" If you're looking for a truly unique and life changing practice, Mysore Ashtanga with Chad and Devorah is where it's at! Their personal dedication to the Ashtanga practice and ability to tailor it specifically to each individual is quite special. " --Brianna, a student at Mission Ashtanga
Mission Ashtanga is the most established traditional Mysore-Ashtanga Yoga program in San Francisco. It is run by Chad Herst and Devorah Sacks. Chad and Devorah are "arguably known as the best yoga teachers in San Francisco" (Vogue , September 2009) with extensive training and committed personal practices. Both have been students of this tradition since 1993. In addition, Chad and Devorah both have established healing practices outside of Ashtanga. Chad is a mind-body-life coach, acupuncturist, and herbalist and Devorah is a somatic therapist. As teachers, they draw upon their experience to inform the yoga practice, bringing a much appreciated depth to the teaching and capacity to support students in the process.
Both are fully committed to the tradition, but they also have created a space for the unique needs of each student in ways that are more expansive than that often experienced in traditional Ashtanga settings. Mission Ashtanga is for those who are ready to search inwardly, not unlike traditional forms of non-guided meditation. The self-paced practice provides a great opportunity to harness the healing powers of awareness directed to breath and body sensations.
"Devorah and Chad can take you through 3rd series and/or they will help you heal a bad knee or a broken heart. When you come to practice, they are always glad that you are there, and will be quickly attuned to your specific physical, spiritual, and emotional world. If you are a beginner, this is the most helpful and wise environment you will find in the Bay Area." --Josh, a student at Mission Ashtanga .
* Please visit One With Life for Stephanie Spence's interview with Chad Herst.
** Thank you Chad for the blog analogy to Hanuman's " devotion & courage . " It is an honor. http://www.herstwellness.com/blog.html
