Ashtanga Studio Berlin

I started my practice at the Ashtanga Studio only four months ago. The almost daily morning practice ever since had quite an impact on my life. Despite having had my first practice during a full Saturday Mysore class, the teachers introduced me with care and patience to Ashtanga. Since then I was taught each Asana (Yoga pose) at the pace my body allowed and I owe my deepest gratitude to all the time, dedication and passion of each teacher. Even when I had minor troubles with my left knee, all teachers knew about it and adjusted the Asanas accordingly for me until it healed. I feel every teacher knows my body and its limitations. I feel safe and I trust every teacher to guide me a bit further, to breath deeper or to hold my strength firmer. I am still not practicing the entire Primary Series as each Asana gets taught when my strength and mind are ready. All my teachers know me by name, which shows me that the studio values individuality over mass teaching. Since I started the practice I saw slight changes in eating and sleeping habits, which came completely natural. The practice has become a new routine in my life that also influenced other habits. I've lived for 6 years in Asia and tried countless Yoga studios and attended numerous "Yoga" classes. When I joined the Ashtanga Studio Berlin I got the first glimpse of what I believe people mean when they speak about meaningful Yoga practice. Andrea's spirit and guidance shape the Studio and it's teaching style. I have so much to learn and I know I am only at the beginning of my journey. As long as I can, I will continue my practice under the guidance of the teachers at the Ashtanga Studio. The practice in my eyes requires dedication, discipline, passion and joy. I can feel it among all the regular students as well as teachers. It serves as a daily inspiration for me. Thank you Andrea, Astrid, Cathrin, Dragos, Gigi, Katrin, and Marie for becoming part of my life.

Amazing studio. Cathrin is a great teacher - she is kind, encouraging and dedicated to the advancement of each and every practitioner. Her instructions are very precise and somehow she is able to guide an entire group while correcting and helping individuals throughout the class. For this reason, I can’t recommend her classes highly enough. If you are looking for a yoga class in Berlin, this is the one you should attend!

I came in expecting highly experienced and compassionate yoga instructors which was partially what I got. However, the first time I came by, during the seated forward fold, the teacher pushed me down with all her weight, pulling BOTH my hamstrings so that I even had trouble walking for a week. I also observed how the teacher manually adjusted each student quite vigorously. I myself am a licensed yoga instructor who used to give lessons and have been to many different yoga schools and teachers and I have never experienced this anywhere. After this experience I still tried to give the school another shot trying different lessons but this particular teacher usually gives the only lessons I can attend regularly and I lost trust in the school. I believe that there may be great teachers at this place, but any practice that puts the pose over the students‘ health isn’t yoga. I hope this post encourages a dialogue that increases the school‘s safety or challenges the way the hired teachers understand safe practices.

The best studio where I have ever practiced in Berlin! I went through different injuries (not because of yoga!) since I started to practiced in this studio, and have always been supported and guided from the teachers who helped me with their upmost experience and empathy... letting me feel always safe in my practice! I can only be grateful for this place and its teachers!

This is the real deal. I have been to many Ashtanga shalas in the world, but nowhere have I found this blend of relentless intensity and focus on the practice, with a warm, welcoming community and a pressure- and ego-free atmosphere. Andrea and her team teach in the tradition of Nancy Gilgoff and Manju Jois, emphasizing flow and breath over geometric perfection. Showing off is actively discouraged. No two bodies nor two minds are alike, and here the teachers want to help you with yours, instead of insisting that everybody must accomplish certain benchmark feats before progressing. Whether you can't reach your toes or you float through third series on one hand doesn't make a difference here, what counts is devotion to the practice and focus. One thing that really sets this place apart from pretty much any other yoga studio I know is the amount of communication among teachers: If Andrea wants you to work on a specific element of your practice, if Cathrin showed you a particular modification for an Asana you struggle with, if you told Astrid about a new injury, chances are that all other teachers will know about it and incorporate it in their teaching. This place has been around for nearly 15 years now, and it is easy to see why. Yes, it is a little more expensive than other Yoga studios, but if you are serious about building a healthy, holistic, long-term Ashtanga practice, Andrea is the teacher you are looking for.

I have been practicing seriously ashtanga yoga since 2007, but ever since I entered this shala (in 2011) I became fully dedicated to the teachings of K. Pattabhi Jois. They are correctly transmitted through the teachers here and I feel blessed to have found this place in between many other studios who claim to teach the way K. Pattabhi Jois did, but don't. If you follow the authentic ashtanga way, this is the place to visit. There are different teachers with great personalities and I enjoy learning from each of them. I have also received valuable support through the years I been visiting this studio by the owner and want to express my gratitude for her understanding kind heart. Also other worldly known ashtanga teachers visit yearly this studio and work shops better be booked on time. Do your practice and all is coming.

This is the real thing. Classical Yoga in the Ashtanga tradition, as taught by Krishnamacharya and Pattabhi Jois, whose son Manju P. Jois is coming to the studio every year. There is no better recommendation than that. The wonderful teachers are all trained in Mysore. Lucky you, if you learn your yoga there.

Not recommendable as a drop-in studio. Instructor did not display empathy and the necessary quality of loving-kindness as basis of her speech/mode of instruction. Probably easier to cope with once one has adjusted to the teaching style in this particular studio. The Asana practice was technically well modeled, instructors seem technically well established in the traditional ashtanga vinyasa method. Update on 13 March 2018: The owner's response below speaks for itself. I had actually sent an email to the owner explaining this feedback and never received a response. To be very clear, the only expectation I had was to be treated kindly and with compassion. Instead, I was yelled at by the instructor. The Dalai Lama says: “Compassion is not a religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.” I crafted this feedback very carefully. It is not overall negative. Perhaps the owner wishes to read it again and "listen" to understand. It is an opportunity to learn. The owner should also kindly know such feedback may always be revised.

The energy of the studio is lovely and so positive. I practice in the evenings, both Cathrin and Astrid have guided me and helped me grow in my practice in the few months since I joined. I really recommend this shala.

The teachers are super kind and professional. They really make me feel I am not stupid and I can make it. It is my second time starting yoga and I can’t recommend a better place to do it.

I have tried many yoga schools over the past 10 years and found the studio I want to stay in here. Firstly because the teachers are very competent, secondly because I have found a community in which I feel comfortable. Many of the students come very regularly, so they give their practice a lot of weight in their everyday lives. That also motivates me, even though I can't currently keep the same rhythm between work and small children at home. Of course, I also have my favorite teachers in the studio. So far I really feel like I'm in good hands with everyone. Luckily, because I would find it very exhausting to devote the rest of my life to practicing with certain teachers. Regarding yoga: traditional asthanga is taught. Mysore style, i.e. everyone practices at their own pace and at their own level. Many students are very advanced. Not me. I think it's nice that I obviously feel comfortable enough not to develop false ambitions and to stay where I can practice well and always have new experiences.

A wonderful yoga studio with wonderful and very experienced teachers who know each student very well and always keep an eye on their needs and special features. The energy that flows during the time in the Mysore class is just magical and utterly fulfilling. I have been practicing at Ashtanga Studio for over 7 years and I always come back full of longing. It's a part of me and my personal practice - if I haven't been there for a long time I get really homesick! Thank you Andrea, Cathrin, Astrid, Dragos, Marie, Gigi and Kathi!

The Ashtanga Studio Berlin is something very special. Without the morning practice in this beautiful place, the day is only half as beautiful. The teachers give excellent adjustments and always have good tips when I have problems with my knee or lower back. Plus, everyone is super fun and nice! Thank you for being there and Happy New Year!