Ashtanga Yoga Calgary
health, balance and self-discovery
About
"Practice and all is coming!"
- K Pattabhi Jois
About Us
Yoga can be practiced by anyone, whatever their state of health or phase of life. The style and pace of practice appropriate for an individual varies depending on that situation in life.
Ashtanga Yoga is a structured and dynamic style of yoga which, when practiced consistently in the correct sequential order, can lead the practitioner to purify, strengthen and align the body and mind.
There are three groups of postures taught. Students begin with the Primary Series or "Yoga Chikitsa" taught to purify and strengthen especially the physical body. Intermediate Series or "Nadi Shodana" purifies the nervous system and subtle body. The Advanced Series or "Sthira Bhaga" translates to strength and grace, requiring increasing levels of commitment and exploration of the internal and physical self.
In Ashtanga Yoga we use a three pronged approach or "Tristana". This includes a coordinated effort of postures "Asanas", correct breathing technique "Ujjayi Pranayama" including "Bandhas", and gazing point "Dristi" to develop a deep well of self knowledge and control of the senses. This practice uses "Vinyasa" or coordinated breath and movement to connect the postures and to produce internal heat which purifies the body and calms the mind. The result is a strong and light body.
At Ashtanga Yoga Calgary we teach the traditional method of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India and carried on by Nancy Gilgoff of Maui, Hawaii.
Janet Hawkins - Director & Teacher
Janet is a dedicated Ashtangi with fourteen years of experience in yoga and over thirty years experience in sport, movement and teaching. She competed in high performance diving nationally and internationally for nearly ten years. The intense training and competing regimen left her broken and nearly confined to a wheelchair due to injuries. Yoga gave Janet tools to heal life's bruises and move out of pain. It is with this mindset of the healing power of yoga that she serves her students to find their way to health.
Teaching for eleven years in the Ashtanga method, Janet's close relationship with Nancy Gilgoff has developed a sensitivity to energetic flow and impediment. Her approach to yoga is rooted in helping students out of pain and suffering through energetic alignment, breathwork and postural integrity.
Janet is committed to the path of yoga and is grateful for the love and lessons of her teachers Nancy Gilgoff, Guruji & Sharath.
This could be YOU! - Assistant
Fabulous person with a strong Ashtanga practice and kind soul interested in developing teaching skill and yoga knowledge. Must be committed to once a week practice and once a week assistant teaching with Janet. Sounds like you? Email me!
