Ashtanga Foundation
What is Ashtanga Foundation?
In Yoga, building a strong foundation is essential for progressing in a focused and intelligent way! Our “Ashtanga Foundation” class is perfect for beginners or those wishing to refine their understanding of the basics.
Mastering the Foundations of Ashtanga Yoga
Each week, the class will have a slightly different focus, offering an opportunity to closely examine technique, movement, breath and sequences that are the essence of Ashtanga Vinyasa. This class lays the groundwork for advancing to higher levels of Ashtanga.
Deepening Your Ashtanga Vinyasa Practice
In these one-hour classes, we teach yoga principles and break down the elements of the Sun Salutations, which are crucial for developing a solid foundation for future practice. After the Sun Salutations, we focus on standing poses, which are key to building strength, endurance and flexibility.
Mindful Relaxation
Every class ends with seated poses to concentrate on breath and cool down the body before a deep final relaxation. We encourage practitioners to listen to their bodies and offer modifications to tailor the practice to individual needs.
Progress at Your Own Pace
The number of classes needed before moving on is based on individual progress. When you feel comfortable following the class without being rushed or out of breath, and you can focus on key alignment cues, it may be time to advance. If unsure, ask a teacher to observe and guide you. You’re also welcome to return to these classes anytime to reinforce your foundation. Revisiting the fundamentals is always beneficial, helping to refine and deepen your practice over time.
Yoga will challenge your mind and body.
Asthanga Yoga Poses
Learn more about specific Yoga poses.
Utthita Trikonasana
Triangle pose is one of the six fundamental poses in Ashtanga Yoga. It is a standing pose that forms the geometric shape of a triangle. This pose promotes stability, grounding, elevation and lightness.
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
As one of the first poses in spinal extension, it significantly opens the heart region. In Upward-facing dog pose, we balance openness, strength, and tranquility.
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Downward-facing dog pose is essential in Yoga practice and is well-known to everyone. This posture on the hands and feet provides an intense stretch of the back of the body.
Additional Yoga Classes
Find the class that fits you.
Vinyasa
A movement-focused class based on simple yoga poses and their transitions. Breath and movement are linked to create a moving meditation.
Child Yoga
The child yoga class is designed to enhance strength, flexibility, and coordination. Classes are fun and may include games, animal sounds and creative pose names.
Restorative
Restorative yoga promotes deep relaxation by holding poses for extended periods with the support of props. This practice aims at physical, mental, and emotional relaxation without strain or pain
YogiWalkie
The YogiWalkie is a fun, adaptable outdoor yoga walk that combines walking and yoga as a journey towards our inner self. It’s suitable for everyone and a mat is not needed.
Frequently asked questions
If you believe we have overlooked something and still have a question, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Why is it called Ashtanga Yoga?
Ashtanga, meaning "Eight Limbs" in Sanskrit, refers to eight interconnected practices that guide the practitionner toward achieving a deep state of conscious awareness and living in harmony with the universe.
The third limb, Asana (posture), focuses on purifying the body and preparing it for meditation.
Who is Patanjali?
Modern yoga is known for its postures, but these are just one step on the path to enlightenment for ancient yogis.
These steps are described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (200 BCE), a collection of 195 aphorisms (sūtras)—brief, concise phrases meant to be easily memorized. This text forms the foundation of the philosophical system known as Yoga. Its influence on both the philosophy and practice of Yoga remains as strong today as when it was first written.
Ashtanga Yoga is based on this text. In Sanskrit, Ashtanga means Eight Steps (ashto = eight, anga = phases, limbs), which are described in the Yoga Sutras.
The eight limbs are interconnected in a specific order, progressing from the external to the internal, with the aim of guiding us toward inner peace.
What is the eight limbs of Yoga?
The eight members are intricately connected in a specific sequence, progressing from the outer to the inner, with the purpose of leading us toward inner peace.
The eight limbs:
- yamas (abstinences)
- niyama (observances)
- asana (posture)
- pranayama (breathing)
- pratyahara (withdrawal)
- dharana (concentration)
- dhyana (meditation)
- samadhi (absorption).
Related information
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