Power Yoga Master Class – Studio Herzfeld (Graz, Austria)

Power Yoga Master Class at Studio Herzfeld in Graz, Styria, is a yoga workshop led by Bryan Kest, the creator of Power Yoga. It suits anyone who wants to practice with a teacher who has shaped this style from its beginnings, whether you know his classes already or have only heard the name used for a vigorous workout. The class takes place in Austria at Studio Herzfeld, as part of Kest's European visit.

What to Expect

A master class with Bryan Kest follows his own understanding of Power Yoga, which is broader than the way the term is often used today. Many people now use "power yoga" to mean any strong, fast class. For Kest, power lies in strength (yang) and also in gentleness (yin), and health comes from a balance between the two. That balance is personal, so each student is asked to find their own rather than match the room.

His classes ask you to breathe deeply through the nose, honor your limits, and back off when sensation turns into strain. Comparing yourself to others is discouraged. Meditation and gratitude run through the practice. Kest describes the aim as a system of exercise that fully integrates the body, mind, and spirit.

About Bryan Kest

Bryan Kest is the creator of Power Yoga. Born in 1964, he began practicing yoga in 1979, at the age of 14. He was one of the first Westerners to learn Ashtanga, studying in Hawaii with David Williams and in India with Pattabhi Jois. He has been teaching since 1985.

Over those decades he has kept his approach centered on personal responsibility in practice: strength and softness held together, effort that stays inside what your body can honestly do, and a steady attention to breath. Students in Graz can expect to learn from a teacher who has worked with this method for most of his life.

The Setting

The class is held at Studio Herzfeld in Graz, the capital of Styria in southern Austria. Studio Herzfeld is the local host for this stop on Kest's European visit.

Before You Go

Because the practice is built around honoring your own limits, you do not need to match anyone else's level in the room. Come ready to breathe, move at your own pace, and pay attention to the difference between sensation and strain. Wear clothing you can move freely in.