Ashtanga

I am so excited to bring Aligned Ashtanga to Flourish Yoga and Wellbeing on Sundays 12-1:30.  While no longer my daily practice, it continues to be my “go to” practice – whenever I need it – it’s always there.

Aligned Ashtanga (heated) this class is suitable for newer students to more advanced students, NOT for absolute beginners or those recovering from injury. Ashtanga is a series of postures (asanas) connected by the breath. This style combines sequential, flowing movements with focused internal awareness.

Within the stye of Ashtanga, there are 6 sequential series in which the sequencing is “fixed”.   The first of these series is the full primary series and requires 2 hours to complete.  As this class is 1.5 hours, only part of the series will be practiced, however, we will take time during the last portion of the class to explore various postures which occur later in the series depending on the needs and desires of those present in each particular class.

Through synchronization of the breath with the movement, the series becomes one continuous “flow”.  Going through the same series time and time again has a meditative effect and the student comes to know the sequence.  The teacher in return, has more freedom to offer hands-on assistance.  Though traditional ashtanga classes allow the body to “find it’s own way”, this class offers the practitioner the benefit of specific alignment cues designed to maximize your experience of both strength and stretch.  This class also has a slightly slower pace than a traditional led class so that there is more time for options and assists.

The most visible product of Ashtanga is sweat, so bring your water and a towel.  The practice of asanas in this fashion creates heat, warming up the blood and muscles. This eliminates waste products from the organs and connective tissue and makes your body supple and healthy.  You will leave feeling accomplished and evenly browned – not “fried”.

Smiles…can’t wait to see you…..

Be the Light, Susannah