Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn Blog

Change of hands

2011-05-21T07:54:00.001-07:00

Audra Duran will begin teaching on Sunday, May 22. Keep up with Elise at her new website here:

Elise Ashtanga Yoga

Sunday Led Primary

2011-04-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

Led Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga
May 1, 2011 with Elise Espat

Class begins at 8am, arrive early.
Included in AYB monthly tuition, $20 drop-in. $2 mat rental.

Location: Go Yoga 112 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Subway L to Bedford Ave
ashtangayogabrooklyn.com

Next Sunday Led class is on May 8.

Weekly led classes Tuesday & Thursday at 3:30pm. $18 drop in, included in AYB tuition and Go Yoga class cards.

Sharath Jois Live in New York

2011-04-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

Watch live streaming video from joisyoga at livestream.com

April 8th, 2011 Sharath Jois teaching led primary series in New York City.

April Schedule Update

2011-04-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

On account of Moon Days and holidays, there are no Sunday classes in April.
During Sharath's NYC visit, there are no morning classes April 4-14. During this time, afternoons continue as scheduled.

Schedule update

2011-03-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

8am Led Class replaces Mysore on Sundays starting March 13th.

{AYB Recommends} Yoga Stops Traffick NYC

2011-03-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

Demonstrations: Surya Namaskar A & B

2011-03-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

KPJAYI asana demonstration at the 2010 Dasara Festival in Mysore, India.

Surya Namaskar A

Surya Namaskar B
coming...

Moon Day Friday

2011-03-03T01:16:00.000-08:00

Friday, March 4th is a moon day. There is no class, take rest!

Archive: The Yoga Portfolio

2011-02-25T01:41:00.000-08:00

The May 2007 Vanity Fair photo essay featuring Shri K. Pattabhi Jois (Guruji).

High quality image at Govinda Kai's flickr page here
Article at Vanity Fair here

Moon Day Friday

2011-02-15T02:33:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 18 is a moon day. No classes, take rest.

Sunday Led Primary

2011-02-12T05:57:00.000-08:00

Led Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga
February 20, 2011 with Elise Espat
Class begins at 8am, arrive early.
Included in AYB monthly tuition, $20 drop-in. $2 mat rental.

Location: Go Yoga 112 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Subway L to Bedford Ave
ashtangayogabrooklyn.com

Next Sunday Led class is on March 6.

Weekly led classes Tuesday & Thursday at 3:30pm. $18 drop in, included in AYB tuition and Go Yoga class cards.

image: sri k. pattabhi jois, garbha pindasana, kpjayi

Clips from "Guru"

2011-02-10T01:40:00.000-08:00

From the film "Guru"

Sharath speaks on Ashtanga Yoga

On Mysore-Style

Ashtanga Yoga Mantras with Laksmis

2011-02-07T02:13:00.000-08:00

Sunday Led Primary

2011-02-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

Led Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga

February 6, 2011 with Elise Espat

Class begins at 8am, arrive early.

Included in AYB monthly tuition, $20 drop-in. $2 mat rental.

Location: Go Yoga 112 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Subway L to Bedford Ave

Next Sunday Led class is on February 20.

Weekly led classes Tuesday & Thursday at 3:30pm. $18 drop in, included in AYB tuition and Go Yoga class cards.

www.ashtangayogabrooklyn.com
photo by Elizabeth Bick www.onceiblink.com

Wednesday Moon Day

2011-02-01T16:14:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, February 2nd is a moon day and Groundhog Day... no class, take rest!

Winter 2011 Class Schedule

2011-01-31T11:26:00.001-08:00

Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn program expands tomorrow to include more Led Primary and afternoon Mysore.

2011-01-23T12:55:00.000-08:00

Click to register

Resolution #4 Recycle E-Waste

2011-01-21T12:38:00.000-08:00

Want to recycle some electronics? If you have any of the following heading for the sidewalk, this weekend is your chance to make certain they are properly recycled. Read on for more information.

• Computers (laptops & desktops, servers, mainframes)
• Monitors
• Printers, scanners, fax-machines, copiers
• Network devices (routers, hubs, modems, etc.)
• Peripherals (keyboards, mice, cables, etc.)
• Components (hard drives, CD-ROMs, circuit boards, power supplies, etc.)
• TVs, VCRs, & DVD Players
• Audio-visual equipment
• Cell phones, pagers, PDAs
• Telecommunication (phones, answering machines, etc.)

To recycle media, such as floppies, cd’s, zips, VHS tapes please recycle with Green Disk.

From the Lower East Side Ecology Center Newsletter
8th Annual "After the Holidays" E-waste Events

January 22, 2011 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Flyer(English) Flyer(Spanish) Directions

Ring Garden, Riverside Drive between Dyckman Street and Seaman Avenue, Inwood

January 22, 2011 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Flyer Directions
Habana Outpost, Fulton Street b/w South Portland Avenue and South Oxford Street, Ft. Greene

January 23, 2011 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Flyer Directions
Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, 331 East 70th Street between First and Second Avenues, Upper East Side

January 23, 2011 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Flyer Directions
NEW LOCATION: West 63rd Street between Central Park West and Broadway, Upper West Side

The Ecology Center will accept electronic waste ("e-waste") from New York City residents and small businesses (under 50 employees). Bring your working or non-working electronics to the collection events to have them recycled responsibly. A list of acceptable materials can be found here. We do not accept home appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators or air conditioners.

If the promise of a clutter-free home isn't enough, we have two additional incentives to motivate you:

If you're a Zipcar member come out to an e-waste event, flash your Zipcard and you'll get a $15 driving credit while supplies last. Not a member yet? Join now and receive a $60 free driving credit and a $25 discount on your application. Simply enter the promo code "EWASTE" when you sign up! Go to Zipcar.com to sign up.

Tekserve is offering everyone who drops off their e-waste this January a free limited edition t-shirt and the chance to win a new Apple MacBook Air.

We would like to thank Tekserve for sponsoring these events.

Ashtanga Yoga - Parampara

2011-01-20T10:30:00.000-08:00

From the KPJAYI website:

Parampara is knowledge that is passed in succession from teacher to student. It is a Sanskrit word that denotes the principle of transmitting knowledge in its most valuable form; knowledge based on direct and practical experience. It is the basis of any lineage: the teacher and student form the links in the chain of instruction that has been passed down for thousands of years. In order for yoga instruction to be effective, true and complete, it should come from within parampara.

Knowledge can be transferred only after the student has spent many years with an experienced guru, a teacher to whom he has completely surrendered in body, mind, speech and inner being. Only then is he fit to receive knowledge. This transfer from teacher to student is parampara.

The dharma, or duty, of the student is to practice diligently and to strive to understand the teachings of the guru. The perfection of knowledge – and of yoga — lies beyond simply mastering the practice; knowledge grows from the mutual love and respect between student and teacher, a relationship that can only be cultivated over time.

Continue reading

Elise learning a new posture with Sharath at the KPJAYI. Photo by Tom Rosenthal.

Wednesday Moon Day

2011-01-18T15:14:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 19th is a moon day. There is no class, take rest.

All 2011 moon days here.
Why we observe moon days here.

Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice

2011-01-17T14:26:00.000-08:00

From the KPJAYI website:

Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient system of Yoga that was taught by Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta. This text was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900’s by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927.

The following are aspects that Pattabhi Jois emphasizes as the main components of Ashtanga Yoga.

Vinyasa: Vinyasa means breathing and movement system.
Tristhana: This means the three places of attention or action: posture, breathing system and looking place.
The six poisons: A vital aspect of internal purification that Pattabhi Jois teaches relates to the six poisons that surround the spiritual heart.

Read full posting at KPJAYI.org

Sunday Led Class

2011-01-13T16:08:00.000-08:00

Starting January 16th, every first and third Sunday there will be a led primary class replacing Mysore class. The led will begin at 8am. Arrive at least ten minutes early. Drop-ins are welcome.

Location:
112 North 6th Street (between Berry and Wythe)
Subway L to Bedford Ave

Website:
www.ashtangayogabrooklyn.com

Resolution #3 Yoga Mat

2011-01-12T14:47:00.000-08:00

Making the decision to replace an old mat and figuring out how to pick a new one can be a little overwhelming. Here is a simple guide to help you navigate your mat matters.

Clean or Replace?
Is your mat breaking up or shredding in little pieces?
Does your mat smell?
Does your mat have black spots where your hands and feet rest?
Do your wrists and hands ache during practice?
Has your mat lost the traction you prefer?
Is your mat made of PVC?

It is time to replace a mat if it is shredding at a disruptive rate, if the stink and dirty have become a permanent fixture that withstands even heavy duty washing (see below). Also, if you are having wrist/hand pain it may be a sign that you are not using an appropriate mat.

Jessica Stickler:
"The only one I've ever had to "replace" was because it was getting holes in it. I clean my mats depending on how much I've been using them, if they smell or if they lose their stickiness, its time to clean!"

Cleaning Tips & Keeping it Clean
Using a yoga towel or cotton mysore rug helps keep your mat clean since you aren't practicing directly on your mat. Clean your feet before you walk in the classroom for practice, especially during summer months with flip flops. Allow your mat to dry completely after each use and cleaning to prevent bacteria growth and icky smells.

