From Rouen to Brussels, the Ashtanga Yoga Institute was born from a story of transmission begun in 1973 by Jean-Claude Garnier. A look back at that history, and at what the Institute has become today.
The beginnings in Rouen (1973)
On his return from India — where he taught Vinobā Bhāve and Indira Gandhi at the Pāunar ashram, and took part in the first foundations of the Matrimandir at Auroville — Jean-Claude Garnier began transmitting yoga in September 1973, at the Maison de la Culture in Rouen. Success was immediate: daily classes, and seminars at the château d’Ernemont.
In 1974 he founded the C.R.Y. (Centre Rouennais du Yoga) in Rouen with Dr Louis Creyx: 264 people attended regularly.
From the Padmā Centre to the Community of the Ark
In 1979 the Padmā Centre was created in Elbeuf, for residential seminars. Many courses were given in France, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Since then, Jean-Claude has taught exclusively the Yoga Korunta (Ashtanga Yoga, after Sri K. Pattabhi Jois).
Many seminars took place in the south of France, at the Community of the Ark founded by Lanza del Vasto.
Settling in Brussels
Life changed: Jean-Claude met Anne and settled in Brussels in 1987. The Ashtanga Yoga Institute was located on rue Jules Lejeune (1989–2003) before moving to its own premises at 610 chaussée d’Alsemberg in Uccle — a room designed according to Pattabhi Jois’s recommendations:
“The ideal yoga room should be well ventilated, on the ground floor, the floor very flat and very clean, in a quiet place, far from noise.”
The Institute’s reputation spread: courses and teacher-training seminars are given in Belgium, in Greece (Andros, Athens) and in India (Mahābalipuram).
The Institute today
The Ashtanga Yoga Institute of Brussels transmits the Yoga Korunta as it was taught by Śrī K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore. A fine team keeps it alive: daily classes (introduction, beginner, first to third series), intensive mornings, teacher training (Brussels, Greece, India) and sessions in wonderful places — in Greece (Athens, Andros) and India (Mahābalipuram).
Added to these are events: concerts of traditional Indian music, Indian and Ayurvedic cooking classes.
Om Shanti.