What's New

About

Teachers

Articles

Links

Moon Days

Dylan Bernstein - Personal Biography

Dylan was fortunate enough to be introduced to yoga and meditation in 1988. These essential tools helped him negotiate the turbulent seas of his teens and twenties. Then Ashtanga yoga discovered Dylan at the end of his first year in India. He has maintained a daily practice ever since. A lifelong interest in Asian philosophy, culture and poetics brought him to reside in Asia, where he has maintained his home base since 2001. He has learned immensely both by traveling widely and by living in Vietnam, India and now Hong Kong.

In addition to time spent in Mysore with Guruji, Saraswathi and Sharath Jois, Dylan has been blessed to connect with other dear senior teachers from the Ashtanga lineage. He has worked diligently with Prem and Radha Carlisi at Ashtanga Yoga Bali Research Center, where he is honoured to substitute teach for them each summer. He has also been shaped by studying under Rolf and Marci Naujokat, Tim Miller, Clayton Horton, Kristina Karitinou Ireland, Casey J. Palmer, Vijay Amar and Cliff Barber. Time spent working and residing in the monastaries of Venerable Thích Huyền Diệu has also proven immensely insightful. Dylan has taught on four continents and continues to be influenced by many other teachers and diverse traditions. Perhaps his primary inspiration has become his dynamic and inquisitive students. He is forever indebted to all the teachers, students and fellow practitioners who have helped him along the way.

Dylan has a master's degree in Buddhist studies, has been authorised to teach Ashtanga yoga by the Shri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute and is EYRT-500 certified by Yoga Alliance. A student of teaching techniques, Dylan has a background in pedagogy and cognitive development. His classes are designed to put students into direct contact with their own true internal teachers. Yoga has never been limited to asana for Dylan and yet, he values the critical role that the physical practice can play in bringing light to one's whole being. Essentially, Dylan remains a pluralist, believing in many kinds of truth and many manners of realization.

Though entertainment is not his focus in teaching, there is always room for laughter in his classroom. Though the land and conditions around him are often shifting, the practices keep him grounded internally, allowing for stability even when in the midst of change. Ashtanga vinyasa coupled with pranayama and other sitting practices continue to be the foundations of his understanding and teachings.