Yoga Ashtanga w/ Giselle Velasco

1. This course is for you if you're a beginner in yoga looking to learn and grow in a supportive and structured environment.

2. This course is for you if you're seeking a physical practice that also enhances mental focus and inner peace.

3. This course is for you if you're an athlete or fitness enthusiast looking to improve flexibility, strength, and endurance.

4. This course is for you if you're interested in deepening your existing yoga practice with a more disciplined and challenging approach.

5. This course is for you if you're looking for a holistic approach to wellness, seeking to balance physical health with mental and emotional well-being.

Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic and structured form of yoga that combines synchronized breathing with a progressive series of postures. This practice is known for its ability to improve flexibility, strength, and endurance, while also promoting mental focus and inner tranquility. Ideal for those seeking both a challenging physical workout and a pathway to mindfulness, Ashtanga Yoga offers a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being, suitable for practitioners of all levels. You will grow with a regular practice integrating the principles, philosophy, history and origins of Ashtanga while learning and practicing the asanas (postures) with variations adapted to different body capabilities and levels.

1. Enhanced Physical Strength and Flexibility: Regular practice of Ashtanga Yoga significantly improves muscle tone, flexibility, and overall physical strength.

2. Improved Breathing and Circulation: This form of yoga emphasizes controlled breathing which enhances lung capacity and blood circulation, contributing to better overall health.

3. Stress Reduction and Mental Clarity: The focused breathing and meditative aspects of Ashtanga Yoga help in reducing stress and anxiety, leading to greater mental clarity and calmness.

4. Increased Body Awareness and Mindfulness: Practicing Ashtanga Yoga heightens body awareness and mindfulness, fostering a deeper connection between mind and body.

5. Boosted Stamina and Endurance: The dynamic and continuous movements in Ashtanga Yoga build stamina and endurance, beneficial for both mental and physical resilience.

The Ashtanga Yoga classes explore a variety of themes centered around developing a mind and body practice. Each session follows the traditional series while focusing on different aspects depending on the students need. The practice delves into the intricate balance of strength, flexibility, and mental focus. Giselle emphasizes the synchronization of breath with movement, cultivating a deeper understanding of physical and mental alignment. Themes also include mastering individual postures, understanding the flow of the Ashtanga sequence, and incorporating mindfulness into the movement. These classes offer a comprehensive approach, not just to the physical aspects of yoga, but also to its philosophical and mindful elements, providing a well-rounded yoga experience.

The structure of an Ashtanga Yoga class typically follows a well-defined and systematic approach while sometimes focusing on specific parts :

1. Opening Sequence: Each class begins with a series of Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar A and B), warming up the body and synchronizing breath with movement.

2. Standing Poses: This section focuses on fundamental standing postures, which help in building strength, balance, and focus.

3. Primary Series: The core of the class, the primary series consists of a sequence of poses designed to align the body, strengthen the muscles, and detoxify the organs. This series varies in complexity and depth, depending on the class level.

4. Backbends and Inversions: This part includes more challenging postures like backbends and inversions, which enhance spinal flexibility and improve circulation.

5. Finishing Sequence: The class concludes with a series of cooling and calming poses, leading up to the final relaxation pose, Savasana. This is a crucial time for the body to assimilate the practice's benefits and for the mind to achieve a deep state of relaxation and release.

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. It is open to all, regardless of level of yoga experience, and is particularly suitable for beginners. If you have your own mat, please bring it.