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Ashtanga Yoga - Parampara

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.

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

Ashtanga Yoga Retreat with Elise & Mary

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.

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New Photos

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

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

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