Ashtanga Authorisation 1980 - Present. Includes first ONLINE teaching list (Ashtanga.com 2004) and first AYRI teachers list (2008).

Post originally from Mar 2006

Updated.

scroll half way down the post to the 2018 update on Mark Robberds

This post will become a permanent page at the top of the blog, a work in progress attempt to chart the development of the Ashtanga Authorisation process alongside my other pages on Ashtanga Vinyasa History.

1980

"Guruji gathered us together for one final meeting. At this gathering he told us which westerners he felt were qualified to teach. It was a fairly short list—David, Brad, Nancy, Gary, and a few others. Since Brad had decided to move to Maui, he wanted me to take over his school in Encinitas. He asked Guruji, “What about Tim?” Guruji looked perplexed and said, “Who?” “Tim,” Brad repeated, and pointed at me. “Oh, that man,” Guruji replied, and studied me for a moment. “Yes, that man is some better, okay.”

And so, on the magical island of Maui in December of 1980, Guruji reluctantly granted me permission to teach. One stipulation was that I was to send him Guru Dakshina (one tenth of my earnings as a yoga teacher) every month. It seemed a small price to pay for his blessing".
Tim Miller 'Dust'.

2016

"This past Sunday during the final panel discussion of the 2016 Ashtanga Yoga Confluence, a question was asked about the concept of Parampara and how it is interpreted in the Ashtanga tradition. David Swenson reminded all of us that Guruji’s own eldest son, Manju, was present in the room, and if anyone could be considered the true lineage holder it would be him. Everyone in the room stood up and gave Manju an ovation. It was a very moving moment. I looked over at Dena and saw her eyes welling up with tears just like mine. Manju was very gracious and said that as far as he was concerned, all of us sharing the stage with him and countless other teachers throughout the world are all part of the Parampara.

He explained that his father was very generous with his teachings—that his primary concern was with the practice spreading throughout the world because of his firm conviction that Ashtanga Yoga is the very best thing one can do to insure physical, mental, and spiritual health."
Tuesdays with Timji

This from KPJAYI Certified Ashtanga teacher Mark Robberds on fb today addressed to the Yoga community

"Dear yoga community,

This is my Certification from KPJAYI or AYRI as it was called back then. I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but this is the only institute in the world that can 'Certify' Ashtanga teachers in the lineage of Sri K Pattabhi Jois. I am writing this because I've noticed that there are a lot of people selling Ashtanga Teacher Trainings to unknowing students out there. I have devoted the greater part of the last 20 years to this practice and tradition, for more than 15 years almost every dollar that I have earned I have put into my continuing education and study with my teachers. I am not alone in this: I have seen thousands of dedicated practitioners pouring their heart and soul into this practice day after day and year after year.

I am by no means a perfect human being, so I cannot throw the first stone - but I feel a need to voice my opinion about this since I've noticed that there are students going to Mysore and practicing with Sharath, and then going and running these Ashtanga Teacher Trainings. First of all, there are so many long time students that I know who could not get into the shala this year because it was too full - so those people are taking the place of others that are actually students of Sharath, and not just going to Mysore to get their photo taken outside of the shala, and then claiming to be Ashtanga teachers. Secondly, by 'Certifying' students you are making the word 'Certified' a joke, and you are lying to the students who are paying you.

Call it something else - Hatha, Vinyasa, Power, or clarify that you are teaching Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga philosophy, but don't mislead people by calling it an Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training.

I know there is a want and need for people to deepen their studies, so I would recommend you to go to the teachers who have been teaching for 20 years or more, like Richard Freeman, Tim Miller, Dena Kingsberg to name just a few. Don't go to these opportunists who are running a business out of the trainings - because no one can teach you to be an Ashtanga teacher overnight. It takes more than that. You need to be a student first and practice at the source or with teachers connected the lineage".

If you are a friend of Mark's on fb he includes a very cool photo of his certification that looks more 1970 than 2010.

I am very much in agreement with Mark's last paragraph but while I too feel that what characterises our practice of Ashtanga vinyasa is a dedicated daily practice over a period of years I do not feel that KPJAYI should have sole authority to Authorise teachers on behalf of the Ashtanga community ,which is the subject of my post below.

******

UPDATE 1
2018

This from Mark Robberds on fb today ( I just checked, he posted this on his public page as well as his personal page).

