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Shala is a word in Sanskrit meaning ‘home’. A yoga shala is a home where yoga is shared and experienced. Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a method of Hatha Yoga that harmonizes movement and breath. Practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga gives you flexibility, strength, stamina, and ultimately a focused and tranquil mind.

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At Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Shala, we teach traditional yoga methods led by dedicated and experienced teachers. Our aim is to create a welcoming environment that offers the tools for cultivating a sustainable approach to mind and body wellness. To ensure a personal learning experience, our classes are intentionally kept small, with a maximum of 10 participants.

 

Inspired by the teachings of Krishnamacharya, we prioritize an individualized approach, respecting both the tradition of the practice and the unique needs of each student. Our intention is to guide and support you in building a sustainable yoga practice that honors your body, mindset, lifestyle, and abilities.

 

We believe that a balanced asana practice combines flexibility, alignment, and strength, contributing to overall mobility, clarity of mind, and physical health. Yoga, as we understand it, is the capacity to direct the mind with focus and presence. In our teaching, we find that beginning with the physical body is often the most accessible way to experience this. Asanas, the physical postures, serve as a foundation to the broader system of yoga, preparing the body and mind for seated meditation. Beyond asana, we encourage students to explore the additional limbs of yoga, such as Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, and Dhyana.

 

In the tradition of Ashtanga Yoga, practitioners engage in practice six days a week, with rest on Saturdays or Sundays, and on the New and Full Moon days. At Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Shala, classes are offered on Sunday from 10:30-12:00, and Monday to Friday from 06:30-08:30.

 

We currently teach the Primary and Intermediate Series of Ashtanga Yoga, with no instruction yet in the Advanced Series.

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CLASSES ARE GUIDED BY JESSICA LUDÄSCHER                          

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"Yoga and spirituality has been a theme throughout Jessica’s childhood and naturally she found her way back to the Yoga practice upon moving to The Netherlands. Inspired by the principles of Ayurveda, Jessica’s classes reflect largely upon balance and being mindful in ones daily practice, as well as the importance of consistency and discipline; themes that have run constant in her life, as well as her practice." * Ayurveda is a holistic tradition and way of living, Ayurveda is the sister science of Yoga

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I'm often asked about my background, so here’s a brief overview of my journey into yoga and my teaching philosophy.

I was raised on the south coast of Kenya by my Swiss mother, who introduced me to various spiritual concepts at an early age. My yoga journey began around the age of twelve when I started practicing Ashtanga and Hatha intermittently. In 2011, I moved to the Netherlands and spent a year in Amsterdam exploring Kundalini Yoga, which reignited my desire to teach. I completed my first teacher training from 2013 to 2014, initially for personal growth. Kundalini Yoga, known as 'the yoga of awareness,' was a necessary foundation for me.

After my training, I attended an Ashtanga Led class, which profoundly resonated with me. This experience led me to daily Mysore classes and set the course for my future practice. Over the years, I’ve been privileged to travel to India, assist my teachers, and learn from many renowned and lesser-known instructors. Although I don’t like to name-drop, feel free to ask if you're curious about specific influences.

In 2018, I faced a significant challenge due to a physical injury and burnout from an intense practice routine and lifestyle. This period prompted me to study Yoga Therapy (350 hours), focusing on the mind-body connection, Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Ayurveda, and the muscular-skeletal and cardiovascular-respiratory systems. I adopted a more educational and mindful approach to both my practice and teaching.

I'm immensely grateful to all the teachers, both in-person and online, who have shared their knowledge and influenced my practice. My current teaching is primarily inspired by Manju Jois and Tara Mitra.

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