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Ashtanga Yoga New Orleans

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"Since high school I have wanted to take a Yoga class, but for numerous reasons I never did. Finally, in the fall of 2001 I took my first yoga class and within a month signed up to take an introductory class in Ashtanga Yoga. I really liked the Ashtanga method with the students learning the poses in sequence and the instructor coming around and positioning you and teaching you the next pose when you were ready to learn. I had heard that others thought Ashtanga monotonous and boring, I on the other hand loved it. I have worked with children with autism for several years and I believe that I am drawn to them because like them I love routines and I knew the routine in Ashtanga was right for me. Even though it is the same routine, I am amazed on almost a daily basis of how I am progressing by either being in a pose more correctly or that I am able to just accomplish a certain pose. I am also amazed at how much better I feel both physically and emotionally. Ashtanga has given me physical strength and mental strength. I am always mentally refreshed after each practice. I have taught surya namaskara to children with autism and I know at least one of them can use the yoga at home as a technique to calm down and focus. (For more on Aaron's work with children with autism, click here.)

"I can’t say that I am as conditioned in my yoga practice as my student and use sun salutations to calm down; however, I do know that if I am stressed out that my practice will center me. I would recommend Ashtanga to anyone; it builds you up physically and mentally. I am so glad that I finally decided to take a yoga class and am so happy that the class was led by such a wonderful and understanding person as Kiran!"

"I have been taking Ashtanga Yoga with Kiran since October of 2001. During that time I have experienced a number of changes in my physical and mental well-being. I am no longer able to slouch my shoulders forward to what used to be their “natural” position. My spine is straight for the first time in ten years. I have muscles in my upper body (including my arms) for the first time ever, allowing me to be a more independent individual. I have also stopped taking almost all of the prescription and over-the-counter medicines that I used to take on a daily basis for asthma and allergies. I went from three inhalers twice a day for asthma to one inhaler that I keep active–just in case–but almost never use. I don’t have any aspirin in my medicine cabinet anymore because I rarely get the headaches that I used to have on an almost daily basis.

"I started taking yoga to calm myself down and help with my focus. Instead, I have undergone a complete change of my physical and mental well-being. I didn’t realize how poorly I treated my body until it shifted into its proper alignment. People who do not see me regularly are constantly remarking on the changes they see in me (I have also dropped two clothing sizes, without losing a large amount of weight). Overall, I think I am a calmer, more confident person than I was a year ago. I have much higher energy levels as well.

"Kiran is a kind, gentle, patient instructor who allows me to test my physical limits at my own pace and encourages me to move forward on days when I am feeling less sure of myself. She interacts with each student according to our individual needs and develops a personal relationship with her students that assures us that we are not just a face in a sea of students. finally I appreciate that she encourages her students to become self-sufficient in their yoga practice. Although I have a monthly pass to AYNO, I would be able to practice at home because I have been taught how to perform without an instructor. Instead I choose to come to AYNO for my regular practice because I enjoy the positive energy of our prctice space. I cannot say enough good things about my experiences practicing Ashtanga with Kiran."

"When first I began practicing yoga, I attended all sorts of classes, which were nice and definitely worthwhile, but did not really meet my needs in full. And then Kiran offered the beginning Ashtanga class. I wasn't really sure that a neophyte such as myself could handle it, but decided to give it a go anyway. Now it is eighteen months later, and I am happy to say that it has become MY practice, due in large part to Kiran's patient, mindful and caring tutelage. I have been in many yoga classes, mostly led classes, and found that even though I could participate in class, I could not construct a home practice which was satisfying. Ashtanga, with its logical sequence, its beginning and ending, and its reasoning behind the sequence, enables me to be present in my practice, not trying to think, 'what next?' instead of just doing that next thing.

"There have been many teachers and instructors in my forty nine years of life, but few have shown the complete dedication and devotion to their students which Kiran exhibits in all aspects of her instruction. I am truly thankful that Kiran has chosen to do this thing, to do it well, and to share the practice as generously and unstintingly as she does. I am grateful to her."