Mark Robberds 9 hrs ·
"To end any speculation as to why I have been taken of the KPJAYI list I feel the need to tell my story. In April last year I noticed I had been taken off the list and then a friend informed me that there were rumours going around about it. I wrote to Usha in June to ask if it was true and she replied that, “Yes, we have been told that you are not teaching traditionally and mixing in different things and we are waiting for you to explain yourself”. I wrote back saying that I am teaching 5 days a week Mysore classes and one Led class per week. I teach chanting and philosophy and technique workshops to help students better understand the postures”. She wrote back saying, “Ok, I will inform Sharath.” The next thing I knew I was back on the list.
So, I’m not surprised that I am now off the list again, as anyone who reads my social media posts would know that I am sharing more than only traditional (KPJAYI) Ashtanga Yoga. So, I’m ok with it, as it is Sharath’s shala and his call. Of course it saddens me because I had such a good connection with him and I have so many fond memories of the times I had as his student. However I don’t agree with everything that is taught, for example I don’t believe that ‘catching’ your ankles or knees in a backbend should be a requirement. I also believe that just as we modify the practice for pregnant women or for disabled people, we need to modify the practice in some way, and address dysfunctional movement patterns in almost all individuals because we all come to the practice with imbalances - otherwise people end up getting injured and leave the practice feeling bitter. All I’ve ever tried to do is help my students practice in a more intelligent and sustainable way so that they can continue to enjoy the practice and integrate it into the rest of their lives for their lifetime. But, I accept that Sharath doesn’t have to agree with my approach, and therefore I accept his decision and I will move forward with no hard feelings. I will continue to share all that I can in the best way that I can and I hope that some of you will continue to practice with me despite what has happened. I also hope that there will be no ill feelings towards/from my friends in Mysore who continue to practice with Sharath and of course no ill will between Sharath and myself. In the end we are all doing the best we can in this life. Big love to all. ❤️ "

Just to illustrate the above...

And screenshots taken from May-June 2017 using Way back machine (internet Archive)

https://web.archive.org/

Just by glancing at the certified teachers in RED we can see that Dena Kingsberg, Mark Robberds, Ian Clarke, David Roche and John Scott are no longer on the list, and this is just to mention Certified teachers on the Australia and new Zealand region page.

If you are inclined to go through the other pages using way back machine, visit https://web.archive.org/ then paste in http://kpjayi.org/teachers-directory/asia/ Click on one of the dates from perhaps the end of last year, (30th December 2017 for example) then visit the other regions on the page that comes up - I might do this myself and add the screenshots to an appendix), feel free to add names you notice that have been removed in the comments section to this post.

In the next few days/weeks I intend to include quotes by the early teachers, from different sources, relating to how they first received blessing to teach directly from Pattabhi Jois (beginning with the quote at the top of the post from Tim Miller).

Around the time of Pattabhi Jois' passing all teachers of Ashtanga were requested to send in their Authorisation letters or those letters by Pattabhi Jois giving his blessing to teach to have them replaced with new Authorisation letters on the new letterhead

"All authorised teachers are requested to send their original authorisation letters to AYRI in exchange for official authorisation letters on AYRI letterhead. AYRI will then notify Ashtanga.com of the teachers' names that can be re-listed on Ashtanga.com".

This was perhaps the first souring of the Ashtanga teacher authorisation process. It may go back further however, to the move from a general letter of blessing from Pattabhi Jois to a more formal Authorisation from the institute in the late 90s

"In addition to receiving certification or authorisation to teach, you are required to teach Ashtanga Yoga in the TRADITIONAL FORMAT. The traditional format consists of daily classes in the Mysore style in correct sequential order and without deviation from the traditional form of the asanas as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, South India. The traditional format includes the practices outlined in the Yoga Mala, Astanga Yoga by Lino Miele, and Ashtanga Yoga by John Scott. Explicitly indicate on your website and brochures that such traditional Ashtanga Yoga is offered". 2004

Currently I'm hearing unofficially that Authorisation follows a minimum of three extended visits to Mysore and a cost of more than a $1000 dollars paid to the institute for an authorisation letter which will expire after 2 years? I've heard Certification costs between $2000 and $4000.

There seems to be a growing consensus of opinion among many that there needs to be a reevaluation of the Ashtanga Authorisation process.

The first AYRI ONLINE teachers list (2004) has 133 teachers mentioned

The current (2016) KPJAYI list has 547 teachers mentioned
(Africa -2, Asia-113, Australia and NZ- 40, Central and South America-26, Europe-131, North America-235)

( I'm hoping that under a promise of anonymity some recently authorised teachers may get in touch with me to reveal the ACTUAL cost of authorisation and certification to give a more up-to-date accurate figure as well as the cost of renewal, is it $1000 to renew your letter of authorisation each year, if so KPJAYI would supposedly be raking in $250,000 a year in renewal fees and growing all the time.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ashtanga.com picked up on the dramatic increase in teacher authorisation between 2002 and 2006

see http://ashtanganews.com/2008/08/14/changes-in-ashtanga-teacher-standards/

"Here we take a close look at the trend in Ashtanga yoga teachers during the past four years. It looks like the number of Ashtanga yoga teachers, authorized or certified by the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute grew by 179% from February 2002 to December 2006 (which means that we underestimated student growth earlier).

