Jason Schramm
Why/How Yoga?
My first experience with Yoga was in 1999 in the form of a Vinyasa practice session on a VHS tape. A few good friends (thanks Carrie Hensley and Judy K.!) had seen how stressed out I was becoming from my reactions to my work environment at the time and suggested Yoga. If I remember correctly…I found the tape one night when I came home from work, with a post-it note stuck to it that had the words “watch this” written on it.
And so I did…I was hooked and began practicing Vinyasa regularly until the summer of 2000, when I was introduced to Ashtanga and began practicing both Ashtanga and Vinyasa 2 to 4 hours daily. I sustained this intense practice regimen until mid 2003, when I opened DY (having to allocate more time to other duties).
From my very first experiences/months with Yoga, the gross physical benefits were obvious, such as improved posture, strength, flexibility and concentration. However, some of the more subtle physical benefits took many years to realize, like enhanced respiration, digestion, and elimination, resulting in less sickness and more energy. In addition to the physical improvements, my mind began to change as well…being able to slow down and focus more, identify and remove negative habits of thought, and stay calm and breathe well in difficult situations.
Patience. Over the last 12 years many challenges have come in and out of my life…illness, injury, loss…the same types of things all of us go (grow) through. Throughout all of my tests and trials, I have maintained my Yogasana practice…however, it has never stayed the same. Sometimes very fluid, strong, and light as a feather, other times…heavy, slow, tight and seemingly crippled. It has all been growth…I have achieved much higher levels of patience, as well being extremely accepting of how things are at the time. Patience and persistence conquer all (seeming) obstacles. It is amazing what can be learned from moving the body through the same (seemingly) movements and postures year after year. The physical practice maintained over the years has had more positive impact on my head and my heart than anything else.
Thank you to my students…past and present…they are the reason I never quit and have learned so many valuable lessons as a result. I hope to share everything I have learned.
Training and teaching experience...
In addition to Yogasana, in the spring of 2002 Jason began practicing Zen Martial Arts with Sifu Robert Brown and more recently in the fall of 2009, he began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Sifu Brown and Sensai Ryan Fiorenzi.
The Yoga style that Jason practices and teaches is Ashtanga / Vinyasa based, and strongly influenced by his Martial Arts training. That said...you won't see any punches or kicks in DY classes, as he doesn't believe that is the place to learn those movements and techniques safely. When he says that his Yoga is influenced by Martial Arts, he means the discipline, fluidity, and dynamism of the combinations of movements and postures. This high level of adaptation, creativity, and presence found in Martial Arts is what Jason brings to his students and incorporates into DY classes.
In short…Jason has been practicing Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yogasana and meditation consistently as his primary practice for over 12 years, as well as mixed martial arts as his secondary practice for over 8 years. He began teaching Yogasana part time in the fall of 2000 and moved to full time in the spring of 2001. Jason opened DY Royal Oak in the fall of 2003 and DY Ann Arbor in the summer of 2011. He has accumulated over 10,000 hours of classroom teaching experience and has had the good fortune of working with all types of people...from 5-year-olds to 80...from very fit and healthy to individuals plagued with cancer. He has been humbled and taught by them all.
My first experience with Yoga was in 1999 in the form of a Vinyasa practice session on a VHS tape. A few good friends (thanks Carrie Hensley and Judy K.!) had seen how stressed out I was becoming from my reactions to my work environment at the time and suggested Yoga. If I remember correctly…I found the tape one night when I came home from work, with a post-it note stuck to it that had the words “watch this” written on it.
And so I did…I was hooked and began practicing Vinyasa regularly until the summer of 2000, when I was introduced to Ashtanga and began practicing both Ashtanga and Vinyasa 2 to 4 hours daily. I sustained this intense practice regimen until mid 2003, when I opened DY (having to allocate more time to other duties).
From my very first experiences/months with Yoga, the gross physical benefits were obvious, such as improved posture, strength, flexibility and concentration. However, some of the more subtle physical benefits took many years to realize, like enhanced respiration, digestion, and elimination, resulting in less sickness and more energy. In addition to the physical improvements, my mind began to change as well…being able to slow down and focus more, identify and remove negative habits of thought, and stay calm and breathe well in difficult situations.
Patience. Over the last 12 years many challenges have come in and out of my life…illness, injury, loss…the same types of things all of us go (grow) through. Throughout all of my tests and trials, I have maintained my Yogasana practice…however, it has never stayed the same. Sometimes very fluid, strong, and light as a feather, other times…heavy, slow, tight and seemingly crippled. It has all been growth…I have achieved much higher levels of patience, as well being extremely accepting of how things are at the time. Patience and persistence conquer all (seeming) obstacles. It is amazing what can be learned from moving the body through the same (seemingly) movements and postures year after year. The physical practice maintained over the years has had more positive impact on my head and my heart than anything else.
Thank you to my students…past and present…they are the reason I never quit and have learned so many valuable lessons as a result. I hope to share everything I have learned.
Training and teaching experience...
In addition to Yogasana, in the spring of 2002 Jason began practicing Zen Martial Arts with Sifu Robert Brown and more recently in the fall of 2009, he began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Sifu Brown and Sensai Ryan Fiorenzi.
The Yoga style that Jason practices and teaches is Ashtanga / Vinyasa based, and strongly influenced by his Martial Arts training. That said...you won't see any punches or kicks in DY classes, as he doesn't believe that is the place to learn those movements and techniques safely. When he says that his Yoga is influenced by Martial Arts, he means the discipline, fluidity, and dynamism of the combinations of movements and postures. This high level of adaptation, creativity, and presence found in Martial Arts is what Jason brings to his students and incorporates into DY classes.
In short…Jason has been practicing Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yogasana and meditation consistently as his primary practice for over 12 years, as well as mixed martial arts as his secondary practice for over 8 years. He began teaching Yogasana part time in the fall of 2000 and moved to full time in the spring of 2001. Jason opened DY Royal Oak in the fall of 2003 and DY Ann Arbor in the summer of 2011. He has accumulated over 10,000 hours of classroom teaching experience and has had the good fortune of working with all types of people...from 5-year-olds to 80...from very fit and healthy to individuals plagued with cancer. He has been humbled and taught by them all.
