An Ashtanga yoga class

Ashtanga Yoga is accessible for people of all ages and flexibility levels. Students progress at their own pace and postures are added as the student advances. Postures can be modified to accommodate previous injuries or a current lack of stength or flexibility.

Mysore style is a self practice, deriving its name from a town in India where the practice originated. While students may be practicing the same series or a different series, each student does the practice at their own pace permitting the student to focus on the practice and be free from concerns about slowing down or keeping up with the class. Students are provided variations on poses to meet their individual needs. 

The Primary Series begins with the Sun Salutations (warm up), followed by a series of standing postures, sitting postures and finishing postures (cool down). It involves forward bends, twists, and backbends and will develop strength, flexibility and a clear mind. The Primary Series when done from beginning to end will take approximately 90 minutes. Beginner students practices will be shorter. 

Yoga used to be passed down one on one from the instructor to the student. Ashtanga classes in the old Mysore India shala used to be 12 students. Charlotte Ashtanga Yoga will strive to maintain class sizes of 12 students or less so individual students will receive the attention they need to progress. The small class size will enable students to ask questions and receive the individual teaching they may require. Private one on one lessons are also available.

Yoga poses (asana) are only one limb of the 8 limbs of yoga.  Another limb is a breath practice called pranayama.  We all remember when we were children, our parents would tell us to take a deep breath if we were anxious, frustrated or scared. Sounds very similar to our modern world in which we all live and need to address on a daily basis.

Pranayama practice  will be taught to students as they progress.  This is an adjunct to your asana practice and provides the student with another calming / stress relief practice. You do not need to have an advanced asana practice to do pranayama.  You only need to sit comfortably even if that is with support.