Asana Unlocked
This is an exclusive in-depth exploration into the mechanics of asana, including alignment principles, joint function, muscle co-activation (bandhas), breath integration, and safe progression. This is not Simon's classical 5-D Synergy Flow workshop format.
Across five days, Simon will unpack the core logic behind the most important yoga postures drawing from his renowned “84 Key Yoga Postures Unpacked” course, refined through decades of clinical physiotherapy and real-world teaching.
Simon Borg-Olivier is a physiotherapist and a respected yoga educator with over 50 years of experience teaching worldwide.
This workshop is intense yet accessible to practitioners of all levels from yoga teachers and dedicated practitioners, to therapists and anyone who wants to practice asana more sustainably.
This is the only asana focused workshop of the entire year and a unique opportunity to learn this.
Why This Workshop Exists
Modern yoga is full of cues that get repeated without a real model underneath: “tuck the tailbone”, “open the heart”, “engage your core”, “square the hips”. But if you don’t understand the mechanics of the cues, you might be missing the key idea.
This workshop is not based on aesthetic alignment trends, passive stretching models, or memorised cues passed down without context.
Rather than focusing on achieving impressive shapes, the emphasis is on understanding the mechanics behind each posture so you can build strength, mobility, and stability in a way that lasts.
About the workshop
This is a 5-day asana intensive dedicated entirely to understanding postures and mechanisms underneath on a physiological and energetic level.
This workshop is not about teaching surface-level “alignment cues” or about chasing advanced shapes without foundational mechanics. Rather it explores how postures actually work.
Through lectures and guided practices, Simon clarifies the real function of asana, pranayama, kriya and mudra, removing mysticism and grounding them in anatomy, physiology, and lived experience.
You’ll learn why over-tensing is not the best approach to yoga and how to use body's natural mechanisms to overcome it's own reflexes.
During the workshop, you will explore many of the essential 84 classical hatha yoga postures that appear across traditional systems of practice, using them as a framework for understanding how the body actually works.
Over 20 years ago, Simon taught and filmed a live course unpacking the key hatha yoga postures that appear across traditions.
That course — 84 Key Yoga Postures — became one of his most valued and best-selling works because it gave practitioners something practical: a clear mechanical understanding they could apply immediately.
The Geneva workshop is based on that course. It is the first time in 20 years that this material is being taught live in an in-depth format.
When the original course was filmed, Simon was in his early 40s. He now returns to this material in his late 60s, with the framework refined through decades of clinical experience, teaching, and practice.
The emphasis is not on demonstrating extreme postures. The emphasis is on explaining how postures work, how they are adapted to real bodies, and how they can be practiced sustainably over time.
Explore many of the classical hatha yoga postures that appear across traditions, and learn how to apply them safely and effectively.
Go beyond repeated cues and learn the biomechanics, physiology, breath, and nervous system mechanisms that make postures work.
Develop strength, mobility, and stability in a way that reduces strain, improves longevity, and makes progress repeatable.
Many yoga practitioners unknowingly develop injuries due to poor alignment, lack of proper muscle activation, or forcing postures. Some of the most common issues include:
Lower Back Pain – Often caused by incorrect forward bends and backbends.
Knee Strain – Poor joint alignment in standing postures like or Lotus.
Wrist & Shoulder Injuries – Weakness or misalignment in weight-bearing poses.
Neck Tension & Compression – Incorrect positioning in inversions & headstands.
Yoga should serve you long-term not leave you managing pain, instability, or chronic tension. Learning the mechanics behind postures is crucial, especially when modern bodies move very differently from traditional ones that walked more, squatted daily, and carried loads naturally.
Gain expert guidance on how to approach yoga safely and intelligently, using time-tested principles of biomechanics and physiotherapy. This course will teach you to:
Avoid the most common mistakes in yoga postures.
Use safe, physiotherapy-based techniques to prevent injuries.
Develop strength & flexibility without straining your joints.
Fine-tune your alignment for pain-free, sustainable practice.
Below are some of the most common questions and misunderstandings practitioners encounter which are rarely explained clearly, and that we’ll unpack and explore in detail during the workshop.
Daily Format
09:00–12:00
Applied anatomy + biomechanics + application
12:00–13:00 — Break
(bring food / explore local options)
13:00–17:00
Practice + principle extraction + live studies
Who This Workshop is For
This 5-Day intensive is designed for practitioners who want to go beyond shapes and start understanding why & how the postures work the way they do. Whether you practice or teach, the goal is to replace guesswork with clear mechanical principles so your yoga remains effective, intelligent, and sustainable over time.