Bryan Johnson:
"I wipe my mat down after each class and wash it if it gets stinky with a gentle soap in the bathtub and let drip dry."

Ralph de la Rosa:
"I take mine in the shower with me! Scrub it down with my loofah and everything. Then it can just hang dry inside the shower. So easy."

Jessica:
"Some mats are tough enough to go into the actual wash! I used to literally put my Jade mat in the washing machine on an extra small load with a drop of soap, and then run it through the dryer for 20 minutes."

What to do with the old one
If it is time to replace rather than clean, that old mat may still be of use...

Ralph:
"Please donate your used mats!! There are tons of yoga programs at schools, programs for at-risk youth, etc. that are constantly looking for any mats to use for their classes. We donate to YogaActivist.org. If anyone has old mats they'd like Go Yoga to donate for them, I'd be more than happy to take them!"

Jessica:
"I cut my old mat up and used it for furniture pads (under the corners of my bed, to keep it from slipping on the floor). Also, there are MANY school programs that can use the spare mats. lineageproject.org is one of them.

What to look for in a new mat:

Eco-friendly / sustainability
The most important consideration is whether or not a mat is eco-friendly and/or sustainable. It is true, you can find a yoga mat at a local variety store for $20. It may be easy on your pocket, but that is where the fun stops.

Jessica:
"Be super cautious about buying one at a Sporting Goods Store. Their mats tend to be of lower quality and made out of weird plastics." (You can read up on PVC at the Green Yoga Association.)

Ralph:
"It has to be eco-friendly."

Traction
They call it a "sticky mat" for a reason. While a slightly slick surface can be a great teacher in pulling in and up, a super slick surface can be counter-productive.

Jessica:
"I look for mats that my hands and feet stick to. I have three mats and the main feature that they all share is traction, my hands have to stick to the mat in Downward Dog!"

Bryan:
"I tend to get pretty sweaty. My Jade Yoga mat has extra cushion without compromising its no-slip ability."

Ralph:
"I have a Vinyasa practice and I use a Jade Harmony. The traction is great, but I think it is time to switch to the Manduka Eko when my current mat starts to fade. I want firmer contact with the earth."

Thickness
There are super thin and light travel mats and the thick and firm Manduka Pros. How you choose your thickness depends on your practice and lifestyle. A thin mat will be lighter and easier to carry back and forth from yoga. Having very close contact with the ground has its benefits, but also can be uncomfortable in postures like dhanurasana. A thicker mat is going to be heavier and harder to travel with, but you can always sign up for mat storage. For me, I look for thick and firm (stable surface that also cushions my bones) or very thin with a cotton rug handy.

Jessica:
I have mats that are thicker, and I have a mat that's so thin it feels like I'm directly on the floor. You might want a thicker mat if your knees are sensitive, you might prefer a thin mat if balancing postures are challenging for you. (Because you can feel the floor better with your toes!)

Staff picks: Our Favorite Yoga Mats

Manduka Pro Black Mat:
Thick and firm with a lifetime guarantee. Can be slippery for some people. Add a cotton Mysore rug or Yoga towel.

Jade Yoga Harmony Mat:
Thin and firm or thick and firm. Great traction. They plant a tree with each purchase! Can be too sticky for some people. Add a cotton Mysore rug or Yoga towel.

Manduka Eko:
All firm with a variety of thickness. One side slick and one side comparable to the Jade yoga. Great colors.

-Elise Espat

Contributors:

Bryan Johnson is a yoga newbie and co-manager of Go Yoga.

Elise Espat is dedicated to the ongoing practice and study of the traditional Ashtanga yoga method. She is one of the few teachers worldwide to have received Level 2 Authorization enabling her to teach both the primary and intermediate series of Ashtanga yoga. She is honored to have practiced with the late Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and maintains an ongoing practice with R. Sharath Jois and R. Saraswathi Jois at the KPJ Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India. Elise leads the Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn Mysore program hosted by Go Yoga and teaches Led Ashtanga classes on the ongoing Go Yoga class schedule.

Jessica Stickler teaches musically infused and philosophically amused classes at Go Yoga that aim to inspire, uplift, incite, and ignite! After experiencing physical and metaphysical transformation in her own life through these practices, she decided to teach! Jessica graduated Jivamukti Teacher Training in 2008, and has since completed 800+ hours advanced certification. She would like to thank all of her holy teachers, especially Sharon Gannon, David Life, Matthew, and Nicole for inspiring, teaching, and seeing more in her than she sometimes saw in herself! Classes integrate anatomical and intellectual precision with choreographic sequencing and playful music.

Ralph De La Rosa is a lifelong spiritual seeker and, more recently, a spiritual finder. Yoga and meditation have offered him the hands-down, best solutions to the depression, addiction, anxiety and trauma that weighed him down for a very, very long time. Ralph is the manager of Go Yoga, teaches meditation with The Interdependence Project (www.theidproject.org), and is studying to become a psychotherapist at Fordham University.

Resolution #2 Eat Healthier Right Now

2011-01-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

Change is hard. Changing the way we eat isn't just about substituting one thing for another, portion control, and following a set of rules. If it was that simple, maintaining a healthy relationship with food wouldn't be one of the top 5 New Year's Resolutions year after year. Where we buy our food, how and where we eat our food, and the company we keep while we eat all factor into the choices we make.

Here are some articles, tips, and ideas to masticate in 2011

In 2008, Kino Macgregor (Certified Ashtanga Yoga teacher) contributed an article to the Living Mysore Journal which lists 10 healthy eating tips from interesting factoids to knowing when to cleanse. Click to view article.

Where we opt to shop impacts what we choose to eat. Here are some health food stores in and around Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Learning how to cook differently and with new foods is much easier with a good cookbook. Books on food and cookbooks at the AYB blog.

A yogic diet is very specific. Guy Donahaye (Certified Ashtanga Yoga teacher) discusses key points here and lists suggestions from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Tips on how to eat and feel healthier right now
Replace sugar with agave, brown rice syrup, or date syrup
Get in the habit of reading labels
Do not eat high fructose corn syrup/corn sugar
Do not eat partially hydrogenated vegetable oil
Replace butter with ghee or non-hydrogenated vegan butter
Replace cheese with tahini
Replace eggs in sweet baked goods with mashed banana (1 egg = 1 banana)
Do not eat refined grains
Only drink fresh juice
Drink water instead if soda
Have dark chocolate instead of light, keep it dairy-free
Steam veggies rather than fry
Avoid labels that say "natural flavors"
Buy fresh vegetables instead of frozen
Buy whole fruit and vegetables rather than pre-cut

Quick and Easy Veggie Bowl for One
Cook Together:
1 cup Rice or Quinoa
2 cups Water
2 inches Sweet Potato
1/2 cup Onion if desired
Handful of Kale or Broccoli
1 small Beet
1 small Carrot

Garnish:
1/2 Lemon
Splash Olive Oil
Pinch Sea Salt or Tamari
1/2 small Avocado
1 stalk Green Onion/spring onion/scallion
Sprinkle Sesame Seeds or Pepitas
1/2 sheet Nori

Add grain and water to pot, turn up the heat. Wash and chop up about half a small sweet potato and onion and add to pot with grains. When it comes to a boil, turn down, cover, and simmer until water is gone and grain is cooked. In the meantime, wash and chop some kale, toss in. Wash and shred the beet and carrot, toss in.

Once the grain is cooked, plate it. Squeeze half a lemon (or more if you really like lemon) over the food. Add a splash of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt or tamari. Add half of a small avocado, sliced. Add green onions, sliced. Sprinkle sesame seeds or pepitas on top. Tear up 1/2 a sheet of sushi nori and add. Mix it all up and enjoy!

Resolution #1 Begin a Yoga Practice

2011-01-04T07:52:00.000-08:00

A recent blog post at the Go Yoga Brooklyn blog by Elise Espat:

Resolution #1 Get Started with Yoga

Any time is a great time to follow your heart and try something new or make a change. From learning how to crochet to stepping into that first yoga class, for me, 2011 is about putting thought into action.

Articles pop up everyday about the positive impact of yoga on both the body and mind. But how do you transition from reading about yoga to actually getting into a class? A few of us at Go Yoga have jotted down our answers to help you out of your winter boots and onto your yoga mat.

Why should people start practicing yoga? Why should it be one of their goals or resolutions for 2011?

Lilia Mead (Go Yoga, Teacher and Founder):
Yoga is for everyone, even if everyone isn’t for Yoga. If you can breathe, have a mind and body and a deep seated desire for “ultimate happiness”, then Yoga practice and philosophy is for you. If you are investigating who you really are; beyond the body, mind complex, then Yoga is for You. If during the day you suffer from various mental afflictions and are not sure where they are coming from or how to eradicate them, then Yoga is for you. If not now, then when? Besides, why postpone joy (something I read on a bumper sticker, but true none the less).

