Overview
Ashtanga Yoga Room in New Orleans is a dedicated studio for traditional Mysore Style Ashtanga yoga, deeply connected to the lineage of Pattabhi Jois. Under the guidance of Certified senior teacher Melanie Fawer, the studio maintains classical teaching methods while embracing modern ethical standards, including clear protocols for manual adjustments and student safety. The studio distinguishes itself through its public commitment to transparency, support for abuse survivors, and emphasis on ethical leadership within the Ashtanga community. Daily Mysore classes offer individual guidance in a self-paced format, with over 16 years of teaching experience in this method. The environment prioritizes fellowship, open communication, and student consent, making it suitable for practitioners committed to the traditional Ashtanga path who value both authentic practice and ethical studio culture.
Yoga Format
Yoga Styles
Studio Amenities
Studio Business Hours
| Day | Status | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open | 7:15 am – 9:00 am |
| Tuesday | Open | 7:00 am – 9:00 am |
| Wednesday | Open | 7:15 am – 9:00 am |
| Thursday | Open | 7:00 am – 9:00 am |
| Friday | Open | 7:15 am – 9:00 am |
| Saturday | Open | – |
| Sunday | Open | 9:00 am – 11:00 am |
Studio in Details
A Traditional Ashtanga Space with Modern Consciousness
Ashtanga Yoga Room in New Orleans presents itself as a dedicated space for the traditional Mysore Style Ashtanga practice. The studio’s identity is deeply intertwined with the lineage of Pattabhi Jois, who brought this method from Mysore, India to the West. The owner, Melanie Fawer, describes the practice as a classical style of yoga, noting that spin-offs are often called Vinyasa, Flow, or Power yoga. She emphasizes that Ashtanga is a form of Hatha yoga built on posture sequences but extends far beyond physical movement to encompass the eight limbs of yoga philosophy, which include ethical codes, breath control, and meditation. For those seeking this specific, disciplined path, the studio offers a direct connection to its roots.
The atmosphere at this yoga center is shaped by a significant and thoughtful stance on community ethics. In a detailed public letter, Fawer, who is a Certified senior teacher in Jois’s lineage, addresses allegations of sexual assault by Jois against former students. She explicitly supports the victims, believes their stories, and criticizes the silence from other senior teachers. This positions the studio not just as a place for physical practice but as one striving for open communication, fellowship, support, safety and care. The owner’s personal journey with the practice, which she describes as therapeutic, healing and uplifting over 24 years, forms the foundation of the studio’s teaching philosophy, even as it reckons with complex aspects of its tradition.
The Mysore Method and Studio Protocols
The core offering here is daily Mysore Style Ashtanga classes. This self-paced format, where students practice a set sequence at their own timing while receiving individual guidance, has been taught at the studio for over 16 years. A key component of this teaching method is the use of manual adjustments by instructors to help with alignment and depth in postures. The studio has established clear protocols around this practice to prioritize student safety and consent. All teachers are instructed to check that students are comfortable receiving adjustments, and students are encouraged to speak up if they feel unsafe.
Before a first class, each student must sign a waiver and initial a specific paragraph acknowledging that manual adjustments are part of the instruction. The studio clarifies that while adjustments are integral to their teaching method, no student is required to receive them to take a class or make progress. The owner defines her approach to adjustments as focusing on correct anatomical alignment, maintaining the student’s focus on breath and gaze, and ensuring the student does not go past their mental or physical edge. Visitors do not mention details about the studio’s facilities, such as showers, changing rooms, or prop availability.
Community, Communication, and Who It Suits
This yoga space appears best suited for practitioners specifically interested in the traditional Ashtanga method, particularly the Mysore Style. The studio’s deep immersion in this lineage, from the owner’s Certification to the daily class structure, makes it a destination for those committed to this path. The owner’s public stance on transparency and support for abuse survivors within the broader Ashtanga community may also appeal to students who value ethical leadership and a studio culture that actively promotes safety and open dialogue. The environment is described as one striving for fellowship and support.
For those new to Ashtanga, the owner’s letter provides an introductory explanation of the practice’s theory and history. While the studio offers a weekly schedule, specific details about class times, levels (such as beginner or advanced), or pricing like drop-in rates or memberships are not provided in the available visitor feedback. The studio is located in New Orleans, but its neighborhood context or local landmarks are not described. The studio maintains a website with a newsletter for updates, but visitors do not mention whether online yoga or virtual classes are offered. For individuals in the area seeking an authentic, ethically-minded Ashtanga school with a strong emphasis on teacher-student communication, Ashtanga Yoga Room represents a distinctive and principled option.