May 2025 Newsletter
Spring greetings from the Yoga Shala! We are looking forward to a month full of workshops, special guests, and most importantly, lots of practice.
See you on the mat!
Start Your Practice at the Yoga Shala
Yoga Shala founder Brendan will host the next edition of our popular "Start Your Practice" workshop on June 8th. The workshop will explore the fundamental postures of the Ashtanga Primary series—a challenging but accessible approach to classical yoga. Students will be guided through the foundational and standing postures of the Primary series and learn the principles of the Ashtanga tradition to enter into a daily practice routine.
The workshop includes a one-month membership to the Shala, giving students unlimited access to guided and Mysore-style classes where they will receive personalized care and attention to body-specific details to make the yoga work for everyone! Perfect for new students or seasoned practitioners looking to recommit to their practice!
Last Chance to Sign Up for Yoga Nidra with Sumeet Banerji
Muscian and yoga teacher Sumeet Banerji is returning to the Yoga Shala for a special evening of yoga nidra and sound bath on May 25th.
The session will begin with a brief discussion about yoga nidra, followed by breathing exercises and optional yin-oriented postures. As the session progresses, the focus will shift from instruction to music and storytelling, culminating in a musical set designed to allow the body and nervous system to relax and reset.
This event will present instruments from all over the world, rooted in both ancient and modern musical traditions, in a set tailored to the Yoga Shala community.
Last Call for Bali Practice Intensive!
It's your last chance to join Brendan and Christiane in Ubud, Bali, for a one- or two-week-long practice intensive!
Here is all you need to know:
Week 1: Oct 22-29
Week 2: Oct 29-Nov 5
The experience includes:
Lodging at Shala Bali with gorgeous views of rice terraces (7 OR 14 nights)
Two vegan/vegetarian meals per day
One weekly excursion to temples, rice terraces, and more
Local transportation from Denpasar Airport to lodging (select shuttle times)
ALL Yoga sessions (Daily Mysore and guided classes, specialty workshops -such as backbends, inversions, support practice-, daily pranayama and meditation, select lectures)
For more information, visit our website or reach out to us directly with questions!
The Eight Limbs: Asana
When most people think of yoga, they are probably thinking of asana, the physical yoga postures. Although asana is the most well-known limb of the Ashtanga system, it is only one of the eight and by no means the most important. In fact, Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras only dedicates three sutras to discussing asana, making up just one percent of the total text.
The word asana comes from the Sanskrit root “as” which means “to sit,” “to stay,” or “to be.” Asanas should be practiced with both sthira (steadiness or alertness) and sukha (comfort or ease). The Ashtanga series challenges the practitioner to find ease in increasingly complex shapes with the goal of training the body and mind to sit without distraction for deep meditation.
Plant Repotting Workshop at the Shala
Join the Yoga Shala and Fancy Plants Seattle for a donation-based plant repotting workshop on June 7th from 12 to 1:30 pm! We will be demonstrating how to know when plants need repotting, finding the right size pot, and choosing the correct soil for your plant. This will be an interactive workshop, so get ready to get your hands dirty! Bring a plant from home and learn the best way to repot it, including aftercare directions to set you and your plant up for success.
The workshop is pay what seems fair; donations will cover the costs of soil and materials. We look forward to future community and collaboration events with Fancy Plants and the Yoga Shala!