Michael Hewett (Go Yoga, Teacher and Sarva Yoga Academy, Founder):
We’ve all heard the yoga means union or, oneness. Oneness manifests through trinities…subjects, objects, and the relationship between the two. This is the way we participate in every experience. For each of Us to own this creative experience and stabilize into a realm of abundance, safety, profundity, and love for All beings, we must glimpse this interdependent relationship through the practice and study of yoga.

Elise Espat (Go Yoga, Teacher and Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn, Founder)
Guruji (the late Shri K. Pattabhi Jois) would say that one is drawn to yoga because they practiced in a previous life. This is from the Gita:

“By virtue of the divine consciousness of his previous life, he automatically becomes attracted to the yogic principles — even without seeking them. Such an inquisitive transcendentalist stands always above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures.”

If you feel a pull toward yoga, then let it begin now. Otherwise, it is always “oh tomorrow, tomorrow”. Also, in Guruji’s book, Yoga Mala, he says that winter is the best time to start yoga…

Ralph De La Rosa (Go Yoga, Manager and Meditation Teacher)
Plain and simple: Yoga is an excellent idea for anyone who enjoys feeling amazing, and is interested in struggling less in life.

If someone wants to begin practicing yoga, where should they start?

Lilia:
A good place to start is a basics class or a beginner series at a studio that grabs your heart. I would recommend researching studios and teachers at those center’s with a lot of teaching experience and practice under their belt. Also, I think it is important that the teachings come from a long, pure lineage that traces back in time. Another words; authentic and not new age or arbitrary.

Michael:
Start where your passion lies. What turns you on? Where do you get frisky when you think of your favorite things to do? Skiing, music, love making, cooking, travel, worship… it simply doesn’t matter which path you take as long as it is taken.

Elise:
If you have a friend that invited you to class, go! If you see a sign for a yoga shala, walk in, get a schedule, and sign up for a class. There are so many options out there, you are bound to try things that you decide are not for you. When this happens, grab your mat and try something new. Be persistent in establishing your practice and be ready to make a commitment and do the work when you find the right fit.

Ralph:
By taking a Basic class! It may sound obvious, but too many people start with DVDs or podcasts. The best way to learn anything is always from another person who is in the room with you. Books and whatnot are great, but only once you’ve built your foundation.

Philosophically: By contemplating how good your life already is. I’ve got friends, love, warmth, food, clothing, shelter, intelligence, and the most amazing city one could live in – that’s only the tip of the iceberg, and so many people live with so much less. I’ve got all of this, and yet time is slipping past me at an alarming speed. What do I do with my incredible privilege and good fortune? How do I make this all count? No matter what my answer is, a yoga practice is a great asset for getting me there.

What should someone look for when choosing their first teacher and how do they find them?

Lilia:
Personally, I think there are a lot of young “Yoga” instructor’s running around the city, but not a lot of people truly teaching Yoga. I want to know that my teacher’s know their Yamas and Niyamas, are meditating and practicing Guru Yoga (or at least know what it means) and are not mistaking the path or practices for the goal itself; Enlightenment, Samadhi, Nirvana, Freedom from Suffering etc. There needs to be a scriptural source for the teaching. In other words, not simply the individual’s take or spin on the practice; random spiritual thoughts of the day.

Michael:
They will turn you on and inspire like the way great musicians inspire young musicians. Being in the presence of a Being like this feels like riding a magic carpet…like the way high art raises you to a higher level. People find a Teacher by desiring to have a relationship with a Teacher, and everyone…everyone wants this kind of relationship in their life. It is as unmistakable as romantic chemistry.

Traditionally {in the Tibetan tradition} the first three qualities of a qualified Teacher is their perfect ethical behavior, their concentration to maintain this fidelity in all situations, and their stainless and unshakable wisdom which is the view that all beings are their own sweet self.

Elise:
Parampara. They should have direct and practical experience with yoga practice and teaching. They should come from a lineage of knowledge. They should inspire you. They should be a living example of the benefits of yoga.

Ralph:
Detailed instruction, and someone you simply like. Ask them questions about your practice. Ask them who else to go to. And stick with them when they start to push your buttons. You find your teachers by just practicing and trying lots of different things. This is why we try to offer so many workshops at Go. Having exposure and access to different approaches is really key.

What should someone look for when choosing a yoga studio?

Lilia:
Choosing a Yoga studio is like entering into a very intimate relationship. All the right conditions must be there. Connection to the teachings and teacher, the vibe, aesthetic, authenticity of the practice and lineage. The whole experience; from the moment you walk in until you step foot back outside. How does it all make you feel? Can you let your guard down, feel safe and vulnerable enough to sweat your prayers and be as real as you can be?

Michael:
Master Patanjali’s Astanga yoga should be taught: all eight limbs are being addressed: Harmonious conduct in life [yama/niyama], physical practices, subtle body/breath/emotional control, sensory withdrawal, and how to refine concentration into bliss.

By the way, Costa Rica is not a limb of yoga.

Elise:
If we use the shastras as a standard, then it is very specific in terms of environment — a clean indoor space on the ground floor in a place with many trees — it goes on… For most city dwellers, find a place that makes you feel excited about going to class. It might be a church basement, a gym, or a yoga studio with Ganesh on the wall. It is also important to think about it as an investment. You might start at one place and decide another better fits your practice and ethical principles.

Ralph:
Friendliness. What are the people who teach, practice and work there like? If they are happy and attentive, then they’re doing something right; and that’s where you want to be.

How should a beginner choose what classes to attend?

Michael:
Study with teachers you have chemistry with and stick close to Them. This is a changing thing in that they will shift over the years. It will be the most magnetic way of staying in the practice over a long period of time. After all, if you can’t do what you’re teacher says, how will you ever listen to your inner voice, and how would you ever be capable of doing what you set out to do?

Elise:
Start with classes listed as appropriate for beginners or “basic”. When you are ready for more, the next step will present itself.

Ralph:
Trial and error. Don’t settle into a “comfort zone” too quickly. Every teacher has something to show you.

How should one prepare for that first class?

Michael:
Be kind in your motivation towards others as steadily as possible until it spills over into your dreamlife.

Elise:
Read the beginner section of the class website. They’ll let you know what you should bring and how to get ready. Arrive early (10-15 minutes) so you can leisurely get acquainted with the space and registration procedures. Don’t eat at least 2 hours before class.

Ralph:
Show up a little early. Quiet yourself, take a break, and set an intention or reminder. This can make or break any practice. I like to remind myself to be present and diligent; to really show up for the challenge – but also to back off and take rest when I need to. Also, it’s a great idea to break the cycle of being so self-concerned all the time. Yoga makes me a better friend, lover, family member, co-worker, teacher, student… I have so much more brilliance to offer the world when I’ve been practicing. Dedicating a practice to the betterment of the world is a clever way to taste freedom.

Any other advice for someone interested in starting a practice/those first classes?

Michael:
Basic classes three times a week for three months, at least.

Elise:
Yoga is a whole life practice that develops over an entire lifetime. Take it easy, be patient, and as my Sanskrit teacher in India says, “practice with happy”.

Ralph:
Seriously, just do it and keep doing it. The hardest part is getting started. Once you’re in the full swing of things, you will be so glad you worked past any initial reluctance. You will surprise and inspire yourself. Also, be kind. Stop giving your inner self-critic the time of day. You’re awesome and your life is nothing short of a full-blown miracle. This is about making the very most of that.

-Elise Espat

ABOUT:
In January 2000, Lilia Mead opened Go Yoga with the help and support of countless others. Her practice and classes include Vinyasa, Pranayama, Meditation, and Chanting. In 1997, she completed her Jivamukti training with her first and most profound teachers Sharon Gannon and David Life. Since then, she’s had the opportunity to study with many great masters, including T.K.V Desikachar, Mary Dunn, Genny Kapular, Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally. She traveled to India in 1999 to study with the esteemed Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and in 2002 returned to study with meditation master Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. In 2006, Lilia’s spiritual practice expanded to include the birth of her daughter and three years later, a son. Becoming a mother has proved to be the most challenging, yet fulfilling spiritual practice to date.

Michael Hewett has been teaching yoga and dharma full time since 1997. Reflecting his extensive training and creativity, Michael’s heat-building vinyasa classes emphasize breath, meditation and yogic philosophy. Over the past fourteen years, he has studied with Alan Finger, Cyndi Lee, David Nichtern, Sharon Gannon and David Life. In 2004, he met his root teachers, Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally, and began studying Tibetan Buddhism in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In 2010, Michael founded Sarva Yoga Academy out of a deep sense of gratitude and respect for the power of the ancient practices and teachers who’ve dedicated their lives to passing wisdom to us. Sarva Yoga Academy’s mission is to transmit the knowledge and practices of the great Indian and Tibetan yogic lineages, which teach students the difference between power and force, participation and manipulation, and how to transmute every moment of their life into spiritual practice.

Michael is also an accomplished composer, guitarist of over twenty five years, and recording artist who has released four full-length albums and numerous singles. He plays lead guitar in the hit Broadway Musical, “Wicked” and tours internationally with his own project.

