ABOUT
FREE BREATHING ASHTANGA YOGA
Free Breathing Ashtanga Yoga is a yoga community, established in Berlin since 2022.
It's origins date back over a decade, when founder - Ian Cheney (see bio) first began teaching Ashtanga Yoga in London.
After several years teaching globally, leading Mysore programmes in Australia, China and the Netherlands, Ian fulfilled his long term dream of setting up a new space for traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in Berlin.
For details on day/times see classes.​
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At FBAY we empower students to become independent. We are here to support and inspire your practice, but ultimately we want you to learn to be your own guru.
ASHTANGA YOGA
Ashtanga ('ash-tanga') literally means eight ('ashta') limbs ('anga').
Like many things from India, the exact origins of the Ashtanga Vinyasa system are somewhat shrouded in mystery. What we know is that it was taught by Sri T Krishnamacharya in the early part of the 20th Century at the Royal Palace in Mysore. One of his earliest and most devoted pupils was Sri K Pattahbi Jois, who was later responsible for bringing the Astanga system out to the rest of the world.
Ashtanga yoga is a system of combining postures (asana) with breath (pranayama) and movement in a controlled and synchronised way. This synchronicity of movement from posture to posture is what we call Vinyasa.
The word Vinyasa means 'to place' (vi) 'in a special way' (nyasa).
What characterises Ashtanga so distinctly is the focus on both strength and flexibility in a co-ordinated and balanced method. This means it is open and accessible to all, no matter what you are looking for from a yoga practice.
FREE BREATHING
Sometimes known at 'Ujjayi' breathing, free breathing with sound is the form of breath we use within the Ashtanga practice.
On a basic level, it's a small contraction of the throat muscles, still allowing for a free breath, but that contraction creates a deep rasping sound. This brings control to the breath and provides a stable core to the fluid Ashtanga practice.
THE STUDIO
In September 2024, Free Breathing Ashtanga Yoga relocated to our beautiful new home at Here & Now in Prenzlauerberg.
A bright, warm space to practice in the heart of the city. We offer showers, mats and other props as required.
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Located in a quiet Hof on Greifswalder Str., the studio is easily accessible by public transport: ​
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M4 (Hufeland Str.)
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M2 (Knaack Str.)
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M10 (Greifswalder Str. / Danziger Str.)
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For further location details, see the contact page