About Us
Our Mission
Welcome new and potential students to the only authorized Ashtanga Yoga School in Wisconsin! You are fortunate in finding us. Yoga today has become a dangerous mess. With the popular boom of “teacher trainings” available anywhere and everywhere that encourage enthusiasts to be teachers before they are long time students, there is a mine field of inexperienced and undertrained teachers out there. Here we only do student training. No teacher training. At this school we teach traditional Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. A new student may participate in any class on the schedule. We all practice together here. There are no “elitist” or “exclusive” classes.
So, a common question is “What should I expect?” Expectation is the fastest trip to suffering......but for those of you who need to know what you are getting into, it’s like this. We have 4 types of classes.
Beginner: this class is designed to take a brand new person of any age or fitness level through the first half of the primary series with use of any modifications or props necessary. At any time the new student may rest or watch.
Led: This is a led (meaning counted or spoken or guided) class. The teacher will count out all the steps and the students follow the count. Any new person can try this. It is a fun way to connect to the other students and new people are encouraged to sit and watch during some of the more advanced asana sections. Do not be intimidated at all. We are here to help you and build up your confidence. We were all beginners once and we love to meet new people and see new faces.
Lastly, we have traditional India style Mysore classes. From 6:30 am to 10:30 am Tuesday through Friday in which students come in at their own time and practice what they have learned at their own pace. There are usually two teachers available to help students with alignment, doing adjustments and helping students individually according to their own needs. New students who have not yet memorized any of the primary series are usually paired with a senior student to follow with. Our senior students are some of the most humble and helpful people you will ever meet. They love sharing with and supporting new students. Beginners are welcome to these classes even with no experience. I believe the Mysore style classes combined with two led classes per week are the best way to learn and advance one’s practice. Prepare yourself by letting go of expectation and focusing on the breathing. As one advances in proficiency one is given more advanced postures one by one. We are here to help everyone who is interested in becoming full power! Start taking benefit from this magical practice today! Start anytime, come as often as you like and pay whatever you can afford. Our shala is open to all beings who wish to be happy and free. Blessings and Peace.
PJ Heffernan