Tag Archives: Practice

September 2026: Back To School?

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MOON DAYS: NEW MOON= THURSDAY 9/10/2026 AND FULL MOON= SATURDAY 9/26/2026.

This month is a month of 5 TUESDAYS. That means at least three led Primary Series classes are on the calendar if we’re alternating weeks like usual, this month. So Tuesday the 1st, 15th, and 29th will be a teacher-led version of Primary Series. Tuesday the 8th and 22nd will be Mysore style, or a more self-guided practice session. If you’re wondering what that is, head over to the Mysore Page.

The three times that we’ll have a led class, I am going to focus on an aspect of Tristhana for each class. The 1st will be Breathing. The 15th will be about Bandha, and the 29th I will be covering Dristi.

What ARE these bolded terms and words? you ask. Tristhana is kind of a Sanskrit-y mashup word for what gives life to an Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice. Generally understood as BREATH/BANDHA/DRISTI, these are the three pillars or legs of your practicing of Yoga. BREATHing in a certain way during your practice time gives an energetic and mental benefit, which ties in with your movements and economy /manipulation of your subtle and physical energies. This would be BANDHA. Drawing your senses inward and concentrating on a visual point at the same time continues the stability and strength of your practice, body and mind. This is DRISTI. All three overlap with each other, and all three points of focus have a physical/gross component and an internal/subtle component.

Breath: you can’t do Yoga without it! Change your breathing, change your mental process.

Bandha: Movement doesn’t happen without the breath. Bandha directs and conserves energy when coordinated with your breathing. It adds another layer to concentration and stilling of the mind. Vinyasa fits in this category too, because it is a specific movement or sequence of movements and postures.

Dristi: often this can mean “follow your nose”-with your eyes. Nasagrai is one of the indispensable looking places in this practice. : ) But definitely not the only one!

And another thing……

Ashtanga Yoga Shala Minneapolis is hosting Sathu Jois for a September workshop weekend! This is not something of mine or at my usual studio, but if you have the option, it’s a great place to learn about Ashtanga Yoga if you’ve been wanting to. Information here!

AUGUST 2026

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WEDNESDAY 8/12: NEW MOON/SOLAR ECLIPSE

THURSDAY 8/27: FULL MOON/LUNAR ECLIPSE

August is upon us! And I’m back from Ann Arbor, MI.

Tuesdays 8/4 and 8/18 will be a Primary Series Led Class, at 6pm.

Tuesdays 8/11 and 8/25 will be Mysore Style classes, or self guided practice.

Hoping to see you at both/and! If you’ve got questions about this style of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, or before coming to either class format, check out the Class Offerings page and the Mysore page. The Contact/Info page has where you can email if you’re still unsure and would like to query.

June 2026!

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NEW MOON: SUNDAY 6/14

FULL MOON: MONDAY 6/29

THERE ARE 5 TUESDAYS IN JUNE! the Tuesday class calendar will be as follows-

6/2: Primary Series led Class

6/9: Mysore style class

6/16: Primary Series led Class

6/23: Mysore style class

6/30: Primary Series Led Class

May 2026

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I find these graffiti hearts all over the city.

FULL MOON: FRIDAY MAY 1st

NEW MOON: SATURDAY MAY 16th

Nokomis Yoga Tuesday Night Ashtanga Class Schedule for May:

Primary Series Led Class- May 5 and 19th, 6pm

Mysore Style Practice- May 12th and 26th. As always, these dates are 5:45pm- 7:45pm

See you on the mat!

March!

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Local Kirtan! Proceeds go to mutual aid for the families in Mpls

Full Moon: Tuesday 3/3/2026

New Moon: Wednesday 3/18/2026

This month has 5 Tuesdays! The first is 3/3, and Led Primary Series class is at 6pm. Next Led Class dates are:

Tuesday 3/17/2026 and Tuesday 3/31/2026

Mysore Class dates:

Tuesday 3/10/2026 and 3/24/2026.

See you on the mat!

December 2025

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Above is the lovely Shanti Mantra that many of you may have been present to sample and learn about on 11/11/2025. I chose this because not only is it for lasting Peace, it is a mantra protective of teachers, students and the relationships they have. An important idea, on the first anniversary of R Sharath Jois’ passing.