Elise Espat is dedicated to the ongoing practice and study of the traditional Ashtanga yoga method. She is one of the few teachers worldwide to have received Level 2 Authorization enabling her to teach both the primary and intermediate series of Ashtanga yoga. She is honored to have practiced with the late Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and maintains an ongoing practice with R. Sharath Jois and R. Saraswathi Jois at the KPJ Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India . She leads the Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn Mysore program hosted by Go Yoga and teaches Led Ashtanga classes on the ongoing Go Yoga class schedule.

Ralph De La Rosa is a lifelong spiritual seeker and, more recently, a spiritual finder. Yoga and meditation have offered him the hands-down, best solutions to the depression, addiction, anxiety and trauma that weighed him down for a very, very long time. Ralph is the manager of Go Yoga, teaches meditation with The Interdependence Project (www.theidproject.org), and is studying to become a psychotherapist at Fordham University.

Sharath in New York 2011

2011-01-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

R. Sharath Jois in New York 2011

Dates:
April 4-8 Led Primary Series 6:30-8am $250
April 11-15 Led Primary Series 6:30-8am $250
April 11-15 Led Intermediate Series 8:30-10am $250

Sign up and information:
http://www.joisyoga.com/workshops-sharath.html

Please note:

1. Drop-ins will be accepted based on space availability. The cost per class is $50 and will be processed before class begins.

2. A refund of 50% of the series fee will be issued until two weeks prior to the series. No refunds will be issued if within two weeks of the series.

3. All inquiries regarding these workshops should be made to nargis@joisyoga.com

Ashtanga yoga practice, sick and you

2010-12-14T08:39:00.000-08:00

Should you practice if you are sick?
If you have a fever, rest.
If you feel contagious and/or are really gross or think you'll be disruptive, practice at home.

What is it?
Do you have a cold or the flu?
Q and A at the CDC

Help prevent others from getting sick
How flu spreads at the CDC

What to do if you feel sick

Tips at the CDC

Gargle salt water throughout the day

Perform jala neti

Avoid sugar and dairy

Take acidophilus if you are on antibiotics

How to help prevent illness

Perform jala neti

Avoid sugar and dairy

Wash your hands and don't touch your mouth...

Sleep well and practice regularly

Stay regular/eat smart: Everyone says it is hard to stay on point and take care of ourselves over the holidays, but really, there is always stress in our daily lives and there will always be an excuse not to do the right thing. It is way cooler to be healthy and able to hangout than to be sick and full of snot in bed. Eat to fuel your body, your practice, your work, and your digestive system. Poop everyday!

Dress properly: Whether on bike, foot, or train, our outerwear is the equivalent of our cars and worth the investment.

Allergies, practice, and you

Holiday Schedule

2010-12-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

Dec 21 (Tuesday)
Moon day
No class

Dec 22 (Wednesday) - 28 (Tuesday)
No classes

Ashtanga Yoga Demonstration

2010-12-05T05:26:00.000-08:00

From the 2010 Dasara Festival. KPJAYI students (including Elise) demonstrating Ashtanga yoga asanas.

Primary Series at the Mysore Palace: Bhujapidasana, Kurmasana, Supta Kurmasana

Intermediate Series at the JSS Hospital: Ustrasana, Laghu Vajrasana, Kapotasana, Pincha Mayurasana, Mayurasana

Conference with R Sharath Rangaswamy

2010-12-01T01:53:00.000-08:00

Dharma Talk with Richard Freeman

2010-11-30T08:32:00.000-08:00

"Ganesh’s Secret: The Obstacles to Yoga"

http://www.yjevents.com/audio/ep10_richard_freeman.mp3

Ashtanga Yoga Retreat with Elise & Mary

2010-11-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

Ashtanga Yoga Retreat
with Elise Espat and Mary Flinn
January 28-30, 2011
Ananda Ashram, Monroe, New York
More information
Register online

Join us for a full weekend immersion filled with yoga practice and more, inspired by the rich experience of studying at the source in Mysore, India. Nestled in the tranquility of nature, the Ananda Ashram is the ideal setting for contemplation and rejuvenation for the year ahead. This weekend is open to all students of yoga from complete beginner to advanced practitioner.

Elise Espat is one of the few teachers worldwide to have received Level 2 Authorization, enabling her to teach both the primary and intermediate series of Ashtanga yoga. She is honored to have practiced with the late Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and is a direct student of R. Sharath Jois at the KPJ Ashtanga Yoga Institute in India. Elise leads the Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn daily Mysore program in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Mary Flinn has been teaching yoga for over 15 years and has directed several yoga centers in NYC. Her daily practice has been Ashtanga yoga since 1997 and she has been blessed by the late Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson R. Sharath Jois to teach the first and second series of Ashtanga yoga. She has studied yoga philosophy with the scholars at the Ananda Ashram for many years. Mary teaches in Philadelphia at Mount Airy Yoga.

Online Store

2010-11-20T08:09:00.000-08:00

Resource and product recommendations in one place. If we don't offer them here or here definitely shop online at the Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn Amazon store.

Ashtanga from the source: Traditional Method

2010-11-19T10:42:00.000-08:00

From the KPJAYI:

All students commence their instruction in the same manner in which on the first day of class they are taught Surya Namaskar A, followed by Padmasana and deep breathing, and a few minutes of rest to conclude their first day of practice. The next day after Surya Namaskar A has been performed, Surya Namaskar B is taught, and one then again concludes in the same method as the previous day, with Padmasana, deep breathing, and rest. After both of the Surya Namaskar have been learned correctly, each of the various asanas are added one by one. When one asana is correct, the next one is taught. Depending on the age and ability of the student, it can take anywhere upwards of 3 months to learn the primary series.

Continue reading at the KPJAYI website by clicking here

Moon Day + Thanksgiving Weekend

2010-11-16T12:40:00.000-08:00

Next Moon Day: Sunday, November 21

Thursday, November 25th: 8-9:30am Led replaces Mysore (sign up here)
Friday, November 26th: No class
Sunday, November 28th: Regular schedule

Thursday, December 2: New led class Tue/Thurs 3:30pm at 112 North 6th.

Led Primary Series at Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn/ Go Yoga

2010-11-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

Ashtanga ~ Led Class
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-5pm starting December 2nd

The primary series of Ashtanga yoga taught in the traditional method of Mysore, India by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois. Students will be led through Yoga Chikitsa (Yoga Therapy) to the rhythm of the vinyasas counted in Sanskrit. There are no classes on new or full moons (moon days).

No class on Dec 21 (Tue), Dec 23 (Thur), Dec 28 (Tue), Jan 4 (Tue), May 3 & 17 (Tue)

Location:
112 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Sign Up: Unlike the AYB Mysore program, please contact Go Yoga to register online or in person. Drop ins welcome.

Shala Chanting: Ādityahṛdayam आदित्यहृदयम्,

2010-11-12T01:14:00.000-08:00

About (includes transliteration, devanagari, and English translation)

Mysore Goes 6-Days

2010-11-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn now offers a 6-day per week traditional Mysore program.
Monday - Friday 6:45am - 9:30am
Sundays 8am - 9:30am

Closed Saturdays and full/new moon days.

Sita Sings the Blues

2010-11-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

November 5th marks the festival of lights aka Diwali. Jains, Sikhs, and Hindus share the holiday, with Hindus celebrating several important events including those from the Ramayana. Below is an animated retelling of the epic.

Sanskrit Alphabet

2010-10-28T17:49:00.001-07:00

Pronunciation guide pdf

Vowels

Consonants

Ashtanga Yoga Opening Prayer

2010-10-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

वन्दे गुरूणां चरणारविन्दे
सन्दर्शित स्वात्म सुखाव बोधे ।

निःश्रेयसे जङ्गलिकायमाने
संसार हालाहल मोहशांत्यै ॥

आबाहु पुरुषाकारं
शंखचक्रासि धारिणम् ।

सहस्र शिरसं श्वेतं
प्रणमामि पतञ्जलिम् ॥

vande gurūṇāṁ caraṇāravinde
sandarśita svātma sukhāva bodhe |

niḥ śreyase jaṅgalikāyamāne
saṁsāra hālāhala mohaśāṁtyai ||

ābāhu puruṣākāraṁ
śaṁkhacakrāsi dhāriṇam |

sahasra śirasaṁ śvetaṁ
praṇamāmi patañjalim ||

I bow to the lotus feet of the Gurus
The awakening happiness of one's own Self revealed,
Beyond better, acting like the Jungle physician,
Pacifying delusion, the poison of Samsara.

Taking the form of a man to the shoulders,
Holding a conch, a discus, and a sword,
One thousand heads white,
To Patanjali, I salute.

From the KPJAYI website.
Listen to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois chant the opening mantra.
Read the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali online or get a translation.

Where to Buy

2010-10-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

Currently AYB offers cotton Mysore rugs, mat bags, and books by request (learn more here). What AYB doesn't supply, I'll definitely will help you find. I'll only recommend what I know works, is of quality, and ethically produced. If I'm not certain of any of these, I'll say so. I try my best to stay current with what is available and what is out there, however, it is impossible to be on it all the time, so, if you have thoughts, suggestions, or updates, your feedback is welcome. Lastly, because we are a Brooklyn-based program, my suggestions are as local as possible. Support small businesses! If you prefer to shop online, check out the AYB Amazon Store.

