Over the last two years, you may have noticed more weekly Ashtanga offerings at The Yoga House, and it may have brought about some questions about this mysterious style of yoga. We want to demystify this practice and open the conversation about what ashtanga yoga is about and answer any lingering questions you might have. Join Ashtanga instructors Laura Olson and Jacquelyn Nash for this free info session intended to help you gain some insight about the Ashtanga practice and determine whether this might be a path you’d like to embark on. All are welcome.
Learn the foundations of the Ashtanga yoga practice alongside those in the regular Mysore class on Monday/Wednesday/Friday. This 3-session course is for both the beginning yoga student and the student proficient in yoga who has not practiced Mysore style before. Practitioners will start with the basics, including:
Breath – Ujjayi breathing, or also called ‘Breathing with sound’ or ‘Free Breathing’ Bandha – Internal locks Drishti – Gazing points Vinyasa – Movement breath system
Within this course, students will start by learning Surya Namaskar A and B and progress in the Ashtanga yoga standing sequence learning one posture at a time before learning the next one. Students will learn the sequence with the guidance of the teacher, so though it is a ‘class’ it is more like receiving 1:1 instruction in a group environment.
Completion of this course will give students the confidence and awareness required to attend the Morning Mysore Program regularly.
To get a sense of the entire practice, it is also a good idea to attend one of our Led Ashtanga classes on Thursday evening (5:45pm) or Sunday morning (8:00am), if you choose.
Some things to remember before you begin:
Be sure to come five to ten minutes early prepared to practice.
It’s best to practice on an empty stomach, so we suggest eating breakfast after your practice.
Please refrain from wearing scented perfumes or cologne.
Notify the teacher if you have any injuries or if you are pregnant.
Wear comfortable, loose clothing and bring a yoga mat if you have one or use one of the studios complimentary mats.
You will be practicing in the studio with those in the regular Mysore class and you are welcome to come early and watch students practice. By attending a Beginner’s Course yoga students will understand more about self practice and how to establish a regular Ashtanga yoga practice within the group Mysore class environment.
2018-2019 Course Dates:
Sept 10, 12, 14
Oct 15, 17, 19
Nov 12, 14, 16
Dec 10, 12, 14
Jan 14, 16, 18
Feb. 11, 13, 15
Mar. 11, 13, 15
Apr. 8, 10, 12
Mat 13, 15, 17
Day 1: Saturday, September 8th, 1-4pm Open to students new to the Mysore method, including absolute beginners
On Day 1 we will explore the fundamentals of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series. The Primary Series is the first series we learn in the Ashtanga Yoga system, anyone new to Ashtanga Yoga begins here. We will approach the practice with the intention to start attending the early morning Mysore program. Discover ways to memorize the sequence, which is necessary if we are interested in practicing using the traditional Mysore method. Once you have completed Day 1 and Day 2 of this weekend, you will have the basic foundations needed to join in the early morning practice group which meets Monday, Wednesday, Friday anytime between 6:30-8:30am* (*you may arrive any time and are required to finish your practice by 8:30am).
On Day 1, learn:
a little about the background of this method, where it comes from and the benefits of practicing Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga
the foundations for this practice Surya Namaskar A and B, the standing sequence and the closing sequence.
ways to learn and memorize the sequence.
Those attending Day 1 are welcome to attend the Sunday Led Primary Series class on 9/9 at no extra charge to participate or to just observe.
Day 2: Sunday, September 9th, 1-4pm Open to students who attended Day 1 and to those who have a current Mysore Style practice*. (*If you do not have a current Mysore practice, please attend Day 1)
On Day 2 we will dive deep in to the theory and practice of Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga. Anyone who has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga or those who have attended Day 1 of the Mysore Style Ashtanga Exploration Weekend will benefit from this workshop. We will explore the principles that support this method of yoga practice in detail giving those who attend many tools to take with them into the Mysore room and can then apply in an individual way to their personal practice. This 3 hour workshop is packed full of information, bring a notebook and pen! You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the practice in general as well as personal questions related to your own practice.
On Day 2, learn the following:
Ashtanga Yoga follows the `Tristana` approach to yoga practice ~ Breath, Bandha/Posture, Drishti. We will learn the details of this method and find out why and how it leads to a state of dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and ultimately samadhi (liberation/enlightenment). We will practice this method using various postures from the Ashtanga Primary Series in order to experience the breath, the bandhas and the drishti as it happens in your own practice.
When you attend a Mysore Style class you will primarily receive hands on adjustments with minimal verbal cues. We will learn about this approach, how to assess if a physical adjustment is safe for your body and how receive adjustments in a way that will ultimately benefit your practice.
Over the last two years, you may have noticed more weekly Ashtanga offerings at The Yoga House, and it may have brought about some questions about this mysterious style of yoga. We want to demystify this practice and open the conversation about what ashtanga yoga is about and answer any lingering questions you might have. Join Ashtanga instructors Laura Olson and Jacquelyn Nash for this free info session intended to help you gain some insight about the Ashtanga practice and determine whether this might be a path you’d like to embark on. All are welcome.
