Class Descriptions

The Yoga Shala offers only Yoga Classes/courses in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Method, a 5,000 year old discipline that explores, develops, and integrates the body, mind and spirit.  Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga purifies the body, the nervous system, the internal organs, and the mind through the use of vinyasa (breath with movement), asana (physical postures), ujjayi breathing, and dishti (looking place or gaze).  Practicing Yoga Asanas purifies the body and strengthens and gives flexibility to the body.  Performing Ujjayi breathing purifies the nervous system.  Drishti is the place where you look while performing asanas, or postures in order for you to concentrate on one specific place; also helps to stretch the eyes.  The goal of incorporating drishti to your practice is for purification and stabilization of the mind.  Daily practice of Ashtanga Yoga promotes weight loss, vitality, mental clarity, stress reduction, deep relaxation, and overall health and wellness to the practitioner.

No Mysore classes on New and Full Moon days.
All other classes held as scheduled on moon days.

Beginner Ashtanga Yoga Course:

This six week course is designed for students with little or no yoga experience. This course introduces Ashtanga yoga in a slow, safe and comprehensive manner. The focus of the course is on educating new students to the Ashtanga Yoga method. Students will learn the basic standing postures, and how to utilize ujjayi breathing while moving. This beginner course is progressive, in order that each class will allow students to build from the previous. At the end this course, students will be equipped with the knowledge of the history of the ashtanga yoga method, a physical foundation of the sun salutations, standing postures and breath work required to advance in the ashtanga practice, and the self-assurance to enter into the Mysore program.  This course requires pre-registration.

Mysore Program: Monthly Membership required

This method of teaching is appropriate for both experienced practitioners and those new to yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga, done daily, will increase flexibility, strength, endurance, and physical and mental balance; it will cleanse the internal systems of the body and provide a healthy source of focus and dedication in ones life - something everyone needs!  

The Yoga Shala offers classes in the traditional Ashtanga Mysore Method; the safest, most effective way to learn Yoga!  In Mysore style classes students will work individually with Krista to learn the Ashtanga Yoga method.  Students will learn postures one by one, and as each posture is mastered, students will gradually build up his/her primary series practice.  The focus of this individualized method is on personalized instruction - imagine a private Yoga lesson in a group setting.  

This is the way that yoga is taught by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy in Mysore, India and why it has come to be known as "Mysore Style" teaching.  For more information on Ashtanga Yoga please visit www.kpjayi.org  

Students are encouraged to practice daily, and are asked to make a monthly commitment and come to class 3-6 days each week.   

In order to advance sequentially in Ashtanga Yoga, it is important to commit to and maintain a daily practice.

Timings are flexible and students may begin practicing any time after the posted start time provided they finish by the end of class. New students attending Mysore class should allow 30 to 45 minutes for practice. As strength and stamina build more of the sequence will be taught and one’s practice will gradually lengthen.  

You may attend the following classes
on a drop in basis ($16.00).

Guided Ashtanga Classes: In a guided class, students are instructed together as a group. 

Ashtanga Level 1 - Half Led Primary Series: The entire class will be led/guided through part of the Ashtanga primary series. Sun salutations, standing postures, some seated postures, backbends, and finishing postures will be covered in led class.  Although all are welcome, this class is best suited for students with some knowledge of the Ashtanga Yoga method.

Ashtanga Level 2 - Led Primary Series: The entrie class will be led/guided through the entire Ashtanga primary series. Sun salutations, standing postures, all seated postures, backbends, and finishing postures will be covered in the Led Primary Series class.  Although all are welcome, this class is best suited for students with some knowledge of the Ashtanga Yoga method.