Pacific Ashtanga Yoga — Local services in Dana Point

I waited until I attended 4 classes before writing a review. I feel so lucky to have found this place ! My neighbor, who is one of the most humble, kind and generous people I have met treated me to my first class here. She credits her yoga practice for more than just a healthy body, but even for her generosity and her outlook on life. This is the best way I can introduce you what sits at the core of this yoga shala.

Diana, the founder, and main instructor, has an extensive yoga background including study in Mysore, India, as well as a masters in psychology. After going to her classes, I not only have a good basic understanding of the Ashtanga primary sequence, but I feel many benefits from the teachings in eastern philosophy as well as the very strong focus on the breath. I would consider myself an intermediate yoga student with a diverse background in many types of yoga. But, I was new to Ashtanga. I felt very comfortable here from day 1 (ashtanga prep class). In the meantime, I have been practicing at other studios because I cant get to PA except for the weekends and while I am sure there are many good ones out there, some seem rather revenue focused and branded in a way that really takes away from what is really at the core of yoga practice. Not this place !

If you are serious about your yoga practice and want to see a real transformation of body, mind, and spirit…I highly recommend this studio. But, please dont spread the word to just anyone…I would like to see it remain the small, local gem...

I travel about a hour each day to attend yoga at this studio. It is worth the drive.

Pacific Ashtanga yoga is one of the cleanest yoga studio's that I have had the pleasure of attending. I have been to many yoga studio's in my travel's and this is a unbelievable great yoga studio. The staff makes you feel like you are part of their family.

This is a not hot yoga studio, it is a warm yoga studio. The temperature is about 78 to 80 degrees. The yoga classes are scripted like you will find in a Core Power or Bikram yoga studio. The yoga script is ashtanga series developed in by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India. It is the only authorized traditional Ashtanga studio in Orange County.

The Complete Primary Series class is more difficult then a Bikram yoga class. If you are new to the studio or new to yoga, you will be placed next to the instructor or next to a knowledgeable yogi to help you through the positions. The studio has classes that break down the Primary Series in smaller portions to help you learn the ashtanga yoga script.

So, if you are looking for a yoga studio that can help you grow as a yogi, I would recommend this studio to anyone...

From the moment I walked in the doors of the Pacific Ashtanga Shala, I was welcomed by Diana Christinson. Practicing yoga for 10 years, I felt the need to expand and grow in my practice. Not only physically, but also to understand the true practice of yoga, that involved breath work and an overall healthier body, mind and spirit! Not only is Diana extremely knowledgeable and educated, she is compassionate and REAL! Everyone at every level is welcomed and embraced. She has the tools for coaching you, guiding you and embracing you in her beautiful community at Pacific Ashtanga Yoga! I highly recommend Diana for her practice, her teachings for your Golden Journey (A personal transformation), along with her gift to always help others! I am...