Beginning Ashtanga

[Guest guest]

Hello to all! I have been practicing Bryan Kest's

version of Power Yoga for about 4 months now, and I am

now interested in pure Ashtanga specifically. From

what I have read on the net, David Swenson's Ashtanga

Video Series is quite good (and challenging :oD). I

would appreciate any advice from Ashtanga veterans

(ie...books, videos, sites, etc.). Thank you and Happy New

Year! <br><br>Celeste<br>Celeste1995

[Guest guest]

to get clear about the necessary basics in a context that leads direct to the

primary series try<br>DYNAMIC YOGA by GODFREY DEVEREUX<br>amazon.com got it.

[Guest guest]

Call David Swenson directly if you liked his book. He's a friendly person and

will certainly tell you who is not worth a visit in the Big Apple.

[Guest guest]

The best way to begin Ashtanga is to take Mysore

classes - they start you at the beginning and build up

your practice according to your own capacity. You can

take class at Jivamukti, Patanjali Yoga Shala or

Ashtanga Yoga Shala - all details on the Ashtanga.com

website.

[Guest guest]

Or instead of taking the LED classes start

from<br>scratch. Jivamukti has a Mysore style class every morning

and I'm sure one of those teachers can get you

started on the right foot. Astanga is a gradual practice

and should not be tackled head-on in a LED class if

your not a seasoned yoga practitioner. A lot of people

go to the LED class whom don't belong there which is

frustrating to the students and teacher who has to keep an

eye on them, thereby losing their focus on the class

and the other students.<br>You learn the sequence by

asking the instructor to teach you the sequence before

class(Mysore style). Also get Yoga Mala by Sri K. Pattabhi

Jois which they sell at Jiva and get the video of the

Primary Series.<br>I'd be happy to talk to you more about

it since I am an Astanga student here in the Big

Apple.

[Guest guest]

Jivamukti has several Primary Series Videos. Can you recommend one?

[Guest guest]

do not listen to those that tell you to take a

led class.....take mysore classes....guy is a

terrific teacher in the morning or go over to Eddie

Stern's studio. Led primary series is too much for a

beginner.<br><br>SPW