since November 2008. Over the course of the years, he has accumulated over 11,000 hours of teaching experience. His love of teaching has taken him to various Modo locations across the US and Canada.

In addition to his years of experience with Modo, Vikram completed a 200-hour Ashtanga Yoga certification with David Robson in 2008. During his time there, Vikram was a regular practitioner and co-taught the evening Mysore program. As part of his ashtanga practice, Vikram continues to study at the Sharath Yoga Centre in Mysore and received Level 1 authorization from Sharath Jois in July 2022.

To balance out the challenging hatha and vinyasa practices of Ashtanga and Modo, Vikram was introduced to yin yoga which very quickly became part of his practice. To support his desire to share that practice, Vikram completed his training with Bernie Clark in November 2015 and is a certified Yin Yoga Teacher.

His passion for all things yoga led him to pursue studies in Ayurveda as well. Vikram is an Ayurvedic practitioner, having completed his studies from the Kripalu School of Ayurveda. As a strong enthusiast of the Ayurvedic lifestyle, Vikram shares his knowledge and passion at various workshops and yoga teacher trainings.

Having grown up in India, Vikram was always fascinated with the rich history and stories from Indian mythology which were a big part of his childhood. His passion for mythology and deeper desire to study Yoga History and Philosophy has led to further studies with various teachers in North America and India.

Vikram teaches online and in person modules on the history of yoga, along with the wisdom of the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. In addition, he lectures at YTT’s and conducts online mentorship courses and workshops for teachers and practitioners to help integrate yoga in every aspect of their lives.
As a strong advocate of diversity & inclusion, Vikram consults yoga teachers and studios about cultural appropriation, decolonization and inclusion in yoga and related spaces.

Vikram loves to share his culture and experience of growing up in India, and believes that all practitioners should visit the birthplace of Yoga at some point. To support that initiative, he conducts annual retreats in India.
Vikram currently lives in Goa, India with his daughter, Satya, who continues to inspire and teach him about life every day.

I highly recommend the 40 hour Intensive with David and Jelena. Their passion, talent, and generosity, along with their beautiful shala and the warm community they have built, makes for such a memorable experience. My practice grew so much because of the Mysore practice every morning under their watchful guidance and the afternoon tutorials which provided an in-depth knowledge of the asanas - Sanskrit included. Plus, having classmates from all over the world - literally, added so much enjoyment to the program! I loved it so much, I am now an AYCT member! Come and have fun this summer in Toronto!

- Shane M. | Toronto

The Primary Intensive program was a great experience. The combination of informative workshops and Mysore practice helped me learn so much! David and Jelena are so genuine and kind, and all the staff at AYCT are very friendly and helpful. I wish I lived closer and could spend more time with these amazing humans. I do hope to return soon. I would love to take the assisting course someday. Maybe next year! Until then, I appreciate the live stream led classes on Saturday mornings. Thank you for all you do!

- Jessi S. | Iowa

I’ve always dreamed of learning with David and Jelena, but my knowledge of Ashtanga was basic at best. Despite my nerves, I took the leap and signed up for the Primary Series Intensive course and it turned out to be a transformative experience. It not only deepened my practice, but it set a positive tone for the summer, and my life.

- Parmis M. | Toronto

Assisting school is The Place to learn traditional Ashtanga Yoga but also to grow, connect, overcome your fears and doubts, and laugh in the amazing and supportive AYCT community. Learning hands-on adjustments in the Mysore room was supported by workshops on adjusting techniques, anatomy, and additional skills. It was an intense, amazing, and life changing experience. I’m grateful for the knowledge, experience, support, and kindness shared with us by David, Jelena, Arielle, Sandra, and the amazing AYCT assistants.

- Manuela K. | Croatia

I’d been meaning to join AYCT’s Assisting School in person for some time, and I finally had the opportunity to do so this past summer. I’m glad that I did! I learned so much about anatomy from Arielle Nash, about the mind/body/heart connection and holding space for others as they do the practice from Sandra Pribanic, and finally about the art of skillful assists and adjustments from the pros themselves, David Robson and Jelena Vesić. Due to the amount of information and the wealth of knowledge transmitted in this training, it’s the type of immersion that a student could take many times and yet always learn something new or hone existing skills. Though I’m not a yoga teacher (but apparently have a doppelgänger somewhere out there who is :)), I got so much out of the experience. I’m sure that I’m not alone in cherishing my three-week immersion at the studio in all things assisting and Ashtanga yoga related. Thanks, David, Jelena, Sandra, and Arielle, for sharing all your wisdom and expertise with us all!

- Jessica M. | Iceland

One Comprehensive Program Or Smaller Focused-Areas Of Study

Enrolling in the 200-hour Ashtanga & Mindfulness Programme provides you with a well-founded curriculum covering everything you need to become more deeply rooted in your practice and help others fully embody theirs as well.

Because not everyone is looking for such a comprehensive program and may wish to focus their studies on a specialized area within Ashtanga, the following courses within the 200-hour Programme are also offered individually.

Sample Schedule:

Monday - Friday

5:00-8:30am Mysore Practice with David & Jelena (at the time of your choice)
12:00-5:00pm Workshops

Saturday

7:30-9:00am Led Primary with David & Jelena
9:00-10:00am Pranayama & Meditation with David & Jelena
1:00-5:00pm Workshops

Sunday

Day Off (with the exception of Sunday June 29 - workshops 10:00am-4:00pm)

230921_1731-R-1-101- Amsterdam workshop 1

200-Hour Ashtanga & Mindfulness Programme