May - August 2008

May - August 2008
MONDAY 

6-7:30pm
Mysore Style
 TUESDAY 

4:30-6pm
Ashtanga Full primary

6-7:30pm
Ashtanga Half Primary
 WEDNESDAY 

4:30-6pm
Ashtanga Full primary

6-7:30pm
Ashtanga Half Primary
 THURSDAY 

6-7:30pm
Ashtanga Full primary
 SUNDAY 

12:30-3pm
Beginner's 4 week workshop

3-4:30pm
Ashtanga Full primary

Dates for Sunday Beginners Series
12:30 - 3pm

May 11 - June 1
June 8 - June 29
July 6 - August 3
August 10 - 31

The Ashtanga Practice:

Ashtanga practice is traditionally begun with the Ashtanga Mantra or Invocation. After chanting Om together, this invocation is done in a call and response manner in Sanskrit. It is a way to set the tone and intent of the practice. It is not a requirement in order to attend an Ashtanga class. If a student wishes to not say this chant they may just remain respectFully silent. Depending on the level of Ashtanga you are taking, the class is then led through sun salutations and the standing sequence of postures. Students are then guided to the floor for the seated sequence of postures, the finishing sequence postures and a deep relaxation.

Mysore (Self-Practice)
Pattabhi Jois lives and teaches in Mysore, India. Traditionally this is how he teaches classes. It is a silent self-practice in which a student begins the practice without being led verbally. Each student has an individualized practice, which is developed and overseen by the teacher. Postures are learned or practiced one by one, and as they are mastered, the student gradually adds more postures in the series. The instructor gives hands-on adjustments or verbal cues. Normally Mysore classes are two to three hours in length and a student enters with enough time to complete their practice. It does not necessarily mean that the practice is two or three hours long. This class is more appropriate for students with a practice of Ashtanga but it is possible to begin the practice slowly in a Mysore class. It is in this class that a student will receive in-depth instruction and guidance in individual postures. This is the class where one would begin the study of the Intermediate Series (2nd Series) once proficient at Primary Series.

Practice Guidelines:

  1. Be well hydrated by the time you come to class - drink at least 10 to 12 glasses of water during the day. It is recommended that students do not drink water during an Ashtanga practice unless they feel ill.
  2. Practice on an empty stomach. Wait 3 to 4 hours after eating a large meal before practice. One could have a piece of fruit an hour before practice.
  3. Be prepared to sweat. Ashtanga is not done in a heated room but heat will be produced internally.
  4. It is recommended that women do not practice Ashtanga during the first 3 days of a menstrual cycle.
  5. It is recommended that if pregnant you refrain from Ashtanga during the first trimester and you do not practice after this unless you have an existing Ashtanga practice.
  6. Pattabhi Jois asks that we practice Ashtanga six days a week, Sunday through Friday. Saturday being a day of rest and no practice on new moon and Full moon. But many people lead busy lives and fit the practice in when they can. Students will see noticeable results with a consistent practice of three days a week and more.

Recommended books, CDs and DVDs

Ashtanga Yoga, The Practice Manual by David Swenson. A very user friendly book. David shows the posture and then gives an explanation and options for the postures.
Yoga Mala by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Guruji's book contains photos of his grandson, Sharath Rangaswamy, demonstrating the postures and also contains a description of benefits of the postures. It also contains photos of Guruji as a young man demonstrating some of the postures.
Astanga Yoga, Lino Miele. This book provides the exact count of breaths/vinyasas for each posture. Sharath demonstrates the postures.
Ashtanga Yoga, The Definitive Step-by-Step Guide to Dynamic Yoga, John Scott. This book, done by a certified teacher of Ashtanga, contains photographs and helpful information to deepen a practice.

Ashtanga Yoga Class, Primary Series, a CD by Sharath Rangaswamy. This is Sharath leading the Primary Series in traditional Sanskrit style.

Ashtanga Yoga DVDs by David Swenson. David has produced DVDs for the Primary Series, Intermediate and 3rd Series, Advanced Series (purely for viewing), Short Series (for the time challenged) and Just Relax (a guided deep relaxation).
Ashtanga DVDs are also available by senior Ashtanga teachers Richard Freeman, Melanie Fowler and Mark Darby.
Ashtanga Yoga Class, Primary Series, DVD by Sharath Rangaswamy. A talk through of the Primary Series.

Pattabhi Jois says Ashtanga Yoga is like a garland of yoga in which each vinyasa is like a sacred bead to be counted and focused on and each posture is like a fragrant flower strung on the thread of the breath.
And when diligently practiced will adorn our entire being with peace, health, radiance, and ultimately, Self-Knowledge.

"Do your practice and all is coming."
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois