"The full ashtanga system practiced with devotion leads to freedom within one's heart."
- K. Pattabhi Jois
Awakens
Deepens
Heals
What is Ashtanga Yoga Austin?
Ashtanga Yoga Austin (AYA) is dedicated to the practice and teaching of Ashtanga Yoga. The center honors the parampara and lineage of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and Shri R. Sharath Jois. Practitioners of all levels are welcome for daily sadhana, inspiration, and community. Each day the center offers Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga classes under the tutelage of KPJAYI authorized level 2 teacher and founder Priya Jhawar.
What was the inspiration and vision for AYA?
AYA was founded by Priya Jhawar. Her interest in yoga, meditation, and spiritual practice was inspired by observing her mother's daily devotional practices growing up in India. At a young age, she became fluent in Hindi, studied classical Sanskrit texts and started to learn about yoga philosophy. After completing training and certification in classical Bharatanatyam Dance, she began to cultivate an asana practice. After choosing a career as a business litigation attorney and learning the benefits of yoga practice to stay grounded while in the fast-paced business world, she decided to leave the practice of law and focus exclusively on the study, practice, and teaching of yoga. Her goal is to help others realize the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits that yoga has to offer.
Where did Priya receive her training and teaching?
Priya trains with Shri R. Sharath Jois, at the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI) in Mysore, India. She has received Level 2 Authorization to teach the Ashtanga Yoga method. She also apprenticed with KPJAYI Authorized Level 2 teacher, Angela Jamison, assisting in her yoga shala in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Priya has been studying within the Ashtanga tradition since 2004. I am forever grateful to all those who have instilled within me deep love and dedication for the Ashtanga Yoga practice.
What exactly is the Ashtanga Yoga method?
The sage Vamana Rishi first described the Ashtanga Yoga method in the ancient scripture, the Yoga Korunta. This ancient text was discovered by Shri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya in the National Archives of India in the early 20th century. In 1916, Krishnamacharya traveled far into the Himalayas to seek out a yoga master. There in a cave near Nepal, he spent eight years studying Ashtanga Yoga with his guru, Shri Ramamohan Brahmachari. During this time, Krishnamacharya learned the complete Ashtanga Yoga method, including details about vinyasa, bandha, and drishti. After parting with his guru in 1924, Krishnamacharya traveled around India, sharing the Ashtanga Yoga practice and teachings wherever he went. In 1927, at the young age of twelve, Pattabhi Jois became Krishnamacharya’s student and remained a student of his for over 25 years. As Krishnamacharya prepared to leave Mysore in 1941, he handed over the teachings of Ashtanga Yoga to Jois, his oldest student.