Not only that, but it also seems that the rate of teacher authorizations is increasing.

Number of teachers authorized or certified by AYRIDo you detect a trend?

This data comes from Ashtanga.com’s monthly newsletters which publishes new teachers’ names every month – we looked at all the newsletters from March 2002 until December 2006.

The total number of authorized Ashtanga teachers was 176 (including 34 certified teachers) as of December 29, 2006. Since early 2002, a total of 113 new teacher authorizations have been announced on Ashtanga.com".

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My personal feeling is that the KPJAYI can no longer claim that only authorisation by the institute is valid.

"The list on this website constitutes the official record of teachers approved by the KPJAYI, which is the only authority able to authorise or certify individuals to teach the ashtanga yoga method as taught by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and R. Sharath. There are no teacher training programs approved by this Institute under any name (e.g., Ashtanga Teacher Intensive); teachers that are listed on this website are experienced practitioners and dedicated students who have shown a considerable degree of proficiency and appreciation of ashtanga yoga in its traditional form and who continue to study regularly at the KPJAYI."

KPJAYI's authorisation should be recognised as a letter of approval by THAT institute to teach on THEIR behalf rather than the only authority to grant authorisation, similar institutes, schools and programs of excellence around the world, led by senior teachers should perhaps be instigating their own programs of teacher training, mentoring and teacher development leading to approval to teach in their name that carries equal standing ( in many ways this is happening already).

I lean towards returning to the criteria and values represented by the Ashtanga.com referral teachers listing this was the list originally employed by AYRI until around 2007

Referral Teacher Listings on Ashtanga.com

"To obtain a teacher directory listing on Ashtanga.com, you must be referred by a senior Ashtanga yoga teacher who is listed on Ashtanga.com.

The determination of whether a person may be considered a "senior Ashtanga yoga teacher," for the limited purpose of referring junior teachers to the Ashtanga.com teacher list, is based on multiple factors, including: the number of years of consistent Ashtanga yoga practice and study with a teacher; which teacher (e.g., Sri K. Pattabhi Jois); special certifications within the lineage; number of years teaching Ashtanga yoga; works created (e.g., articles, books, videos, CDs and other instructional aids, yoga schools); and general standing within the yoga community. - full criteria HERE

The current Ashtanga.com list can be found here http://ashtanga.com/html/classes.html

But perhaps David Swenson had a better idea. At this years (2016) Ashtanga Yoga Confluence he (perhaps only half jokingly) suggested that rather, all students should be sent on a certification course to recognise good teachers rather than trusting in a piece of paper of authorisation.

*

One suggestion

Bring together all the members of the Ashtanga Yoga Confluence panel from the last few years, forming a panel of trustees for a nonprofit International Ashtanga Federation. Approval to teach is given by the federation (for a nominal administration fee) to those who have practiced Ashtanga for a significant period and shown, perhaps through assisting, mentorship, or apprenticeship programs or course or past teaching experience that that they can pass on the practice safely and with integrity.

Other senior teachers will be encouraged to join the federation recommending perhaps students of their own who have already been through such a period of apprenticeship of have perhaps already been teaching.

Supposedly Lino Miele had the same idea a few years back and tried to set up a Federation of Ashtanga Centres.

"In 1993, he (Lino Miele) created the Federation of Astanga Yoga Centres with a few other dedicated students". http://www.linomiele.com/?pagina=aboutlino.php

Unfortunately he set a fee of 100-150 US$ to be affiliated per year and the idea never took off.

I feel it's important that any future federation be nonprofit with free affiliation (sell T-Shirts to cover administration if necessary) and with a board of respected trustees to remove any suggestion of centralisation.

NOTE: I'm just a home practitioner (9 yrs this month) and blogger living in rural Japan with no particular desire or intention to formally teach Ashtanga vinyasa, either now or in the future. I look forward however to more informed debate and discussion on the topic from others more qualified than I to do so.

“I get it. Working this system is like counting dog years. 7 years of human practice = 1 ashtanga year.” Stanka Kordic

So my nine years is like a year and a bit in Ashtanga years, which puts it in perspective.

