Stefan D. Prowaznik is a trained sound engineer and has been practicing yoga since 1996 when he was introduced to Astanga Vinyasa Yoga while on a six-month journey through India. The energy of this dynamic form of Yoga immediately captured his passion and he decided to dedicated his life to its practice and transmission.

Stefan has studied with many teachers, but after a trip to New York City in 2001—to practice with Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois—he observed that the practice could not be effectively transmitted in a room full of hundreds of students. He has since focused on studying in smaller groups, and on an individualized basis, with students from the early days of Astanga who received the teachings directly from Guruji.

Stefan’s main teacher is Graeme Northfield who combines the early, individualized approach of Astanga with in-depth anatomical knowledge and constant research into safer practices. Nancy Gilgoff, another student from the early days of the practice, is a close friend and guide on the energetic matters of Yoga.

Like his teachers, Stefan teaches to small groups, helping individual practitioners focus on anatomical awareness and on keeping the form alive and evolving through fresh approaches. To this end, he has also become certified in Pilates and practiced other forms of Yoga, and what he has learned through these experiences has been carefully integrated into his teachings.

After a severe disk injury in Stefan had to explore all the options of recovery through these different techniques, and developed his “Beyond” Astanga approach mainly to avoid pain in his own practice and to respect AHIMSA (non violence) in the Asana practice.

Since 2001, Stefan has taught traditional Mysore-style classes, non-traditional and traditional led classes, and workshops in different countries, including  Austria, Ibiza, Thailand and Qatar. His own advanced practice and in-depth knowledge of the body in addition to his warmth and humor introduces Astanga as a practice to invigorate both body and soul.