Ashtanga Yoga Ein-Karem
Yoga Shala in Ein Karem
The Shala
Yoga Shala in the heart of the picturesque village of Ein-Karem on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
Since 2014 the Shala has offered a calm, steady, and welcoming space for the traditional practice of Ashtanga Yoga, a deep, precise, and therapeutic practice that views yoga as a complete way of life.
Ashtanga yoga is a structured, consistent method in which movements are synchronized precisely with the breath (inhale and exhale), focused gaze (drishti), and rooted alignment, resulting in a meditative, strengthening, and healing practice.
The classes are suitable for practitioners at every age and level, beginners and experienced students, young and old, whether flexible or not.
There are two types of traditional classes in the Shala:
Mysore-style: a self-led practice with personalised guidance, taught one-on-one in a group setting, and an individualised pace.
Teacher-led group classes.
Ashtanga Yoga
The concept of Ashtanga Yoga appears in the ancient text “Yoga Sutra,” attributed to Patanjali, and is a foundational principle in the philosophical framework of yoga.
“Ashtanga Yoga” means “the eight limbs of yoga.” The word Ashtanga is composed of two Sanskrit words: ashtau = eight, anga = limb.
These eight limbs are ethical and spiritual guidelines for both practice and the way of life cultivated by the yogi.
Asana, the practice of postures, is the third limb. It is preceded by Yama and Niyama, which outline ethical codes and external and internal restraints.
Following it are Pranayama (control of the breath), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and the eighth limb, Samadhi: a state of unity, clarity, and cessation of the fluctuations of the mind, in which the true nature of the self is revealed.
The first four limbs are attained through conscious and consistent physical practice, and form the foundation for the purification of the body and mind. The last four limbs arise naturally and spontaneously as a result of the yogic path.
The physical practice of the Ashtanga sequence, with precise coordination of movement and breath, serves as a gateway to deeper work with the breath, the senses, concentration, and awareness, allowing for a natural movement toward clarity and stability.
Teachers
Mika
I practice and teach traditional Ashtanga Yoga daily and am certified to teach by Maya Gross.
Movement has always been an important part of my life. I came to yoga from a background in modern and classical dance, and choosing Ashtanga Yoga felt very natural to me.
My daily practice, both on and off the mat, is a tool for observation, pausing, learning, and cultivating a deep connection with myself and my surroundings.
I teach in a way that is accessible to all levels while maintaining the integrity of the traditional practice, the precision of the vinyasas, and an individualised approach for each practitioner in the shala.
For me, teaching is a way to faithfully pass on what I have received from my teachers, together with the knowledge I continue to gain through my own daily practice.
I have found my way to share my love of the practice with others. While working as an instructor in a day center for individuals on the autism spectrum, I taught yoga classes there and had the opportunity to make the practice accessible to people with disabilities. It was a very meaningful experience, through which I witnessed how yoga truly is for everyone.
I teach Ashtanga Yoga classes in the shala in Ein-Karem and in additional studios in Jerusalem.
Nira
I practice and teach Ashtanga Yoga in my Shala in Ein-Karem, and I also offer Ayurvedic massage therapy.
I teach traditional Ashtanga Yoga classes almost every day, Mysore-Style sessions as well as led group classes.
I hold an M.A. in East Asian Studies, Chinese Studies, and Anthropology from the Hebrew University. After many years working in technological and business research, I returned to my long-standing love of yoga and was trained to become an Ashtanga Yoga teacher.
I was introduced to the world of yoga about three decades ago, and from the very first Ashtanga Yoga class, I knew this was my path. For that, I am deeply grateful to my dedicated teachers over the years, all of whom have been filled with passion and a strong sense of purpose.
I was trained at Maya Gross Ashtanga Yoga Tel Aviv school, and earlier with Gilad and Miri Haruvi,
I continue to study with international senior teachers through workshops, trainings, and retreats.
In my classes, I teach in a gradual and methodical way, with careful attention to vinyasa counting and to the precise synchronisation of breath and movement as a therapeutic tool.
The teaching in the studio connects the practice to all eight limbs of yoga as outlined by Patanjali, and to their application in daily life beyond the mat.
I am also familiar with other yoga systems such as Iyengar, Shadow Yoga, Vijnana Yoga, and Vinyasa Yoga, and in recent years I have been deepening my study of Raja Yoga and Yoga Therapy.
In addition, I offer Ayurvedic massage, an ancient therapeutic technique from traditional Indian medicine that promotes balance and harmony in body and mind. Through slow massage with warm oils applied along the body’s energetic channels and points, it supports the release of blockages, detoxification, and relief from tension and pain.
We are here almost every day to practice together, to breathe, soften, and observe.
You are warmly invited to join us just as you are, to deepen your journey in yoga and to find your space for consistent practice, quiet exploration, and building an ongoing connection with the yogic path in Ein Karem.
