Yoga in Douglasville

Ashtanga Yoga

Join us on Fridays 5:30am 

YES, I MEAN AM!!!  I began offering this class on May 1, 2009.  I am overjoyed that a small group of yoga students here in Douglasville is interested in learning ashtanga.  They chose the day and time and are very committed.  I love practicing and teaching ashtanga.  It is a challenging sequence, but it brings results quickly.  I always see improvement every time I practice it.  "If we did everything we were capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves." ~ Thomas Jefferson (or was it Patrick Henry?)

If you would like to join us:  Please drink extra water the day before class.  Do not eat before class.  Wear something comfortable. Wearing layers work well because usually after the first 10 sun salutes students begin to sweat and the outer layers come off.  Bring a towel and water.  See you on Friday!

Patthabi Jois & Ashtanga Yoga 

Ashtanga yoga was taught by Patthabi Jois (1915-May 18, 2009) of Mysore India.  Senior teachers in the United states who studied with Patthabi Jois include David Swenson and Richard Freeman.

In ashtanga there are several set sequences of poses.  The Primary Series consists of 10 sun salutes for warm up, then a sequence of standing poses, followed by a closing sequence.

In a traditional ashtanga class there is no music and no use of props. There is no music because it may distract the from the inward focus or change the pace of the breath.  The rhythm of the breath is very important in ashtanga yoga.  The rate of breathing should remain the same through the whole practice, steady as the ticking of a clock or metronome.  

Ashtanga Yoga in Douglasville

In March 2002 Karen completed David Swenson's 40 hour Ashtanga Primary Series teacher training course and the Ashtanga class she offers follows the traditional Ashtanga Primary Series sequence.

The entire sequence is 90 minutes long.  When you attend your first ashtanga class, Karen will instruct you to stop halfway through the class, you will rest and join the class for the last three poses and relaxation.  It is best to enjoy your first class rather than push yourself to attempt every pose.  Observe how you feel in the days following your first ashtanga class.  If you are terribly sore, work towards comfortably finishing half the class, if you were not very sore, begin to add more poses and intensity each class.  There is no competition with other students; each student improves their ashtanga practice at their own pace.  Each class you attend, add a few more poses and rest when necessary.  With perseverance you will see results.  Come and give it a try! 

Poses in the Ashtanga Sequence

Ashtanga Yoga Opening Chant

Each ashtanga class begins with this chant, but chanting is completely optional.

The unfamiliar Sanskrit words can be difficult to memorize, especially when the pronunciation is confusing.  Avid ashtanga student and speech language pathologist, Tammy Velliquette, MED CCC-SLP/L created this phonetic version of the opening chant to facilitate pronunciation and memorization of the chant. Her phonetic version of the chant is based on listening to Richard Freeman's pronunciation. It is used here with her permission.  Thanks Tammy!

Ashtanga Links

David Swenson

David Swenson began practicing yoga in 1969 and began practicing ashtanga yoga in 1973.  He is considered one of the foremost practitioners teachers of ashtanga yoga in the world.  David Swenson's web site.

Richard Freeman

Richard Freeman began studying yoga in 1968.  K. Pattahbi Jois is his principal teacher.  Richard Freeman is one of the most highly regarded ashtanga teachers in the world.  Richard Freeman's web site.    

Adele Gale

Adele Gale opened Atlanta's first ashtanga yoga studio, Atlanta Yoga (now called Atlanta Yoga Shala).  (Adele moved to Maine, but periodically returns to Atlanta and teaches workshops. Her yoga studio in Damariscotta, Maine is Midcoast Yoga Shala.)  Adele has been practicing yoga since 1981 and has studied with many teachers including Pattahbi Jois.  Adele traveled with Sheryl Crow a her personal yoga teacher.  Atlanta Yoga Shala's web site.

Madonna and Ashtanga

Madonna practices ashtanga yoga.  Madonna chanted the opening ashtanga chant on her Ray-of-Light album.  Madonna played an ashtanga teacher in the movie The Next Best Thing.

certified ashtanga yoga instructor, Karen Flagg

770-598-0644