Business Details
21 Years
experience
Transformative Yoga & Meditation in Ottawa
Astanga Yoga Ottawa has been Ottawa's premier studio for Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga for over two decades. Founded by Janice DeFilippi, a dedicated practitioner with extensive experience studying in Mysore, India, the studio offers a supportive community for students of all levels. Our experienced instructors guide students through traditional Ashtanga sequences and creative Vinyasa flows, emphasizing breath awareness, physical alignment, and mental focus. We provide diverse class formats including Mysore-style self-practice, led Primary Series, and themed workshops.Our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program, registered with Yoga Alliance, empowers students to deepen their personal practice and develop teaching skills grounded in yoga philosophy, anatomy, and ethical principles. The studio also hosts a Buddhist meditation center offering Vipassana classes and retreats. With a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, we welcome students to explore yoga's transformative potential for body, mind, and spirit through both physical practice and contemplative traditions.
Services
Yoga Classes
Teacher Training
Meditation Programs
Mysore Style Practice
Vipassana Meditation
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa instruction
- Our instructors trained directly in Mysore, India with master teachers
- We provide Yoga Alliance-registered 200-hour teacher training programs
- Our community includes specialized meditation programs with certified teachers
- We combine traditional practice with modern anatomical understanding
Associations and certifications
- Yoga Alliance (RYS)
What people say
Transformative experience
Knowledgeable instructors
Supportive community
Authentic teaching methods
Life-changing training
Services
Yoga Classes
Offering traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa classes for all levels, including Mysore-style self-practice and guided Flow sessions. Our experienced instructors provide personalized attention while maintaining authentic practice traditions. Classes emphasize breath-movement synchronization, progressive sequencing, and mindful alignment to develop physical strength, flexibility, and mental clarity through systematic yoga practice.
Teacher Training
Comprehensive 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program registered with Yoga Alliance. Curriculum includes asana practice, anatomy studies, teaching methodology, yoga philosophy, and meditation techniques. Led by senior instructors with decades of combined experience, this immersive program prepares students to teach diverse classes while deepening their personal practice through traditional teachings and modern applications.
Meditation Programs
Chittamani Mahayana Buddhist Meditation Center offers Vipassana (Insight Meditation) classes and retreats. Resident teacher Dr. Bob Kapitany guides weekly sessions focusing on mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom practices. Programs include beginner-friendly introductions to meditation, themed meditation nights, and seasonal retreats that complement physical yoga practice with contemplative traditions.
Mysore Style Practice
Traditional Mysore-style Ashtanga classes where students learn sequences at their own pace with individualized teacher guidance. This method emphasizes memorization of postures, breath awareness, and developing personal practice discipline. Suitable for all levels, with modifications provided to accommodate different abilities while maintaining the integrity of traditional Ashtanga methodology.
Vipassana Meditation
Specialized meditation instruction based on the Vipassana tradition, focusing on developing insight through mindful awareness. Weekly classes and retreats explore Buddhist teachings on impermanence, suffering, and non-attachment. Practices include breath awareness, body scanning, and mindful observation of mental phenomena to cultivate clarity and emotional balance.
People
Janice DeFilippi
Founder & Senior Instructor
Founder of Astanga Yoga Ottawa with decades of experience studying in Mysore, India. Holds advanced teaching certification from Richard Freeman and continues John Scott's teachings. Emphasizes traditional Ashtanga practice with compassionate instruction.
Michael Dynie
Senior Instructor
17-year teaching veteran blending anatomy studies with Hatha Yoga. Influenced by Richard Freeman's approach, he focuses on breath awareness and meditative stability. Combines traditional Ashtanga with modern biomechanical understanding to make yoga accessible for diverse practitioners.
Allison Tomotsugu
Instructor
Lifetime Ashtanga student since 2001 with deep understanding of biomechanics. Balances teaching with motherhood, emphasizing thoughtful movement re-patterning. Helps students connect breath, movement, and daily life through evolving personal practice and technical knowledge.
Dr. Bob Kapitany
Resident Lama
Spiritual director of Chittamani Mahayana Buddhist Meditation Center. Provides meditation instruction rooted in Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Combines academic expertise with practical teaching experience to guide students in Vipassana practice and philosophical understanding.
Donna Hughes
Instructor
Yoga teacher since 1996 with expertise in pranayama and Ashtanga. Combines traditional respect with intuitive teaching, creating playful yet challenging classes. Focuses on helping students find contentment through balanced physical and mental yoga practice.
Questions
What yoga styles do you offer?
We specialize in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga with Mysore-style self-practice, guided Flow classes, and Vinyasa sequencing. We also offer meditation programs through our Buddhist center.
Do you have yoga teacher training?
Yes, our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training registered with Yoga Alliance includes anatomy, philosophy, teaching methodology, and meditation. Runs annually from October to April with experienced instructors.
Are classes suitable for beginners?
Yes, all our classes welcome beginners. Mysore-style sessions provide personalized instruction while Flow classes offer guided sequences appropriate for new students.
Do you offer meditation instruction?
Yes, our Chittamani Mahayana Buddhist Meditation Center offers weekly Vipassana sessions, special topic nights, and seasonal retreats led by resident Lama Dr. Bob Kapitany.
What payment options exist for training?
We require a $500 non-refundable deposit with flexible payment plans available until February 28th. Full tuition of $3,500 + HST must be paid by course start.
How to prepare for first class?
Arrive 10-15 minutes early with yoga mat and water. Wear comfortable clothing, avoid heavy meals beforehand, and inform instructors about any injuries or special needs.
Reviews (6)
Mike B.
Feb 04, 2021
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I took some introductory lessons here and the staff were great in helping me learn some basic poses and how to help destress from everyday life and focus on the positive.
Paul Jackson
Oct 01, 2019
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Ashtanga Yoga Ottawa is centrally located, clean, open early, and truly embraces the spirit of Ashtanga Yoga. If you are just starting yoga, this is the place for you. If you've had a daily practice for many years and never been, you've gotta come to AYO. When you arrive you will sense the strong ties to the Ashtanga Yoga tradition when you walk through the door. Led by Janice Rosco and a small select group of devoted amazing practitioners, some of who also teach, you'll find a level of teaching and learning second to none in Ottawa. Acceptance and challenge are on tap and served daily AYO, and
Erik Scanlon
Jan 21, 2019
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I was overweight, High Blood Pressure, Addictions, A lot of Fear, found Astanga Yoga on bank street by mistake. Results,I lost weight, look younger. Think better, A real opportunity to live longer without any major problems. -Terry Scanlon Hot dog vendor
Mirka Strmiskova
Jun 15, 2018
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I have always somewhat known about Astanga Yoga Ottawa since I moved to Ottawa downtown 7 years ago, but only recently I ventured in their studio - the owner and teachers are very nice and knowledgeable and I honestly don't know what took me so long!! I love the ashtanga flow class and can't wait to try Mysore. The bonus is that the classes are very affordable!
Brittany Amell
Jan 25, 2017
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I have been practicing with AYO for well over a year now. The teachers here are well-trained, knowledgeable, and dedicated. They are all dedicated to their own practices, and it shows. Janice, the owner, is kind and generous - she has helped me to find a package that suits my needs and budget. Astanga yoga is more traditional than many other forms taught in studios today - which is a real treat, if you are a yogi who is searching for uncluttered, no big deal, practice. See you on the mat!
Jenny Tsen
Jan 17, 2017
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What a wonderful place to learn Astanga! The teachers are excellent and knowledgable. There is also a dedicated group of yogis to learn from.
