Ashtanga Full Primary Series with Suchi (Pay What You Can | Drop-In Welcome)

Ashtanga Primary series as taught within the Mysore Tradition

The Ashtanga Practice (of Mysore, S. India) uses pre-set choreographed series of linked Asanas (postures) and specific breaths counted and matched with the postures. The Practice also presents the learning and application of the Yamas and Niayamas through the concrete practicalities of attempting to build an eventual daily self-practice at home or often in what is called a Mysore room where a teacher is present to assist practitioners in their self-paced practice. Mysore rooms become a powerful container for the deepest asana awareness to develop, such as in meditation retreat-persons are supported by the others meditating around them. Ashtanga students are meant to eventually memorize the Primary and first third of the Second Series to have a minimum of postures for optimal practice for Yoga Chikitsa (first series) and Nadi Shodhana– Nerve Purification (second series). The success of the practice is built upon the pre-set Primary and partial second series to become a minimum foundation for a five to six day a week yoga practice to be maintained for about 12 years as a minimum. HOWEVER, most people that dedicate to this practice do so because they notice immediate benefits within their first few classes of even ½ Primary Series.

The Primary Series is called Yoga Chikitsa, meaning yoga therapy, because of the cleansing and toning effect it has on both physical and energy body and mind. On a physical level the flowing choreographed asanas of the Primary Series build strength and flexibility. in the body, loosening tight muscles.

The postures, breathwork and bandhas (internal muscle seals as similarly used in pilates) together realign and detoxify the body and nervous system.

All Series begin with energetic Sun Salutes and move to lateral bends, forward bends, then twists, and hip openers, and twists. There is a neutralizing vinyasa between each asana set. The closing sequence includes backbends and inversions (modified for any level of practitioner).

On a mental level, through regular practice focus, willpower, mind-body awareness, joy, and confidence increases, one may also become aware of one’s pranic body and innate spirituality. Through regular long term consistent practice focus and confidence are improved as we overcome the mental obstacles to our practice. This is the great benefit of the practice, through facing obstacles in practice one becomes more aware of craving and aversion and how these affect one’s comings and goings in the world and in one’s spiritual practice.

Suchi Welcomes all and hopes to soon build from 1/2 Primary and Full Primary series to include two to three Club Mysore practices a week.

📍 Garden House, Salt Spring Centre of Yoga
📆 Sunday, 4 – 5:30pm
💰 Pay what you can:  suggested price $10 – $20, by e-transfer (payment@saltspringcentre.com) or cash.
✨ Drop-in welcome

There will be no class on April 27, 2025.

Teacher:

Jennifer Pritchard (Suchitra/Suchi) is a dedicated Ashtanga Yoga instructor residing on the unceded Coast Salish territory of Canada’s west coast. Her yoga journey began in childhood, learning from her mother in their living room in the 1970s. This early foundation was further enriched by her meeting Baba Hari Dass in 1997. In 2002, she made her first trip to Mysore, India, to study Ashtanga, ultimately receiving authorization from Sharath in 2010 after more than ten trips. Suchi is also a graduate of the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga Teacher Training (2003), bringing a wealth of experience and a deep connection to teaching on Saltspring. After two decades of teaching, Suchi is passionate about making this profoundly healing practice accessible to all bodies and levels.