-Elise

Yoga Mats
How to choose a yoga mat (click here)
Go Yoga: Harmony Mats and Manduka Mats, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Kula Yoga Project Manduka Williamsburg, Brooklyn (more in Manhattan)
Greenhouse Holistic: Harmony Mats Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Lululemon (see below) Manduka
Om Harmony & Prana

Yoga Rugs
Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Kula Yoga Project Yogitoes Williamsburg, Brooklyn (more in Manhattan)

Yoga Mat Bags
Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn
Go Yoga

Yoga Clothes
Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater New York (Malaika Padma Pune Chic Yoga Shorts) Chelsea, Manhattan
Yoga Works (Hard Tail leggings, pants, and shorts) Manhattan
Pure (Tanya-B pants) Upper West/East
Online/find a store (Shining Shakti pants)
Kula Yoga Project Hyde pants (men) and tops/pants (women) Williamsburg, Brooklyn (more in Manhattan)
American Apparel (Leggings--though they wear out quick & t-shirts) Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Jivamukti (organic tops and bottoms for women, some items for men, prancing leopard, inner waves) Union Square
Om Union Square (women)
Yoga Sutra Midtown
Laughing Lotus Midtown
Lululemon Union Square and Brooklyn (men/women)

Books
Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn
Go Yoga
Barnes and Noble
Yoga Sutra
The Strand
Yoga Works
Jivamukti

2011 Ashtanga Yoga Moon Days

2010-10-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

A list of full and new moon days for 2011. Ashtanga practitioners take this time off for rest. Find out why by clicking here.

January 4th, Tuesday, New Moon
January 19th, Wednesday, Full Moon

February 2nd, Wednesday, New Moon
February 18th, Friday, Full Moon

March 4th, Friday, New Moon
March 19th,Saturday, Full Moon

April 3rd, Sunday, New Moon
April 18th, Monday, Full Moon

May 3rd, Tuesday , New Moon
May 17th, Tuesday, Full Moon

June 1st, Wednesday, New Moon
June 15th, Wednesday , Full Moon

July 1st, Friday, New Moon
July 15th, Friday, Full Moon
July 30th, Saturday, New Moon

August 13th, Saturday, Full Moon
August 29th, Monday, New Moon

September 13th, Monday, Full Moon
September 27th, Tuesday, New Moon

October 12th , Wednesday,Full Moon
October 26th, Wednesday , New Moon

November 10th, Thursday, Full Moon
November 25th, Friday , New Moon

December 10th, Saturday, Full Moon
December 24th, Saturday New Moon

timeanddate.com

Ashtanga Yoga Gear

2010-10-22T01:45:00.000-07:00

Cotton Mysore practice rugs
Why you should rug it

Yoga mat bags

Yoga Mala book

Yoga Sutras

Bhagavad Gita

email info@ashtangayogabrooklyn.com

Monday (Columbus Day)

2010-10-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

No class on Monday, October 11 (Columbus Day).

Fall schedule

Moon Day Theory #5 {Dena Kingsberg}

2010-09-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

Next Moon Day: Thursday, September 23, 2010.

From Dena Kingsberg:

"Both full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition.

What is the reasoning behind this?

Like all things of a watery nature (human beings are about 70% water), we are affected by the phases of the moon. The phases of the moon are determined by the moon's relative position to the sun. Full moons occur when they are in opposition and new moons when they are in conjunction. Both sun and moon exert a gravitational pull on the earth." read on

See all 2010 moon days

Moon Day Theory #4 {Karyn Grenfell}

2010-09-04T20:11:00.000-07:00

Next Moon Day: Wednesday, September 8, 2010.

From Karyn Grenfell at Blue Lotus Ashtanga:

"Through practising Yoga we become aware of our own tendencies and the natural cycles that occur within and around us. Hopefully, over time we are able to function more harmoniously with ourselves and with the environment we live in.

Observing moon days connects us with the functioning of the universe and makes us aware of the effect the universal energy can have on us individually." read on

Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn Mysore / Led Class 2011 Schedule

2010-08-31T02:29:00.000-07:00

No classes on Moon Days .

Classes are held at Go Yoga 112 North 6th Street (Between Berry and Wythe), Brooklyn, NY 11211

Subway L to Bedford Ave

Tuition is $100 for new students (first month).
Beginners are always welcome.
Current Mysore practitioners may drop in.

email: info@ashtangayogabrooklyn.com
more info: www.ashtangayogabrooklyn.com

Where to shop: Food

2010-08-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

Greenmarket
Saturdays, Union Ave between Driggs & N 12th Street
Fruit, veg, dairy, meat, flowers, bread, wine, and a clothing drive.

Tops on the Waterfront
89 N 6th St (between Bedford Ave & Berry St)
Good selection of organic and conventional produce, cheese, and excellent bulk section.

The Garden Food Market
921 Manhattan Ave (at Kent Ave)
Organic and conventional produce, packaged goods, deli, cheeses, bulk, bakery...

Sunac Natural
150 N 7th St (between Berry St & Bedford Ave)
Organic produce, products, and packaged goods in a pinch.

Millenium Health
241 Bedford Avenue at North 3rd
Fresh juices, vitamins, packaged goods, small produce area.

Khim's Millenium Market
460 Driggs Ave (between 10th St & 11th St)
Large selection of produce, packaged goods, and juices.

Inspiring TED Video

2010-08-19T02:50:00.000-07:00

Inspirational as always, this TED talk is about a whole lot of good stuff. Thanks Malissa!

Daily Ashtanga Yoga practice

2010-08-08T05:15:00.000-07:00

New Photos

2010-08-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

New photos of Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn mysore practice on the website by Matthew Spiegelman. Here are some more:

Moon Day Tuesday

2010-08-05T17:03:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 is a Moon Day. Take rest!

See all 2010 Moon Days.

Guru Purnima: Remembering Guruji

2010-07-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

"Every other adult has told me to get a haircut and get a job. You are telling me to practice yoga, and all is coming. OK, I am ready!" -The tribute article for Guruji at Yoga Journal
Namarupa interview with BKS Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois (Guruji), and TKV Desikachar.
In Memoriam by Kino MacGregor.
"This is a personal account of my connection with a great teacher, nothing more." -Paul Dallaghan at ashtanga.com
"A Day in the Life" short film by John Romero.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute by R. Alexander Medin at ashtanga.com.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Public Talks on Ashtanga Yoga (France 1991) at aysnyc.org.

Moon Day Monday

2010-07-25T05:37:00.000-07:00

Monday, July 26, 2010 is a Moon Day. Take rest!

See all 2010 Moon Days.

Saraswathi Rangaswamy in New York

2010-07-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Saraswathi will be visiting from Mysore, India to teach in New York City.

From AYNY:

Ashtanga Yoga with Saraswathi Rangaswamy, September 8 - September 12, 2010

K. Pattabhi Jois USA (KPJ USA) and Ashtanga Yoga New York (AYNY) are extremely happy to announce that Saraswathi Rangaswamy will be teaching one week of Ashtanga Yoga classes in New York City from September 8 – September 12, 2010. Please note that classes on 9/8 and 9/12 will be led classes, and the classes on 9/9, 9/10 and 9/11 will be Mysore style. Location TBA.

Additionally, September 11 is Saraswathi’s 69th birthday, and we will celebrate by throwing a birthday party for her at 7 pm at AYNY, 430 Broome St., 2nd floor.

The daughter of the late Ashtanga Yoga master, Sri K. Patthabi Jois, Saraswati began practicing yoga at the age of five. She was the first woman to teach coed yoga classes in Mysore, India, and she has been teaching yoga since 1967.

To register online for these classes please visit our registration page with Brown Paper Tickets.

Refund Policy: We will offer full refunds until August 22, 2010. Unfortunately, no refunds will be offered after this date.

Privacy Policy: AYNY takes every reasonable precaution to assure that your data is secure. We will not share your information with any third parties. For Brown Paper Tickets’ privacy policy, please visit its site here.

Castor Oil Bath

2010-07-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

Originally published October 2008 in www.livingmysore.com:

Relieve aches, pains and stiffness with oil baths
By Kimberly Flynn Williams

Oil bath is a traditional, weekly Ayurvedic home remedy still practiced widely in South India. Shri K. Pattabhi Jois routinely recommends oil bath to his yoga students especially for the relief of back and knee pain as well as stiffness. Weekly oil bath reduces excess internal heat (pitta in Ayurveda) particularly in the joints, liver, and skin. This heat is generated by poor lifestyle, including consumption of oily, processed, and difficult to digest foods, alcohol and tobacco, in addition to stress, air pollution and inadequate sleep. This imbalance increases with the heat generated by yoga practice and hot climate. Eating an over-sufficiency of healthy foods that are deemed "heating" in Ayurvedic terms, also adds to this imbalance.

