Classes

• Mysore Style

Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced

This self-paced class allows students to receive individualized instruction while learning the traditional Ashtanga practice. Named for Mysore, India, where Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Guruji, first taught the Ashtanga Yoga method to students from all over the world. This living lineage is being carried on by R. Sharath Jois and Saraswathi, and is still being taught to hundreds of students daily. You will learn the Ashtanga Yoga method at your own pace, working with new and challenging poses when your body is ready. This class is appropriate for ALL students, even if you’ve never done yoga before, because you get to move at your own pace under the guidance and support of a qualified instructor.

The Ashtanga Yoga method is rooted in the development of the teacher-student relationship, known as Parampara. It is this teacher-student relationship which keeps the Ashtanga Yoga method alive and allows students to dive deeply in to their practice within the support and safety of a classroom setting.

Mysore classes are canceled on Moon Days.

View the 2016 Moon Day Schedule

Schedule of Traditional Mysore & Ashtanga Classes

Frequently Asked Questions

10 Reasons You’ll Love Mysore

Back to Top


• Open Practice

Level: intermediate, advanced

Come practice with me! We’ll share energy and space, practicing traditional Mysore style Ashtanga Yoga together. This class is appropriate for students who have an existing Mysore practice. This is a donation class with no teacher, and lots of collective, communal energy!


Back to Top


• Full Primary

Level: intermediate, advanced

In this class, you will practice the complete Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga from beginning to end. We will keep with the traditional pace of the practice by following the traditional sanskrit count. This class is appropriate for students whom have practiced Ashtanga Yoga before.


Back to Top


• Ashtanga Flow

Level: intermediate, advanced

Building on the traditional Ashtanga Yoga practice, we’ll move together through this dynamic and healing practice. We’ll follow the breath through most of Ashtanga’s Primary Series and play with the first few postures of Ashtanga’s Intermediate Series. Practice linking the breath with the movement and ‘unlock’ the pelvis releasing tension which can build up over a lifetime.


Back to Top


• Half Primary

Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced

In this class, you will practice the first half of the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga. Beginning with Surya Namaskara A, we will practice up to Navasana and then move to the finishing asanas. This class is appropriate for students with an established practice and those who are new to Ashtanga Yoga.


Back to Top


• Ashtanga Basics

Level: beginner, intermediate

This class has a slower pace, allowing students to deeply connect with the Ashtanga Yoga method. We will practice traditional sun salutations and the follow the traditional standing series before moving to the floor for a modified seated and finishing series. This is a great class for students new to Ashtanga Yoga.


Back to Top


• Beginners Ashtanga

Level: beginner

This class is the perfect introduction to the Ashtanga Yoga method. Focusing on synchronizing breath and movement we will begin to get comfortable with the Ashtanga Yoga method. This class is designed for students as a stepping stone, a place to get comfortable with the practice and grow into a deeper connection with the Ashtanga Yoga method.

Back to Top


• Vinyasa Flow & Mindful Breathing

Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced

45 minutes of asanas followed by 30 minutes of mindful breath practice; come to one or both, no problem!

Vinyasa, linking movement with breath is a powerful experience in yoga. We’ll work the body physically in the asanas (postures) building strength and increasing flexibility and range of motion using the breath as our guide.

Following asana practice, we will do a 30 minute mindful breath practice. Breath is the essence of life and practicing mindful breathwork creates space for stillness in the mind. This breath practice is appropriate for ALL levels, even if you don’t do yoga you can still come!





Back to Top

• Safety Harbor Community Yoga


Level: beginner, intermediate, advanced

A class for everyone, a fun exploration of the practice of yoga! You’ll practice linking your movements with your breath as you explore fun and challenging yoga asanas (postures). You’ll build strength, increase range-of-motion, and release layers of stress and tension from the body, all while letting your mind quiet down and rest. This class is appropriate for all levels, please let the instructor know if you have any injuries or are healing your body in any way. donations are accepted, not required






Back to Top

Workshops

• Intro to Yoga

Coming Soon!

Back to Top


• Intro to Mysore


Curious about Mysore Style?? Wonder where to start?

