As if Maui weren’t tempting enough — the Four Seasons Resort Maui has announced an intensive yoga retreat, “Unlocking Ancient Secrets of Ashtanga.”

The five-star getaway, situated at Wailea, on the island’s southwestern coast, is offering a four-day retreat, taught by two of the leading disciples of grand master K. Pattabhi Jois.

Jois is credited with popularizing Ashtanga Yoga, which puts the practitioner through a steady, flowing series of moves and poses.

The demanding, but rewarding, classes will be taught by David Swenson, author of the bestselling “Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual”; and Shelly Washington, a Juilliard dance graduate who has performed with Martha Graham and Twyla Tharp.

The teachers will lead four morning and three afternoon classes, and will offer daily “Talk Yoga” sessions in which they will discuss poses and philosophies from the discipline as it was originally taught by Jois himself.

Swenson is considered one of the world's foremost practitioners of Ashtanga outside of India, and he is known for his focus on breathwork as a pathway to experiencing yoga to its fullest. He believes that on a physical level our bodies and minds function at a higher level when the blood is full of oxygen,” which can be achieved through deep, controlled breathing. “The mind is more difficult to control than the wind, but if we are able to control our breath we may control our mind,” Swenson said in a statement.

“The life-changing package for students of all levels also includes five nights’ luxury accommodation, a welcome reception and a final group dinner,” according to a spokesperson. “Unlocking Ancient Secrets of Ashtanga” will be presented by the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Sept. 10-15, 2011.

The Ashtanga yoga retreat is one of Four Seasons Resort Maui’s “Unforgettable Events,” which feature top athletes leading intensive workshops. A Vinyasa Yoga Retreat is also planned for Feb. 27-Mar. 3, 2012.

Maui’s first and only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star resort, the Four Seasons is nestled on 15 acres of the breathtaking Wailea coast. The resort is also home to one of the nation’s top-rated spas — incorporating a unique synergy of Ayurvedic and ancient Hawaiian treatments — and three of Hawaii’s most acclaimed restaurants.

For information, visit http://maui.fourseasons.com/edition/unforgettable-events/ or e-mail yoga.maui@fourseasons.com.