Excess heat can be felt in the joints as pain and stiffness and in the back, often in the lower right-hand side and hip, as a nearly debilitating pain. This heat also contributes to a short temper, burning anger, red skin, pinkish acne, and redness in the eyes. When a daily ashtanga yoga practitioner still carries extra weight, especially around the middle, has difficulty with weight loss or with digestion, and has a regularly sluggish bowel, these are all signs of surplus heat.

In India, oil bath is customarily taken with castor oil that is later removed from the skin and hair with a special herbal paste made of equal parts soap nut and green powders mixed with water. Castor oil delivers the best results, but is nearly impossible to remove without these powders. Guruji suggests that, after leaving India, the yoga student can replace castor oil with almond oil, which easily washes off with bath soap.

Continue reading full article at Living Mysore...

Since 1995, Kimberly Flynn Williams has traveled yearly to Mysore, India to study Ashtanga Yoga with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and his family at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute. She began her studies with Pattabhi Jois in 1993 during his teaching visit to New York City. Inspired by Pattabhi Jois's vast knowledge of Yoga Shastra, she has been a student of Sanskrit Recitation, Yoga Sutras, and Philosophy under Dr. M.A. Jayashree since 1998. Kimberly co-directed and co-founded Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Los Angeles where she taught for 10 years and twice hosted Pattabhi Jois. Kimberly, AYRI Authorized, teaches Ashtanga Yoga and Sutra Chanting in Hawaii, throughout the United States, and Internationally. She began yoga practice in 1982.

How to clean your yoga mat

2010-07-15T07:35:00.001-07:00

Daily

Clean your feet before practice.
Use a rug over your mat.
Wipe your mat as dry as possible post-practice.
Hang your mat to dry completely everyday post-practice

Weekly/As needed

Wash your rug.

Once per month/As needed

Deep clean your mat. Check out the Eco Yogini for green tips on how to wash your mat and a recipe for an anti-bacterial spray that you can make at home. The Wai Lana website has an interesting suggestion for expediting the drying process:

"To dry your yoga mat, lay it on top of a dry towel and tightly roll mat and towel together like a cinnamon roll. Squeeze out excess water by pressing with your hands or feet. Unroll and hang to air dry."

The ingredients in these DIY sprays tend to be similar (vinegar, water, witch hazel, tea tree, etc.) Here's a video at Notacoolmom if you're the visual type.

Sharath, Saraswati, & Manju : New Encinitas Shala

2010-07-15T01:57:00.000-07:00

Sharath Rangaswamy, Saraswati Rangaswamy, and Manju Jois are teaching at and celebrating the opening of their new Ashtanga yoga shala in Encinitas, California August 20th - September 5th 2010.

Link to flier: http://cli.gs/nrd5zE

Link to sign up:
http://kpjayi.org/encinitas.html

Practice and Potluck

2010-07-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 18th
Morning self practice followed by a potluck gathering.
All regular AYB students are invited.

Moon Day and Solar Eclipse

2010-07-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 11, 2010 is a Moon Day. Take rest!

See all 2010 Moon Days.

Interview: The Story of Yoga in America

2010-07-04T05:43:00.000-07:00

Interview with Stefanie Syman, author of The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America, from NPR's On Point.

Listen here

Eat Local: Saturday Farmers Market

2010-07-03T06:27:00.000-07:00

While the produce isn't from your neighbor's backyard, the bounty at the weekly Greenmarket in McCarren Park is pretty darn close. Sometimes you'll spend a bit more than at the grocery store, but often you'll find yourself spending much less. Plus, you can glory in the fact that you are getting really close to the source of what you put in your body. You're also able to literally put your money where your mouth is... Each dollar you spend is a vote, an investment if you will, for local, whole, healthy, sustainable, different, not factory farmed, etc. sustenance.

You are what you eat and eat what you are.

Greenpoint / McCarren Park Greenmarket

Location: Union Ave between Driggs & N 12th Street

Schedule: Saturdays, year round, 8am-3pm. 2010 Schedule changes: 12/25 & 1/1 will close for holidays.

Subway: L, to Bedford Ave; G, to Nassau Ave
Bus: B43, B68

EBT/Food Stamps and WIC & Senior FMNP Coupons Accepted

Greenpoint/McCarren Park Greenmarket from GrowNYC on Vimeo.

Food, Inc. Trailer

Moon Day Cometh

2010-06-25T10:13:00.001-07:00

Saturday, June 26, 2010 is a Moon Day. Take rest!

Also a partial lunar eclipse.

See all 2010 Moon Days.

Healthy Eating Tips for Yogis

2010-06-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

Healthy Eating Tips for Yogis

by Kino MacGregor
originally published in Living Mysore July 2008

1. Be conscious of your emotional state before, during and after eating. If you are angry, sad, anxious or depressed before or during your meal you will not digest your food as well as when you are peaceful, relaxed and happy. If you notice that you feel worse after you eat it’s a good sign to take a deeper look at your food choices.

2. How you feel about what you eat is as important as any dietary rule, dogma or guideline. A peaceful state of mind is crucial to a sattvic lifestyle and your relationship with food is a great place to start. Let go of any rules that cause you stress or create rigidity and allow them to soften and be replaced with more relaxed attitudes about your body, food and health.

3. When you eat anything you say an internal “yes” to the entire means of production of that food item. This tacit “yes” includes the agricultural system, the food production system, the distribution system, the marketing behind the products, the preparation and everything that goes into the production, creation and delivery of the food that you eat. In a sense, eating is a highly complex method of consumerism and your food stands for what means of production you support.

4. Food is one of the most intimate relationships you make with world. What else that you interact with actually passes through the semi-permeable membranes of your body and literally becomes you from the cellular level and up? Your dietary choices are the building blocks of your body, mind and soul.

5. The brain is as affected, if not more affected by the chemicals in food as the rest of your body. The same receptor cells for neurotransmitters that evoke happiness, anxiety, depression and anger respond to the molecules of food as they are digested and transported throughout your bloodstream. What you eat really makes a lasting impact on how you feel, think and act.

6. If you want to live a peaceful life take notice of the principle of Ahimsa or non-violence in your eating habits. Notice not only whether your food choices cause other beings like animals pain, but also whether your attitude towards food causes you or other people pain. A vegetarian person can be very violent towards other people about their non-vegetarian food choices. While a vegetarian diet certainly helps establish you in a more peaceful relationship with other beings, reacting violently towards those who choose a different path violates the deeper purpose of ahimsa, that is, that of creating and living a more peaceful life.

7. The definition of food as molecules such as fats, proteins and carbohydrates belies a more subtle reality of our eating habits. Food often has a very poignant emotional reality that far outweighs the sum total of its molecular structure. In the most simple way of understanding food, it is a way for us to receive nourishment for our universe and the energy that supports it. In the deepest sense it is an expression of love.

8. Food will nourish you to the extent that you’re open to being nourished and it will pollute you to the extent that you’re open to being polluted. How you think, feel and act about food opens doors to your ability to truly assimilate its power. Just as a great deal of the world in the yoga practice is about surrendering, a great deal of health is about receiving and when you eat you must literally surrender and open yourself up to receive the gift of health from the nourishment of food.

9. The body rebuilds itself constantly on a molecular level and over approximately seven years your body will have replaced most every cell throughout itself from your hair all the way down to your organs. When you eat you have the chance to transform the cellular structure of your body.

10. Your body can be thought of as the home for your spirit. Just as you would thoroughly clean out your residence a few times a year, it’s also a good idea to clean out your body a few times a year. The old tradition of spring cleaning can also be applied to your body. After the holiday season and the winter diet of heavy foods it might feel good to fast, cleanse and eat lightly for a few days to keep everything flowing along the inner channels of your body.

Kino MacGregor is the founder of Miami Life Center, a space for Ashtanga yoga, holistic health and consciousness on Miami Beach, where she and her husband Tim Feldmann teach together. She is the youngest woman out of a select few people in the world to receive the certification to teach Ashtanga Yoga by its founder Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. Both teaching locally on Miami Beach and traveling internationally, she leads classes, privates, workshops, yoga conferences and retreats in traditional Ashtanga yoga and total life transformation. In her unique, inspirational and playful approach, Kino helps her students expand and deepen their understanding of yoga and life.

Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn Mysore Class Summer 2010 Schedule

2010-06-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

Summer 2010 Mysore Schedule

Monday - Friday 6:45 am - 9:30 am
Monday - Thursday 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

No classes on moon days July 26 (Mon), August 10 (Tue), August 24 (Tue).

Classes are held at 112 North 6th Street (Between Berry and Wythe), Brooklyn, NY 11211
Subway L to Bedford Ave

Tuition is $99 for new students. Beginners welcome.

NYC short-term visitors with a current Mysore practice may drop in.

email: info@ashtangayogabrooklyn.com
more info: www.ashtangayogabrooklyn.com

Ashtanga Yoga 2010 Moon Days

2010-06-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

Ashtanga practitioners take the day of a full and new moon as a day of rest from asana practice. To learn more, click here.
To view current moon phase, click here.

