ATHA draws inspiration from the first verse of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra:
“atha yoga-anu-śāsanam…” Roughly translated, this means, “Here, now, is the practice of yoga…”
ATHA signifies “Nowness.” Mark Whitwell interprets it beautifully as, “You are here now!” This is very encouraging because it implies that everything we are and our reality as we experience it is right now – in the present moment; not in the past or in the future but “now.”
As teachers AND students of yoga, the “now” element is essential to our practice and understanding of this remarkable system of living, moving, and being. Yoga is an ancient tradition but also a living discipline. That means it is experienced in this very moment - in this body, this environment, this life. Since the only constant in life is change, yoga is always a reflection of who we are in this moment.
“Yoga attempts to create a state in which we are always present - really present – in every action, in every moment”
TKV Desikachar
Rooted in the teachings and traditions of Sri Krishnamacharya, his son T.K.V Desikachar, and Leslie Kaminoff (founder of “The Breathing Project” in NYC with 40+ years of experience as a professional yoga and breath anatomy educator and also a student in this tradition), ATHA was created to appreciate and explore Yoga in all its dimensions and to make the principles of Yoga practice more accessible to a wider audience.
At ATHA, we are dedicated to supporting, encouraging and empowering each student to find their personal practice through exploration, curiosity and confidence. Our approach aligns with that of T.K.V. Desikachar, who taught that yoga is meant to be adapted to the individual.
Honouring this approach, we encourage individualized practice even within a group setting Through the lessons of our own movement and breath, every practitioner is able to recognize the fluidity of their body and mind as perfectly fluctuating. Our personal practice can change moment to moment. Breathing and moving becomes the entry point for this self-knowledge and attunement, which goes far beyond “poses.”
Yoga is not an expression of form for others to watch, but a practice to watch ourselves and our actions. – TKV Desikachar