Teacher Details

AKASHA ELLIS became a student of the renown master teacher of Kundalini yoga, Yogi Bhajan, at the age of 11.  This initiation with his teacher sparked his life-long quest to grow, learn and experience life through his body, mind and spirit.  He studied and practiced both martial arts and yoga throughout his teens and at 16 he was given an opportunity to complete his secondary studies and travel throughout India.  Following his return to the US at 18, and by the direction of his teacher, Yogi Bhajan, Akasha began teaching Kundalini yoga and martial arts.

During his college years he was introduced to and began his studies of Ayurveda under Dr. Vasant Lad in New Mexico.  This was a truly healing experience.  The life style changes recommended by Dr. Lad offered Akasha a simple and complete method to begin balancing his life through his daily practice.

In his twenties, while living and working in India, Akasha began studying Ashtanga yoga with Pattabhi Joi’s nephew, Vishwanath.  Through the daily practice of Ashtanga Akasha personally experienced the healing and recovery of a chronic sports-related injury, affirming Akasha’s commitment to share this practice with others.  He continued his study of Ashtanga while teaching the system when he returned to the US in his early thirties, and became certified by American Ashtanga teacher, David Swenson, in 2002.  Akasha has been leading yoga classes around the country and in India for over twenty years and is a registered E-RYT-500 level with Yoga Alliance.      

Akasha owns his own business and is involved in several outsourcing ventures between American and Indian companies.  He maintains a strong personal yoga practice (sadhana) that combines the daily practice of pranayama, mantra, meditation,  Kundalini and Ashtanga asana (Primary, Secondary and Third Series).  As Akasha believes “a teacher must teach what they know”, his classes reflect his personal approach and will include the traditions of Kundalini and classical Ashtanga for a heart-centered class that will leave the student toned, stretched, centered and open, from the inside out.

Akasha's schedule is flexible, as he divides his time between Birmingham, Virginia and India.  He can be reached via email at akasha@eastwindenterprise.com.

When in town, he is available for private lessons, and when teaching public classes, his classes are held at Birmingham Yoga Studio at First Ave Rocks (2417 1st ave south), Jewish Community Center (JCC), Oaks on Parkwood.  Cost is $13/walk in and 4-8 class packages are offered.  Mysore Class pass between July 20 through August 7 will cost $54.  Or you can use your Class pass.

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All of Akasha's Classes in July & Aug are being held at our Studio, Birmingham Yoga Studio at First Ave Rocks Indoor Climbing Gym (2417 1st ave South, Birmingham, AL) unless mentioned next to the time below. 
 

Mon:  6:00-8:00pm Ashtanga Primary and 2nd Series(student should know full primary series).  Classes may be full please call and inquire.  Class is held at Birmingham Yoga at 1st Ave Rocks.

Tue:  6:30-8:00pm Ashtanga Beginners level 1  Coming in Sept

Tue:  10:00-11:00am Senior Chair Yoga.  Great for seniors please call before attending.  Note:  Classes are held the 1st and 3rd tuesday of each month at Oaks on Parkwood.

Wed:  7:00-9:00am Mysore

Wed:  9:45am-11:00am Ashtanga Led Level 1 and 2

Thursday:  6:30-8:00pm Ashtanga Beginners Level 1.  Coming in Sept

Friday:  7:00-9:00am Mysore

Friday: 9:45-11:00am Ashtanga Led Level 1 and 2.

Akasha also leads workshops and retreats throughout the year.  We post these on our web site and include them in our email newsletter.

Ashtanga & Kundalini Yoga Meditation Retreat in Guatemala w/ Akasha Ellis Feb 20-27th 2010 to learn more click here

Description of Classes taught by Akasha

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga: Is based on the primary, intermediate and advanced series as taught by K. Pattabhi Jois. This type of yoga links postures with the movement of breath bringing balance, strength and flexibility to our physical, mental and spiritual bodies.

    Level 1: are appropriate for beginners and more experienced students. Sun Salutations, standing postures, and some basic seated postures from the primary series. Modifications are given.
    Level 2: Is for students who have a basic understanding of the Ashtanga system. Shoulder Stand, Full backbend, and headstand maybe included.
    Mixed Level: is for students again who have a basic understanding of the Ashtanga System. Some postures from the 2nd and 3rd series maybe included not for beginners.

    Ashtanga Mysore Class: is geared towards students who are looking to expand their own personal practice. In order to attend a Mysore class the student must have a basic understanding of the Ashtanga system. In order to    that do that a student usually can complete a min 10 session beginners series in Ashtanga and then be in a position to attend a Mysore class.
During Mysore Classes the student works individually, with guidance and adjustments from a teacher on the Ashtanga series of postures. Students learn to develop a self guided, flowing practice that combines breath, body and mind for both a physical and meditative experience. Students work independently, so a basic understanding of the Ashtanga system (coordination of breath with movement) and a basic understanding of self practice are required.

    Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini can be thought of energy. When the Kundalini at the base of the spine is opened the prana (life force) and apana (eliminative force) travelling through the pingala and ida nadi meet at the base of the spine where the Sushmuna nadi originates and travels up the Sushmuna nadi channel along the spine criss-crossing and awakening each chakra to the crown chakra. When practicing a kundalini asana or set of asanas we give a specific breath in each pose to initiate the energy to move upwards. These sets or kriya’s are done in conjunction with a specific breath(pranayama), posture and sometimes mantra and mudras. The emphasis is on breathing, meditation and chanting.  Origin of these sets are from Yogi Bhajan. 

    Meditation and Kirtan: will be offered using certain healing chants(mantra's) and Breathing exercises (the origin of most of the meditations are from Yogi Bhajan).

akasha@eastwindenterprise.com

 

Akasha Ellis E-RYT 500

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