January 15 Friday
January 30 Saturday
February 14 Sunday
February 28 Sunday
March 15 Monday
March 30 Tuesday
April 14 Wednesday
April 28 Wednesday
May 14 Friday
May 27 Thursday
June 12 Saturday
June 26 Saturday
July 11 Sunday
July 26 Monday
August 10 Tuesday
August 24 Tuesday
September 8 Wednesday
September 23 Thursday
October 7 Thursday
October 23 Saturday
November 6 Saturday
November 21 Sunday
December 5 Sunday
December 21 Tuesday

Food Books

2010-06-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

Macrobiotic

Modern Ayurveda

Classic Ayurveda

Food and Healing

{Event} 5/16/10 Ashtanga Yoga + Chakras with Mary Flinn

2010-05-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 16, 2010
Ashtanga Yoga + Chakras with Mary Flinn

10:00am-11:45am
Bandhas & Breath + Half Led Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga

12:00-2:00pm
Chakra exploration

Location:
Greenpoint/Williamsburg, Brooklyn
1 Monitor Street, L to Graham Ave

Register here:
Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn

Moon Day Theory #3 {Shri K. Pattabhi Jois}

2010-05-01T06:04:00.000-07:00

Next Moon Day: Friday, May 14, 2010.

From Shri K. Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Shala:

"That day is very difficult day. Two stars one place (conjunction) is going. New moon also, full moon also. That day very dangerous day. You (take) practice (on that day), anyone can have a small pain starting. That pain is not going very quickly. Long time he is taking. Some broken possible. That is why that day don’t do." read on

Recycle!

2010-04-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

Sunday, May 2nd, head over to Williamsburg/Greenpoint's McCarren Park for the Go Green! Greenpoint Earth Day Festival. The event will run from 11 am - 4pm and will feature:

Education Displays & Vendors
Children’s Center
. . . ever heard of Box City?
Greencycle Swap
Drop off your clean and gently used clothes, shoes, bedding, toys, and books. They'll also take your bikes & electronics (working) and computers (non-working okay). Take what you want and what's left gets "Goodwilled".
Sensitive Document Disposal
Art, Science & Writing Contests
Blood Drive
Live Music & Performances

Want to do some donating/swapping and can't make it on Sunday? Town Square holds Greencycle Swaps every 2nd Saturday.

Moon Day Theory #2 {Richard Freeman}

2010-04-27T15:55:00.000-07:00

Next Moon Day: Wednesday, April 28, 2010.

From Richard Freeman at the Yoga Workshop:

"Observing this restraint to practice can be helpful in not becoming too attached to practice and routine. It also provides time for the body to rest and recuperate."

read on

{Photos} 4/25/10 Event with Mary Flinn

2010-04-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

Photos from Sunday's Ashtanga Yoga Practice and Theory with Mary Flinn.

Click to view album

What is Ashtanga yoga, Mysore, and what can a beginner expect?

2010-04-26T03:03:00.000-07:00

{Schedule} Afternoon Mysore starts in May

2010-04-25T05:02:00.000-07:00

Monday-Thursday 3:30 - 5:30 pm afternoon Mysore begins May 3rd, 2010. Beginners are welcome! Classes take place at 112 North 6th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Take the L to Bedford Avenue. Monthly tuition is $99 for new students.

More information.

Ashtanga Books - Essential Reading

2010-04-21T13:21:00.000-07:00

See it at Amazon (We also carry it at AYB)
Yoga Mala : Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
Also Surya Namaskara : Sri K. Pattabhi Jois available through the KPJAYI.

See it at Amazon
We also carry a translation at AYB
The Yoga Sutras

See it at the Sri Ramakrishna Math
We also carry a translation at AYB
Bhagavad Gita : Swami Tapasyananda

See it at amazon
Hatha Yoga Pradipika

{New Students} $99 Unlimited Month

2010-04-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

New students can sign up for a month of unlimited classes for $99 (regular $180). Register in person. Click for more information.

{Event} 5/23 Ashtanga for Vinyasa Students with Elise

2010-04-14T05:39:00.000-07:00

Ashtanga Yoga for Vinyasa Students and Teachers:
An Introduction for the Mysore-Curious

with Elise Espat at Go Yoga

Sunday, May 23rd
4pm - 6pm

As we move deeper into our understanding of yoga, we often find ourselves wondering where our practice comes from and where it might be going. We find ourselves digging a little deeper into the subtle aspects such as bandha and dristhi and possibly even entertaining the idea of learning more about and beginning an Ashtanga yoga practice.

This two-hour introductory workshop led by Ashtanga yoga practitioner Elise Espat is intended to give the vinyasa student a window into this traditional method. Anything but your typical led primary class, this will be an opportunity to learn more about the lineage as well as to dip your toes in the Mysore practice. Participants will explore the fundamental postures of the primary series (Yoga Chikitsa), delve into the tristhana (breathing/bandha, posture, dristhi), and have a taste of the history and theory behind Ashtanga yoga.

A perfect way to jump-start your Mysore practice, gather tid-bits to chew on in your vinyasa classes, or immerse yourself in the lineage for an afternoon.

All levels of experience are welcome and invited to attend.

$25 Advance / $35 Day-of
Please register at Go Yoga

Elise leads the Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn program hosted by Go Yoga which is focuses on the traditional Mysore-style practice of Ashtanga yoga as taught in the lineage of the late Shri K. Pattabhi Jois.

Please visit the Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn website for more information and resources. www.ashtangayogabrooklyn.com

Moon Day Theory #1 {Tim Miller}

2010-04-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

Next Moon Day: Wednesday, April 14, 2010.

From Tim Miller at the Ashtanga Yoga Center:

"Both full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition. What is the reasoning behind this?

Like all things of a watery nature (human beings are about 70% water), we are affected by the phases of the moon. The phases of the moon are determined by the moon’s relative position to the sun. Full moons occur when they are in opposition and new moons when they are in conjunction. Both sun and moon exert a gravitational pull..."

read on

{Quote} The Six Poisons

2010-04-13T02:50:00.000-07:00

The six poisons: A vital aspect of internal purification that Pattabhi Jois teaches relates to the six poisons that surround the spiritual heart. In the yoga shastra it is said that God dwells in our heart in the form of light, but this light is covered by six poisons; kama, krodha, moha, lobha, matsarya, and mada. These are desire, anger, delusion, greed, envy and sloth. When yoga practice is sustained with great diligence and dedication over a long period of time, the heat generated from it burns away these poisons, and the light of our inner nature shines forth.

This forms the practical and philosophic basis of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

KPJAYI.org

Allergies, practice, and you

2010-04-10T04:42:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air and everyone is sneezing. So should you practice? The general rule for Ashtanga practitioners is to practice at home if you are sick (all those tissues are just gross plus you don't want to get anyone else sick if it is more than allergies) and to rest if you have a fever.

The use of a neti pot is recommended to lessen symptoms and here is a list of foods that might help. A neti pot tutorial below:

More tips:

Ashtanga yoga practice, sick and you

Ashtanga in the movies (not just practice)

2010-04-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

Whether you wish to be inspired or have a laugh, here's a list of some films featuring Ashtanga.

Ashtanga, NY - A Yoga Documentary

Guru - Documentary Chronicling the 90th Birthday of Yoga Guru Pattabhi Jois

Enlighten Up

Yoga Unveiled: The Evolution and Essence of a Spiritual Tradition

Yoga Inc.

ORIGINS OF YOGA: Quest for the spiritual

Yoga Mat. But which one?

2010-03-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

One thing that I really love about Ashtanga yoga is that you really only need yourself in order to practice. Practice on a wood floor or on the grass loosens things up while practice on carpet seems to just never work out. While there are certain advantages to going "en plein air", most people are going to use a yoga mat and sometimes a rug too. It is of course more hygenic (if you keep your mat and rug clean), there is something about the bond one creates with a mat after hours and hours of urdhva mukha svanasanas, and in certain postures more padding is essential. But which mat? And why use a rug?

The Typical
Most people (myself included) started with an inexpensive PVC yoga mat. Usually around $20, one can find these mats just about everywhere from Barnes and Noble to the local pharmacy. Slippery and stinky at first, this will dissipate over time. Usually the go-to mat for yoga studio mat rentals because of the very low price, these mats shred over time. They are often thick, but not firm (a quality that beginners often mistake for a good thing). I do not recommend purchasing a PVC yoga mat. There are many health concerns regarding PVC and it is usually not recycled. These days, with a little effort, you'll definitely be able to get your hands on an eco-friendly mat at a comparable price point. Search Gaiam for mats around $20. I haven't tried any of them, let us know!

The Eco
The common eco mats ($40-$70) are the Jade Harmony mat and the EcoYoga Jute mat. When you first roll it out, it has a strong rubber smell, but that goes away. I found mine (Jade) to be incredibly sticky from day one. So sticky, that certain maneuvers on the mat had to be rethought on account of the non-slippage. That said, other people have told me that it was slippery for them. The Jade mat also attracts dust and hair at the beginning, so be prepared to wipe it off a lot if that kind of thing bothers you. After over two years of use, mine had yet to shred. Other people had shredding within a year. Thickness varies, medium to firm. While the non-stick and eco aspects are positive, for people learning jump throughs I definitely recommend considering a mat with a different textured surface or placing a rug on top for seated postures. Other natural mats can be found through Hugger Mugger, Prana, and Manduka. I've tried the Manduka Eko Lite. It is super light (great for travel). It has two sides: slick and sticky. Extra padding is in order for certain second series postures.

