Sama Ashtanga Intensive with Chuck Miller
Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17
8:30-3:30pm each day • Back Bay
(1112 Boylston Street Floor 3, Boston, MA)
Sama!
This word touches the essence of what Chuck wants to teach. It is the first word Pattabhi Jois would say at the beginning of class. It is the first chapter of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. It is the first word of the first pranayama practice in Ashtanga Yoga.
Chuck Miller, widely recognized as one of the world’s leading Ashtanga teachers, has inspired countless practitioners across the globe with his clarity, depth, and dedication to the art of yoga. A student of Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, Chuck helped co-found YogaWorks, shaping modern yoga in the United States, and has mentored many respected teachers, including Natasha Rizopoulos. His teaching combines decades of experience, technical mastery, and a deep connection to the heart of the practice.
We can learn one simple thing, knowing which gives us insight into many others. A small set of teachings can guide us through the complexity of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga—or any practice. This understanding helps us to be more calm and focused, reducing stress and confusion for both teacher and student.
Format:
Morning Practice: 3 hours
Afternoon Clinic: 3 hours
1 hour break (between 11:30am-12:30pm)
Daily Themes:
Day One – Samasthiti in Depth:
We explore how one pose, one element of practice can include all other aspects. Going deep into this sets the stage for everything else, simplifying navigation through this great practice.
Day Two – Surya Namaskar-s:
Using insights from Day One, we apply them to Sun Salutations. We observe how much we compromise to achieve external appearances of progress and reset our intentions to prioritize quality over quantity.
Day Three-Five – Traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Form:
We continue applying these principles as we progress through the traditional form. By slowing down, polishing fundamentals, and deepening the roots, we eventually return to increasing speed and observe where we fail.
This is the essence of practice—practice rather than performance. Yoga must not be performative, comparative, or competitive. It is just for us—all of us—to improve, to become better humans, to become humane beings.
Chuck prefers to call the asanas Practices, rather than poses or postures—they are alive, dynamic, ever-changing. It is not about speed or distance, but about starting correctly, with the right intention and effort. These foundational efforts bear fruit throughout your practice.
The Practice is a powerful diagnostic tool, allowing observation of aspects of ourselves that are otherwise invisible. Recognizing these patterns, or Samskaras, gives the opportunity to free ourselves from them, planting seeds of personal empowerment and continued evolution.
“This is not physical exercise,” Pattabhi Jois would say. “It is mental training, mental cleaning, clearing.” This is the deeper, real purpose of our practice—and it supports everything we do as human beings.
Open to All Open-Minded Students:
This intensive works at almost all levels of experience. While it is not an introduction to yoga, both beginners and advanced students can find an appropriate level of challenge. Teachers will also benefit, gaining skills to guide multiple levels of students in a conducted class and develop their abilities in the Mysore style of practice.
Cost: $700
Please bring a yoga mat (yoga mats are available to rent in studio for $3)
* cost includes all five sessions, there is no proration for missing a session *
About Chuck:
Chuck Miller began practicing yoga in 1971, and studied the Ashtanga vinyasa method of practice and its underlying philosophical system one-on-one with its founder, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, for over 18 years beginning in 1980. By practicing and teaching the method before, during and after the yoga boom, he has developed a simple, effective approach that changes the lives of those who do it.
Chuck enjoys teaching with a focus on the holistic nature of Ashtanga yoga, presenting it as a philosophical system as well as a strong practical method. Chuck is known for his gentle but deliberate hands-on adjustments which are both reassuring and challenging.
Yoga teacher since 1988, Chuck is a former Director of Ashtanga Yoga and co-owned the original Yoga Works in Santa Monica, CA, for over 16 years. He is frequently traveling and teaching around the world.