APPENDIX

1. First ONLINE mention of the cost of studying at AYRI - Dec 2001

2. First mention ONLINE of Authorisation process - Ashtanga.com - Jan 2004

Includes request for all teachers to sent in their Authorization letters to be replaced/renewed

"Starting in January 2003, the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute will issue NEW official authorization letters to authorized Ashtanga Yoga teachers. All authorized teachers are requested to send their original authorization letters to AYRI in exchange for official authorization letters on AYRI letterhead. AYRI will then notify Ashtanga.com of the teachers' names that can be re-listed on Ashtanga.com. Failure to turn in your original authorization letter may result in removal from the teachers' list."

3. First ONLINE List of teachers - Ashtanga.com Jan 2004

(basis of the AYRI list)

4. First AYRI Authorisation details mentioned on AYRI website - May 2007

5. First AYRI ONLINE Authorised/Certified List - 22 Aug 08

1. Ashtanga Yoga Nilayam 15 dec 01

If you'd like to attend classes at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore please write to:
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois 876/1 First Cross Laxmipuram, 570004 Mysore  Karnataka, India
Please include your full name, home address, arrival date, and duration of your stay.
The class fees are $350 US per month, with a $200 registration fee the first month. Please allow for a minimum stay of one month, however three months are recommended in order to have time to learn the practice properly. Food and lodging are not provided, but there are good hotels and restaurants nearby.

***

2. Authorized Teachers
Teachers' Listings on Ashtanga.com updated January 2004

The procedure for obtaining a teacher's listing on Ashtanga.com is outlined below. Only Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (AYRI) can issue teaching authorizations and certifications for Ashtanga Yoga. Inquiries about teachers' qualifications should be directed to the individual teachers. Teachers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information in their listings. Ashtanga.com and its creators, producers, and deliverers assume no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the class listings on this site. The teachers' listings on the Classes pages are approved by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

1. Starting in January 2003, the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute will issue NEW official authorization letters to authorized Ashtanga Yoga teachers. All authorized teachers are requested to send their original authorization letters to AYRI in exchange for official authorization letters on AYRI letterhead. AYRI will then notify Ashtanga.com of the teachers' names that can be re-listed on Ashtanga.com. Failure to turn in your original authorization letter may result in removal from the teachers' list.

2. "Certified" Teachers: Contact betty@ashtanga.com to send a photocopy of the official government certificate via email (scanned image of certificate), fax, or post in order to be listed on Ashtanga.com.

3. Verbally Authorized Teachers should write to AYRI to request the new official authorization letter. Please enclose a photograph of yourself with your correspondence.

4. Class Schedule Requirement: In addition to receiving certification or authorization to teach, you are required to teach Ashtanga Yoga in the TRADITIONAL FORMAT. The traditional format consists of daily classes in the Mysore style in correct sequential order and without deviation from the traditional form of the asanas as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, South India. The traditional format includes the practices outlined in the Yoga Mala, Astanga Yoga by Lino Miele, and Ashtanga Yoga by John Scott. Explicitly indicate on your website and brochures that such traditional Ashtanga Yoga is offered.

5. Omissions from the List: Teachers' names may be omitted from the list if they are on hiatus or are not currently offering classes in the style or quantity required for a listing.

Please send all AYRI correspondence regarding authorization letters to:

R. Sharath
Gokulam, Mysore 570002
Karnataka, India

***

3. Teachers LIST Jan 2004 Ashtanga.com

( this list was clearly used as the basis for the later AYRI list)

Note: 87 teachers mentioned on this list

United States 

California

Louise Ellis Certified 

Ashtanga Yoga Center 

Fayetteville, AR    Northern California  

John Berlinsky 

Lea Watkins  YogaStudio - Mill Valley, CA

Leigha Nicole

YogaStudio - Larkspur Landing CA

Vance Selover 

Zoe Slatoff 

7th Heaven Yoga Berkeley, CA

Clayton Horton 

Greenpath Yoga Studio San Francisco,   

Manju Jois Certified 

(son of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois) 

Leucadia, CA 92024 

Tim Miller Certified 

Astanga Yoga Center Encinitas, CA

Mary Jo Mulligan 

San Diego, CA 

Maty Ezraty

 Chuck Miller Certified 

Yoga Works Montana 

Santa Monica,

Kimberly Flynn Williams 

Noah Williams Certified 

Ashtanga Yoga Shala 

Los Angeles,

 Jorgen Christiansson 

LA Yoga Center Los Angeles, CA   

Steve Dwelley 

Ashtanga Yoga Shala 

Santa Barbara, CA

David Miliotis 

Andrea Werner Miliotis 

Santa Barbara Yoga Center   

Colorado

Richard Freeman Certified 

The Yoga Workshop Boulder, CO

 Annie (Grover) Pace Certified 

Crestone, CO

Gary Damsky 

Telluride, CO   

Wisconsin

David Ingalls 

Ashtanga Yoga Center 

Wisconsin Washington, D.C.

