There is yoga on the Vineyard and then there is yoga on the Vineyard. It really is an embarrassment of suppleness. Each week a host of talented teachers conduct classes and workshops in almost every nook and cranny of the Island. Add to this the periodic washing ashore of talented teachers from the “real world.”

Beginning today and continuing through the weekend is the third annual local mindfulness yoga retreat held at the Vineyard Arts Project at 215 Upper Main street in Edgartown. Today’s class will be taught by Primo Lombardi as a benefit for the Vineyard Arts Project. Class begins at 3:30 p.m. and costs $35.

The rest of the classes during the weekend will be taught by Johanna Hynes and Amy Leydon. All participants are also welcome, for an additional fee, to stay after each class to share in local food made by local chefs. For a full schedule of days and times see yogaonthevineyard.com.

Beginning, Monday, August 22 and running through Friday, August 26, Barbara Verrochi of New York city will conduct daily asana workshops at the Yard on Middle Road in Chilmark. Ms. Verrochi codirects The Shala in New York city. She practices Ashtanga Yoga with Eddie Stern and studies singing and harmonium with Gulum Mohamed Kahn. In 2002 Sri K Pattabhi Jois gave her his blessing to teach Ashtanga Yoga.

And soon Ms Verrochi will be here.

Each class will open with a discussion on the importance of drishti or gazing points within the asana practice. Drishti is the traditional way of directing attention and purifying the mind by focusing one’s gaze on one point but it also refers to the insights (inward vision) one gains about the nature of the self through practice over time.

For details and schedules for this workshop, contact eillom@earthlink.net.