Lots of questions can come up…

• Is the class really 3 hours?!
• Do I have to have the series memorized?
• What if I’ve never done yoga before?
• Now is your chance have ALL your questions answered!

Whether you are new to yoga, or are an experienced practitioner curious about the Mysore Style method, this series will quide students toward a traditional mysore style ashtanga practice. Integrating chanting, breath and asana development in a relaxed atmosphere. Join other students as you develop and connect with the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga. Ask questions, experiment with yoga, and cultivate increased health, joy and passion.


Back to Top


• Sun Salutations: Tapping into your inner fire



Sun Salutations are the foundation of our yoga practice; they are a flowing series of movements that energize and awaken the body. When approached consciously, they enable us to go deep within while increasing joint mobility, range of motion, flexibility, strength and stamina. Sun Salutations are the gateway to a moving meditation and allow us to quite the mind with grace and ease.

This workshop will help you deconstruct your sun salutation practice, and tap into your inner fire and strength.

Sun salutations are a potent daily practice, and are a complete yoga practice by itself.


Back to Top


• Chanting the Yoga Sutras – Samadhi Pada



Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are the guidebook for practicing yoga and living a yogic life. The sutras offer us a precise path to turn inward and find peace and calmness within our Self. The sutras map out the essential truths for increasing awareness and rising above self-imposed suffering. It is a crystal clear model of living consciously in the present moment, being sure of our path and our choices.

Chanting is one of the most traditional Yoga practices and can be practiced by students of all ages. Chanting helps to open the throat area and connect to your inner voice. Chanting is also a great way to learn Sanskrit and study the Yoga Sutras.

Together we will learn to chant the first book of the yoga sutras as well as discuss the sutras and how to implement them in our lives. No experience is required.


Back to Top


• The Heart of Ashtanga Yoga: A Moving Meditation



The practice of Ashtanga Yoga combines three elements; three focal points known as the Tristana Method. This three-pronged method allows the mind to be focused in the present moment and creates internal space for the body to be grounded. In the Ashtanga Yoga Method, the breath, the gaze and the postures are intricately woven together throughout the entire practice, leading students on this path of self-discovery by turning the senses inward.

Ujjayi Pranayama (breath), Asanas (postures and bandhas) and Dristi (gazing point) actively draw the senses inward allowing practitioners to move through the Asthanga series with complete awareness and presence, transforming the physical asana practice into a moving meditation.

The Tristana method sets Asthanga Yoga apart from other systems of yoga. This focused energy is the gateway to the spiritual side of yoga. It is the doorway to Self-discovery!! By calming the mind through the Tristana method, we are able to truly explore the layers of the Self without the delusions and distractions of the mind.

Together, we will explore the layers of the tristana method and practice integrating these three elements of the practice during each moment of your physical asana practice.


Back to Top


• Understanding the Koshas: Ashtanga Yoga and the Journey Inward



The physical practice of Ashtanga Yoga transports practitioners along a journey of transformation, healing and growth beyond what we might imagine is possible. This transformation is a personal journey and can lead practitioners to know their true Self. Along the way, Ashtanga Yoga teaches us to release patterns of pain and shows us how to connect with our inner light, the Atman. Along this journey inward, we navigate through the layers of existence known as the koshas. The five koshas include the physical, energenic, mental, intellectual and bliss bodies and span the whole spectrum of human nature.

Together, we will use some of the major poses in the primary series to explore the koshas, including: uttitha hasta padangusthasana, marichyasana A-D, bhujapidasana, supta kurmasana, garbha pindasana & urdhva dhanurasana. Looking at these poses together, we will explore possible patterns, and talk about ways to release, counter and move away from these patterns, which no longer serve our yoga practice.

Workshop will include both discussion and asana practice, please bring your mat!


Back to Top


• Backbending: A Journey Along the Spine



Backbends are energizing, invigorating, rejuvenating and fun!!! They can also be intimidating, scary and tough for many, as they require moving into the unknown and releasing through the upper back and heart chakra! Join Jessica for a journey along the spine as we connect with and explore postures as a path toward opening the heart center! This workshop will focus on how to move the spine safely into deeper backbends with grace, ease and confidence. The postures will range from Cobra pose to deeper backbends like Urdhva Dhanurasana and Kapotasana. We’ll focus on finding space and movement throughout the spine in a fun and approachable manner! All Levels are Welcome!



