Morning Ashtanga classes in central Reykjavik
The instructors at Ashtanga Yoga Iceland met through their shared passion. Photo/ Ashtanga Yoga Iceland
Four yoga teachers got together to form Ashtanga Yoga Iceland to be able to offer Mysore style morning classes to Reykjavik yogis and yoginis.
"We have all practiced and taught yoga together for several years," says one of the founders, Helga Snjólfsdóttir. "We shared the dream of offering a morning Mysore program in Iceland, this is the traditional way to practice Ashtanga Yoga. We have been practicing together and teaching at the first Ashtanga Yoga studio in Iceland for the past few years and have become good friends and Ashtanga Yoga Iceland was created over a few cups of coffee. Initiating a morning mysore style program has been a long-term dream, to further strengthen and support the Ashtanga community in Iceland."
Helga says that the Ashtanga community has been steadily growing in Iceland over the years and is now offered in several yoga studios in and around Reykjavik. "When we bring experienced Ashtanga yoga teachers to Iceland to offer workshop there is a lot of interest. This practice can really make you more healthy and balanced and everyone can do it, especially in a Mysore style class where each individual is met where he or she is at."
Explaining the difference between Ashtanga yoga and other variants of yoga she says, that there are a few key elements that make the Ashtanga yoga practice different.
"The connection of breath and movement, and the same sequence of postures is practiced every time in a meditative and dynamic flow."
The Mysore morning program runs Monday through Thursday from 6:30-8:00 am (doors open 15 minutes before and close 15 minutes after) and every second Sunday they offer a led primary series practice. Also look out for weekend courses that are offered once a month, the first Basics 1 will run both September 3-4 and October 15-16. Drop in's are welcome and a single class is on offer at 2000 ISK and a 5 class pass is 6000 ISK.
Find Ashtanga Yoga Iceland at Ljósheimar, Borgartún 4, fourth floor.
Facebook @ashtangayogaiceland
