Classes and Teachers

I am compiling a list of studios and teachers who offer ashtanga classes in Colorado. I’ve listed a few here, and am researching more, but in the meantime, if you know of any ashtanga classes, please drop me a line at yogagumbo (atsign) gmail (dot) com. If you are a yoga teacher and would like to be listed, let me know that as well. It’s a big state, and I know there are sometimes classes in community rec centers, etc. that are not easily found on the web. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Certified Teachers (Information on how teachers are certified can be found here.)

Annie Pace

With over 27 years of experience, Annie is one of the most adept practitioners of traditional Ashtanga yoga. She received her Advanced B teaching certification from Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in 1995 and continues to study extensively in India. She resides in the small mountain community of Crestone. Annie offers local community classes and custom retreat weekends for small groups in Crestone, as well as private instruction and national/ international workshops.

Richard Freeman

Richard Freeman has been a student of yoga since 1968. He has spent nearly nine years in Asia studying various traditions which he incorporates into the Ashtanga yoga practice taught by his principal teacher, K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. His background includes Zen and Vipassana Buddhist practice, Bhakti and traditional Hatha Yoga in India, Sufism in Iran and, starting in 1974, an in-depth study of Iyengar Yoga. He is still an avid student of both Western and Eastern philosophy, as well as Sanskrit. His ability to juxtapose various viewpoints, without losing the depth and integrity of each, has helped Richard develop a unique, metaphorical teaching style. He lives with his family in Boulder, Colorado where he is the director of the Yoga Workshop.

Studios Offering Ashtanga Classes

The Yoga Workshop, Boulder
Inner Connections Yoga, Castle Rock
Shakti Sharanam, Crestone
Urban Flow, Denver
Samadhi Yoga, Denver
Old Town Yoga, Fort Collins
Yoga Oasis, Littleton
Yoga Elements, Louisville
Inner Connections Yoga, Parker
Telluride Yoga Center, Telluride

Teachers

Carol Driste
Carol Driste has been practicing and teaching Ashtanga yoga for the past 16 years. She has studied with her teacher, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois both in India and the U.S. Carol’s gentle style of teaching encourages all levels of students. Carol can be reached at (303) 279-0858.

Ashlee Dunn
Ashlee Dunn began formal yoga studies in 1995. Her background includes training and certification in the Kripalu tradition and extensive studies in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. She has traveled to India twice for many months to study this form with Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath Rangaswamy. Ashlee settled in Colorado in 2000 and began studies with her primary yoga teacher Richard Freeman. She completed Richard’s teacher training in 2003 and currently teaches at The Yoga Workshop in Boulder. When not teaching she is practicing the true yoga of mothering. For more info check http://www.syamyoga.com. Ashlee is available to teach privates and semiprivates.

Joan Isbell
Joan Isbell has been practicing yoga for over 20 years.  After her initial exposure to the Ashtanga tradtion she was struck by how comprehensive and complete it felt.  She has studied extensively with Richard Freeman and Tim Miller, and she has made 3 pilgrimages to Mysore, India, to study with Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy.   Her sadhana also includes singing, chanting, and playing the harmonium.  She has been learning  Raga and the art of devotional singing from her music teacher Kabir since 2002.  http://ashtangayogadenver.com

Jan Ruscio
Jan has been practicing Ashtanga for 15 years and teaching for 10. She has studied with Tim Miller, Richard Freeman, Annie Pace, Graham Northfield and David Swensen, as well as Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. In 2003, she studied with Guruji in India. She teaches a beginner class on Thursday nights at Yoga Oasis in Littleton; it is set up as an eight week session and will start again July 12th. She also teaches on Monday nights in her home; drop-in is $10. Jan is also a licensed Five Element acupuncturist. Please contact Jan for more information at janruscio (atsign) yahoo (dot) com or 303-791-0582. http://janruscio.com