Community Yoga Initiative

Every Sunday morning from 8:00am to 9:30am we practice classic ashtanga, a sensitizing style of postural yoga inspired by a sequence of poses created by Tirumalai Krishnamacharya in the early 1900’s based on Rama Mohan Brahmachari’s teachings. Krishna Pattabhi Jois, a student of Krishnamacharya, began teaching the sequence in led classes that emphasized synchronized group movement and breathing. Jois coined the term “ashtanga yoga” to describe his sharing of postural practice in this way. The practice spread through the efforts of many of Jois’ early students, including David Swenson and Richard Freeman, and influenced many current styles of postural practice, including all types of vinyasa flow and power yoga practices. Over time, this style of yoga has evolved, leading to various interpretations of the practice.

Classic ashtanga links intentional breathing with a dynamic sequence of about 75 postures known as “primary series.” Under the direction of an experienced guide, breaths are cued, adjustments are offered, and suggestions are provided for transitional movements into and out of the poses. Because the flow of movement and breath is the same during every practice, a regular frame of reference is created to observe the felt sense of the body, mind, and heart. This awareness combined with the rhythmic synchronization of mindful breath and movement creates a powerful style of asana practice.

Once classic ashtanga is learned, it may be self-guided with ease - anytime, anywhere, without the assistance of a guide.

New skool ashtanga is offered Monday and Friday mornings from 8:00am to 9:30am as well as Tuesday afternoons from 4:00pm to 5:30pm. This is not your 90’s ashtanga. Poses are not “earned.” Practitioners are not “held back.” Obedience to an “ideal” is not rewarded. Perfectionism is recognized for what it is - a construct that kills creativity and love.

New skool ashtanga values the genius of old school ashtanga poses, sequencing, and intentionality of breath - without the old school asana fundamentalism that fuels insideous competition around physical abilities and perpetuates shame when dictated expectations are not met. New skool ashtanga emphasizes the joy of practice - the creativity, love, and self-realization that’s cultivated in an atmosphere of infinite possibilities.

Like classic ashtanga, new skool ashtanga is a postural practice that links breath and movement in a dynamic sequence of poses. New skool ashtanga follows the same primary sequence of postures practiced in classic ashtanga primary series - about 75 incredible poses that are repeated during every practice session. And, like classic ashtanga, each posture is held for about 5 breaths and includes transitional movements into and out of the poses. Practicing consistently and rhythmically in this way not only creates a regular frame of reference from which to observe the felt sense of the body-mind, but also helps build a self-guided yoga practice that can be practiced anytime and anywhere, without the assistance of a guide. This combination of heightened awareness and personal autonomy underlies the power of new skool ashtanga.

Unlike classic ashtanga, there is no authority per se who’s “authorized” to officiate the group practice. Instead, we facilitate communally, with multiple practitioners offering sequencing and alignment cues during practice. You're invited to practice along with us, and lead yourself in a way that resonates with your intellect and intuition. You’re invited to connect with your body and feel into it’s experience - to experiment, adapt, and modify your experience as you go - tuning in and tapping into your energy. In this way, new skool ashtanga is like a choose-your-own-adventure kind of experience! Initially, this might seem odd - and uncomfortable. Real freedom can feel weird at first. But, if you lean into the spacious connectedness created by this kind of individual and collective experience, you might feel more at ease practicing yoga like this than in an old school kind of way. So you pick! You decide how you'd like to practice. And together we'll all hold the space for new skool ashtanga.

YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR MINDFUL MOVEMENT AT COMMUNITY YOGA CENTER WITH KIM!
Care for your body, mind, and soul with gentle flows accessible to all bodies. Find connection to self through mindfulness of body and breath.

WE ARE BUILT ON GIVING
This offering is provided solely through voluntary giving. The giving of many is what allows this gathering to be offered so freely. Anyone who’s experienced benefit from this offerings is invited to give for the benefit of others. There are many ways to give beyond financial contributions. Giving includes all types of altruistic service.

In giving, we expand our hearts in a way that recognizes we are not actually separate from others. Giving is a letting go of a sense of separateness that’s based in ignorance. When we practice giving, we feel into how we all depend on one another - how we are all part of the whole. In this way, giving is the natural response of the awakened heart.

You’re invited to give according to your volition and means - in whatever ways resonate with you. You might like to make monetary donations, contribute to our collective resources, or dedicate your time and skill to assist the community.

YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR MOODY MONDAYS WITH CHERIE!
This is a special sharing by Cherie - it s a WHOLE VIBE. A restorative freestyle yoga offering imbued in a mood evoking relaxed setting. Come and practice with us if you have the audacity to rest.

WE ARE BUILT ON GIVING
This offering is provided solely through voluntary giving. The giving of many is what allows this gathering to be offered so freely. Anyone who’s experienced benefit from this offerings is invited to give for the benefit of others. In giving, we expand our hearts in a way that recognizes we are not actually separate from others. Giving is a letting go of a sense of separateness that’s based in ignorance. When we practice giving, we feel into how we all depend on one another - how we are all part of the whole. In this way, giving is the natural response of the awakened heart.
You’re invited to give according to your volition and means - in whatever ways resonate with you. Donations are accepted but never expected. You might like to contribute to our collective resources, or dedicate your time and skill to assist the community.