Pattabhi Jois’ New Shala in Florida
The rumours have been flying around for months, but now it’s official: Pattabhi Jois is opening a new shala on American soil, in the South of Florida, called the Ashtanga Yoga Institute USA. Here’s the announcement from the AYRI.org site:
My beloved students,
For the last 30 years I have been visiting the United States to spread my teachings. With great pleasure, I am proud to announce the opening of my new yoga center in Florida.
I would like to invite each and every one of you to join myself, my daughter Saraswathi and my grandson Sharath for the grand opening party on March 24th, followed by a 2-week workshop. This will be our only visit to the United States in 2007. I look forward to seeing you there!
Love, Guruji
Islamorada, FL
First week (5 days): March 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
Second week (5 days): April 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 (April 2nd moon day holiday)
7:00AM Led Primary Series
Fees: 5-day workshop $200, single class $50
Workshop students are invited to the opening party on March 24
Registration opens November 15
Apparently it was financed by a very dedicated student of his.
Islamorada, at the very tip of the Eastern Coast of the USA
Islamorada “purple island” is part of the Florida Keys about 2 hours drive from Miami Airport - so a little bit easier to get to for most students than Mysore. The climate should as close to Southern Indian as you can get in the continental US, and from the photos it looks like paradise (you know, the lying on the beach kind of paradise).
Someone should alert their tourist board that they are about to receive a lot more attention in the years to come!
From the way it has been presented though, it does not look as if AYIU will be a replacement for going to Mysore, especially for teaching authorization puposes (part of the criteria are 4 trips to AYRI). It seems to be more of a replacement of the annual multi-city World Tour for now. At least in 2007, the World Tour will take place at AYIU.
Perhaps in the future, the Jois family will decide to teach Mysore-Style classes in Islamorada. In any case, this is a big milestone in the development of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and we welcome it wholeheartedly!
ralph said,
November 8, 2006 @ 3:22 pm
who’s going to run this new shala if Guruji will still primarily be in Mysore?
I’m a tad surprised it’s not in Cali or Maui!
Erin said,
November 15, 2006 @ 7:41 am
Does anyone know how to register?
tracy said,
November 15, 2006 @ 11:56 am
Here is the link to the registration page:
http://www.ayri.org/registration.html
cheers,
t
Chris said,
December 9, 2006 @ 2:05 pm
Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay for the two weeks? March 23 - April 7
Chris
Chris said,
December 14, 2006 @ 5:49 pm
If you are having difficulty locating affordable lodging in Islamorada (eye la mora ah da), try Key Largo. Key Largo is the largest of the Florida Keys; consequently, it has a greater selection of lodging. Key Largo is about 22 miles from the Shala.
Arlene Haessler said,
January 2, 2007 @ 7:09 pm
I may have room available to rent in Marathon approximately 33 miles from the Islamorada location should I submit contact info?
Laura Z said,
January 10, 2007 @ 2:00 am
Please send me more information about the week long yoga retreat in April. This is separate from the one the week before, am i correct? Anyone planning to go, that has information, I would be grateful if you could share it…. thank you.. LZ
Shannon Dutcher said,
January 10, 2007 @ 9:05 am
Hello,
I would like to sign up for the 5 day 9:00 workshop in Isla Morada. How do I do that?
Thanks,
Shannon Dutcher
Anneke said,
January 12, 2007 @ 5:10 am
Go to this page
http://www.ayri.org/registration.html
then read the info, pay with paypal and fill in the form. You will get confirmation by email after payment.
I am a Ashtanga student from Holland, and will be there…2nd week, 7.00AM. First week was already full! I will stay in a guesthouse in Islamorada.
Enjoy! Anneke
Audra Santoro said,
March 9, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
When in town, please stop by and visit my yoga studio and boutique, Paradise Yoga, located 1 mile south of the new Shala. I am happy to help fellow yogis with information on our town and what to do while visiting. Phone number here is (305) 517-YOGA. I also highly recommend getting out on the water in a kayak. Backcountry Cowboy Outfitters (305) 517-4177 offers fabulous eco-tours and is less than 1 mile from the Shala.
Robert said,
March 13, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
Dear Friend,
We thought it would be the right thing to do to extend this invitation (below)to you and your Yoga students; people who no doubt have a sensitivity and admiration for Classical India Music.
Anyway, we are not a “formal group”; just an abstract multicultural collection of musicians, teachers, gardeners, children, and various other south Floridians who truly appreciate the Music.
If you or yours would like to attend or find out more info, feel free to contact me.
Shanti,
Robert Feldman
PS- Please check out these links below and I’m sure you’ll come away impressed with the bios of these two fabulous musicians!
Dear Friends,
Good, no great news!!!
We will be having another performance of Classical Indian music in a few weeks!
Two of India’s finest young artists, Rupak Kulkarni (Bansuri flute) and Aditya Kalyanpur (tabla) will be spending a few days in South Florida and have agreed to play for us.
I cannot say enough about how grateful and enthusiastic we feel to be able to share an evening with two such prominent and talented musicians!
I suggest you check out their links and see for yourself; hopefully, you and your friends and family will be able to join us once again.
Finally, I will be sending all of you a flyer this coming week that will have all of the logistical information on it, but for now, please mark Friday, April 6, 8:30 PM, on your calendars.
Here are the links of the artists:
http://www.rupakkulkarni.com/
http://www.akproductions.org/
More later!
Om Shanti,
Robert and Tehmina
AshtangaNews » 2006: The Year in Ashtanga Yoga - Ashtanga Yoga Matters (as taught by Sri K Pattabhi Jois) said,
July 23, 2007 @ 10:31 am
[...] November: News of the new shala opening in Florida [...]
Dr Jack Oshea said,
October 3, 2007 @ 12:36 am
Does any body here know where I can obtain an apartment?
sheri edenbaum said,
January 30, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
interested in workshops in florida