Eugene School of Yoga

I love the Eugene school of yoga. It is short for ESOY! The teacher is very attentive to any needs you may have and very knowledgeable about the Ashtanga sequence. The prices are very affordable and he will give you a few different options for the you you want to pay. I feel at home here. Everyone is very humble and welcoming. We laugh and play a lot. It is my second home! Beginners are welcome. You don’t have to remember the sequence. Come and see for yourself. It will change your life!!!

The Eugene School of Yoga is a very grounded and deeply rooted school. It’s been in Eugene for about 10 years and Kevin Kimple is an outstanding teacher and director. He is a direct disciple of both Sri Pattabi Jois, the founder of Ashtanga yoga and Richard Freeman, the leading Ashtanga teacher in the USA. He is really humble and down to earth, and open with all of his students. He welcomed me to the studio and took the time to assess my body condition and goals for the practice and got me started on an evolving and steadily deepening Ashtanga practice. It’s a very unique style of teaching, different from the «all follow the teacher pose to pose» way that many do. Mysore style is what is taught in India, and you will learn a basic series and then practice on your own while the teacher will walk around the class and help each person with personal assists, answer questions and keep an eye on you. It’s really great because it allows you to move at your own pace, yet you are still being guided. You can come in anytime you want — it’s 7am — 10:30am and practice for a half hour or 90 mins, whatever suits your schedule. Kevin has an amazing skill of meeting each student where they are, in their physical condition, or injuries, and he has a great sense of humor and at the same time a deep love for the lifestyle beyond the stretches. He is the author of 8 Limbs of Yoga, (on Amazon) and really knows his stuff so far beyond the average 200 hour graduate teacher from who-​knows-​where.
As a special bonus, Kevin leads chanting and meditation each Tuesday which I have really enjoyed. He knows endless Sandskrit chants and discusses the meaning of the Sutras and relates them to daily life with humor and humility. In my experience the knowledge and delivery of the entire 8 limbs is a rare and unique feature, and I doubt if 90% of yoga teachers out there could name the 8 limbs, let alone guide you in their meaning.
The only caveat to training at the Eugene School of Yoga, is that it’s unlikely that you’ll get the full benefit of the practice or the teachers if you aren’t interested to really put your time and energy into learning and practicing. If you just want a feel good class and aren’t interested in self development, or if you’re just looking for the cheapest deal in town, don’t waste your time. The Eugene School of Yoga is really great if you’re a genuine student who wants to understand the full picture of yoga, and if you are ready to meet the teachers halfway.
A final point that must be noted, is that I have never seen a class that is so full of other yoga teachers. This is really the place where yoga teachers in Eugene go to receive top notch guidance and do their own practice. So don’t be intimidated (as I was) to see how advanced the other students often are. Beginners are welcome too, and if you come, you’ll join an authentic yoga community.