About

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a complete yoga method based on Bhakti (devotion) to a breathing and movement system called vinyasa. Through Ashtanga yoga you come to realize your Self and your purpose by learning to systematically combine several internal and external techniques including: breathing, internal locks, meditation, posture, conscious movement and gazing. When these basic techniques are applied with discipline, subtlety and skill, they are excellent tools for becoming physically and mentally strong and perceptive. When you’ve developed your practice, you learn to ‘inhabit’ your body like an animal moving freely in the wild and at the same time your mind becomes strong and fit for meditation. Practicing to create this combination of physical grace and power and mental clarity and openness leads to spiritual awakening. The method consists of learning rigorous, well-balanced sets of postures and the vinyasa positions that form the set sequences. The alternating, opposing movement and breathing patterns within the given sequences help you to internalize your mind and to gain depth and wisdom by observing the true nature of what is happening within you.

The Ashtanga yoga method was originally taught in Mysore, southern India by the late yoga master, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.  Since the first Ashtanga classes were taught in Mysore, this style of teaching is named after the city and is really just short for “Mysore Style Ashtanga.”

**This Summary of the Ashtanga yoga lineage was given with permission and written by my teacher, David Garrigues

Mysore Style Ashtanga

Self-paced practice. Students commit the Ashtanga practice to memory, and practice at their own pace, with teacher guidance. Much like a private lesson in a group setting, each student receives individual attention from the teacher and support and energy from the group.  Appropriate for all levels, new beginners to advanced.  Matthew Sweeney’s Moon Sequence can also be presented in a Mysore setting

Stacy Ingham, E-RYT 500

Stacy began her yoga journey with a 6-week intro to Ashtanga class in St Louis in 1998. She has been practicing ever since. She began teaching in the Triangle, North Carolina area in 2001.

Stacy has studied and practiced with many great teachers in the Ashtanga tradition, such as David Keil, Matthew Sweeney, Annie Pace, David Swenson, David Williams, Maty Ezraty, Chuck Miller, Taylor Hunt and Ross Stambaugh.

A dedicated student of David Garrigues since 2009, she has been apprenticing with him since 2014. David is one of the few teachers in the US certified to teach Ashtanga yoga by the late world renowned master Sri K Patthabi Jois.

Studying under David's expert guidance, Stacy has completed the 3rd Series of Ashtanga yoga, taken on a more serious study of the 8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga, and been inspired to share what she has learned with others.

She has learned over her years as a student and teacher that a strong foundation of body and mind, built and attended to with patience, persistence and an eye for details is key to a long-lasting and fruitful practice and study of yoga.

In 2015, after a decade of teaching Ashtanga out of her home and at various studios around the Triangle NC area, Stacy founded Ashtanga Yoga School Raleigh, which has welcomed many students and teachers and continues to thrive.

In 2024 Stacy is moving to Ghent, Belgium, and is passing AYSR along to Lorie Bird. Stacy will continue to offer her teachings online and at workshops as invited. She will also offer retreats and intensives as a way to continue sharing this practice in a safe, supportive and inspiring way to as many people as possible.

Workshops

1-2 days

Stacy can bring a variety of workshop modules together to form a weekend workshop for your community.  Options include, Mysore sessions, Guided Ashtanga classes, Asana workshop sessions, Intro to Ashtanga Pranayama, Vinyasa counting, Bandhas, and various discussion topics including Yoga Sutras and other Yoga texts.  Workshops are a great opportunity to slow the practice down and break it into smaller chunks.  This way students can explore more deeply and understand more clearly the actions required to develop a more meaningful, meditative practice

mysore intensives

week-long

Designed as an opportunity for new students to be introduced to the Mysore style of practicing Ashtanga yoga.  Experienced students will enjoy the time to deepen their practice, and connect with their greater Ashtanga community. Typically includes a workshop session to discuss guidelines and expectations in the Mysore room, and begin learning/breaking down the Sun Salutations - the foundation of the practice.  This session is followed by several days of Mysore classes, and ends with one Led Primary Series session and a short discussion.  These Intensives could be combined with a weekend workshop, and may also include Pranayama Sessions and/or Discussion sessions.

private lessons

One on one instruction

For those wanting dedicated individual instruction, either to address specific concerns or to ease into an Ashtanga practice.  $50/hour online; $100/hour in person.  Contact Stacy Ingham to schedule: info@stacyinghamyoga.com