Florida

Keith Moore

Florida  

Wayne Krassner 

Miami Beach, FL

Hawaii  

Nancy Gilgoff 

House of Yoga and Zen Makawao, Maui, HI

Bhavani Maki 

Ashtanga Yoga Kaua'i 

Cathy Louise Broda 

Purple Yoga Hawaii Honolulu, HI

Nicki Doane 

Eddie Modestini 

Maya Yoga Paia, HI

Norman Allen 

Kona, HI  

David Williams 

Maui Fitness Plus  Kihei, Maui, Hawaii 

Illinois

Amy Beth Treciokas 

YogaNow Chicago,

Louisiana

Melanie Fawer Certified The Yoga Room New Orleans, LA

Michigan

Matthew Darling

New York  

Guy Donahaye 

Ashtanga Yoga Shala 

 New York, NY

Govinda Kai 

New York, NY

James Butkevich 

Texas  

David Swenson 

Ashtanga Yoga Productions 

Houston, TX

Seattle

 David Garrigues Certified 

Catherine Garrigues Certified 

The Ashtanga Yoga School Seattle, WA 98122 

Carola Schmid 

The Practice Space 

Seattle WA

Africa - Authorized Teachers

Egypt

Charlie Taylor-Rugman 

Ashtanga Yoga Cairo 

Zamalek, Cairo 

Australia & New Zealand - Authorized Teachers

Australia

Eileen Hall Certified 

Paul Frechtling 

Ashtanga Yoga Moves Paddington, NSW   

Dena Kingsberg Certified 

Centre of Balance  Byron Bay 2481 NSW  

Iain Clark Certified 

Ashtanga Yoga Shala   

Monica Gauci 

Gregor Maehle 

8 Limbs Ashtanga Yoga

Leederville, Western Australia

Graeme Northfield Certified 

Leonie Northfield 

Absolute Astanga

Yoga  Cooroy QLD 

 David Roche Certified 

St. Peters, South Australia 5069 

New Zealand  Peter Nilsson Jude Hynes

  Mike Berghan 

Victoria Grouden Te Aro Astanga Yoga 

Wellington, Aotearoa 

Canada - Authorized Teachers

Ron Reid 

Downward Dog Yoga Centre 

Toronto, Ontario   

Mark Darby Certified 

Joanne Darby Certified 

Ashtanga Yoga Studio 

Montreal, Quebec

Fiona Stang

 City Yoga Vancouver, BC

Europe - Authorized Teachers

Denmark

Gwendoline Hunt 

Astanga Yoga Skole

København Copenhagen 

Finland

Juha Javanainen 

Petri Räisänen 

Monna Gronlund 

Astanga Yoga School of Helsinki  

Helsinki, Finland 

Anne Nuotio 

Helsinki, Finland 

France

Caroline Boulinguez 

Ana Maria Magalhaes 

Paris  

Brigitte Deroses Certified 

Calais  Philippe Mons Certified 

St. Andre  

Odile Morcrette Certified 

Lille

Greece

Radha Warrell 

Pierre Seghir 

Yoga Plus Crete

Kristina Karitinos Ireland 

Yoga Practice in Mani Greece 

Maria Papaioannou 

Aerodromio Mykonos

Italy

Lino Miele Certified 

Tina Pizzimenti

Certified  Ashtanga Yoga School Roma 

Spain

Tomas Zorzo Certified

 Astanga Yoga  Oviedo, Spain

Camino Diez 

Lanzarote, Spain 

Sweden

Charlotte Lindstrom 

United Kingdom

Michael Taylor 

Elisabeth Wilson 

Astanga Vinyasa Yoga in the North 

Todmorden,Lancs,

 John Scott Certified 

Lucy Crawford Scott 

The Yoga Studio 

Newlyn, Penzance, Cornwall    

Hamish Hendry Certified 

Anna Wise  

Astanga Yoga London   NW1 London 

R. Alexander Medin

Certified Yoga Place E2 Bethnal Green Road, London

Tracy West 

Birmingham

South America - Authorized Teachers

Chile

Gustavo Ponce 

Yogashala

 M. Sanchez  Las Condes, Santiago, Chile 

Traveling Teachers - Authorized

 Ashtanga Yoga teachers who are always on-the-go. See Workshops for individual workshop locations and details.