Back to Top


• Folding Forward: Finding the space to fold forward with EASE




Forward folds are healing and can help release the spine and lower back. They also calm the nervous system, and can even reduce stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue! They are introspective postures originating in the hips, and when practiced with heightened awareness, can feel amazing!!

This workshop will dissect the forward fold and start the piece together the mind-body connection that is necessary to fold forward with ease and comfort! Appropriate for all levels, we will work with standing forward bends and move toward deeper seated bends integrating poses like janu sirsasana, the marichyasanas and eka pada sirsasana!



Back to Top


• Jump-backs and jump-throughs – tap-in to the rhythm of the Ashtanga Yoga Method



Learn the techniques to start floating through your vinyasas with grace and ease.

There is a rhythm to the Ashtanga Yoga practice, a pulse. This rhythm is the gateway to the moving meditation that is Ashtanga Yoga. Finding the internal connection to tap-in to this rhythm is an essential aspect in the journey of Yoga and lies in the practice of the Vinyasas. Together, we will practice understanding the mechanics of the vinyasas and learning how to tap-in to our internal strength as a way to create lightness in our vinyasas. We will establish the foundations of jumping back and through as well as refining the movements required to ‘float’ between poses. You will learn techniques to start deepening your connection to the vinyasas, as well as methods to develop the necessary core strength for the movements. This workshop is appropriate for yoga students with an existing yoga practice, an Ashtanga yoga practice is not required.



Back to Top

• Unlocking Kurmasana



Kurmasana & Supta Kurmasana, are the ‘climax’ of the primary series. Here, students must enter the deepest forward fold so far, and then cross their feet behind their head and then clasp their hands behind their back, while resting on their mat in the deepest forward fold in the Ashtanga Primary Series. Working toward this pose requires deep physical work and layers of energetic release. We will work together to break-down all of the movements that combine to create Supta Kurmasana, and establish the clarity to begin approaching this posture with less fear and heightened awareness. This workshop is appropriate for yoga students with an existing yoga practice, an Ashtanga yoga practice is not required.



Back to Top

• Demystifying the Primary Series



Yoga Chikitsa is the Sanksrit name for the primary series and it can be translated as Yoga Therapy. This series heals and purifies the body by “unlocking” the pelvis and grounding our mind in the present moment.
The first or primary series combines a long series of progressively deeper forward folds and increases flexibility throughout the hip joints and the hamstrings. We’ll work with all the really tough poses in the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series including Marichyasana B & D, Bhujapidasana, Supta Kurmasana, Garbha Pindasana, and many others. Regular Ashtanga practice is recommended. All levels welcome.



Back to Top

• Intro to the Intermediate Series



An introduction to the second series of Ashtanga Yoga, Nāḍi-Śodhana includes an in depth preparation for some of the more challenging poses, like Kapotasana and Eka Pada Sirsasana. Jessica will lead you through an intense and playful exploration of how the Intermediate Series of Ashtanga Yoga unlocks the spine, and allows energy to freely flow along the central channel of the body. This flow leads to the intense energetic and emotional healing of Nāḍi-Śodhana. We’ll work with healthy alignment and identify energetic pathways that open the door for pain-free deep backbends and juicy hip openers. Also known as the Intermediate Series, this group of postures challenges both flexibility and strength while teaching mastery of the nervous system. Regular Ashtanga practice is recommended. All levels welcome.



Back to Top

• Assisting & Adjusting in Ashtanga Yoga



Assisting and adjusting can be a practice which leads students toward deeper experiences of yoga. They can also be places where students can experience pain or injury. Learn how to individually assess students in order to effectively assist them and help lead them further along the path of yoga. This workshop will cover assisting and adjusting poses in Ashtanga’s Primary and Intermediate series and is appropriate for both teachers and students as a way to deepen their understanding of the poses, the goals of Ashtanga Yoga and the experiences within the poses.



Back to Top