CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Yoga Style
We are a studio dedicated exclusively to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. We practice The Primary Series, a set sequence of hatha yoga poses that forms the foundation of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system as taught and popularized by the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and now his grandson Sharath Jois. For more information about Jois, his family, and his teachings, please visit the Jois website at www.KPJAYI.org.
Class Levels
To make it easier for you to choose a class, we've created a system that ranks the difficulty level of classes from 1 to 4. Level 1 is our easiest level with postures and class content presented in a manner appropriate for students at all levels of strength, flexibility, and stamina. Level 4 is our most challenging level requiring a high degree of strength, flexibility, and stamina. Levels 2 and 3 fall in between those two extremes. Our level system is to be used as a general guide only to help you choose a class that may be most appropriate for you on any given day; it is not an exclusionary rule. You may regularly practice at a level 2 but decide to take a level 4 class once a week as a challenge. Or you may regularly practice at a level 3 or 4 but decide to take a level 2 class to slow down and work on refining your technique. The system we are using is unique to us and not necessarily comparable to ranking systems used by other studios. Read below for more information on the classes offered.
LEVEL 1:
Introduction to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
This is a 4 week course consisting of eight classes that meet for 90 minutes each. Class size is limited to 10 students and pre-registration is required. Drop- ins are not permitted. A new session begins each month; call 772-286-9642 to register. Start dates for 2012 are: January 10, February 7, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, July 10, August 7, September 4, October 2, and November 6.
Although designed as a true entry-level course for those who are brand-new to yoga, it may be useful for the experienced yogi who wants to learn the primary series in a workshop format (instead of a guided and counted class). During the course students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in a meaningful, progressive manner. Students will learn about both the physical practice of ashtanga yoga as well as the eight-limbed philosophy that transforms the physical practice into a transcendent spiritual journey.
Emphasis will be on anatomy; alignment; safe stretching techniques; how to use joints in the body properly; how to build strength; how to avoid injuries; how to breathe and synchronize the breath with movement; how to access and develop control of the bandhas; how to access and revise individual body maps; basic chanting; meditation techniques; and, of course, the postures of the Primary Series. Students will be provided with personalized modifications for poses that may be difficult to access.
Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared to enter the following classes at Surya Yoga: Mysore Practice, Ashtanga Basics, and/or Guided Half Primary classes, depending on individual preference and teacher recommendation.
Course fee is $100 and students can attend the Mysore Practice and Ashtanga Basics classes at the studio during the course period for no extra charge.
We rate the difficulty level of this course as a level 1 in our 4 level system.
LEVEL 2:
Light on Ashtanga
If you are new to yoga or Ashtanga and want to learn or practice the essential postures of the Primary Series in a more relaxed guided class, this class is for you. Focus is on the foundational techniques of Ashtanga: proper breathing, synchronizing breath with movement, finding and using core muscles for spinal support, and other techniques to focus your attention inward allowing your practice to become a graceful moving meditation. The postures are taught with instruction on alignment, anatomy and working with your unique body challenges. Tips on building strength, flexibility, and stamina will be regularly introduced and applied so as to prepare you to enter the more challenging classes at Surya Yoga.
We rate the difficulty level of this class as level 2 in our 4 level system.
LEVEL 3:
Guided Half Primary Series
Be prepared to sweat and move in this class as we put the skills learned in the Ashtanga Basics classes to the test. Students will work further on vinyasa technique moving and breathing through the Primary Series postures up to navasana. Depending on the time remaining after navasana, students will work on select additional Primary Series postures and pranayama techniques before moving into the finishing sequence. The Guided Half Primary Series classes are serious and challenging classes that allow students to achieve the benefits of the internal heating and cleansing of yoga chikitsa while refining use of the breath, bandhas, and drishti. This class is guided and the vinyasas are counted in the traditional Ashtanga manner.
We rate the difficulty level of this class as a level 3 in our 4 level system.
Ashtanga Core Elements
Find your core and build physical and mental strength in this class led by certified personal trainer and Yoga instructor trained at the 200hr level Kim Fedele. Core elements from the Ashtanga yoga series are analyzed and creatively explored with an eye towards building the strength needed to float and fly in your practice. Learn strength training techniques, such as repetition, resistance, isometrics and isotonics that will help sculpt your body preparing you to move ever deeper into Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
We rank the difficulty level of this class as 3 in our 4 level system.
LEVEL 4:
Guided Full Primary Series
Come meditate the Ashtangi way by moving through all the postures in the Primary Series in this rhythmic guided class. All vinyasas are counted in the traditional manner. Your teacher will provide hands-on assists to help you deepen the therapeutic aspects of Ashtanga yoga. The class moves along quickly in order to complete the sequence in 90 minutes. Brief instructions are given regarding ujjayi breathing, bandhas, and drishti. This is a challenging class even for the yogi who has been working for some time on the Primary Series.
We rate the difficulty level of this class as a 4 in our 4 level system.
ALL LEVELS:
Mysore Practice
Mysore practice is, in essence, a private yoga lesson in a group setting. It is by far the safest, most effective method to learn yoga. We provide personal and individualized instruction in a group setting. This means that your practice will be tailored to you, not to everyone practicing around you. You will work to your body's unique capacity allowing it to open and strengthen at a pace uniquely appropriate to you. This is a fun way to practice and allows students to ask questions and receive feedback when they need it most. Mysore style practice works whether you are brand new to yoga or you've been practicing for 20 years.
Check the class schedule for times. Usually the Mysore Practices run for a longer block of time (i.e., 6:00 am to 9:00 am) but students may arrive at any time up to one hour before the class ends. That is, if class runs from 6 am to 9 am, then you must be on your mat and beginning your practice no later than 8 am and you must finish your practice by 9 am. But you could begin at 6 am and finish at 7:15. Or you could practice for the entire block of time.
Mysore practices are flexible in that they fit your schedule, your practice level, your intensity level, your breath rate. Stop trying to fit yourself into a guided class at an inconvenient time and uncomfortable pace; set your own pace and practice the Mysore way under the eyes of a teacher who stands ready to assist, adjust, and instruct you one-on-one.
If you have been practicing the primary series in guided classes but don't think you have the sequence memorized, don't worry. We are here to help you remember -- and there are no penalties if you forget a posture.
If you are BRAND NEW to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and are serious about learning Ashtanga yoga in the traditional Mysore style, a commitment of one month with a minimum attendance of three times per week is required to begin the Mysore program. Payment is due on the first day of practice ($100/month). Please contact Stuart at 772-286-9642 with further questions and to set an appointment for start date and time. This is not a drop-in class for students brand new to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
In our 4 level system, this class is appropriate for students at all levels because students work to their individual capabilities.
Yin Yoga
In our Yin Yoga classes, we explore a number of traditional Primary Series asanas from a yin perspective. In a yin style practice, students access bones, joints and deeper connective tissues by holding postures for longer periods of time. The poses can be held for 2-5 minutes because the body is encouraged to relax completely in a pose, sometimes a rather loose interpretation of a pose, rather than exerting effort to maintain strict alignment. In our yin style classes, students will be taught to breathe, relax deeply, and explore poses with a calm, meditative mind in order to encourage deep releases. Adding a yin practice once a week to your traditional Primary Series practices will help deepen your understanding of the connective tissues of your body so that you return to your regular practice with a renewed perspective.
We rate the difficulty level of this class as appropriate for students of all levels.
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"If we practice the science of yoga, which is useful to the entire human community and which
yields happiness both here and hereafter - if we practice it without fail, we will then attain physical, mental, and spiritual happiness, and our minds will flood toward the Self."
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