Joseph Dunham 

Anthony Carlisi 

Rolf Naujokat (Certified) 

Kirsten Berg 

Dominic Corigliano (Certified)

Saisha Stephanie Petersen 

Michael Gannon 

Randy Parrish 

The current Ashtanga.com list can be found here

http://ashtanga.com/html/classes.html

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4. AYRI.org

Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, Mysore, India

(Now KPJAYI)

May 2007

1. How do I become an authorized/certified Ashtanga Yoga teacher?

You must receive an official Authorization Letter or Certification Certificate through the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (AYRI) located at #235, 8th Cross, 3rd Stage, Gokulam, Mysore 570002, Karnataka, India. Only the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute issues valid teaching authorizations and certifications for Ashtanga Yoga. Participation in the Sri K. Pattabhi Jois workshop tours and trips to AYRI locations outside of Mysore do not count towards authorization or certification.

NOTE: A student should by no means visit AYRI in Mysore for the sole purpose of getting authorized. Their visit should primarily be for their own education of the lineage to further their own practice under correct guidance of Pattabhi Jois.

2. What is the difference between Authorization and Certification?

There are two categories of teachers, "authorized" and "certified." Both types of teachers receive documents from the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute indicating their teaching status. Authorized teachers generally are permitted to teach only the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series and generally have made at least four trips to AYRI Mysore of 3+ months. The student must also demonstrate appropriate attitude, devotion to the practice, and proficiency in the Primary Series (and usually at least half of the Second Series) as determined by the directors of AYRI. Certified teachers have completed at least the first three series of Ashtanga Yoga and must demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency in these series as determined by the directors of AYRI. These students generally have made 8 or more annual trips to AYRI Mysore and have at least 8-10 years of daily Ashtanga Yoga practice.

NOTE: AUTHORIZATION SHOULD NOT BE REQUESTED BUT GIVEN. The decision to give authorization or certification to teach is by no means solely dependent on the number of times a student has visited Mysore. It is based upon Guruji and Sharath’s evaluation of the person, his/her commitment and full respect of the lineage of the practice. Authorization is given with the trust that an AYRI student will teach as he/she has been taught in Mysore by Guruji and Sharath.

These guidelines are subject to change and do not constitute an official published policy of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India. Please use these guidelines for your personal information only.

5. First AYRI ONLINE Authorised/Certified List

22 Aug 08

Asia | Australia & New Zealand | Central & South America Europe | North America (Canada & USA

* Certified

ASIA

India

Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, Director

K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute, Mysore

www.kpjayi.org

Shri R. Sharath, Assistant Director

K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute, Mysore

Saraswathi Rangaswamy *

K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute, Mysore

www.saraswathiashtanga.com

Sharmila Mahesh

K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute, Bangalore

Rolf Naujokat *

Goa, India

Louise Ellis *

Rishikesh, India

Maya Rao

Mumbai

Monica Marinoni

Ashtanga Yoga Auroville

Gabriella Pascoli

Ashtanga Goa

China

R. Alexander Medin *

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hong Kong

Hortario Perez

Oriental Spa, Hong Kong

Japan

Govinda Kai *

Mae Yoshikawa

Fukuoka

Ken Harakuma

Ashtanga Yoga Japan, Tokyo

Barry Silver

Ashtanga Yoyogi, Tokyo

Kranti

Under the Light, Tokyo

Singapore

James Figueira

The Yoga Shala, Singapore

Taiwan

Russell Altice Case

Sally Evans

Ashanga Sangha, Taipei

Huang Chih Jo (Gladys Huang)