FULL MOON: THURSDAY 12/4/2025

NEW MOON: SATURDAY 12/20/2025

ASHTANGA PRIMARY SERIES LED CLASS DATE: TUESDAY 12/2/2025.

There are 5 Tuesdays in December this go-around, I’m going to be asking everyone how they might feel about a more structured schedule for December. I know the last couple of weeks of the month are deep in holiday time and perhaps I can focus in or back off to better work with this. How does everyone feel about another led class (or a half Primary) on Tuesday the 16th, or after? Regular practice is always a commitment but Primary Series is a wonderful anchor for the whirlwind of the holidays and closing of the year.

November 2025

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It’s close to a year since the sad, sad day in November 2024 that the world changed suddenly all over again. 11/11/2024. I am still processing what I feel. I did not resolve to go back to Mysuru for a visit of devotion and paying respects, as I was worried about how things were going to go around here in the USA. I couldn’t be so bummed for a month-long trip halfway around the world, traveling all by myself, anyway. I am missing South India, but then I have a feeling that it might be there when I don’t feel so underwater. : ) As things were, I didn’t have much time to sit with my feelings, work and keeping up with living was way too busy and frustrating, until last month.

I’ve bumped the Mysore Page so that there’s a general idea of what I’ve been up to since September. I have enjoyed seeing this long-thought-about change in teaching classes become a real thing. No time like the present! And, it’s never too late. My bite-sized Mysore Program may not be much right now but I believe it’s the right thing to do. Hoping Sharath Ji would approve!

News: I will be subbing a couple of Sundays at Ashtanga Yoga Shala Minneapolis, 11/9, and 11/16. You can click on the title above for more information about AYS. I’m excited to be in on the holding of the room with people that I don’t get to see often enough.

FULL MOON: WEDNESDAY 11/5

NEW MOON: THURSDAY 11/20

July 2025 bits and pieces

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My furry Ashtanga familiar, senior lady Dolly.

First things first:

Above are the moons for July. Full moon this Thursday!

I will be traveling July14th-22nd, so no class on July 15th or the 22nd for Tuesday led class, at Nokomis Yoga. I will put this on the Class Offerings page and notify those of you that I have an email for.

Next, there’s a “new” Mysore Program in town! This is the crew that grew out of One Yoga’s space and is now (literally) down the hall at the Ivy Building. Here’s the new webpage: https://www.aysminneapolis.com/

Check it out! Mostly traditional morning mysore but there’s a couple of differences- Thursday afternoon mysore is offered and no Fridays right now. If you’re intrigued, introduce yourself!

Lastly(is that a word??) I wanted to say that I’m working on a few changes for after the summer this year. I would like to continue teaching as usual on Tuesdays at Nokomis Yoga. I’m working on transitioning this time to a Mysore style( a self- paced practice) class format. I think all my regular people are ready and I am excited to teach this method to new students. Note that there are more details to work out and I will not be switching my teaching focus until September 2025. If you’ve got questions, I’ll see you soon- or you can email me through the Contact Page.

New Moon is Coming Up 6/25

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Looking for that Uddiyana Bandha stomach scoop- out? Think sow bugs. 😜😜😜 Hahaha- ew? Maybe.

Hello, Folks. Just riding on the mid- June roller coaster that is 2025. I have no better unsolicited advice than keeping your feet on the ground, your eyes open and focus on the messy middle. So far everything in waking life has been one extreme to another and that is not normal, nor should it ever be the norm.

That said, New Moon is on next Wednesday, 6/25. I’m looking forward to it. I am also hopeful that our Tuesday class time is not too much of anything- too hot, too smoky, too rainy, etc. We can concentrate on the middle, together, and maybe find some peace or contentment. Don’t let me forget to tell a couple of stories, if you’re interested and present- why we do Padmasana right leg first, traditionally, and why lots of Ashtanga practitioners observe the Moon Days. (Hint: it has to do with balancing extremes). 😁😁😁.

Until then, practice on……🌚