Pattabhi Jois’ Shala in Florida; All About Islamorada
Registration for Pattabhi Jois’ new shala in the Florida Keys is now open. Dates for the inaugural workshops are March 25-29 and April 1-6, 2007 with a grand opening party on March 25.
No practice on Moon Day, April 2
photo from meepfly
For more about the workshop, check out our prior post, Pattabhi Jois’ New Shala in Florida or go to directly to AYRI’s webpage, which has accomodations and other information (including the option to pay using Paypal).
With all this excitement about Ashtanga with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and family in the U.S., you probably haven’t had time to find out about Islamorada, the Florida Keys’ location of the new shala. For information about Islamorada, stay right here.
Anne’s beach, ocean side of the shala
from IrishNYC
How do I pronounce Islamorada?
In Spanish it is pronounced Ees la more eh dah, but if you want to fit in with the locals, pronounce it eye la more ah dah. – Easy Adventures Boat Charters
Where is Islamorada?
Islamorada is about a 2-hour drive from Miami International Airport. It is one of the Florida Keys, located between well-known Key Largo and Key West. It actually consists of several keys (islands):
Young Green Sea Turtle from ecocentrikGuy
Plantation Key, Windley Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Lower Matecumbe Key and Craig Keys.
The Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute USA is on Upper Matecumbe Key. Here it is on Google maps.
What film should I watch before going?
It’s a trick question: Key Largo of course. This 1948 classic with Humphrey Bogart set in the Florida Keys will put you in the right mood.
What will the weather be like?
According to Fodor’s travel guides, temperatures in March range from 68-79°F (20-26°C). Tourist season runs from December through May so prices will still be high during the March workshop. (Also, summer is hurricane season, so phew, it’s not in the summer.)
What can I do on Islamorada besides practice Ashtanga yoga?
- Sport fishing. Islamorada is the sportfishing capital of the world, according to the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce (and pretty much all websites about Islamorada). Although this activity may be inconsistent with the Ahimsa (non-violence and a respect for all life, one the Yamas, the first limb of Ashtanga Yoga).
- Bowl! The new shala is conveniently located near the Fish Bowl, a bowling alley (not a place to dive or snorkel). It has 12 lanes!
- Eat Key Lime pie. There really is a difference between a key lime and a regular lime. According to a review of key lime pie in the New York Times, the Cheeca Lodge has some of the best key lime pie (along with a real key lime tree). Key Lime is the official state pie of Florida, and it’s vegeterian.
- Swim with the dolphins. I am pretty sure it will be possible to see wild dolphin and this could be the experience of a lifetime. Those of you who want to swim with dolphin might try Theater of the Sea (a marine park) in Islamorada.
- Dive, snorkel, kayak. Just take a look at the photos in this post! And if you want more photos, the Islamorada photos on Flickr are stunning.
Sunset from p-freddy
Founders Park Beach, on the bay side of the new shala, from KellyKeys
A mature sea turtle from ecocentrikGuy
But you don’t care about any of that. You just want to practice Ashtanga with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois! However, if you do want to share anything you know about Islamorada, please add it in the Comments section. Thanks!
What am I? from ecocentrikGuy
Moma said,
November 20, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Beware — key lime pie is often made wtih gelatin (to hold it together), which is made from cow hooves, skin, etc.
Chris said,
November 21, 2006 at 5:39 pm
If you are having difficulty locating affordable lodging in Islamorada (eye la mora ah da), try Key Largo. Key Largo is the largest of the Florida Keys; consequently, it has a greater selection of lodging. Key Largo is about 22 miles from the Shala.
Colee Garr said,
December 17, 2006 at 9:44 am
Aloha from Hawaii,
Thank you for this great website!! Any insite to how Florida was choosen as a new home for the shala in the US?
Mahalo,
Colee
JAX YOGI said,
December 19, 2006 at 6:49 pm
Greetings from Florida,
The Florida Keys posses a tropical climate, similar to many parts of India, with an “island feel” and the transportation advantages of automobile access and close proximity to a major international airport in Miami.
Peace,
C.T.
Barbara said,
January 7, 2007 at 1:33 am
Hi – I am coming to the Florida keys next week for a few day and wondered if the ashtanga center (or a place like it) is available to stay at. Thanks.
tracy said,
January 10, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Hi Barbara & Everyone…
AYRI lists places to stay near the shala.
http://www.ayri.org/information.html
For more information about the workshop, see also:
http://www.ashtanganews.com/2006/11/07/pattabhi-jois-new-shala-in-florida/
http://www.ayri.org/registration.html
cheers,
t
Karen said,
January 11, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Will the new shala have its own website with information about practicing there after the inaugural workshops are over?
Jan said,
February 9, 2007 at 6:32 am
This is incredible!
AWesome…can hardly wait!
hugs and namaste’
Jan
AshtangaNews » Guruji in Florida in March 2008 - Ashtanga Yoga Matters (as taught by Sri K Pattabhi Jois) said,
October 29, 2007 at 11:42 am
[...] Pattabhi Jois’ Shala in Florida; All About Islamorada [...]
nick said,
November 2, 2007 at 5:27 pm
does anybody know if there is going to be something more than guruji counting the primary series. i mean, even being in the same room with him is wonderfull but will he (or sarath or his dauther) have time for more individualized attention to students. or even answer some questions? from the pictures it looks like this kinds of events gather a lot of people and going all the way to islamorada just to hear him count?…(by no means am i disrespecting guruji or underestimating this opportunity) please somebody give me some hope
Jule said,
January 25, 2008 at 10:23 am
Hi
I wanted to attend last year but as we know, it was cancelled. Is there an official site to sign up? I cannot find it. I’m looking to stay in Key largo for financial reasons. Any ideas?
Thanks so much!
Julie
Luz said,
January 29, 2008 at 9:20 am
Hi Julie,
The official site to sign up is: http://www.ayri.org/registration.php