Space Yoga, Taipei

Thailand

Kirsten Berg

S Mitchell Gold

Ashtanga Yoga Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan, Thailand

Australia & New Zealand

Aus - New South Wales

Eileen Hall *

YogaMoves, Bondi Junction

Dena Kingsberg *

Centre of Balance, Byron Bay

Nikki Fulford

Yogamat, Bondi Junction

Aus - Queensland

Iain Clark *

Ashtanga Yoga Shala, Paddington

Graeme Northfield *

Absolute Astanga Yoga, Cooroy

Aus - South Australia

David Roche *

Have Yoga - Will Travel, St. Peters

Aus - Victoria

Karyn Grenfell

Melbourne - Western Australia

Rob Schütze

Jean Byrne

The Yoga Space, West Perth

New Zealand

John Scott *

Stillpoint Yoga, Nelson

Michael Norman Berghan

Te Aro Astanga Yoga, Wellington

Central & South America

Brazil

Praça Santos Dumont,

Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brazil

Fábio Sayão

Ashtanga Yoga São Paulo

Ana Maria Magalhaes

Via Corpo, Salvador-Bahia

Sara Dubois

Ashtanga Yoga Atibaia

Chile

M. Sanchez Fontecilla, S

antiago, Chile

Loreto Cortés

Ashtanga Yoga Chile, Santiago

Costa Rica

Mariela Cruz

Namasté Ashtanga Yoga Studio, San José

Europe

Austria

Horst Rinnerberger

Pure Yoga - Ashtanga Yoga Vienna

Belgium

Anne Pinette Meadows

Brussels

Denmark

Susanna Finocchi & Jens Bache

Astanga Yoga School of Copenhagen

Finland

Juha Javanainen

Astanga Yoga School Helsinki

France

Brigitte Deroses *

Calais

Odile Morcette *

Lille

Germany

Bettina Anner

Köln, Germany

Heike Katharina Schmidt

Dvipada Studio, Cologne

Greece

Limni Evias

Greece

Italy

Lino Miele *

Tina Pizzimenti *

Scuola di Ashtanga Yoga, Roma

Norway

Taran Bhattal

Puro Yoga, Oslo

Poland

Basia j Lipska

Wroclaw, Poland

Portugal

Casa Vinyasa,

Lisbon, Portugal

Russia

Mikhail Konstantinov

Ashtanga Yoga Center, Moscow

Spain

Tomas Zorzo *

Centro de Yoga Ashtanga, Oviedo

Katia Garcia

Ashtanga Yoga Sadhana, Oviedo

Camino Diez

Centro de Yoga Ashtanga, Lanzarote

C Juanelo

Madrid, Spain

Paseo Isabel

Barcelona, Spain

Calle Pelayo

Barcelona, Spain

Nick Evans

Yoga Studio, Barcelona

Eva Oller Ribosa

Estudio de Yoga, Barcelona

Sweden

Charlotte Lindstrom

Ashtangayoga.nu, Stockholm

Maria Boox

Yogashala Stockholm

Bill Brundell

Planet Ashtanga Yoga, Stockholm

Switzerland

Brett Prozio

Zurich

United Kingdom

Hamish Hendry *

Anna Wise

Astanga Yoga London

Roberta Giannotti

Astanga Yoga London

Katie Heller

Astanga Yoga London

Lynne Pinette

West London Ashtanga Yoga, London

Cary Perkins

Yoga Place, London

Sarai Harvey-Smith

London

Beverley Sowerby

Ashtanga Yoga Bath

Simon Chandler

Ashtanga Yoga Bath

North America (Canada & USA )

