Ashtanga Yoga in Wollongong
GUIDED ASHTANGA CLASSES
Great for those new to Ashtanga and more experienced yogi's alike, Ashtanga Yoga at the Wellness Centre involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of asanas (postures) aimed to encourage internal heat and purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. This combination results in improving circulation as well as developing a light and strong body with a calm mind.
"The balance of masculine and feminine that the practice requires is incredibly beautiful. The female body must become strong and controlled as a male body. The male body must become as supple and gentle as the female body. While this practice requires very masculine determination and effort of will, it also demands a more feminine vulnerability and surrender." .. Zoe Ward
Attention in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is placed on the breath and the journey between the asanas rather than just on achieving correct body alignment in an asana which is emphasized in Hatha yoga.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (also known as Ashtanga Yoga) is a style of yoga developed and popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois. Pattabhi Jois began his yoga in 1927 (at 12) and by 1948 had established an institute for teaching the specific yoga practice known as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga named after the eight limbs of yoga mentioned in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Ashtanga yoga literally means "eight-limbed yoga," as noted by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali states that the path of internal purification for revealing the Universal Self consists of the following 8 practices:
- Yama (moral codes)
- Niyama (self-purification and study)
- Asana (posture)
- Pranayama (breath control)
- Pratyahara (sense control)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyana (meditation)
- Samadhi (absorption into the Universal)
More information on "Why Ashtanga" HERE
"Yet Yoga as a way of life and philosophy, can be practiced by anyone with an inclination to undertake it, for Yoga belongs to humanity as a whole. It is not the property of any one group or any one individual, but can be followed by any and all, in any corner of the globe, regardless of class, creed or religion". Shri K Pattabhi Jois, Yoga Mala 1962
Qualified Wellness Centre Ashtanga Yoga teachers
Phoenix Jarvis
Phoenix began his yoga teacher training in Kerala, India, completing his 300 hour course in Ashtanga in 2017. He has since been practicing and teaching Ashtanga & Vinyasa yoga weekly, has completed a trauma - aware teacher training, working with individuals through the NDIS, taught school cohorts and is finishing his undergraduate degree in Psychological Science at the University of Wollongong. He is registered RYT 350 Plus (Senior Level 2) with Yoga Alliance International. Phoenix's classes revolve around the key teachings of Ashtanga found in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. As a keen surfer and footballer, he continues to work with people of all backgrounds.
Priscilla Borromeo
Priscilla started her yoga journey doing hatha yoga just with the intention of getting back into shape after having given birth to her second child in 2001. On and off for a few years, she would do yoga for a few months then not at all. That was until in 2006, she studied Sivananda and Ashtanga yoga with Bela Lipat, a totally committed teacher and student of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath Rangaswamy Jois. Inspired, Priscilla practiced, practiced and practiced. In 2007, she completed a 200 hour certification in the Ashtanga tradition with R. Alexander Medin, one of the select few authorized by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois to teach Ashtanga. Priscilla has been practicing and teaching yoga since then. She believes that yoga is not just about the poses. But the method with which one does his asanas opens up paths to beauty, truth, peace, love, and the divine. It’s up to the student where he/she wants their practice to lead up to.