About Shala Santosha Ashtanga Yoga & AYURVEDA 

The shala was established in 2009 by owner, director, teacher/ practitioner Christina Martini, a direct student of Manju P. Jois and Sathu Jois. The Shala honors,  respects and teaches in its authentic system. Therefore the practice of Ashtanga Yoga and Ayurveda is its traditional, ancient , eastern philosophy approach and methodology of both Raja and Hatha Lineage.  Christina’s teaching and Ayurveda wellness / health  programs are rooted in the foundations of the two ancient authentic practices , Ayurveda and its sister, Ashtanga Yoga.  

Both practices provide the holistic therapy, foundations, structure, discipline, fundamentals and long history of success towards healing and transformation to many conditions of the mind and body.    Christina shares her teachings explained and presented with the eastern mindset and  application.  One of the elements of how eastern practice have changed many lives is through movement, breath, meditation and mindfulness  In Sanskrit and yoga eastern terms these are known as :  On the mat, Ashtanga Yoga Physical Asana Practice ( Mysore ) , Pranayama  ( breathing techniques)  Vedic Shanti Mantras  ( Sanskrit chanting medication, vibration & energy)  and  off the mat, Ayurveda ( Mindfulness Living ) and the guidelines for both practices include the knowledge and practice of the eight limbs as one system to improve our wellbeing as passed onto Christina to her students from many years of dedicated direct mentorship, apprenticeship, training, studies and self practice under tutelage of her Great Master Teacher, Manju Jois and now with his daughter , Sathu Jois.  

Christina also holds a credential in western medicine health care practice as a licensed nurse specializing in oncology - cancer and chronic disease management.  Christina’s other great teachers and mentors that have shaped and paved the path to advocate living life with greater purpose through faith, spirituality, health and wellness are David Williams, Nancy Gilgoff, Maty Ezraty, David Swenson, Ken Harukuma, Jo Ichihara, Tim Miller, Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. Vasant Lad. 

Abhyasa vairagyabhyam tannirodhah. tatra sthitau yatno-‘bhyāsaḥ. sa tu dirghakala nairantarya satkarasevito drdhabhumih.

First, to restrain the mind in the Chitta form, the inner practice is the effort for being firmly established in oneself to prevent its going out into waves. You have to practice for a long period of time; second, your practice must not be interrupted—you must do it regularly; Only by repeated practice and non-attachment can one control the fluctuations of the mind and third, you must do your practice abhyasa and sadhana with love and respect.

~ Yoga Sutras, Patanjali 1.12 - 1.14

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga, an ancient system of Yoga that goes back several thousand years taught by Vamana Rishi (Depicted from Yoga Korunta). This practice, teachings and its text was passed on by a history of gurus; Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900’s by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari and later passed onto Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the respected founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India, then passed onto his children, Sri Manju Jois, Sri Saraswathi Jois and and his grandson the late R. Sharath Jois and granddaughters teaching , Sharmila and Sathu Jois . And passed onto the adopted extended teachers from USA, Europe, Asia , etc , trained, learned, taught in its formal lessons, teachings and traditions.

Ashtanga yoga is a method of yoga taught by the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India.  Also known as Guruji, Pattahbi Jois brought the Ashtanga Yoga method to westerners in the early 1970s and has continued to gain its respect for it’s strong mental, spiritual, and physical transformation and improved wellbeing benefits.  

This form of yoga moves by synchronizing the breath with a set series of postures in a vinyasa (“flow”) style.  Through breath and vinyasa, internal heat is produced, leading to sweat , cleansing, improved circulation, and allowing the body to become healthy, light, and strong.  In the Ashtanga Yoga method, each posture in each series is a preparation for the next posture, which helps the yoga student develop strength, flexibility, and balance of both the body and mind.  The practice is tailored for each individuals body and ability and conditions so everyone no matter how young or old , sick or well can do it. Every student starts by learning the primary series which is therapeutic and holistic and progresses when ready as observed and taught by the teacher. Through this method of yoga, you feel and witness progress in the practice, and as a result you will gain a natural path and understanding towards the philosophy and living the 8 limbs of yoga for your overall wellbeing.

Please note that the shala practice room does not use a heater to heat the room, as you learn to generate your own heat and sweat during the challenging practice you may feel the shala more humid and warm. The practice is structured, and as a result it demands commitment, study, practice, discipline , patience and alot of joy and being open minded to learn.   Though certainly not required, as you begin to discover the benefits, progress, and rewards the Ashtanga method provides, you may come to focus on the Ashtanga method as your sole method of practice as mixing other styles of yoga does have quite a bit of difference in its practice, application, approach and methodology.  The practice will help you develop physical and mental/spiritual progress that is life changing and a forever like skills and tools for everything you go through off the mat into your real life.

While led classes for beginners are essential in the United States, Ashtanga is often taught in the traditional lesson of “Mysore” style:  This is when students arrive at the “shala (home/studio)” between a rolling start , or a given time and begin their practices (Ashtanga 1st, 2nd, 3rd series etc.) on their own, while the lead/ senior teacher is present in the room , provides individual instruction and adjustments.    The students do not rely on the teacher nor the assistant teacher to lead them through their practice unless they forget and need further insturction and / or new lesson to be added to their current practice.   This creates a very intimate and personal relationship between the student and teacher; the teacher comes to know your practice,  and you as a whole. It is important not to bring or mix what you practice from other styles of yoga, nor do as you want during mysore or led classes, refrain from practicing what you watch on videos, social media, you tube, etc when at the shala and when studying with a teacher or at your home shala. The method of ashtanga yoga is clear and it should be sequence and practice as taught in its original sequence whether primary, intermediate or advance and unless otherwise there is a condition or injury and you bave been taught a therapy sequence that is temporarily until you can return to the sequence of the series.

About the Roots of the Shala’s Lineage : India’s greatest gift to the world is Yoga. My Great Teacher, Sri Manju P. Jois and his presence in the United States began in 1975 and to this present day. Manju P. Jois continues to have a vast significant effect on the growth of Ashtanga Yoga in its Therapeutic system. Yoga is Therapy then and today. Ashtanga and Ayurveda are sisters that help us towards a healthier, happier way of life. Manju’s intention is to teach the ancient tradition of this yoga therapy lineage in a way that was taught and passed onto him by his father, Pattabhi P. Jois referred to as the father of Ashtanga Yoga who learned from the great Guru, master of healing yoga practice, Tirumulai Krishnamarchaya, referred to as the "Father of Hatha Yoga" . Manju P Jois has significant contributions to the revival and transformation of yoga practices most especially in these modern times where he continues to remain authentic, unchanging to the practice as is from its roots. Manju emphasizes the importance of Breath with Agni - Fire and Movement of Prana while in postures to experience the result of its purpose, intention, spiritual growth, joy, healing, therapy, wholistic benefits internally for every individual student/client/practitioner and teachers.