Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is the system of Yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois at The Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore India. This method of Yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a series of Postures.

Ashtanga Yoga literally means Eight Limbed Yoga as outlined in the Sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. According to Patanjali the main components of Ashtanga Yoga :

Vinyasa:Breathing and Movement. For each movement there is one breath the first Vinyasa is inhaling while raising your arms above your head and putting your hands together, the second is exhaling while bending forward placing your hands next to your feet. and so on, In this way all the Asanas are assigned a number of vinyasas.

The reason we have Vinyasa is for internal cleansing, Breathing and Movement during the Asanas makes the blood hot and the heat causes the blood to thin thus making it circulate around the body freely, taking away any pains around your joints. Sweating during this process allows impurities to leave the body helping your body to become healthy and strong.

Tristhana: This means the three places of attention- Postures, Breathing and Looking Place. These are very important for Yoga practice, and they cover the three levels of purification. The Body, Nervous System and The Mind they are always performed in conjunction with each other.

Asanas purify, strengthen and give the body flexibility. Breathing is Rechaka(inhale) and Puraka(exhale) these both should be even and steady and the length of the inhale should be the same as the exhale, This helps to purify the Nervous System.

In Ashtanga Yoga Asanas are grouped into six series. The Primary Series( yoga chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body. The Intermediate Series( Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and cleaning the energy channels. The Advanced Series A,B,C, and D(Sthira Bhaga) combine the strength and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility and humility. Each level is to be fully developed before moving to the next, and the order of the Asanas is to meticulously followed. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing the strength and balance required to move further.