GRATITUDE

Ashtanga Yoga Houston was founded in 2012 by Rachel Nystrom, with the unwavering support of her husband, Erik Hardenbol, and the encouragement of her teacher, R. Sharath Jois.

The school was a dedicated shala for sharing the tradition of the Ashtanga Yoga method as taught by R. Sharath Jois of Mysore, India. AYH was committed to imparting the practice in its pure, traditional form—passed directly from teacher to student through the Mysore-style approach.

AYH evolved from its humble beginnings in Rachel and Erik’s small backyard studio to the creation of the space at 3500 Audubon, which allowed more students the opportunity to practice. Over the years, hundreds of practitioners came to learn this transformative method in a focused, safe, and nurturing environment.

Ashtanga Yoga Houston was more than a yoga studio; it was a shala—a home of yoga—existing as a space for personal development and contemplation, as well as mental and physical transformation.

With immense gratitude, we now close this chapter of Ashtanga Yoga Houston. We are deeply thankful to the teachers who have supported us in sharing the practice over the years, and are profoundly honored and humbled by all the practitioners who have allowed us to hold this space for them.

Very truly yours,

Rachel and Erik
September 2025