An exploration of Ashtanga yoga and Armbalances – Building a sustainable practice through life
Come and join the Salento retreat in November when the olive harvest is in its full bloom, and the sun is still warm.
LOTTA SEBZDA
ASHTANGA YOGA- INVERSIONS & A HEALTHY VIEW OF THE PRACTICE, WITH LOTTA SEBZDA
1 – 8 NOVEMBER 2025
Description of the retreat
Come and join the Salento retreat in November when the olive harvest is in its full bloom, and the sun is still warm.
This retreat is crafted to provide you with a practical toolkit for a safe and sustainable yoga practice. Throughout the week, you’ll be encouraged to dive into and nurture your passion, curiosity, and sense of play within the Ashtanga Yoga tradition. There will also be ample time to refine and practice your handstand skills with guidance from Lotta.
This retreat is suitable for practitioners of all levels, from beginners to advanced.
Schedule of the retreat:
1-8 November 2025
Sunday 2nd to Friday 7th November – Mysore style practice with adjustments
Workshop Sunday
“Just Handstands”
Short warmup for shoulders, wrists with some awakening of the core, followed by pure handstand practice. This workshop is suitable for all levels so if you’re an absolute beginner, lets get you kicking up and balancing on your hands, for those already confident on their hands, we’ll look at alignment and skills to take you to the stage in your handstand journey.
Let’s see the world upside down.
Workshop Tuesday 1.
“Asana technique with adjustments” based on the group with time for discussion on the workshop and anything else that’s on your mind.
Different bodies need to find ways to adjust to come into a certain position – ashtanga practice is for everyone
Workshop Tuesday 2.
“Backbends”
We will begin to explore your natural potential for backbends with safety, support and fun!
The secrets of backbends are available to you through natural alignment techniques and relevant stretches to create openness in the front body.
The dynamic movement mechanics of bending your spine are the key to keep your spine strong and flexible Workshop Wednesday
“Inversions”
Imagine all asanas you have your hips over shoulders – That is an inversion
Work on the technic to enter, and exit the pose in a safe and easy way
How to work on the actual pose.
Final workshop – Time for C&A – Friday
Discussion on the workshops and anything else that you could have in mind.
Lotta will share how her yoga journey was and how it developed over time and how the fact of aging can be addressed in sensible and meaningful way.
Ask for any
further info
Salento
The YIS retreat centre is located in Zollino, in the heart of the Salento. Twenty minutes from both coasts and from cultural centres such as Lecce, Otranto and Gallipoli.
Our yoga retreats are also an opportunity to get together, share good moments, pamper yourself and enjoy the beauty of the Salento in a peaceful environment. Give yourself an energetic recharge through vegan and vegetarian organic food, eco-sustainable tourism and relaxation in our spaces.
Our staff are at your disposal for the entire duration of the retreat to advise you about the must–see places in the Salento, organise excursions, guided tours, gastronomic tours, transfers, rentals and anything else to make your stay enjoyable.
For all information, call +39 0836 600284 or send an email to info@yogainsalento.com.
Book this retreat now
The Location
Our retreats take place at Agricola Samadhi, a unique organic farmhouse because it proposes something more than just recreation.
In this charming oasis, the lifestyle revolves around well being: you can combine your stay with a SPA, Ayurvedic consultations and treatments, and a wide range of massages and more.
You can regain your well being through a variety of top–level yoga classes. There is also a SPA Healing Centre and the HQ of YIS, Yoga In Salento, a European leader in yoga retreats, for years a favourite destination of the best internationally renowned teachers in the world.
An energy recharge and psycho–physical well being will be the most precious gifts of your stay that you’ll take home with you, together with the new friendships you’ve made during the retreat.
BOOK YOUR STAY
5 weeks
6 lunches per week
7 dinners per week
7 breakfasts per week
double, single or shared rooms
A very wide swimming pool and beautiful gardens
Spa Healing Center. Treatments and massages on request
Hairdresser- Ashtanga lover – Mother of two adult children and two grandchildren.
Ever since Lotta was a child, she was mostly upside down, doing handstands, cartwheel or other gymnastic.
When she found AshtangaYoga in the late 90s it was like coming home, she says – she was immediately drawn to the practice.
Since that day it’s a big part of her life – with dedication, love, curiosity, energy and gratefulness, she follows the traditional Mysore style. It was taught by late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and now his grandson, R. Sharath Jois.
During Lottas years of studying and practicing Ashtanga Yoga, she has had following teachers who stood and still stands close to her:
- Petri Räisänen
- Gittan Hendele
- Natalia Paisano
Handstand practice became a big part of her life in 2015 – it has helped Lotta a lot – The strength from the handstands makes the ashtanga practice stronger, and gives so much joy to life generally.
Feel free to ask for any further info
Fill in the form with your questions, we will answer you as soon as possible
