Astanga Yoga Ottawa

I've been a yoga practitioner for more than 16 years and teaching for more than 7 of those years. I started practicing at Astanga Yoga Ottawa (AYO) in 2008 and I've been teaching there for the past 2 years.I've been in many yoga studios here in Ottawa and outside of Canada and although I have had some adjustments that I could classify as forceful in other places I have never had this experience at AYO. I have always found Janice and all the teachers at this studio to be very helpful, accepting, compassionate and respectful of students' limitations and abilities and although I can't speak for someone else and the experience they feel they had, I can say that a student's attitude about how they approach their practice and how they behave in class can have an effect, either negatively or positively, on their practice and the practice of those around them.If a student is expecting to be treated special or different from other students or to be overly indulged in class then AYO is not the studio to do this. However, if a student is interested in truly developing and deepening their practice in a culture and an environment that is accepting, nurturing and open from teachers who have experience and knowledge of the Astanga tradition, I feel AYO provides this.One of my first yoga teachers once said, Teaching is a privilege not a right". I feel this sentiment is well represented by Janice and all the teachers at AYO."

I have been practicing with AYO for well over a year now. The teachers here are well-trained, knowledgeable, and dedicated. They are all dedicated to their own practices, and it shows. Janice, the owner, is kind and generous - she has helped me to find a package that suits my needs and budget. Astanga yoga is more traditional than many other forms taught in studios today - which is a real treat, if you are a yogi who is searching for uncluttered, no big deal, practice. See you on the mat!

Ashtanga Yoga Ottawa is centrally located, clean, open early, and truly embraces the spirit of Ashtanga Yoga. If you are just starting yoga, this is the place for you. If you've had a daily practice for many years and never been, you've gotta come to AYO. When you arrive you will sense the strong ties to the Ashtanga Yoga tradition when you walk through the door. Led by Janice Rosco and a small select group of devoted amazing practitioners, some of who also teach, you'll find a level of teaching and learning second to none in Ottawa. Acceptance and challenge are on tap and served daily AYO, and for those in the know, or those looking to be taught how to gain everything they can from their practice, this is the place. For those just starting out even better! If you have questions about yoga, or would like to try it, fix your gaze towards AYO and check it out. Once you do, I guarantee you to will think, walking through the door at AYO was one of the best yoga moves anyone could ever make. I highly recommend Ashtanga Yoga Ottawa.

Best Astanga studio in Ottawa and the only studio that offers a daily Mysore practice. The teachers are all very knowledgeable and attentive. The practitioners, old and new, are very dedicated and a pleasure to practice with. Mysore is an awesome way to deepen your practice. I highly recommend this studio and if you are new to Mysore practice the 4 week Mysore unlimited package for $100 is an excellent choice: Two Mysore classes on weekends, Led Primary series early Friday mornings and all other non-Mysore drop-in classes during the week. Hari-Om :)

I've been going to this studio for about 3 years. I regularly attend the morning self-practice (mysore) classes as a student and I also teach here once a week. I have nothing but good things to say about this studio, the owner and all the other teachers here. For me the teachers here find a great balance between helping and guiding you in your practice and allowing you to discover things on your own. The community of people who go here are also pretty exceptional.

I've been practicing Astanga yoga here for 8 years and love it! The studio owner, Janice is possibly the most positive, welcoming person I've ever met. She and all the teachers here are incredibly knowledgable and supportive.

I had done some yoga years ago and recently decided to incorporate yoga into my training routine on a more permanent basis. I have many years experience training in various martial arts so i can tell a good instructor in any discipline. I have to say Janice and her team of instructors are very competant. They walk the talk. I highly recomment this studio to anyone serious about learning yoga

I’ve been practising at AYO for a few years now. My experience with this studio is definitely a positive one. All the teachers are very knowledgeable, easy to talk to, assists are always done taking into consideration a student’s specific needs whether it being a physical limitation, an injury or any other type of issue. The teachers work with the students to help them with their practice while also knowing when to give them space to progress on their own. People at the studio, teachers and students alike, are friendly and welcoming, which makes for a relaxing atmosphere to practice in.

Astanga Yoga Ottawa was the first yoga studio in the Ottawa area dedicated specifically to astanga yoga .  I’ve known the owner and founder, Janice Defilippi, since she first arrived in Ottawa.  Janice has an amazing wealth of knowledge, kindness and compassion gained through her own practice and her many trips to India where she studied under K. Pattabhi Jois.  Janice is an experienced teacher who has the ability to guide students deeper in their practice often with verbal instruction and gentle physical cues.  There a countless students whose practice would not be where it is today if it were not for AYO and JaniceI have been practicing yoga for well over 20 years, teaching for 8 or 9 years. I have practiced/studied in Canada, the US and many other places all over the world including repeated trips to Mysore India, home of Astanga.  Through these travels I have come to truly appreciate AYO, Janice, all the teachers at AYO; because of their dedication to the practice, and how each of them offers instruction and guidance, that my practice has evolved.Astanga yoga can be an intense, physical, mental and emotional experience for every practitioner/student.  The experience can be different for each person. Some people require more nurturing, compassion and attention than others. Some people prefer a hands-off approach and don't require much guidance, nothing more than a gentle touch or a brief explanation.  The most important thing that everyone needs to understand is that astanga is a personal practice.  The teacher can not do it for you.  Janice and her staff will help guide and motive you but after all is said and done, it is your practice and one will only get out of it what they are willing to put into it.  AYO and all the staff are second to none; I would recommend it to anyone interested in starting a practice or in moving their practice to a different level.

I was so thrilled when I found out that there's a yoga studio that offers Mysore class. Came with a friend one early Sunday morning for a drop-in. The sore receptionist (may I suggest Moola mantra to her) asked that we pay a $10 drop-in fee rather than $8 that appears on the site for new students (still does to this day). There were hardly any students there, perhaps 2, so it is not like we would have taken precious space or anything. She refused to honour the website price. With that kind of attituted I thought I want nothing to do with any business; so sad that this sort of dishonesty had to take place in a yoga studio.