Tag Archives: ashtanga yoga brooklyn

Why I Love Ashtanga Yoga

Posted on by

Ive been practicing yoga in NYC for 13 years.  My first class was at Crunch gym on Lafayette street just a few blocks away from my NYU dorm room.  Over the years I have experimented with many different styles and studios but as I look back I always gravitated towards the classes that offered the simple but straightforward sequencing of what I came to learn was Ashtanga Yoga.

I had a moment yesterday as I was heading to Balthazar with a friend to enjoy some post-practice ginger citrus tea when I began reflecting on why I love this style so much.  I often get asked this question by the students who practice Ashtanga with me at the studio. They are curious as to what makes this type of yoga different than others.

I suppose there is no right answer and the reasons vary with each practitioner.  Simply stated, Ashtanga Yoga is a set series of poses in which to practice a breathing system which cleanses and purifies the body and mind.  Like any long term monogomous love, its important to keep the spark alive, and for me my love affair stays fresh with each day that I come back to the mat.  Inherently, the practice encourages me to hold my own space, take responsibility for my own choices and reactions, and learn about myself through myself at my own pace.  The beauty of having a structure that remains the same is in the freedom to experience it differently everytime.

In the beginning, there may be attachment to the posture or the physical benefits and satisfaction of engaging in such an intense form of activity but the repetition naturally softens the the mind around what the body is doing.  There is no choice as some days are weaker than others. Some days the practice reveals something painful and a part of me wants to avoid and escape the feeling.  These days can be challenging and brings up emotions my regular day to day activities don’t allow me access to. I am the most grateful for these times…. If the structure were to change day to day, I would miss these opportunities to refine, realign and remain present for the subtle physical, mental and emotional shifts and transformations a disciplined consistent practice offers.

I love Ashtanga why?

For all these reasons…

and for giving me a voice in which to share yoga with you

<3,

Alana

Faith-asana

Posted on by

In yoga, there is theory and there is practice.  Theory opens your mind to a teaching, raising new levels of awareness, whereas practice allows you to integrate that teaching through an experience – creating a physical pneumonic device so to speak. In my Ashtanga classes, I have the gift of teaching faith to my students every day (at least once a day), in Janu sirsasana C.  Often known as the toe-breaking pose, this posture instructs the toes of one foot to be flexed on the floor, while the leg of said foot is bent to the side at the knee.   The toes are facing the knee while the heel is pressing into the navel.

It is not uncommon that when we arrive at this pose in class I am met with sighs and “are you crazy” expressions.  The truth is, this pose is hard.   When beginning to do the pose correctly it hurts your toes.. a lot!  It should hurt your toes, so it doesn’t hurt your knees.   It takes many months and years of practice to access this pose even remotely without compromising the alignment of the hip, knee and ankle.  And flexibility is not favored over those lacking in it, because sometimes  unlearning the habits of your flexibility is more of a challenge than waiting for the body to open up.  The redeeming factor to remember is that with consistent courage to practice the pose it will hurt until doesn’t anymore, and that I can guarantee.

But this is exactly what I love about this pose.  There is an opportunity for everybody (literally) to learn the lesson of faith.

Practice and all is coming – Sri K. Patthabi Jois

<3

Alana

{New Sangha Offering} Ashtanga Primary Series

Posted on by

Beginning Monday May 30th, Alana Kessler will be teaching Ashtanga Primary Series.

For a comprehensive introduction to this class, regular attendance at Basic Ashtanga Tuesday evenings at 6 pm or Sunday afternoon at 12pm is recommended.  

In this dynamic class you will practice the traditional Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga.  Unique to this style of the led primary series, as we move through the sequence, students will advance through the series at a pace that suits the physical, energetic and subtle development of the practice. Specific instructions will be provided individually during class in certain postures addressing the specific needs of the student. This class is open to all levels focusing on instruction while linking breath with movement.

Primary series, also known as Yoga Chikitsa, means yoga therapy – a program that when done regularly cures your ailments and purifies the physical body, lengthening the backbody and strengthening the front body to prepare for deeper yogic practice — both physical and meditative.

Class will be held:

Sunday morning  10:30- 12pm,

Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings 7:30-9am,

Monday and Friday mornings 10-11:30am,

Tuesday afternoons ($10 community class) 12-1:30pm,

Tuesday evening 7:15 – 8:45pm

Wednesday afternoons 4:30-6pm &

Thursday evenings 7:15-8:45pm . 

Click here to view our current schedule.

About Alana:

Alana Kessler MS RD CDN CYT is the founder of Sangha Yoga Shala, a community nutrition, yoga and conscious living space located in New York City. Steadfast in her passion for healthy living,  she continues to deepen her knowledge through her many teachers and life itself, which she firmly believes is the greatest teacher of all. Through the integration of nutrition, yoga, mindfulness, and a dedicated personal practice of over a decade, Alana provides individuals with the practical tools they need to live more balanced and meaningful lives.  She founded Sangha Yoga Shala as a way of reaching a greater scope of individuals on a deeper level.

Eternally grateful to the people, experiences and education which have helped shape her practice and offering, Alana is currently influenced by Ashtanga Yoga as taught by the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and  is dedicated to a daily mysore style practice at Ashtanga Yoga New York with Eddie Stern.

Personally transformed by the cleansing and purifying sequencing of Ashtanga yoga, Alana’s classes are taught directly from her own personal practice, offering an intelligent, compassionate and physically challenging environment. Students are invited to embrace and transcend limitations by connecting breath with movement in a dynamic  meditative flow.

As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Ayurvedic practitioner with a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics from NYU, Alana complements her teaching by encouraging and supporting individuals and groups to integrate nutrition, mindful lifestyle behaviors and yoga as an effective means to nurture and achieve their goals.

Press: Elephantbeans “Ashtanga Yoga Mysore classes in New York City”

Posted on by

elephantbeanspublished feb 17, 2009 by Elephantbeans

“Ashtanga Yoga Mysore classes in New York City”
A list of Ashtanga Yoga Mysore classes in New York City.

* Ashtanga Sadhana (East Village)
Saturday 8 am – 9:30 am
Monday – Friday 9 am – 10:30 am

* Ashtanga Yoga New York (Soho)
Sunday 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Monday – Friday 6:30 am – 10:00 am, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

* Ashtanga Yoga Shala (East Village)
Sunday 9 am – 11 am
Monday – Thursday 6:30 am – 10:30 am
Friday 7:00 am – 9:00 am

* Ashtanga Yoga Upper West Side (Upper West Side)
Sunday 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Monday – Friday 6:30 am – 9:30 am

* NY Yoga (Upper East Side)
Sunday 11:35 am – 12:50 pm
Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 9:00 am

* Pure Yoga (Upper East Side)
Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 9:30 am

* Red Hook Yoga (Red Hook, Brooklyn)
Sunday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 10:00 am, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

* Sangha Yoga Studio (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6:15 am – 8:30 am

* Simply Yoga (Soho/Union Square)
Sunday 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Monday and Thursday 6:00 am – 8:00 am

* The Shala (Union Square)
Sunday 8:00 am – 9:30 am
Monday – Thursday 6:30 am – 10:00 am
Friday 6:30 am – 9:00 am

* Yoga Sutra NYC (Midtown)
Sunday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Monday – Friday 6:30 am – 12:00 pm, 4:45 pm – 7:30 pm

* Yoga Works (Upper Westside)
Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 8:30 am

See also Ashtanga Yoga Classes in NYC (Led primary series)

 

VIEW SANGHA’S CURRENT ASHTANGA SCHEDULE