The Classics
The Manduka Black ($90) mat is an Ashtanga classic. Slippery, thick, and firm. Ideal for Ashtanga practice, but not necessary for beginners. Does not shred. These things last forever, but to my knowledge are not eco-friendly. They are heavy and travel with them is not fun at all. David Swenson has come out with a yoga mat which appears to attempt to out-do the Manduka. I haven't tried it. Have you? Is it eco-friendly? Shraddha has also been cooking up a mat...

The Rug
I don't really know why other people use rugs, but here's why I like them.

1. Practice seems less daunting when I'm staring at a rug instead of The Mat.
2. Rugs come in many fun colors and patterns and can liven up any mat.
3. Instead of worrying about cleaning my mat all the time, I just have to wash my rug.
4. Soaks up moisture.
5. Doubles as a resting blanket.
6. Good surface for learning jump throughs.
7. Extra padding for certain postures.
8. Some say they help with slipping.

If you aren't going to India tomorrow, you can find a Mysore rug at many Ashtanga shalas, studios, and online. Many people also use "mat towels". I prefer rugs.

How/where to get a mat
- Online (new-stores, new/used-craigslist)
- At a yoga studio (new/used)
- Health food stores (new)
-Through Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn or our Amazon store

What to do with an old mat
Tips from Elephantbeans
Tips from Gaiam

What do you practice on?

Beginner's Guide

2010-03-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

You're Ashtanga curious. Here are some tips on how to get started and what you can expect.

Observe a Mysore class before beginning practice for the first time.
Commit to at least one month of practice.
You do not have to know the primary series or anything about yoga to join a Mysore class. Although you will be practicing to your own breath, your Mysore practice will be highly supervised by the instructor. You will be taught individually one posture at a time. Your first classes will be short and will eventually be around 90 minutes. Slowly as these postures integrate, more postures will be added by your teacher and you'll continue to refine previous postures and techniques.
All ages, shapes, body types, genders, ethnicities, etc. are welcome to attend. You don't have to be strong or flexible or a dancer or a gymnast. The only requirement is an enthusiasm for practice.
The Mysore-style of learning and practicing is different than most other types of yoga practice because:
-it is made of set series of postures which you practice daily
-you develop a practice over time
-the student-teacher relationship is very important
-students practice with one teacher
-it is less about catering to what we are accustomed to and more about challenging ourselves to transform
-Students can take their time, work at their own pace, and are encouraged to marinate in certain postures if there is a therapeutic indication
There are six series of postures in the Ashtanga yoga system. Primary series is called yoga chikitsa which means yoga therapy. This practice tones, increases flexibility, and detoxes the body and mind. Everyone starts their Mysore practice by gradually learning and practicing the primary series.
You can arrive to practice any time that is convenient for you within the designated practice times as long as you are finished before the end. For example, if your practice is 35 minutes long, you should begin before 8:55am if class ends at 9:30am. So, no, your practice isn't 3 hours long and you do not have to arrive at the beginning of the Mysore class.
Bring a clean towel, a yoga mat, wear clean clothes, take a shower, be barefoot, and arrive on an empty stomach. Do not drink water or other liquids during practice.
Ashtanga yoga is a daily practice. Really, if we are talking the full spectrum of practice, it is 24/7. In terms of being on a mat, students practice 6 days per week. Saturdays or Sundays are a day of rest as are the first three days of the menstrual cycle (called ladies' holiday). Moon days (full or new moon) are also a day of rest. If this isn't possible for you at first, do what you can.

Got a question you want answered? Send it to info@ashtangayogabrooklyn.com

Also see:

David Robson interview video on what to expect in a Mysore class
how to pick a yoga mat
essential ashtanga reading
2011 Moon Days

{Food} Savory Breakfast

2010-03-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

Carrot-Tahini Spread with Avocado and Toast

2 pieces of toast
2 grated carrots
6 tablespoons tahini
splash of wheat-free tamari sauce
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 of a ripe and ready avocado, sliced

Blend carrots, tahini, and lemon juice. If more runny than peanut butter, taste and add more carrots and/or tahini (depending on the flavor you like). If very thick and dry, add more lemon juice. Add a splash of wheat-free tamari. Taste. Test consistency (peanut-butter like).

Squeeze a little of the remaining lemon juice over the sliced avocado.

Serve carrot-tahini spread with avocado and toast. I like to pile it on my toast as I eat, but maybe you want to pre-stack the goods. It is up to you!

Enjoy!

I try to stay clear of prepared/processed foods, but for gluten-free bread I usually buy Food For Life Millet Bread.

{Class} Led Ashtanga Primary Series & Community Class starts 3/27/10 in Bushwick

2010-03-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

Led primary series of Ashtanga yoga
with Elise Espat
Mondays and Wednesdays 12-1:30pm at the Green Fitness Studio, L to Morgan Ave

$5 suggested donation
Saturdays 1-2:30pm

{Event} Ashtanga Yoga with Mary Flinn 4/25/10

2010-03-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

Ashtanga Yoga Practice and Theory
with Authorized Ashtanga Teacher Mary Flinn
Sunday, April 25, 2010
12:15-2:30 pm

Led primary series of Ashtanga yoga followed by a discussion on practice and tasty eats. All levels are welcome and encouraged to attend. Be sure to sign up early as space is limited.

Learn more and sign up

This event will take place in Brooklyn, NY.

Surya Namaskar, Encinitas CA. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois {1989}

2010-03-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

The Mission

2010-03-23T15:11:00.000-07:00

What we are trying in all these discussions and talks here is to see if we cannot radically bring about a transformation of the mind.
Not accept things as there are but to understand it, to go into it, to examine it.
Give your heart and your mind with everything that you have to find out a way of living differently.

But that depends on you and not somebody else.
Because in this there is no teacher, no pupil, there is no leader. There is no guru. There is no master, no savior.

You yourself are the teacher and the pupil. You are the master. You are the guru. You are the leader.

You are everything.

And to understand is to transform what is.

J. Krishnamurti

Podcasts From the Miami LIfe Center

2010-03-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

Click for list of podcasts

Image: Greg Nardi, Kino MacGregor, Tim Felmann of the Miami Life Center

Pattabhi Jois talks about yama niyama and pranayama

2010-03-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

GURUJI: A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students

2010-03-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

{from the Ashtanga Yoga Shala website}

Publication Date:

Guru Purnima — July 25, 2010

Order your copies now through your local wholesaler or contact Twanna McLennon at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5438

GURUJI: A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students

Guy Donahaye and Eddie Stern

It is a rare and remarkable soul who becomes legendary during the course of his life by virtue of great service to others. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois was such a soul: through his teaching of yoga, he transformed the lives of countless people. The school in Mysore that he founded and ran for more than sixty years trained students who, through the knowledge they received and their devotion, have helped to spread the daily practice of traditional Ashtanga yoga to tens of thousands around the world. Guruji paints a unique portrait of a unique man, revealed through the accounts of his students. Among the thirty men and women interviewed here are Indian students from Jois’s early teaching days; intrepid Americans and Europeans who traveled to Mysore to learn yoga in the 1970s; and important family members who studied as well as lived with Jois and continue to practice and teach abroad or run the Ashtanga Yoga Institute today. Many of the contributors (as well as the authors) are influential teachers who convey their experience of Jois every day to students in many different parts of the globe. Anyone interested in the living tradition of yoga will find Guruji

richly rewarding.

From the jacket cover:

"The guru’s transmission of energy and knowledge is a precept central to classical yoga. How Jois handed down teachings and values and what they were, the aspects of his personality and quality of his presence, and above all how he guided and changed so many lives through yoga—these are the subjects of Guruji. Through the words and recollections of students and close relations who knew Jois for over half a century, we are given remarkable insight into the life and mind of a dedicated yogi, an astonishing wealth of knowledge about the path of yoga, and a documentary account of how one traditional school of yoga has spread around the world."

Yoga/Spirituality - 16 Pages of Black-and-White Illustrations - July 2010 - 6 x 9 - 496 pages - ISBN: 978-0-86547-749-0
- $40.00 - North Point Press

Contributors: Norman Allen - N. V. Anantha Ramaiah - S. L. Bhyrappa - Mark and Joanne Darby - Brigitte Deroses - Joseph Dunham - Heather Troud - Nick Evans - Richard Freeman - Nancy Gilgoff - Peter Greve - Ricky Heiman - Manju Jois - Dena Kingsberg - Krishnamurthi - Sharmila Mahesh - Lino Miele - Chuck Miller - Tim Miller - Rolf Naujket - Graeme Northfield - Annie Pace - Brad Ramsey - Peter Sanson - Saraswathi Rangaswamy - John Scott - R. Sharath - David Swenson - David Williams - Tomas Zorzo

Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn Flier

2010-03-21T11:20:00.001-07:00

New blog

2010-02-28T11:03:00.000-08:00

Ideas, resources, and who knows what else!