We are happy to announce the launch of Traditional Ashtanga Practitioners Atlantic Society (TAPAS). TAPAS is a not-for-profit organization aimed at building a community of Ashtanga yoga practitioners and at promoting the traditional teachings of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Manju P. Jois. “We are so excited to be finally launching our new non-profit society,” says founder and director Jody Manley. “Ashtanga is a specific style of yoga and those who practice it are very dedicated. I have found over the years, that when we have offered workshops and teacher trainings, practitioners from all over the Atlantic region, other parts of Canada, the U.S. and even Europe, take part. This fuelled the idea that we needed to build an organization that would engage a broader community, and allow members to share ideas and information on the practice – from this TAPAS was born”.
It is TAPAS’ mandate:
- to build a broad-based community of Ashtanga yoga practitioners throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond
- to develop a comprehensive web-based members directory
- to disseminate information and education on traditional Ashtanga teachings through our website, newsletters and workshops
- to provide a community hub/meeting place for members to gather, practice and teach
Through TAPAS, members have access to Ashtanga Practice Space: a unique space where practitioners get together to practice and meditate daily. Unlike yoga studios, where teachers lead all classes, this space is there for our community to use to enhance their personal practices. Members can also rent the space to hold workshops and classes of their own. Ashtanga teacher and founding member of TAPAS Terrilee Bulger says, “To my knowledge, there are no other yoga spaces in the city that do what we do. Members can practice together for as little as $20 per month. We have a great group that gets together to share the energy of our practice. It is really community-building and, frankly, very forward-thinking.”
“This project has been a few years in the making and it is exciting to finally see it come to fruition. It is my hope that through TAPAS, we can start a new chapter in yoga and begin to build a strong community of practitioners and teachers throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond”, states Manley.
Terrilee Bulger