ASHTANGA YOGA SCHOOL CHARLOTTE

WEEKLY MYSORE CLASSES, LED AND YOGA SUTRAS

Practice

MONTHLY | WEEKLY | DROP-IN

Join others like you who want to learn, and  immerse yourself in this One Month Mysore Ashtanga Intensive. Come as you are, beginner or old-school ashtangi, ALL are welcome.

If you are new to ashtanga, please come. I will teach you the fundamentals and you will leave with a practice that you can take with you wherever you go. For seasoned ashtangis, bring your questions and come prepared to deepen your practice. I am honored and excited to share this sacred practice with you.

Sliding scale payment options available, let’s talk, no judgement.

Timings

  • Doors open a bit earlier than 6a. Opening prayer at 6:30a.

  • Monday – Thursday Mysore Style Practice, 6-8a

  • Monday - Thursday, New students, 6:30 - 7:15 am

  • Friday Led Primary, 6a

  • Saturday’s are rest day, no practice

  • Sunday Yoga Sutra Study 7a with Led Primary Series at 8a

Location and Contact

Y2 Yoga (upstairs studio): 274 S Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, NC

Located at the intersection of Randolph & Sharon Amity

Email me with any questions: johnnayoga@gmail.com

Monthly $250

Weekly $75

Drop-In $20

A Note From Johnna

I’m so glad you are here!

I’ve been practicing Ashtanga Yoga since 1995 and had the benefit of great teachers and a dedicated heart. I spent the late 90’s studying with David Swenson, Maty and Chuck, Annie Pace and met Guruji Pattabhi Jois around 1999. I traveled to Mysore India in 2004 to study with Pattabhi Jois, and Dr. M.A. Jayashree and have gone back almost yearly since then. The Ashanga Yoga practice has been my chosen container to practice yoga methods like: meditation, pranayama, and self awareness practices.

I love it. Ashtanga Yoga has served me and intangibly I’m a better person from practicing it. In 2016 Sri Sharath Jois authorized me to teach, and I’d love to share this amazing and transformational practice with you!

All the Love,

Johnna

What Is Ashtanga

How it Works

Mysore Style Ashtanga: Monday through Thursday 6-8 am. We recommend that new students arrive at 6:30 am can expect to stay for 45 min- 1 hour. Johnna will teach you the primary series sequence, you then practice what you were taught on your own, and you and the teacher continuing building on the series and your practice. The next time you come in, you practice what you were taught and the teacher is there to help you remember, offer assists, and answer any questions you may have. Over time you will learn the entire sequence. From the very beginning you will have a practice you can take with you wherever you go. Don’t worry, this makes a lot more sense when you come in!

Led Primary Series: Friday 6-7:30a, Sunday 8-9:30a. This is the full primary sequence. If you don’t know it I will teach you! Don’t fret, at times you may be asked to observe then try the more complicated portions of practice. Led Primary will feel familiar as most classes taught in the US are led… A teacher leading the whole class. Ashtanga Led class is to lay down the foundation of the breathing moving system so as to refine your Mysore class.

Read the drop down menu below to learn more!

New to Ashtanga Students:

Class Descriptions

  • In a Led Primary Series class, the teacher calls out the postures and vinyasas (counted movements linking the postures with the breath) of the Ashtanga Primary Series. The group moves and breathes together in sync. Led class reinforces the proper vinyasa system you learn in the Mysore class – when to inhale and when to exhale as you enter in and out of each asana. Following the teacher's pace and count in led class instills discipline and helps build both mental and physical strength of students.

  • Mysore Style is the traditional way of teaching Ashtanga Yoga, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. In a Mysore class, each student moves independently, according to the timing of their own breath, through the sequence of postures as they have learned them from their teacher. The teacher moves through the room, giving assistance, instruction, and guidance as needed one-on-one basis. This method requires a commitment of time and effort. Frequent and consistent practice results in a deeper understanding and a greater connection to the work of yoga.

  • The Yoga Sutras contain 196 Sutras, divided between four chapters, discussing the aims and practice of yoga, the development of yogic powers and finally, liberation. Like a gentle guiding hand, the Yoga Sutras warn you of the pitfalls on your spiritual journey and offer the means to overcome them. In our weekly studies, we work with one or more Sutras and discuss what the greater meaning as well as how to apply the lesson to our own lives.

FAQs

  • Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and structured practice that is suitable for anybody looking to deepen their yoga journey—whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner. It’s designed for all ages and levels of fitness.

  • People practice ashtanga for a variety of reasons.

  • No! Your practice can be as long or as short as you need each day.

  • No, you can arrive whenever you want within the Mysore class window but plan to finish your practice by 8 am.

