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Class Description
Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga
There are 5 Mysore-style ashtanga sessions offered each week at The Yoga Shala. These are held Monday-Thursday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Each session is appropriate for the absolute beginner to advanced student. Students are guided individually by the instructor in the traditional ashtanga sequence at his or her own pace. Over time the student learns the sequence and moves progressively through a varity of yoga postures with guidence and assistance. The instructor works within the student’s level and ability, so the class is always moving at the correct pace for that individual.
Students may walk-in the studio at any time during the session, but we ask that you allow at least 45 minutes of practice time. This is great class to take if your practice schedule needs to be flexible and making it into the room at an exact start/finish time is difficult for you. Please view the online schedule for the start and finish times for our Mysore classes each day.
Mixed Level Ashtanga Classes
There are 7 mixed level ashtanga classes offered on the shala schedule each week. They meet Monday though Wednesday mornings at 10:30am, Friday morning at 11:00am, Monday and Tuesday evenings at 7pm and Sunday morning at 10am. These are guided sessions lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes. Each session incorporates the sun salutations traditional to ashtanga practice and include a variety of postures from the ashtanga practice, concluding with seated breathing sequence and resting posture (savasana). The postures practiced in each session will vary from session to session as the instructor ‘s focus shifts based on the needs of the class. Attention is given to establishing a foundation of correct alignment and yogic breathing principles. The inverted postures of shoulderstand (sarvangasana) and headstand (sirsasana) are introduced in these classes. This is a vigerous and fun class open to all student levels.
Primary Series Class*
The Yoga Shala offers led primary series ashtanga classes twice a week, Friday mornings at 9:00am and Sunday mornings at 8:00am. Each session is aproximently 1 hour and 40 minutes in length. Primary series class is guided in the traditional format with both the asana names and vinyasa counted in Sanskrit. The session begins with the meditative repetition of surya namaskara, followed by standing sequence, seated asana, reclining asana, inverted asana, seated breathing and savasana (rest). Some experience in yoga practice is recommended for this class, particularly an understanding and practice of surya namaskara a and b. Mixed level students are welcome and encouraged to take as much of the sequence as feels comfortable and then independently close and rest before leaving the room.
*Please note that on the first Sunday of each month this class is taught as an introduction to the second series of ashtanga practice. Experienced practice of the primary series is recommended for attendance.
Vinyasa Class
On Saturday Mornings at 8:00am we gather at The Yoga Shala to practice in the vinyasa style. This class is an opportunity for students of all levels to come together and explore a wide range of yoga postures in a varied sequence that is based on the postures of ashtanga primary and second series practice. The shala staff rotates teaching this class, so students and staff both have an opportunity to get to know each other’s practice and teaching styles. Each teacher will offer up a well rounded class that is a vigorous exploration of posture and breath, with a little meditation and philosophy tossed in for good measure. This class is a wonderful way to begin your weekend. Class concludes at 9:30am.
Youth Yoga Classes (7-10 yr. Class and High School Class)**
The Yoga Shala youth classes are divided by age group. Youth students from 7 to 10 years old meet on Thursdays at 4:30pm and high school students (8th grade by permission) meet on Fridays at 4pm. Each age group is designed to facilitate an introduction to, and understanding of the practice of yoga. Instructors work with the students to develop a personal yoga practice that encourages flexible bodies and minds. Attention is given to breathing, the physical practice of yoga postures and relaxation techniques.
**By permission, students participating in our youth program may purchase a 10-class card at a discounted rate. The 10-class card allows students to practice in any of the classes on our regular schedule in addition to their age specific class. Please see Valerie for more information about this practice opportunity.
New to Ashtanga? New to Yoga?
Every few months The Yoga Shala teaches a 2-hour introductory workshop on the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Please see the workshop page of our website for information on our next scheduled Intro Workshop.
You do not have to wait and take the workshop before starting your practice at The Yoga Shala. If you are completely new to yoga practice, we encourage you to come to the Mysore-style classes and learn the traditional sun salutations a and b (surya namaskara) before moving on to the guided classes on our schedule. Understanding and correctly practicing surya namaskara avoids common practice errors and supports a lifetime enjoyment of yoga practice. If you have questions about specific classes, our special event schedule, or the tradition of Ashtanga yoga, please feel free to contact us by phone, via email or at the studio. We welcome your commects and questions.
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