Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga: A Six-Week Workshop Series

This workshop series is for anyone interested in starting a yoga practice in general, or an Ashtanga practice specifically, including led or Mysore classes.

This is a workshop series that meets for six consecutive Mondays October 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 5:30-7:00 PM.  

Each session comes in two parts. We begin sitting down, with a short talk on a different topic each week. The topics are: the opening and closing mantras (and what they mean), where Ashtanga came from and how it has evolved to where it is today, the philosophical context the postures sit inside, and the techniques that hold it together: ujjāyī, the ocean-sounding breath you'll hear everyone making, and vinyāsa, which means ordering things in a particular way, linking each movement to a breath. Then we get up and practice.

Over the six weeks we build a practice pose by pose from the Primary Series, the sequence every Ashtanga practitioner begins with. Each posture is offered in more than one form, because the conventional shape is one option among several. The aim is to know the postures and vinyasas well enough so that you can practice them at home on your own, or in any of our daily Mysore classes—or anywhere around the world!

The first four Mondays will be guided classes, and we'll ask you to memorise as much of the sequence as you comfortably can. The last two Mondays are taught Mysore style, which is the self-led, self-paced style of practice. Two teachers will be present in the room, which means a greater amount of one-on-one attention from different perspectives. It will be an opportunity to get individualized attention, with adjustments and cues specifically for you and where you are in the practice. It also means the first Mysore room you practice in is full of people who are also new to Mysore style, so everyone will still be in the process of memorizing their personal practice. 

During those last two weeks, weeks five and six, you will also have the option to practice during any of our regular Mysore classes, for the chance to build a more regular practice momentum during the workshop series. We offer Mysore class Sunday to Friday 7:00 - 10:00 AM, and Wednesdays from 5:00-7:00 PM. After the workshop series we will add a new Mysore class Monday evenings from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. 

By the end of the series, you'll be able to walk into a Mysore class with a practice you know. 

No experience necessary. Come as you are.