ASHTANGA YOGA
WHAT TO EXPECT
NEW STUDENTS AND VISITING STUDENTS TO AYB, WELCOME!
When you’re ready to begin at AYB e-mail Malissa HERE with your name and any questions you may have about mysore style ashtanga yoga and AYB. Then we may set up a time for you to come in, see the facilities, and observe your first class. This is a meet and greet where you may see the space, the practice, and decide if it is a good fit for you!
NOTE: All students new to mysore style ashtanga yoga are required to observe before beginning in the program. Students visiting from out of town with an existing practice will be able to start straight away! Just let us know when you’ll be around by emailing Malissa HERE.
What your first month of mysore style ashtanga yoga will look like:
All classes are taught one on one within a group setting. Some early benefits of mysore style ashtanga yoga are increased focus, weight loss, clarity, improved digestion and sleep regulation. You may find many other benefits over time as well! There is no limit to the amount of wellness and balance that yoga can bring into your life.We will work closely with you as you learn the beginning postures of the primary series. After a few classes you will begin to memorize the sequence and become familiar with the fundamentals. Those of you who are used to a very active practice don’t worry! In about two weeks time your practice will grow to about one hour. All students will eventually grow and maintain their own practice with subtle teaching and deep support from the teachers.
There is no music and verbal instruction is kept to a minimum. This allows for a deep concentration and focus to happen amongst the group.There are six series in Ashtanga yoga that gradually increase in difficulty. Everyone starts out in primary series (yoga therapy). Primary series is a set of postures linked with breath,gaze, and flowing movement called vinyasa. By doing this the body begins to build heat. Expect to sweat! Primary series is considered the foundational series so all students are taught based on their current abilities. Mysore style Ashtanga yoga is incredibly dynamic in that it can meet the individual exactly where they are. This way, students of all ages, shapes, and abilities are able to grow and maintain their yoga practice.
MANTRAS
OPENING MANTRA
ॐ
वन्दे गुरूणां चरणारविन्दे सन्दर्शित स्वात्म सुखाव बोधे ।
निःश्रेयसे जङ्गलिकायमाने संसार हालाहल मोहशांत्यै ॥
आबाहु पुरुषाकारं शंखचक्रासि धारिणम् ।
सहस्र शिरसं श्वेतं प्रणमामि पतञ्जलिम् ॥
ॐ
auṁ
vande gurūṇāṁ caraṇāravinde sandarśita svātma sukhāva bodhe |
niḥ-śreyase jaṅgali-kāyamāne saṁsāra hālāhala mohaśāṁtyai ||
ābāhu puruṣākāraṁ śaṁkhacakrāsi dhāriṇam |
sahasra śirasaṁ śvetaṁ praṇamāmi patañjalim ||
auṁ
OM
I bow to the lotus feet of our great teachers, who uncovers our true self and awakens happiness
Like a Shaman in the Jungle he brings total complete well-being. He can even heal the most awful poision of conditioning and illusion.
The upper body of human shape, carrying a mussel horn (original tone), a discus (infinity) and a sword (power of differentiation)
having 1000 bright heads, I bow to Patanjali.
OM
CLOSING MANTRA
स्वस्तिप्रजाभ्यः परिपालयंतां न्यायेन मार्गेण महीं महीशाः ।
गोब्राह्मणेभ्यः शुभमस्तु नित्यं लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनोभवंतु ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः
svasti-prajā-bhyaḥ pari-pāla-yaṁtāṁ nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīṁ mahīśāḥ |
go-brāhmaṇebhyaḥ śubham-astu nityaṁ lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino-bhavaṁtu ||
auṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
May the well-being of all people be protected By the powerful and mighty leaders be with law and justice.
May good success be with all cows (divinity) and scholars May all (samastah) the worlds (lokha) become (bhavantu) happy (sukhino).
Om peace, peace, peace
SOURCE: kpjayi.org
MOON DAYS
MOON DAYS 2018
January
1 Full
16 New
31 Full
February
15 New
March
2 Full
17 New
31 Full
April
15 New
29 Full
May
15 New
29 Full
June
13 New
28 Full
July
13 New
27 Full
August
11 New
26 Full
September
9 New
25 Full
October
9 New
24 Full
November
7 New
23 Full
December
7 New
22 Full
MOON DAY INFO
Traditionally Astanga yoga is not taught on moon days (days when there is a full or a new moon), as the potential for injury is greater. Please take rest on moon days.
Both full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition. What is the reasoning behind this?
Like all things of a watery nature (human beings are about 70% water), we are affected by the phases of the moon. The phases of the moon are determined by the moon’s relative position to the sun. Full moons occur when they are in opposition and new moons when they are in conjunction. Both sun and moon exert a gravitational pull on the earth. Their relative positions create different energetic experiences that can be compared to the breath cycle. The full moon energy corresponds to the end of inhalation when the force of prana is greatest. This is an expansive, upward moving force that makes us feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded. The Upanishads state that the main prana lives in the head. During the full moon we tend to be more headstrong.
The new moon energy corresponds to the end of exhalation when the force of apana is greatest. Apana is a contracting, downward moving force that makes us feel calm and grounded, but dense and disinclined towards physical exertion.
The Farmers Almanac recommends planting seeds at the new moon when the rooting force is strongest and transplanting at the full moon when the flowering force is strongest. Practicing Ashtanga Yoga over time makes us more attuned to natural cycles. Observing moon days is one way to recognize and honor the rhythms of nature so we can live in greater harmony with it.
SOURCE: ashtangayogacenter.com
