Class Descriptions

All my classes are rooted in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga System as it is taught by Sri K Pattbhi Jois in Mysore India. Students will learn the asanas (postures), sequencing, vinyasas, breath and flow. This practice will yield strength and flexibility in mind and body and physical and mental health.

 

Yoga Mat Fire Vinyasa

The YMF (Yoga Mat Fire) Vinyasa classes on the schedule will all be rooted in the classical Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga of Pattabhi Jois and also include elements of Ana Forrest's system which I have found beneficial. These will be fun high energy classes designed to inspire your practice. They will provide an excellent workout contained within the structure of the Ashtanga system but not confined to it.

These classes will generate significant heat in the body, increase heart rate, core strength and provide an excellent balance of postures to promote STRENGTH, BALANCE and FLEXIBILITY. Come with an open heart, a willingness to push your edge, cultivate humility, and definitely - - a towel!

 

Intro To Ashtanga

This class is geared toward students new to Ashtanga yoga or students new to yoga in general. Students will learn Surya Namaskara A and B, standing poses and select seated poses from the Ashtanga Primary Series as well as beginning back-bending and shoulder stand with appropriate variations. Students will have a good time and get a an excellent workout while learning the basics of Ashtanga, alignment principals, and about their own bodies and their edge. We will use props and modifications if needed and learn the Ujjayi Breath and how to ride it through a sequence of linked asanas.

Ashtanga Vinyasa

This vinyasa class will be a continuous flow of postures led with the breath. Students will get an excellent workout and will ride the breath from the beginning to the end of the class. I will include many of the postures from the Ashtanga Primary Series as well as inversions and backbends in the Ashtanga Finishing Postures appropriate to all students (through modifications). The class will provide an excellent workout. Come prepared to sweat...

 

"Mysore Style" Ashtanga Vinyasa

This class is for students with a firm grounding in the Ashtanga Primary Series and will be taught very much in the way it is still taught today in Mysore India. There will be a combination of Led and Self-Practices classes. The Led class will be the classical Mysore Led class exactly as it is led in the shala in Mysore. Fast moving - all the way through primary if you can't practice full primary it's perfectly okay - but you will stop where the instructor says and continue to do all the vinyasas until we get to back-bending and finishing postures which everyone will do together. The self-practice format will give students a chance to deepen their practice by riding their own breath and getting one-on-one assistance from the instructor. There is no reason to be intimidated by this format. It is "THE BEST" way to practice Ashtanga yoga. Cheat cards will be available for students who don't have the sequencing memorized and I will be happy to assist students with their practice in any way I can and to answer questions. This is a fun way to learn and practice Ashtanga Yoga. Don't be shy. Come to the Led classes for a while and then you'll be ready for "Mysore Style"!

 

 

Class Levels

Mixed Levels:

This class is appropriate for all students except those who are "brand-new" in which case they should attend the Level 1 class to start with. When classes are mixed levels options will be given on postures which include modifications and or using props for newer students and advanced variations for more experienced students.

Level 1:

This is for students who are brand new to yoga or those who aren't brand new but want to go slowly for whatever reason. Even if you have a lot of experience this is a great way to deepen your understanding of the practice, the external forms, alignment, the breath and to gain new insight.

Level 2:

This is for students who have at least six to twelve months of experience practicing yoga and a basic understanding of and experience with the Ashtanga Primary Series. This is a good class for those who want to "amp up" their practice and gain a deeper understanding of internal and external forms and their integration through the breath. Sirsasana (head-steand), Sarvangasana (shoulder-stand), and Urdhva Dhanurasana (full upward bow) will be part of these classes.

Level 3:

This level is for students who have an established yoga practice. For some this might mean practicing for several years, for others one year. All students attending level three should be comfortable with Sirsasana (head-stand) in the middle of the room for 20 breaths, Urdhva Danurasana, Mariciasana A/B/C/D, Kurmasana, and Supta Kurmasana. Students fitness level should be such that practicing 5 Surya Namaskara and 5 Surya Namaskara B is comfortable.

In general these classes will be physically challenging. Teaching will focus more on the cultivation of the internal forms: the bandhas, drishti, mudras and the breath and less on instructions like "how to do triangle pose." This is a great class, but it's like snow boarding. You don't go down a double black diamond on your first ski vacation in your life - unless your a little nuts... Level 3 isn't like a double black diamond anyway, but the analogy serves to illustrate the point that this is for people who have practiced some yoga.