Types of classes

Practice weeks

Practice weeks typically occur once a month and comprise 5 or 6 classes on consecutive days.  Classes are of two distinct types - 'led' and 'assisted self practice'.  In led classes the whole group practices together with Ade counting the breath - movement sequence which everyone follows.  In assisted self practice classes all students practice their own current practice in their own breath count with Ade assisting where appropriate for each person.  Led classes are a great way to learn the sequence particularly of the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga.  Assisted self practice classes are the best way to get personal assistance in key poses or with specific questions / issues and particularly with progression beyond primary series.  Often beginners favour led classes and more experienced students favour assisted self practice classes.  However, beginners benefit hugely from assisted self practice because of the availability of the teacher to guide and modify in each asana.  Conversely, more experienced students often benefit from the discipline of the counted breath imposed by the led classes - an element of the Ashtanga Vinyasa form that deepens over time.  In truth - the two styles of class complement each other.  

During practice weeks, students may book any number of classes during the week - many students choose to come for the whole week but if life does not permit this then individual classes can be attended.  The only requirement is that whether or not you have practised yoga before you should make the first class that you attend a Led Primary Series class.

Workshops 

Workshops are regularly held at the Yoga Studio - sometimes as stand alone events exploring a particular aspect of Yoga.  We also run series of workshops which, although they can normally be attended as individual events, are organised around a theme which is developed during the series.  Outlines are provided on the calendar and details are included on the 'workshops and trainings' page.

Beginners

Newcomers to Yoga are very welcome at the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Studio near Abergavenny.  You can either attend one of our Foundations workshops or come along to a Practice Week.  If you do the latter the ideal is to come for a whole week if you can manage it in order to learn a practice that you can then follow on you own until the next practice week is scheduled.  If you cannot attend the whole week, make your first class a 'led primary series' and try to attend at least one 'assisted self practice' class.