“Master your breath, let the self be in bliss, contemplate on the sublime within you.” Krishnamacharya

Ashtanga Foundation Week 2:  October 2-8

Continued emphasis on Ujjayi Pranayama (victorious breath)  Mula Bandha (root lock) and standing series

Introducing:

Uddiyana Bandha (abnominal lock)

Prep for headstand

2nd Yama….Satya-truthfulness 

 

 

TOMORROW: Yoga on Tap at Paddle Hard!

Join us for Yoga on Tap tomorrow, Wednesday, September 27th at 6:00pm at Paddle Hard Brewery in Grayling!

Join Patty Clark for a great playlist, fun yoga flow, and party lights at at Paddle Hard Brewpub in downtown Grayling. Use your class pack or membership, or cost is $15 per class. Bring your mat and stay after for $2 off pints. Sign up here

See you at Paddle Hard!

-the STY crew

Ashtanga Focus: Week One!

Practice and all is coming!”…K. Pattabhi Jois

What are the roots of yoga? What is yogic philosophy? Starting this week, the Stone Turtle Yoga team will begin to explore the principles of Ashtanga yoga – the 8 limbs of yoga – during our regularly scheduled classes. Each Sunday, we will send out a blog post describing the intention for the upcoming week. Each week’s intention will typically include a piece of Ashtanga philosophy, a new pranayama and/or asana practice, and a yoga home-practice challenge. Classes throughout the week may involve one, some, or all of these themes. Keep in mind that classes will maintain the same level of asana practice as always, just with the added studio-wide intention for each week!
Ashtanga Yoga defined:
 
Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Sutras, describes the Eight aspects of yoga as limbs of a tree.
Ashta=Eight   Anga=Limb  Yoga=Union
 
K. Pattahbi Jois and his teacher Krishnamacharya developed the Ashtanga Yoga Vinyasa based on these teachings of Patanjali. 
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
 
Yama-Ethical disciplines (5 disciplines)
Niyama-Self Observation (5 observations)
Asana-Posture
Pranayama-Breath Control
Pratyahara-Sense Withdrawl
Dharana-Concentration
Dhyana-Meditation
Samadhi-A state of joy and peace.

Read more about Ashtanga Yoga and the Eight Limbs here: https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/the-eight-limbs

Week 1: September 25-Oct 1
 
-Introduction of Ashtanga Yoga
-Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath)
-Mula Bandha* (root lock) 
*Bandhas (locks): 3 primary internal energy gates within the subtle body which assist in regulation of the pranic (life force) flow.
-First Yama: Ahimsa (non-violence) 
-Home-Practice Challenge: One Down Dog or child’s pose (hold for 5 breaths) per day!
See you in class!
-Mariah, Patty, Dianne, and Amy