* Certified

Canada

Mark Darby *

Joanne Darby *

Sattva Yoga Shala, Montreal

Paul Gold

Rachelle Gold

Ashtanga Yoga Shala, Toronto

David Robson

Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto

Jeff Lichty

Harmony Lichty

Living Breathing Yoga

USA

Arizona

Lisa Schrempp

Tucson,

JB Linsky

USA - Northern California

Vance Selover

Ashtanga Yoga Berkeley

Heidi Lender & John Wilhelm

Ashtanga Yoga San Francisco

Adarsh Williams

Ashtanga Yoga Palo Alto

USA - Southern California

Manju Jois *

Leucadia

Tim Miller *

The Ashtanga Yoga Center, Carlsbad

Maia C. Heiss *

Ashtanga Yoga Malibu

James Butkevich

Ashtanga Yoga Los Angeles

Diana Christinson

Pacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala, Dana Point

Steve Dwelley

Ashtanga Yoga Shala, Santa Barbara

USA - Colorado

Richard Freeman *

The Yoga Workshop, Boulder

Annie Pace *

Shakti Sharanam, Crestone

Leigha Nicole

Splendid Yoga, Crestone

USA - District of Columbia

Keith Moore

Ashtanga Yoga Center DC

Faith Scimecca

Woodley Park Yoga, Washington DC

USA - Florida

Kino MacGregor *

Miami Life Center, Miami Beach

Tim Feldmann

Miami Life Center, Miami Beach

Greg Nardi

Miami Life Center, Miami Beach

USA - Hawaii

Noah Williams *

Pahoa, Hawaii

Anthony "Prem" Carlisi *

Chuck Miller *

Honokaa, Hawaii

Pamela Luther

Simply Ashtanga, Maui

Kimberly Flynn

Pahoa

Eagle

Pineapple Yoga, Kauai

USA - Illinois

Amy Ananda,

Chicago

USA - Kentucky

Laura Spaulding

Yoga East, Inc., Louisville

USA - Louisiana

Melanie Fawer *

Asthanga Yoga Room, New Orleans

Jessica Blanchard

Balance Yoga & Wellness, New Orleans

Jill Ainsworth

Mysore New Orleans

USA - Massachusetts

Dominic Corigliano *

George Whiteside & Jean Cho

Cambridge, MA

USA - New Mexico

Mary Jo Mulligan

Santa Fe, New Mexico

USA - New York

Eddie Stern *

Broome Street New York NY

Sarah Plumer

Broome Street #2 New York NY 10013

Karri Jinkins

Broome Street #2 New York NY

Barbara Verrochi

The Shala Yoga House, New York

Matt Corigliano

New York

Stacey Platt

Tapovana, Sag Harbor

USA - Oregon

Olaf Kalfas *

Portland, OR 97214

Anne Finstad

Portland

Kevin Kimple

Eugene, OR

David Miliotis

Andrea Werner Miliotis

Bend, OR

Stacey Lee

Bend, OR 97701

USA - Pennsylvania

Mary Flinn

Yoga Sutra School, Philadelphia

USA - Texas

Shelley Washington

Austin

USA - Vermont

Christine Hoar

Bristol Yoga, Bristol

USA - Washington

David Garrigues *

Catherine Garrigues *

Ashtanga Yoga School, Seattle

The current KPJAYI Authorisation list can be found here

http://kpjayi.org/teachers-directory/asia/

APPENDIX

Update 2 - Feb 17th 2018

Note: As far as I can tell these are the Certified teachers names left OFF the current KPJAYI List
please correct me if you find them on a different regions list.

This is just the certified teachers, easy to check because the names are in red, i have no idea how many Authorised teachers have been left off the current list.

As you scroll through the list, pause to think of how much each had to pay to be authorised let alone certified as well as all the shala fees they have paid to KPJAYI over the years.

Clayton Horton
Louise Ellis
Anthony Calisi
Dena Kingsberg
Mark Robberds
Ian Clarke
David Roche
John Scott
R. Alexander Medin
Tomas Zorzo
Joanne Darby
Mark Darby
Manju jois
Tim Miller
Annie pace
Chuck Miller Melanie Fawer
Dominic Corigliano
Mary Jo Mulligan
Guy Donahaye
John Campbell
Olaf Kalfas
David Garrigues.

UPDATE 1

2018

This from Mark Robberds on fb today ( I just checked, he posted this on his public page as well as his personal page).

Mark Robberds 9 hrs ·

"To end any speculation as to why I have been taken of the KPJAYI list I feel the need to tell my story. In April last year I noticed I had been taken off the list and then a friend informed me that there were rumours going around about it. I wrote to Usha in June to ask if it was true and she replied that, “Yes, we have been told that you are not teaching traditionally and mixing in different things and we are waiting for you to explain yourself”. I wrote back saying that I am teaching 5 days a week Mysore classes and one Led class per week. I teach chanting and philosophy and technique workshops to help students better understand the postures”. She wrote back saying, “Ok, I will inform Sharath.” The next thing I knew I was back on the list.

So, I’m not surprised that I am now off the list again, as anyone who reads my social media posts would know that I am sharing more than only traditional (KPJAYI) Ashtanga Yoga. So, I’m ok with it, as it is Sharath’s shala and his call. Of course it saddens me because I had such a good connection with him and I have so many fond memories of the times I had as his student. However I don’t agree with everything that is taught, for example I don’t believe that ‘catching’ your ankles or knees in a backbend should be a requirement. I also believe that just as we modify the practice for pregnant women or for disabled people, we need to modify the practice in some way, and address dysfunctional movement patterns in almost all individuals because we all come to the practice with imbalances - otherwise people end up getting injured and leave the practice feeling bitter. All I’ve ever tried to do is help my students practice in a more intelligent and sustainable way so that they can continue to enjoy the practice and integrate it into the rest of their lives for their lifetime. But, I accept that Sharath doesn’t have to agree with my approach, and therefore I accept his decision and I will move forward with no hard feelings. I will continue to share all that I can in the best way that I can and I hope that some of you will continue to practice with me despite what has happened. I also hope that there will be no ill feelings towards/from my friends in Mysore who continue to practice with Sharath and of course no ill will between Sharath and myself. In the end we are all doing the best we can in this life. Big love to all. ❤️ "

Just to illustrate the above...

And screenshots taken from May-June 2017 using Way back machine (internet Archive)

https://web.archive.org/