Ashtanga Yoga is the system taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson R.Sharath Jois of Mysore, India.
In a “Mysore” style class, students practice in a group class setting but are instructed on an individual basis. This method allows each student to be challenged according to his/her ability. It is a class where you can have absolute beginners and advanced students practice together in the same room.
Students new to this practice are required to commit to a month of regular classes in order to learn the method the traditional way. (No prior experience is required)
“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 towards the Self.”
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
For more information about Ashtanga Yoga: kpjayi.org
Jörgen Christiansson, is certified by the Sri.K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore India and has had a lifelong relationship with Yoga. Since childhood Jörgen has had a strong interest in yoga and Vedic philosophy. He first started practicing Yoga (asana, kriya, pranayama, japam, meditation) in his native country Sweden. His mother introduced him to Trancendental Meditation at age 13 and later on he immersed himself in Paramahansa Yogananda's Kriya lessons.
Jörgen has traveled extensively on the Indian subcontinent from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. For years he visited numerous ashrams, and studied with many yogis the various aspects of Yoga, including Pranayama in Varanasi, Bhakti Yoga with the Vaishnavas in Vrindavan. He also studied/practiced Sivananda and Bihar School style of Yoga. Early on he practiced Iyengar Yoga for many years. Jörgen met his teacher Sri.K. Pattabhi Jois in 1988, when he first visited Mysore. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, he teaches Ashtanga Yoga in the same traditional manner as was taught to him by his Guru. Jörgen has a unique ability to sense each student’s limits and abilities. With his positive and inspiring nature, he safely helps his students break through old patterns and fears. Besides correct alignment and Vinyasa, Jörgen emphasizes correct breathing and attitude in the practice.
Bobbie Jo Allen began practicing yoga fifteen years ago, after a degenerative condition left her walking with a cane. Ten years ago, she came to Ashtanga accidentally, when an Iyengar class was full. She has been practicing Ashtanga exclusively ever since, and threw her cane away. She began studying with Diana Christinson and Tim Miller, and loves the shala environment, the sense of a connected community. She has completed Tim Miller's 100-hour Primary Series training, and went back for more in his shorter training in Mexico. When she attended the opening day puja at Omkar108 and met Jorgen, she knew she was home. "Jorgen made me feel welcome, and he's a treasure of knowledge about the practice, both its inner and outer forms," she says, "I'm very excited about starting my teaching career with him, and look forward to growing with Omkar108." Bobbie also teaches writing, which she says has a lot in common with yoga ("practice and all is coming"), at the University of California, Irvine. You can read samples of her poetry at www.bobbieallen.com.
Gary Goldman is a former Army Ranger officer with combat command and reconnaissance experience. After leaving the Army, he spent a number of years involved in covert activities world-wide, was a flight instructor, mountaineer, a fitness freak (30+ marathons and a few longer races), provided VIP security, and was the military/terrorist technical advisor on several big Hollywood films. After so many years of "interesting" activity, he began to question whether or not he really wanted to continue on this path. His study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism confirmed that it was time for a change, while an old military parachuting injury to his back led him to investigate yoga as an alternative to a diagnosis of "you need immediate back surgery." He discovered that yoga, when practiced with awareness, resolved the nagging pain that had been with him for so many years. His current personal practice now includes 2nd series Ashtanga plus some Vinyasa Flow for variety.
Gary's love affair with yoga led him to completing the YogaWorks 500-hour Teacher Training and Professional Programs under the personal supervision of Annie Carpenter and Lisa Walford.
His classes include an eclectic mix of music and are a mixture of strong Vinyasa flow with some inversions
just for fun, while always providing doable alternatives for those who may be new to yoga. The use and benefits of Ujjayi Pranayama are always included, as is at least some meditation as time permits. The result is a challenging, well-balanced practice designed to leave you calm, centered, happy, and feeling good, no matter what your level of experience. Gary also writes and is currently exploring the use of yoga and meditation to assist combat veterans battling PTSD.
Since his first trip in 2009, James has spent over a year in Mysore, India practicing with R. Sharath Jois at the K.P.J. Ashtanga Yoga Institute. While there, he also enjoyed practicing with the inestimable R. Saraswathi and chanting sutras with Jayashri and Nirasimha. These trips were the evolution of a journey that began in 2004 with James' first teacher and eventual Rolfer, Russ Pfieffer. In 2006, Jerome Mercier (a former student of Jorgen) introduced James to the primary series and the fine art of Ashtanga adjustment. Following Jerome's advice, the next year, James enrolled in Yoga Works teacher training program, eventually mentoring with Annie Carpenter and completing the 500hr program in the summer of 2008. Playful but serious, James is honored to share what he's experienced, here at Omkar108. My greatest thanks to Jorgen Christiansson for sharing these opportunities and for creating this space for the Ashtanga community. Miigwech and Namaste.
Maria Zavala has been practicing yoga since 1994 and teaching since 2002. Though her main practice is focused on the Ashtanga system, she has also studied Iyengar extensively. She continues to participate in Iyengar classes as well as Vinyasa Flow classes with various top teachers in the Los Angeles area. Her main teacher has been Tim Miller of the Ashtanga Yoga Center in Carlsbad, CA. Tim was the first Westerner to be certified in the Ashtanga tradition by Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois, the late Guru of Ashtanga yoga. Maria moved to Encinitas to study with him in 2001. She has completed his Beginner and Advanced Teacher Trainings, and also spent over 4 years assisting him in classes as well as teaching at his yoga shala. Maria has extensive experience teaching students of all levels. Her beginner classes focus on yoga fundamentals and alignment, her Ashtanga classes are disciplined and focus on the traditional sequence taught to her by Tim Miller, and her Vinyasa classes offer the chance to play with intelligent, creative sequencing that will inspire and challenge her students in a safe and fun environment. It is with great humbleness and respect that she attempts to pass on the knowledge of this beautiful practice to all. To learn more about Maria, visit her website at: mariazavala.com
This year marks Lorenʼs 17th year practicing this sacred art of yoga asana. She has participated in 6 teacher trainings, and has been teaching in AAndanda teacher trainings for the past 4 years. She has spent her time practicing with the masters of yoga in india and N.Y.C. Teaches at Yoga Jounal Conferences over the years and held countless workshops on advance asana sequencing. Graduated Jivamuktiyoga teacher training in 2003, she is well known throughout south Florida, and has been teaching non- stop ever since. She is the main teacher at "The Standard Spa Hotel", and has her E-RYT, (29506 -experienced registered yoga teacher trainer) certification from yoga alliance. Celebrity clients such as Russel Simmons, Owen Wilson, and Naomi Cambell all call Loren when there in town because of her strong, and very generous hands on assists. Sheʼs known for her powerful asana sequencing, and vibrant energy throughout the entire classe shes teaching. Currently living in Culver City, L.A., Loren is seeking to connect with the yoga community and share this wonderful purification practice in California.
Stacie Reeve. I began a yoga practice for its physical benefits and realized that it was more than just stretching or a “work out”. Yoga has taught me to flow with ever changing currents, to take a few deep breaths before taking action, and to live with more love and laughter. I am a 500 hour certified Yoga Alliance teacher, completing the Yoga Works 500 hour teacher training and Yoga Works Prenatal teacher training in Santa Monica. I am grateful for the countless teachers who have shared their time and wisdom and I am constantly inspired by them. It is my family, friends and students that keep me motivated and humble. For that I am forever indebted. My goal for you in class is to create a fun and safe environment yet offer a challenging practice focusing on your breath and using the tools of stability, alignment and length. My hope is that you will discover and embrace the other gifts yoga can bring into your life as it has for me and into my life.