Intro to Ashtanga Primary Foundations

This is the class you’ve all been asking for.

A slower, safer, and more intelligent entry into the Ashtanga Primary Series designed for those curious about the system but unsure where to begin. Taught the Slow Movement Fitness Training (SMFT©) way, this format breaks the series into scaffolded segments, beginning with global foundations: breath awareness, muscular integration, deep core stability through the ISS, and bandha awareness—not just as physical locks, but as internal regulators of energy and attention. We focus less on flowing with speed or achieving a particular shape—and more on understanding how a pose functions and most importantly, how it feels in your unique structure. And whether it truly supports your body, breath, and nervous system. Ashtanga the old way may not be for everybody - but every body can begin here and benefit from this system with consistent, mindful practice.

Our Class Names Are Changing and Why

Small change, big meaning

Over the next few weeks, you’ll notice a shift in the way our classes appear on the schedule. Familiar sessions like Slow Stretch, Core, and Iron + Breath will now carry the prefix SMFT — which stands for Slow Movement Fitness Training, affectionately known as SMFT. This is the method we’ve been quietly refining for years. Rooted in breath awareness, mobility, and deep nervous system support, SMFT is a slower, smarter approach to strength and movement. It reflects our belief that lasting change doesn’t come from intensity — it comes from intelligent repetition, guided attention, and knowing your own body. You've already been training this way. Now, we just want to put a name to it. Nothing about the experience will change: same classes, same teachers, same grounded energy. Just names that finally reflect what’s always made Vital Energy different.

Enquire about our upcoming YTT200

Second Intake YTT200 coming up

Our first YTT200 intake course has ended. This is more than a teacher training; it’s a deep dive into the heart of modern yoga, where tradition meets intelligent movement and embodied teaching. With standout workshops like muscle vs fascia and key implications for interoception, scaffolded sequencing labs, evolution of yoga history studies, and the art of cueing, you’ll gain the tools to teach with confidence and authenticity. Rooted in clarity, connection, and real-world relevance with exposure to both Hatha and Vinyasa disciplines, this course is your foundation for a lifelong path in yoga. Want in on the next round? Join the waitlist now by emailing ewa@vitalenergyyoga.com and be the first to know when applications open, early bird deals and limited scholarship opportunities for those who qualify. An online YTT200 version will be launched also, dates to be announced soon.