Matthew Vollmer

I began practicing astanga yoga in 1993 when, just by chance, I happened to see a man gracefully practicing what I now know as the primary series. The attraction was very strong... I watched the whole thing and found myself a teacher straight away.

Since then I have been fortunate enough to spend many months in India, both travelling and studying with my guru Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath Rangaswamy in Mysore. I was blessed and authorised to teach by Pattabhi Jois in July 2003 and am committed to maintaining the purity and simplicity of what I have been taught out of respect for the wisdom and generosity of my teachers.

I am dedicated to this practice because on good days I feel like I disappear as I move down through the outward movement to an inner stillness which nourishes me, teaches me about myself and helps me through the bustle of my daily life.

Now I am here in Rio in Brasil and am eager to share this powerful practice to which I owe so much. I want to help it spread through Brasil so that it may help people open to themselves as I have done to myself.

Carla Vollmer

I came across astanga yoga whilst working at The Practice Place in Crete. These six years of (almost!) daily practice have given me a much greater knowledge of myself. What particularly fascinates me in astanga is the emphasis on watching my breath while practicing in my own rhythm.

My main work is as a shiatsu and sports massage therapist but I love to teach astanga and was recently authorised to do so by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore. Bodywork has given me a deeper understanding of the human body and helps me give sensitive yet strong adjustments during Mysore style classes.

I have helped Matthew give his workshops and classes for many years and it is our experience that this brings a very welcome feminine touch to the teaching.