My Intention & Experience

My intention is to share Ashtanga yoga with the Madison community in an accessible and welcoming way. I currently practice through half primary series, and my aim is to support and hold space for others on their own journeys. I recognize that more experienced Ashtanga practitioners may prefer to continue their advanced practice independently or may enjoy the opportunity to practice at Begin Again Yoga in community with others with an assistant present to offer adjustments and support. Wherever you are on your path, you are warmly welcome.

Ashtanga yoga has long been known as a rigorous and disciplined practice, traditionally emphasizing full expressions of postures and rarely incorporating props. While this approach carries deep value and lineage, it has at times felt unwelcoming or inaccessible to those in bodies that don’t match a certain athletic ideal.

Today, the practice is evolving—and I hope to be part of that shift. With deep respect for the tradition, I offer Ashtanga in a way that is more accessible, integrating props, modifications, and supportive guidance. My intention is to share the transformative benefits of this practice with all bodies, all levels, and all people, just as they are.

About Ashtanga

Ashtanga means "eight limbs," referring to the eightfold path of yoga outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras — a foundation shared by all classical yoga traditions. Ashtanga is also the chosen name for a specific style of yoga and is known for being the original vinyasa.

Why practice Ashtanga?

At first, it might feel unusual to walk into an Ashtanga Yoga class and not have a teacher leading every movement out loud. But this self-led style—called Mysore-style practice—is one of the most powerful aspects of Ashtanga. Instead of constantly listening for instructions, you turn inward. The practice becomes a moving meditation, a mirror reflecting your habits, patterns, breath, and state of mind.

Ashtanga follows a consistent sequence of poses, which allows you to notice subtle shifts in your body and breath over time. This repetition creates a strong foundation for growth, helping you build focus, discipline, and resilience. The breath-centered vinyasa method keeps your attention anchored in the present moment, minimizing distractions and creating a rhythm that supports nervous system regulation.

For those with busy minds or high-energy personalities, Ashtanga offers structure and challenge in a way that can quiet the inner noise. It becomes a cleansing practice—physically, mentally, and emotionally—working like a kriya (a purifying action) to help you release what no longer serves you.

Importantly, even though you're practicing at your own pace, you're not alone—you are with a community of ashtangis. And a teacher is present in the room to observe, guide, and support you. They offer personalized cues, physical adjustments, and insight drawn from their own experience and dedicated study. This dynamic creates space for independence while still being held in a supportive, knowledgeable environment.

Ultimately, Ashtanga Yoga helps you take your practice off the mat and into your life—by developing awareness, self-regulation, and a steady connection to the present moment.

Method

Ashtanga Yoga offers a disciplined and structured approach to the practice of yoga. Ashtanga students, or Ashtangis, follow a set sequence of poses that is practiced consistently, eventually six days per week.

Everyone begins with the Primary Series, known as Yoga Chikitsa or “yoga therapy,” designed to cleanse and align the body. For some students, this series alone provides a lifelong path of growth and depth. Others may gradually be introduced to the Intermediate Series and eventually the Advanced Series (A, B, C, and D), though relatively few practitioners move beyond Primary.

At the heart of the practice is the Tristana Method, a system that focuses the mind and deepens awareness by directing attention to three key elements: asana (postures), pranayama (breath control, specifically ujjayi breath), and drishti (gazing point). Together, these elements help cultivate presence, stability, and internal focus.

Progression in Ashtanga is gradual and individualized. Specific postures act as gateways—milestones that must be integrated with stability and ease before moving forward. This method helps ensure that the body and nervous system are prepared for the increasing intensity of each subsequent posture and series, supporting both safety and sustainability in the practice.

History

The Ashtanga Yoga tradition was developed and popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois (1915–2009). Jois was one of several prominent students of T. Krishnamacharya, often called the “Father of Modern Yoga.” Other well-known students include Indra Devi, B.K.S. Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikachar, Srivatsa Ramaswami, and A.G. Mohan. These teachers played a major role in bringing yoga to the West and shaping many of the styles we practice today.

R. Sharath Jois (1971–2024) was the lineage holder (paramaguru) of Ashtanga Yoga, succeeding his grandfather K. Pattabhi Jois. He was the director of Sharath Yoga Center in Mysuru, India until his untimely death.

Parampara

Parampara refers to the traditional transmission of knowledge from teacher (guru) to student (shishya), a core principle in Indian philosophy and spiritual practice. In the Ashtanga Yoga tradition, parampara is central—it honors the direct, experiential passing down of teachings through an unbroken lineage.

Ashtanga teachers are authorized through many years of daily practice and extended trips to Mysore, India. This tradition emphasizes the importance of the teacher-student relationship, which is built slowly over time through consistency, trust, and shared commitment to the practice.