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For more than a decade, we have been Ottawa’s studio for Astanga Vinyasa Yoga. The studio was founded by Janice DeFilippi, a long-time practitioner of Astanga who made many trips to Mysore, India.
Mysore classes take their name from how this practice was taught at the Astanga Yoga Research Institute. Students start with the fundamentals at their own pace, while the teacher helps them memorize new sequences and movement patterns. You don’t have to be flexible, or know what you’re doing – just come as you are!
Astanga Flow classes are all-levels. You’ll be talked through the Sun Salutations (warm-ups), followed by the Standing Series and some Seated Postures. A Finishing Series is usually presented with modifications.
Led Primary Series is also guided, but this class is only appropriate for students who are familiar Astanga or who have been practicing for at least 2 months, as the class includes some challenging postures.
Janice DeFilippi is a long-time practitioner of Astanga who made many trips to Mysore, India to study at a time when the practice existed in relative obscurity and class sizes were below a dozen. She has found through direct experience that a regular yoga practice can help maintain a sense of wellness, flexibility and strength and it remains a constant grounding force in her life. Janice holds Richard Freeman’s advanced teaching certificate and she continues to honour one of her first teachers, John Scott.
Michael has been a student of Yoga since 1998, seeking relief from back pain related to scoliosis, and something like enlightenment. His 15 years teaching blends anatomy studies with traditional Hatha Yoga and a modern take on Ashtanga Vinyasa inspired by studies with Richard Freeman. Michael uses simplicity and breath awareness to draw students into the core of the body – the seat of meditative awareness and postural stability. He invites you to compassionately explore your boundaries in search of the middle-path.
Donna’s yoga roots began in 1996 with Hatha yoga where she developed an understanding of the importance of pranayama, asana, and drishti. In 2001 Donna discovered the Ashtanga yoga system and was immediately captivated by the combination of strength and flexibility, breath and movement. Donna is a teacher who respects tradition and uses intuition to help guide others in their practice. Her approach to teaching is one of playfulness and fun; in class she encourages students to challenge themselves and to find a place of contentment within their practice.
Scott started practicing yoga in 1998. He initially practiced in the Sivananda style and then moved into Astanga Yoga. His first teachers were Barry Gillespie and Marcia Soloman. Through their encouragement he began studies with Richard Freeman, completing his month long teacher’s intensive, his two-week advanced intensive and numerous workshops. In 2011 he spent a month at the shala in Mysore, India studying with Sharath Rangaswamy and has made many, many return trips since.
Allison became a lifetime student of Ashtanga Yoga in 2001. Staying committed to her practice as a busy mom of 2 has been her greatest teacher. Her teachings are a blend of her ever evolving self practice combined with a deep understanding of Biomechanics and Physiology. Her approach to teaching invites you to thoughtfully rewire the way we think about moving and breathing, and how interconnected it is to everything we do.
Rena started as a fitness instructor in Ottawa in her 20’s, but chronic pain issues cut her career short. Rena immediately felt a deep connection to the Ashtanga Yoga practice, for both the physical challenge and the mental calmness that remains after. She loves being a student of yoga and sharing what she has learned with othrs.
Andrea has been practicing hatha yoga since 2009 and Astanga yoga since 2011. Arriving with a lifelong habit of having an occupied mind, Andrea immediately appreciated the gift of awareness of both body and mind that yoga offers. She also values yoga’s philosophical teaching of compassion equally for the self and for all other living beings. As a teacher, Andrea encourages students to explore and nurture their own sense of movement, safety, stability, and curiosity. She honours her principal teachers, Janice DeFilippi, Donna Hughes, and Mike Dynie, for their generous-minded approaches to Astanga.
Galaxy started vinyasa yoga in South Korea, seeking for relaxing tensed nerve systems and calmness. Her journey into Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice began in 2015, attracted by the beauty of harmony in breathing and continuous movement. While living in Vancouver she studied with Fiona Stang where she learned significant core values of finding balance between practice and life, and sharing knowledge and love with the students. Galaxy values that we all need balance in our life and believes that regular practice could be the supportive tool to heal your strength and flexibility.
Imad’s teaching focuses on breath work and guided body movement working closely with the mind. His goal is to help his students develop functional movements that help them improve their everyday life. Imad’s classes are fun, creative, and full of great knowledge aimed at helping you improve your practice. He loves cooking, reading, running, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. He’s also a big fan of Naruto, and likes to watch Anime.
Bio coming soon
The stunning photography on our website came from the talented eye of @studiojetaime — thank you Jess!
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