  • No, Johnna will teach you the Primary Series, at your own pace.

  • We recommend you refrain from eating for at least 2 hours before your practice.

  • You can start any day of the month. We do not have practice on the New and Full Moon Days. See the Moon Days calendar for more and follow @AYSCharlotte and @JohnnaYoga in insta for reminders

  • In Mysore style we focus on learning the details of the postures and in Led study we focus on breathing during the postures. You can start with either one!

“I started practicing ashtanga 1 year ago with Johnna as my teacher, but even before starting ashtanga, I wanted to be a student of hers. I wanted to hear her stories and take in the knowledge that she has gained through all of her practices and experiences. She felt true to me, and not only is she this encyclopedia of wisdom, and this beautiful goddess woman who lights up a room, but she actually lives this yoga that she speaks of every day, every encounter with her, every class she has ever taught me. I go to her because I feel something inspiring, I go to her because she consistently and lovingly teaches me not just through her words but through her gentle and disciplined guidance. She pushes me to grow not just because that is what she gets paid to do but because she really and truly believes in spreading love. Her presence reminds me that everything will be ok... every single time. It reminds me of a disciplined life, of consistent effort put forth to be better and  to seek higher truth. I go to her, I choose her as my teacher, and to wake up in the wee hours of the morning, because I know that she understands struggle and hard work, but only always expects nothing less than the very best effort for that day in the most gentle and the most tejasic way. It's an honor to have her as my teacher, and to be in the presence of a person who shines as bright as she does.. and the most humbling part of this is that she doesn't even know.

-KARI S.

Moon Day Calendar 2024

January

Thursday 11th ● new moon

Thursday 25th ○ full moon

February

Friday 09th ● new moon

Saturday 24th ○ full moon

March

Sunday 10th ● new moon

Monday 25th ○ full moon

April

Monday 08th ● new moon

Tuesday 23rd ○ full moon

May

Wednesday 08th ● new moon

Thursday 23rd ○ full moon

June

Thursday 06th ● new moon

Friday 21st ○ full moon

July

Friday 05th ● new moon
Sunday 21st ○ full moon

August

Sunday 04th ● new moon
Monday 19th ○ full moon

September

Monday 02nd ● new moon
Tuesday 17th ○ full moon

October

Wednesday 02nd ● new moon
Thursday 17th ○ full moon

November

Friday 01st ● new moon
Friday 15th ○ full moon

December

Sunday 01st ● new moon
Sunday 15th ○ full moon
Monday 30th ● new moon

ON DEMAND CLASSES


YOGA INTERNATIONAL DIGITAL STUDIO

Life has a way of taking us out of our routine. These videos make a daily practice accessible whether you are at home, or on a trip. Yoga International’s Digital Studio has been my virtual home for many years; here you will find hundreds of classes with my teachers and me. Choose what you need right now and hold the space for your practice - all you need to do is press play and let this digital studio become your new home.


FEATURED ON-DEMAND CLASSES

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ASHTANGA FUNDAMENTALS

Ashtanga Vinyasa 45 min.

Begin your Ashtanga Yoga journey with the fundamental postures of Ashtanga Yoga. This foundational practice includes Sun Salutations to warm the body and open the spine. Followed with standing poses like triangle and side angle to strengthen the legs, hips and spine. To calm and come back to center we close with backbends, inversions and final rest.

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Ashtanga Half Primary Series

Ashtanga Vinyasa 60 min.

The Ashtanga Yoga Half Primary Series is a great place to start if you already have a yoga background (power yoga, vinyasa yoga). This series focuses on the fundamentals and takes you a bit further into the series with postures to open the hips, spine and shoulders. Take your time and enjoy your breath!

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Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series

Ashtanga Vinyasa 75 min.

Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga is called Yoga Chikitsa, which means body cleanse. This practices cleanses your organs, body tissues, and strengthens and tones the whole body. This practices is vigorous, and includes standing and seated poses, balancing poses, hip and shoulder openers, backbends and inversions. Close with a sweet final rest.

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Ashtanga Half Primary + Half Second Series

As you build your Ashtanga Yoga practice your strength and endurance will grow. This half primary and half second series will help you build that endurance slowly. This series includes the hip openers of primary + the backbends and introduction of foot behind the head in second series. 75 min.

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Ashtanga Yoga Intermediate Series

Intermediate (secoond) Series of Ashtanga Yoga is known as Nadi Shodhana. Literally translated as nervous system cleansing, this series focuses on deep backbends, twists, leg behind the head poses and arm balances. Remember to relax and release any unnecessary effort. Before practicing Intermediate Series ensure you have a strong foundation of Primary Series. 75 min.