Ashtanga Yoga at the Davenport School of Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is a powerful, challenging practice taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, South India, since 1947.It is the original “power” and “flow” yoga. DSY is proud to offer the area’s only pure and unadulterated Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, taught by Evan and Kelly Harris, veterans of the Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore. The system is comprised of six choreographed sequences of postures (each about 90 minutes), the upper echelons of which contain some of yoga’s truly breathtaking postures. It is an endlessly deep practice of internal subtlety and listening, masked in a flowing, detoxifying, disciplined asana form. Taking its name from the ancient system of meditation described by the sage Patanjali, Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga modernizes the timeless practices of mindfulness and the expansion and evolution of consciousness. Like all asana systems, Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is an indirect path, winding ever so slowly and inexorably through the body, to the mind and onward, forever inward toward consciousness itself. Make no mistake – this is not your mom’s yoga, and even the most athletic individuals will find challenge and reward here. The Primary Series, the first of six increasingly difficult and inspiring series’ that make up the Ashtanga Vinyasa system, is a thorough exploration of the body, addressing the most common afflictions of Western life, both physical – short hamstrings, tight hips, weak back and abdominal muscles, poor posture – and mental – flagging willpower, flickering attention, weak body-mind connection.
But enough talk – let’s do some yoga!! All are welcome for Ashtanga Sundays at DSY. 11:00 am is a lead Primary Series class. No experience is necessary, but expect a workout. If you are new to Ashtanga and are interested in more background on the system, we suggest catching one of the Intro to Ashtanga six-week courses offered regularly at 10:00 am on Sundays (pre-registration is required) – watch your e-mail and/or keep an eye on Updates for more info.
Intrigued? Hungry for more? Here are a few good Ashtanga resources on the net:
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As the body is stretched, strengthened, lightened, and balanced, the mind is disciplined and pacified. The unnecessary falls away and the dross burns off, revealing simplicity and equanimity. In this fertile ground, awareness can take root, granting greater peace, ease, and lightness of carriage, as well as opportunity for and ongoing support of the more direct contemplative practices of pranayama and meditation.
