Surya Yoga is dedicated exclusively to the practice and philosophy of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. We practice The Primary Series, a set sequence of 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, in Mysore, India. For more information about Jois, his family, and his teachings, please visit the Jois website at www.KPJAYI.org.

The primary series is also called “yoga chikitsa” or yoga therapy. It is therapy because in practicing the postures (asanas), you will be building a new body by heating, purifying, and detoxifying your “old” body. Detoxifying and building a new body takes time and concentrated effort and a good bit of discomfort. But the results are worth every breath spent. Through regular practice of the primary series, the body and mind increase their strength, flexibility, and endurance — the very hallmarks of physical fitness.

HOW TO GET STARTED:

If you are brand new to yoga, you have two options for beginning your yoga journey at Surya Yoga:

1. Register for and take our introductory course titled “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.

This course is designed as a true entry-level guided class experience for those who are brand-new to yoga. 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.

2. Learn the Primary Series through 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 you to ask questions and receive feedback when you need it most, without feeling that you are interrupting a guided class.

Mysore practices are flexible in that they fit your schedule, your practice level, your intensity level, your breath rate. No need 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 are BRAND NEW to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and are serious about learning Ashtanga yoga in the traditional Mysore manner, a commitment of one month with a minimum attendance of three times per week is required to begin the Mysore program. The Mysore program costs $100 per month and allows students to attend Ashtanga Basics classes (in addition to the Mysore practices) for no extra fee. Please contact Stuart at 772-286-9642 with any 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.

PREPARING FOR CLASS

Ashtanga is a physical practice. It requires some basic preparation:

1. Come to class clean. During the practice you will get hot, your pores will open and you will sweat. The sweat will detoxify your internal body. If your skin is covered in lotions, make-up or dirt, it will be more difficult for your pores to open and for your skin to excrete sweat and toxins.

2. Come to class well-hydrated. This does not mean drinking 20 ounces of coffee, or Diet Coke, or Gatorade during the hour before practice. It means continuously supplying your body with clean water to drink well before you attend class. Your body will be releasing toxins during practice. It is important that your body has plenty of water on board as the toxins begin releasing so that your body systems can quickly flush the released toxins into sweat and urine. There is no time to drink during practice. Drinking during practice will interfere with your breath count, interrupt your focus, and can cause cramping and nausea. Come to class well-hydrated. Bring a reusable drinking container to drink from once class is over. Drink plenty of water after class to encourage the flushing of toxins. Unsweetened coconut water from young thai coconuts is an excellent way to rehydrate after practice.

3. Do not eat for at least 2 hours before practice. Coming to practice with undigested food in the stomach and small intestine can be very uncomfortable and can cause cramping and indigestion. Be sure you provide your body with plenty of fresh, healthy food, but allow at least two hours (more for some people) for the food to digest before practicing. If you have low blood sugar concerns, consult your health care practitioner for guidance — perhaps a glass of orange juice one-half hour before practice will help.

4. Listen to your body. Patanjali, in the Yoga Sutras, is very clear that there should be no new suffering. Coming to practice and forcing your body beyond its present limits will create new suffering. Work with your body. If there is pain, notice where it is. Is it sharp pain in a joint or discomfort in a muscle? Some pain and discomfort is to be expected as the body expands and strengthens. But sometimes pain is an indication that you are not using your body correctly. Pain in a joint, especially, may mean that the joint is not being used properly. Stop and ask for assistance. In time you will begin to recognize the difference between pain that is a natural part of the process and pain that is a signal that something is wrong.

5. Get on the mat and out of your head. This is your practice, your therapy, your time to get to know yourself, discover your strengths, strengthen your weak areas, and stretch the limitations in your mind and body. Try to stay present — chores, families, and problems are not going to be taken care of by worrying about them during practice. Give yourself fully over to the practice during the time you are in the studio.

6. Get a mat. While most studios have mats for rental or free use, consider investing in a quality mat. We are all about re-use and recycling, but your yoga journey will be an intimate one and you will want a mat of your own to take you on your journey. If you are getting a massage, you want clean sheets on the massage table — not sheets that were just used. The same is true in yoga. While we do our best to keep our studio mats clean, the construction of the mats limits their ability to be cleaned, i.e., they cannot be placed in a washing machine and they will not tolerate disinfectant-type cleaners.

7. Open your mind. Most of the limitations we think are in our bodies are actually in our heads. If you see a difficult posture and your first thought is “No way can I do that,” then of course you will not be doing that posture because your mind will limit your body’s ability to move into that posture.

8. Open your heart. The physical practice of yoga will bring up emotions. Recognize those emotions, accept them, investigate them, breathe into them, and let them go with love. Your heart will open and you will feel more space throughout your body.
   
   
9. Have fun! While the practice of ashtanga vinyasa yoga is challenging, it should also be fun. Laugh at your mistakes, giggle when muscles tremble, give a shout of joy when you bind that difficult posture. To laugh and have fun is part of being youthful — practice with joyful enthusiasm and you will rediscover your youth, no matter what your age.