DECEMBER 2014 NEWS: We're moving!

Beginning Monday, January 5!
New Address:
hosted by YoYoYogi
The "Hot Dog" Room
1306 NW Hoyt Street
(between 13th and 14th Street)
Portland, OR 97209
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/dtDEL

As of January 5, we will be hosted by Yoyoyogi. As you can tell, the room has a warm feel, good floors, a window to the outside, and no mirrors. The new space has two private bathrooms with full showers. Mat storage is available, though space is limited. There is no towel service. Shoes and jackets can be stored in the lovely downstairs common area, which also features private changing spaces. There is a dry, locked room inside in which to lock up your bike.

I've taught Mysore at Yoga Pearl since 2008. We have continued to grow, and as of 2014 have more than tripled daily attendance. Unfortunately, Portland Ashtanga Yoga takes up the big room at Yoga Pearl, while the other classes occupy the extra-small room. Karen, the owner of Yoga Pearl, needs to grow classes at her studio. She will be expanding the morning power vinyasa and other classes. So it was time for Portland Ashtanga to make a new home.

The main considerations I took when looking for a new space:

1) Proximity to old location.
I know many of you have built a reliable routine around your practice, your commute, and your job, and I don't want to disrupt that.

2) Showers. 
People (ladies!) strongly prefer to clean up before going in, so I wanted a place that featured multiple showers. (Somewhat unsurprisingly, when told about the showers, gentlemen practitioners respond with "Meh.")

3) A better space.
The move is not a lateral one when it comes to the practice room: it is a better place to practice Mysore-style Ashtanga.

Also, we are finally (FINALLY) within crawling distance of an espresso machine: the studio is just above Barista, which offers overpriced yet delicious coffee. Analysts expect my espresso intake to trend upward in 2015.

Mysore-style Ashtanga practice is built on routine and habit. Your daily routine will change --- it's my hope you all have faith that the new space will be for the better, and that you'll adapt to a somewhat different routine.

Please email me any additional questions. I will send out another email the week prior to the move as a reminder --- I will include answers to the most common questions I receive.

++Holiday Hours
Moon day: Sunday, December 21: No class.
"Last Friday" Led Primary: Friday, December 19

Thursday, December 25: Closed.
Friday, December 26: Closed.
(Class resumes Sunday, December 28.)

Wednesday, December 31: 7–9 a.m. only.
Thursday, January 1: 7–9 a.m. only.

++Free Yoga Conversation + Posture Clinic
A Yoga Dialogue + Posture Clinic will immediately follow the "Last Friday" Led Primary on December 19. The class runs from 6-7:30 a.m., and if you can, stick around for conversation and/or a posture clinic from 7:30-8 a.m.

We'll discuss philosophy at the top, and then you're welcome to share questions, conversation, comments, observations, and insight (yours!). (These can also be posture-based.) This is an experiment. I was trying to figure a way to bring an element of dialogue into the Mysore practice, one that wouldn't supersede the practice/theory ratio of 99-to-1. If it goes well, and there's interest, we can do more.

++DAVID GARRIGUES in April!
We're set to host Certified Ashtanga teacher David Garrigues April 3-5. Enrollment is not yet open, but you can preview course descriptions. He's been practicing and teaching for more than 20 years, a significant portion of that spent in India with Pattabhi Jois. It will be a phenomenal way to deepen and explore your practice, ask all the questions you want --- and gather as a community. Mark your calendars!