August 2025 Newsletter
Greetings from The Yoga Shala Seattle! Don't forget to save the date for our Summer Conference coming up on Sunday, August 10th! We will be discussing the differences between old-school and new-school methods of Ashtanga yoga and what these differences mean for us at the Shala. Come early for Yuko’s Half Primary and bring a yummy treat to share!
Support Immigration Rights with Brendan's Donation-Based Rocket Yoga Masterclass
There's still time to sign up for Yoga Shala co-founder Brendan Smullen's extended-format Rocket Yoga Masterclass on August 31!
Following a semi-set sequence, this mixed-level class encourages exploration and playfulness, while remaining accessible through modifications and the practice of accepting our bodies' present abilities. There will be a combination of hip openers, backbends, and plenty of opportunities to play with arm balances and inversions. The extended format gives you more time to play with transitions and variations, creating a unique opportunity to challenge and celebrate your practice.
The class is donation-based, with all proceeds going to support the Washington State Immigrant Solidarity Network's Fair Fight Bond Fund. Our last masterclass raised almost $400 for this important cause. Let's raise even more this time!
Sign up via Momence to get playful with your practice and support an important cause!
Thank You for Supporting Our Ongoing Fundraising Efforts! Let's Keep the Momentum Going!
In July, The Yoga Shala Seattle launched a number of donation-based classes in support of immigrant rights. Through these efforts, we have managed to raise hundreds of dollars for the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network's Fair Fight Bond Fund, which collects funds to bond individuals out of detention while their immigration proceedings are processed, avoiding prolonged and inhumane incarceration and helping to give immigrants in Washington state a fighting chance.
Fighting injustice and working toward collective liberation is central to yoga as a practice, and we are so proud of our community for stepping up and embodying these values.
Want to get involved?? Throughout August, there are more opportunities to support the Fair Fight Bond Fund at the Shala!
Our 2025 cohort of teacher trainees will be hosting Ashtanga Fundamentals classes on Fridays at 5:30 PM and Saturdays at 10:30 AM. These are beginner-friendly, so feel free to bring a friend and support the Bond Fund and our new teachers! Visit our website to see the full schedule!
You can also support the Bond Fund by attending Yoga Shala co-founder Brenden Smullen's extended-format Rocket Yoga Masterclass on August 31st!
Intro to Handstands with Kaysha Korrow
Always dreamed of standing on your hands? There's still space in Kaysha's all-level handstand workshop on September 28th! The workshop will focus on entry-level movements and drills requisite for a handstand practice, making it a great starting place for anyone. We will practice partner drills and explore the principles of safely bailing from inverted shapes, building comfort upside-down for spatial orientation, and the appropriate use of handstands in an asana-based context.
Remember, this workshop is a prerequisite for the November 16th Intermediate Handstands Workshop, so make sure to sign up soon!
Summer and Fall Scheduling Updates
Don't forget to check out our schedule for a few summer shifts and updates!
On Tuesdays at 7:30 PM, our special summer guest, Cat Leistikow, will be offering a restorative Yin yoga class. Take advantage of this opportunity to rest and reset for the remainder of the week!
On Saturdays, Mysore and Pranayama are now split into two classes. Mysore runs from 7:15-9:15 AM, and the 45-minute Pranayama class will begin at 9:30 AM. Sign up for both, or choose your favorite!
The Eight Limbs: Dhyana
The seventh limb of Ashtanga Yoga is dhyana, or meditation. Rather than constituting an entirely separate practice, dhyana can be understood as a deepening of the previous limb, dharana, the practice of concentration. The difference lies in the degree of concentration.
In dharana, the practitioner focuses their attention on an object of concentration, but this focus may still sometimes be broken, interrupted by distractions or the activity of the mind. In dhyana, on the other hand, the concentration on the object of meditation is absolute. The mind is exclusively fixed on this object and experiences no interruptions or distractions.
Other Resources
Did you know Moon Days are listed on our website? Super convenient.
Newsletters are now archived on our website.
We can't wait to practice with you!