This workshop is for you if you:
have a serious personal practice and want clarity on the biomechanics of asans, to avoid future problems
are a teacher who wants to understand mechanical principles instead of random cues
want to build strength + flexibility without creating chronic pain
care about sustainable practice across decades
When you understand the mechanism of a posture you can adapt the shape without losing the effect.
That’s the difference between practicing yoga for a season
and practicing yoga for decades.
Meet Simon Borg-Olivier
Simon Borg-Olivier, MSc BAppSc (Physiotherapy) APAM c-IAYT, has been practicing traditional forms of posture, movement, breathing, and mental control for 50 years. He has been teaching for over 40 years and has been a registered physiotherapist for 25 years.
Simon has studied with great traditional masters from Tibet, Japan, India, and China. Along with his business partner and fellow physiotherapist, Bianca Machliss, Simon has co-authored many scientific articles including the book ‘Applied Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga’, which is the textbook for two courses they teach at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.
Simon has worked as a research scientist and a University lecturer. He has been regularly invited to teach about lifestyle, posture, movement, breathing, and meditation at conferences, festivals, and intensive teacher training courses internationally since 1990.
He is also co-director of YogaSynergy, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected yoga schools, which has a style based on a deep understanding of modern medical science and traditional forms of exercise and therapy from all over the world.
He is the sole founder of 5-Dimensional Flow system which draws from the common origin of all movement methods across the world. An intelligent practice that combines all knowledge from a lifetime of Simon's experience in teaching and research.
Currently, Simon conducts intensive training courses in India, Europe, and Australia. He also teaches many online courses on the applications of posture, movement, and breathing for fitness, internal health, wellbeing, and longevity.
Comments from people who studied Simon’s approach to asana mechanics, bandha (co-activation), and safe progression.
The training was an incredibly rich experience. Even though I’m a yoga teacher and a physiotherapist, I gained so much. The postures are presented clearly and safely, with a strong focus on alignment, injury prevention, and meaningful use of bandhas.
It feels like all my yoga studies before were fumbling around in postures whose essence I didn’t understand. Simon encourages discernment and real sensitivity, not forcing limits. Challenging — but still safely guided.
After years of Ashtanga I ended up with a bulging disc and chronic low back pain. Simon’s teaching gave me an epiphany: more sense, more discernment, and practical ways to practice and teach safely and effectively.
I started teaching only a few years ago, but this work made me realize how little I knew about real teaching methodology. The insight into each posture is extremely practical — and it changes how you cue.
Having completed advanced anatomy study before, this training consolidated my understanding of bandhas by showing their application in each posture. I now feel more confident teaching bandhas comprehensively. Thanks once again Simon for your tireless efforts!
Doing yoga without understanding your body is a sure way to get injured. This material gives you the information you need for safe, effective practice — and Simon delivers it with clarity, enthusiasm, and real teaching skill.
I’m blown away by the information. Thank you for helping me understand my body better and become a better yoga teacher!
I got so much out of this. The explanations are consistent and logical throughout, and as you progress you find deeper understanding in each posture. There was always an emphasis on practicing safely. Well worth it for practitioners at all levels.
I loved it. I gained so much knowledge about working with injuries, plus practical tips for alignment, breathing, and movement. Simon is a natural-born teacher who can explain anything in an accessible way.
I've been practising Ashtanga for many years, but what Simon shared revolutionised my practise. Now I can practice with so much more ease — and after practice, I feel energised rather than drained.
After years of regular yoga practice, my lower back, wrists, and shoulders were actually worse. I was often shown only the final stages of postures and pushed too far. Simon changed how I practice completely. I can now practice without pain, discomfort, or loss of motivation.
This filled in all the gaps my teacher training left behind. Complex anatomy and physiology finally clicked. Deep, detailed, and yet accessible — every teacher should go through this, no matter how long they've been teaching.
This contains a lifetime of wisdom. It explains joint mechanics and muscle activation so clearly that it became my primary resource. I’m incredibly happy with what I've learned!
Where you’ll practise
The workshop will take place at UMA – Urban Move Academy, in Studio A, a well-established movement space in Geneva known for its clean, professional training environment and spacious studios designed for focused physical work
UMA is located in Geneva in an easily accessible area, well connected by public transport. The venue is reachable by tram and bus, and there is public parking available nearby.
The studio is within walking distance of cafés, grocery stores, and casual lunch options. Students also have access to basic kitchen facilities on site for preparing simple meals or storing food during the day. Water is available at the venue.
Yoga mats and props are not provided at the venue. Props are generally not used during the workshop, but you are welcome to bring blocks or a bolster if you prefer to use support while sitting.
