Ashtanga Class Description
Introduction to Ashtanga: Ashtanga Yoga is a 5,000 year old set sequence of postures designed to bring incredible, strength, flexibility and endurance to the body and a sense of stillness to the mind. This strong intro class will teach the fundamentals of ashtanga yoga, sun salutations, ujjayi breath, energy locks and vinyasas to prepare the student for the full primary series of ashtanga yoga. Ashtanga’s intensity can also invoke positive life transformations off the mat, helping you to live fully, with a deep sense of Self, in your daily life. The Ashtanga (“eight limbs”) system is a deeply spiritual practice helping you to connect to your soul and to God.
Ashtanga Primary Series: Also known as Yoga Chikitsa (Yoga Therapy) This class refers to the full primary series of the ashtanga system, as taught in the tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. This flowing, set, sequence of postures utilizes ujjayi breath and bandhas (energy locks) to increases muscular strength, flexibility, concentration and to deepen one’s connection to Self and God. This class is not for beginners, Introduction to Ashtanga is recommended before taking this class.
Ashtanga Second Series: also known as “nadi shodhana” or nerve purification focuses on cleansing the energetic pathways utilizing the second series of the ashtanga yoga system, as taught in the tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. This sequence focuses on purifying the energetic channels of the body using a series of backbends, deeper forward folding poses and inversions. This class is not for beginners and requires a working knowledge of the primary series before attending. The introduction to the second series classes are open to all students but primary series experience is recommended.
Mysore Ashtanga: “Mysore style” is traditionally practiced silently, with individual instruction, and is named after Mysore, India, where Ashtanga yoga originated and was taught by Sri K Pattabhi Jois for many years. Anyone who has taken the Introduction to Asthanga class is welcome to come work at their own pace, while Wade and Kathleen walk around the room doing hands on adjustments and verbal cues as needed. If you do not have the primary series memorized, please print this sheet and look it over and bring it to class: http://www.ashtanga-yoga-canada.com/support-files/ayc-primary-combined-sm.pdf. Mysore style is one of the best ways to deepen your practice and help you to become self-sufficient, so you can take the practice with you anywhere you go! (We teach the first, second and third series during mysore class.)