"The wonderful thing about mysore yoga is that it is all about building upon individual capabilities and helping to overcome the challenges our unique set of idiosyncrasies present to our physical and mental well-being. Through the ashtanga practice, we each see our weaknesses transformed into strengths, and realize our individual changes and achievements.

"My experience with ashtanga is that through the process of practice, not only have I realized some expected health benefits, I have also discovered that certain physical pains and constraints I accepted as normal for most of my life were, in fact, not normal and they have disappeared. Some might be psyched about getting into full lotus… for me, the major accomplishments are much smaller. When I began ashtanga, I had little range of movement in my arms and my chest usually felt constricted. I could barely get my arms up over my head at a 45 degree angle. I can now hold them almost straight up! And whereas in the past if I moved my arms about, I could feel the bones and cartilage in my chest pop uncomfortably, my chest is now open and movement comes easily. The monthly visits to the chiropractor for lower back problems have become a thing of the past.

"In the unexpected category, for many, many years I have been unable to sleep on my left side. When I tried, I generally lasted ten to fifteen minutes before a dull pain forced me to move (I was told this was due to a congenital heart condition). For the past six months, I have been sleeping oh so soundly on my left side… no more dull pain. Who knew?! Then, there is the mental serenity from both the practice and the marked change in overall health.

"All of this has come through my practice with Kiran. I doubt there is a better instructor than she. Kiran is gentle, but challenging, and very much in tune with the potential of each person. Her guidance and adjustments have helped me overcome physical and mental blocks I didn’t realize I had. I can’t imagine practice without her!"

"My physical background has always been very strenous and fast-paced, my emotional and mental backgrounds have included those elements as well as others, and my spiritual background has been a strenuous and slow-paced but very fruitful growth. With yoga, I was looking for a good balance for all of these aspects. Before I came to AYNO, I only had heard and read a bit about the balance that yoga can bring to a person's life, but I knew nothing about the different types of yoga, much less Ashtanga. At AYNO, I learned not only about the history of Ashtanga, but also the theory behind Ashtanga and its practice. In addition, I also began learning the Primary Series, and in the process, learned alot about my body, mind, and spirit.

"I have found that the Mysore style of teaching and the non-competetive environment that is AYNO has allowed me to completely focus on MY practice as opposed to keeping up with others. Coming from someone who is very competitive with herself (I like to call myself a recovering perfectionist!), this environment is vital to my growth.

"Ashtanga asks for me to be completely focused, to be quiet, to be patient, to be courageous, and to have faith that everything is unfolding as it should be. It has provided for great physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual growth and balance in me in just the short time I have practiced it, and I welcome the future growth and balance that it surely will bring to me. I would not be where I am today without the excceptional instruction and guidance from Kiran. She is extremely knowledgeable, patient, accepting, and welcoming, yet at the same time, she holds her students accountable for their growth and expertly assesses when a gentle or strong push is needed."

"I never ever thought I’d study Ashtanga yoga. Never. Never. Never. Oh! Those voices in my head:

"I experienced a lot of needless and unwarranted resistance from those little monster voices in my head. But there was something that drew me to Kiran and her studio- I certainly was curious about Ashtanga and had an inkling that the practice would do more than just make me stronger and more flexible. I was interested in a practice that didn’t dilute yoga for Americans. I wanted to deepen my spiritual practice, further my understanding of yoga, and work with a teacher who had a deep understanding of the subject. I have found the teacher and the space for those things at ANYO.

"There is an incredible wisdom to the sequence of poses (though at this point I am only partially through the Primary Series!). In a very short time my body has opened up in ways I had not experienced before in years of practice. There are poses I find myself in that I never thought possible. The instruction from Kiran has coaxed my body and mind to accept that what was once out of the question is not only possible, but is indeed happening, and without injury. The pacing of the learning process is so tailored to each student that classes have the feeling of private instruction but with a wonderful group dynamic.

"For me, studying Ashtanga Yoga with Kiran has been one of those rare synchronous events when the Universe just lines things up for me: the right place, the right studio, the right style, and paramount: the right teacher."