This intensive is designed for:
- Experienced yoga practitioners who want deeper mechanical understanding
- Yoga teachers and teacher trainees
- Movement professionals (physiotherapists, bodyworkers, trainers)
- Practitioners who value structure, clarity, and sustainability
Yes. This workshop has a different focus.
While the 5D Synergy Flow format is broad and presents Simon's whole methodology, the Geneva intensive focuses deeply on asana mechanics — how postures work, why they feel the way they do, and how to build stable capacity over time.
Teachers and experienced practitioners who have done other formats often find this workshop fills a gap in understanding that enhances their overall practice and teaching.
You can absolutely attend even if you've completed the 84 Postures online course.
The Geneva workshop revisits the same foundational framework but with updated perspectives and refinements drawn from decades of additional teaching and clinical experience.
Simon will not simply repeat the online curriculum. He will integrate it into live practice, discussion, and real-time adjustments that only happen in person.
Many participants attend with minor injuries or movement limitations. The practices are adaptable, and you are encouraged to work within your own capacity at all times. However, this workshop is not a substitute for medical treatment or personalised medical advice.
If you have a medical condition such as high or low blood pressure, cardiovascular conditions, respiratory issues, or are currently recovering from injury or surgery, please contact us in advance so we can advise whether the workshop is appropriate for you.
This workshop is designed for:
- committed practitioners
- teachers or trainees
- movement professionals
- experienced yogis
It is not a beginners class or a gentle retreat. The content is technical, analytical, and progressive but adjustments are always offered to match individual bodies and capacities.
Having some familiarity with basic anatomy can be beneficial, but it is not required to understand or apply the material.
The workshop progresses from foundational principles to more complex applications. Concepts are explained clearly and applied directly to practice, so you don’t need a background in anatomy to follow the material.
No. This is not a performance-based workshop.
The focus is on understanding the mechanics of asana, not on demonstrating extreme range.
Intensity is scaled according to each practitioner’s structural readiness, and variations are offered where appropriate.
Theory and practice are interwoven throughout the workshop, with space for questions and discussion. For a detailed breakdown of session timing, please refer to the full schedule you'll recieve after booking.
Yoga mats and props are not provided by the venue. Please bring your own yoga mat. If you need some support for the sitting practices, please bring also a block or a bolster.
Simon does share a vast amount of theory, so make sure to bring a notebook if you like to take notes.
Come in comfortable clothing, and don't forget a watter bottle. Tap water on site is provided.
This workshop can be counted toward continuing education hours for yoga teachers. A certificate of attendance can be provided upon request.
The workshop is held at:
UMA – Urban Move Academy (Studio A)
Chem. de Mouille-Galand 3, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
By public transport:
UMA is well connected by tram and bus. From central Geneva, you can take tram or bus lines that serve the surrounding streets. From the nearest stop it’s a short walk to the academy.
If you’re arriving by taxi or ride-hailing app (Bolt, Free Now, local taxis), enter “Urban Move Academy” or the venue address into the app.
By car / parking:
The nearest parking facility is P+R Champ-Bossu, located only a 2-minute walk from the venue. We recommend this parking location for easy access to the venue.
P+R Champ-Bossu
Chemin de Mouille-Galand 11
1214 Vernier, Geneva
This public parking area offers approximately 90 parking spaces and is available 24/7. Parking fees are generally low (around CHF 10 for a full day), making it a convenient option for participants attending the workshop.
Free parking typically applies during evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays.
Street parking is also available near the venue. Availability can vary, so plan to arrive a little earlier. Check local signage or a parking app for up-to-date rates and restrictions.
Cancellation by Participant:
More than 21 days before the workshop start date:
– We refund 25% of the participation fee or
– Read REPLACEMENT CLAUSE below
Less than 20 days before the workshop start date (from June 28th onward):
– No refund
Replacement Clause
If you find your own replacement (someone you refer or who directly takes your place), we will refund 90% of the amount paid, minus the 10% administrative fee, regardless of the timing of the cancellation. This takes effect after your replacement has booked and paid the full amount for the workshop.
Workshop Cancellation by the Organisers
In the unlikely event that the workshop is cancelled by the organisers, but if it happens, participants may choose between:
- a full refund
The organisers are not responsible for any additional expenses incurred by participants (travel, accommodation, etc.).
Feel free to contact us, and we'll help you decide if this event aligns with your goals.
UMA - Urban Move Academy
Chem. de Mouille-Galand 3, 1214 Vernier, Switzerland
850€
REGULAR (from 2nd May onward)
970€
The registration is complete when we process your payment.
You will receive more info after we confirm your registration.
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