Yoga with Eddie Stern
Astanga Yogaschool Helsinki – Helsingin Astanga Joogakoulu
Kamppi, Helsinki 00100
Yoga Sangraha Weekend Workshop with Eddie Stern
Helsinki June 4-7, 2026
Workshop Description
Sangraha means “a collection” or “compendium.” These classes are grounding and awareness-based sequences of asana and pranayama that have an intentional effect on the signaling of the nervous system. The practices come from the larger Hatha Yoga tradition, and not from any one lineage, and they have been put together drawing from the experimentation and study of classical Hatha Yoga practices and texts.
Yoga Sangraha is not a new type a Yoga, but a celebration and practice of classical Yoga practices using a contemporary approach, with science and tradition as my sourcebook. They are dynamic classes that combine a variety of Indian physical exercise traditions which include Yoga, vyayama, and kushti (Hindu wrestling exercises for strength and stamina).
Experience of yoga practices is not essential to come to the workshop.
All the classes and talks are open level and for practitioners of any type of yoga.
Eddie Stern
Eddie is an esteemed yoga teacher, author, and researcher based in New York City. He is the founder of Broome Street Ganesha Temple in Manhattan, author of the best-selling One Simple Thing, A New Look at the Science of Yoga and How it can Change Your Life, and is the co-creator of the Breathing App. He has a multi-disciplinary approach to yoga which includes studying traditional texts and combining the application of the practices contained within them to science, research, technology and collaboration.
He is involved in evidence-based research in the healing capacities of Yoga, recently completing a masters in science for yoga research at the Vivekananda Yoga University.
Eddie’s new offerings include ‘Healing through Breathing’ an Audible Original and The Breathing App for Diabetes, both released in January 2024. Eddie has been practicing yoga since 1987 and has spent the past 35 years traveling yearly from New York to study yoga, philosophy, ritual, and Sanskrit with his teachers in India. Whether in conversation, class or lecture, Eddie makes learning yoga and yogic traditions accessible to all and easily understandable with an approach that is intentionally uncomplicated.
Asanas, Pranayamas, and Kriyas
Pranayama level 1
This is an introductory pranayama practice where you will learn how to slow the breath down in order to bring a deep calm to the nervous system. It is an accessible, gentle, but highly effective practice, suitable for all levels. We will do eight different breathing patterns over the course of one-hour, including a short relaxation practice.
Pranayama Level 2
This pranayama practice introduces short breath holds and classic kumbhakas practices from the Hatha Yoga tradition. You will also learn interesting mudras and a highly effective and centering pratyahara practice. This class is suitable for all who have attended the Level 1 practice.
Yoga Sangraha Level 1
This is an all-levels class that is grounding and calming. We will move through a sequence of postures in the order of lying down, standing, Sun Salutations, seated, inversions, backbends, stabilizing postures, twists, followed by pratyahara practices and relaxation. We will also pay attention to a healthy back – how to avoid back pain and how to reduce it.
Yoga Sangraha Level 2
This class will follow the same sequences as Level 1, but will add variations of Sun Salutations, some additional back extension postures, and headstand. Options will be given for all of the challenging postures. This class is also open to all levels, though attendance of the Level 1 class is suggested in order to become familiar with the structure before trying Level 2.
Sun Salutation Class
The Sun Salutation class is a lot of fun! We do the 6 different types of Sun Salutes from Yoga Sangraha, and then six different dands from the Hindu wrestling tradition called Kushti. This is followed by a few standing asanas, cool down seated postures, and slow breathing and meditation to finish. In this class you will also be introduced to some of the fundamental building blocks of Yoga Sangraha Level 1. It is an energetic class, but accessible to all.
Yoga and Strength
This class is based on strength building practices followed by simple asanas. It includes different types of Sun Salutations, push-ups, planks, axial muscle strengthening, squats, and other exercises that build strength, functional mobility, and endurance in different ways. Many of the practices are drawn from Indian physical exercise systems such as kushti, the Hindu wrestling system that uses lots of different squats push-up positions such as found in Sun Salutations. These practices are followed by calming, slow held asanas, and relaxation.
Om Chanting and Ishvara Pranidhana Sutras
This is a meditation from Yoga Sutras on the transcendent consciousness in the heart called Purusha. We will chant, in call and response fashion, the six sutras that describe Ishvara, along with the translated meaning, and then together chant the sound of Om twenty-one times. The sound of Om is described as the verbalization of Ishvara, who is beyond limitation of time and space, and so can only be described in the abstract. This is a deeply quieting and meditative practice.
Lectures
The entire series of lectures this weekend will be oriented towards understanding the underlying mechanisms that make yoga a highly effective practice of our body-mind-spirit existence. We will discuss from Yogic and Western views how the different yoga practices effect the neuroendocrine system, which is largely responsible for how we respond, adapt, and perceive ourselves and reality. We will discuss how the practice of yoga can create enduring states of calm, quiet, and insight in the body and mind, using Yogic texts and scientific research as our base. Finally, we will discuss the concept of mind, what and where it is, and how we can work with it, according to Yoga Sutras.
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Feel welcome to join in a softer, slower, gentler yoga program. This workshop is suitable for beginners, those with mobility concerns and/or recovering from injury; or those who wish to gain the benefit of the Yoga practices through holistic framework.
Price & Address
Full workshop price: 290 €
Locations TBA (at Helsinki, Kamppi area)
Payment details
Astanga Jooga Helsinki Oy
IBAN: FI08 218518 000 70600
BIC: NDEAFIHH
Message: Eddie – ”name of the workshop attendee”
(for example: Eddie – Alice Ashtangi)
Price: 290 €
Payment confirms your spot in the full workshop.
[In case of availability it will also be possible to book single classes and lectures closer to the date]
Contact us
Ursula Aaltonen
Email: ursisa@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +358 50 3246024
