Asanas (Postures)

Mantras

Class Etiquette

Before your practice
  1. Do not eat for 3 hours or drink for 1 hour before your practice.
    Yoga is best practiced on an empty stomach. If you need to, eat something light and easily digestible, like a very ripe banana or plain yogurt. This will make it easier to activate your mula bandha and ground your core, helping you progress through your asanas and avoid injury.
  2. Arrive clean.
    Out of respect for the other students and teachers you are sharing space with, please minimize body odour with a natural deodorant, and always shower, clean your mat, and wash your towels and clothes after practice. Your yogi neighbours will thank you!
  3. Wear comfortable clothing.
    Wear anything comfortable that stretches as you move. You don’t need to own Lululemon to practice yoga! Forget the flash. It doesn’t matter if you match—no one is going to notice except for you. And we practice is bare feet, so don’t worry about footwear.
When you arrive
  1. Try to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.
    Arrive early so you can meet your teacher, get acquainted with our studio and sign up if you haven’t yet.
  2. Please remove your shoes at the door.
    We like to keep our studio clean. Your shoes are safe in our studio, which is locked during your practice.
  3. Inform your teacher of any injuries or health conditions.
    Our teachers are well versed in modifying asanas to help you prevent and even recover from injury.
During your practice
  1. Follow the teacher’s guidance.
    Our teachers are here to help you get the most out of your practice. We hire only highly qualified, experienced teachers. For your safety and progress, please follow their direction.
  2. Try not to drink water.
    Drinking water during your practice is a distraction from your flow and can actually prevent you from grounding your pelvis, opening yourself to injury. If you must bring water into class, please store it on shelves provided at the back of the studio. Because heat is generated internally in Ashtanga, causing sweat, it can get warm and humid, so we do not heat our room beyond typical summer temperatures (24 to 26 degrees).
  3. Store all possessions on the shelves provided.
    We have limited practice space, so please only bring your mat, towel and necessary props to your practice spot.
  4. Set all mobile phones to silent.
    We understand the desire to keep your phone on you wherever you go. We prefer a signal-free practice space, but if you must, you can store your device at the back of the studio, set to silent—or turned off altogether—to respect the silence of our sacred space and your practice.
  5. Focus on your practice.
    Most importantly, focus on your breathing, keep your eyes focused according to the post, and immerse yourself in moving meditation. This is where you’ll progress and transform.
After your practice
  1. Drink water. 
    The time to drink water is after your practice. Hydrating will help reduce muscle soreness caused by lactic acid build-up and flush out any toxins released during practice. No-sugar-added coconut water is also an excellent hydrator.
  2. Re-commit to your practice.
    When you start Ashtanga, you may feel too challenged or frustrated to continue—but nothing worth doing is easy! If you commit to coming again and again—even when you’re sore or tired—you will overcome your challenges, and your frustrations will dissipate.

Moon Days

What are Moon Days in Ashtanga Yoga?

Moon days in Ashtanga Yoga are taken as rest days. This is in addition to the regular rest day during the week.

The sun and the moon both exert gravitational pulls on the earth, and their relative positions create energy differentials. These pulls affect both our mind, and our body.

It can make us feel light and airy (energetic but ungrounded) or heavy and stiff (grounded but lethargic). This creates an issue for practicing yoga because you need both energy, and to be well grounded if you want to progress safely through the serie(s).

That said – you may not “feel” the affects of gravity in your everyday life. With everything we have going on, it’s tough to be that “in tune” with nature. But trust us, it’s there. And it makes a difference. If you don’t believe us, just go ask a health care professional working a midnight shift during a full moon…

There is no Mysore on moon days. When the moon day falls on a Saturday, there is no Led Primary Series.

Upcoming Moon Days

  • Monday April 8, 2024
  • Tuesday April 23, 2024
  • Wednesday May 8, 2024
  • Thursday May 23, 2024
  • Thursday June 6, 2024
  • Friday June 21, 2024
  • Friday July 5, 2024
  • Sunday July 21, 2024
  • Sunday August 4, 2024
  • Monday August 19, 2024