Currently only offering private classes
Teachers
Anastasia Whitmore - E-RYT 500 - SYC Authorized Level 2 - Barre Eclipse
Greetings fellow yogis! My journey with yoga began in 2000, leading me on a transformative path that has taken me across continents and deep into the heart of traditional yoga practices. In 2002, I ventured to India for my first Sivananda Yoga teacher training, marking the beginning of a profound connection with yoga's origins.
During that transformative year, I also had the honor of practicing under the guidance of Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, the birthplace of Ashtanga Yoga. From that moment, my practice became deeply rooted in this ancient tradition. I continued to study with Pattabhi Jois until his passing in 2009, and since then, I have been fortunate to learn from his grandson, Sharath Jois, at the KPJ Institute and now the Sharath Yoga Center.
My dedication to Ashtanga Yoga has led me to India over 20 times, accumulating over eight years of practice under the guidance of the Jois family. I hold a Level 2 Authorization, reflecting my commitment and proficiency in this traditional form.
In my classes, students of all levels are welcomed with open arms. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your yoga journey, I am here to support and guide you. I specialize in nurturing practices for those who are pre/post-natal or recovering from injuries, ensuring that yoga remains accessible and beneficial to every body.
Join me on the mat and let's embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation through the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Together, we'll explore the profound teachings that have shaped my life and continue to inspire me every day. See you on the mat!
Kirsten Berg - E-RYT 500 - KPJAYI Authorized Level 2
Kirsten's journey into yoga began in 1993 after completing her Classical Archaeology/Latin degree. Her exploration started with asana and meditation studies in India, sparked by a transformative month at the Tushita Center in Dharamsala. Inspired, she immersed herself in working with the Tibetan Buddhist community in India and later in Berkeley, California.
Seeking a yoga system that resonated deeply, Kirsten moved to India in 1996, initially spending time in Rishikesh studying under yogi Clive Sheridan and Rudra Dev's Iyengar Yoga technique. It was in 1996 that she discovered Ashtanga Yoga, drawn to its fluid, independent format and emphasis on breathwork. Deepening her practice, she spent six months in Goa with a senior teacher before traveling to Mysore to study under Sri K. Pattabhi Jois' student. This marked the beginning of her annual pilgrimages to Mysore until Sri Jois' passing, receiving his blessing to teach in 1999 and achieving Level II authorization in 2002.
In 2009, Kirsten completed the exclusive Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training with Sharath Jois, focusing on the Advanced 'A' series and the original Ashtanga Pranayama sequence directly from the lineage. Alongside Rolf Naujokat, she co-founded "Ashtanga Yoga Koh Phangan" in 2001, pioneering the first Ashtanga program in South Thailand. Over the years, she has taught extensively across India, Australia, Southeast Asia, Europe, the USA, and Morocco, enriching the global Ashtanga community with over 25 years of experience.
Kirsten's dedication to Ashtanga Yoga and her deep-rooted connections within the tradition continue to inspire and guide students worldwide, embodying a profound commitment to both practice and teaching.
Stephanie Nelson - E-RYT 500
I am originally from rural New England. I first started practicing yoga in NYC in the mid-nineties exploring several different traditions, eventually discovering Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. I found yoga helped me cope with the pressures of graduate school (Tufts University, Immunology, PhD, 2001) and continues to help me be the best version of me.
In 2002, I moved to New Zealand with my family for a post-doctoral fellowship at the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, and shortly thereafter started a three year teaching apprenticeship in Ashtanga at the Auckland Yoga Academy (YA500), completed in 2006. I study and practice with senior certified teachers, Dena Kingsberg and Peter Sanson, as often as I can and make trips to India to continue learning. I also have a strong interest in Yin Yoga, completing a teacher training with Denise Payne in 2012.
I am the founder and director of Waiheke Island Ashtanga Yoga and started The Breathing Space in 2009. I am a Yoga Alliance Experienced-RYT 500 instructor and have lead YA200 and YA300 registered YTT programs. I have taught yoga classes, workshops, and YTT courses in the South Pacific, NZ, Australia, China, Jordan, Bali, and the USA.
Currently, I am enrolled as a PhD candidate at The University of Auckland in the School of Psychology studying the effects of yoga on cognition.
And lastly, I have three fantastic kids that make life rich and rewarding everyday.
Ashtanga yoga
Ashtanga yoga – Practiced in its correct sequential order, gradually leads the practitioner to rediscover his or her fullest potential on all levels of human consciousness – physical, psychological and spiritual. Through this practice of correct breathing (Ujjayi Pranayama), postures (asanas), and gazing point (dristi), we gain control of the senses and a deep awareness of ourselves. By maintaining this discipline with regularity and devotion, one acquires steadiness of body and mind.
"Ashtanga" literally means eight limbs. They are described by Patanjali as: Yama (abstinences), Niyama (Observances), Asana (Postures), Pranayama (Breath Control), Pratyahara (Sense withdrawal), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation), and Samadhi (Contemplation). These branches support each other. Asana practice must be established for proper practice of pranayama, and is a key to the development of the yamas and niyamas. Once these four externally oriented limbs are firmly rooted, the last four internally oriented limbs will spontaneously evolve over time.
"Vinyasa" means breath synchronized movement. The breath is the heart of this discipline, and links asana to asana in a precise order. By synchronizing movement with breathing and practicing Mula and Uddiyana Bandhas (locks), an intense internal heat is produced. This heat purifies muscles and organs, expelling unwanted toxins as well as releasing beneficial hormones and minerals, which can nourish the body when the sweat is massaged back into the skin. The breath regulates the vinyasa and ensures efficient circulation of blood. The result is a light, strong body. There are three groups of sequences in the Ashtanga system.
The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body. The Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels. The Advanced Series A, B, C and D (Sthira Bhaga) intergrate the strength and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility and humility.
Each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the next, and the sequential order of asanas is to be meticulously followed. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing the strength and balance required to move further.
Breath – The continuity of deep, even breathing cannot be overemphasized in the Ashtanga Yoga system. When breath feeds action, and action feeds posture, each movement becomes gentle, precise, and perfectly steady.
According to the teachings of Sri T.Krishnamacharya and Sri K.Pattabhi Jois, "Breath is Life". Breathing is our most fundamental and vital act and holds a divine essence; exhalation a movement towards God, and inhalation an inspiration from God. Our last action in life is to exhale, which, in essence is the final and total surrender to God.
Practice – It is said that where there is no effort there is no benefit. Strength, stamina and sweat are unique aspects of this traditional Yoga, seemingly contrary to Western perceptions of Yoga. This demanding practice requires considerable effort and taps into and circulates a vital energy throughout the body, strengthening and purifying the nervous system. The mind then becomes lucid, clear and precise; and according to Sri. K.Pattabhi Jois "Wherever you look you will see God." Only through practice will we realize the truth of what our guru often says - Everything is God
Please note - It is important to learn the Ashtanga method only from a traditionally trained teacher. Only a qualified teacher can provide the necessary guidance to assure safe, steady progress without injury to body or mind.
This information has been generously provided with the approval of Sri K Pattabhi Jois. Please honor its authenticity and distribute only in unaltered form.
-KPJ Shala
