What is Ashtanga Yoga?

Ashtanga Yoga ancient system comes from the old book title Yoga Korunta by Vamana Rishi, this teachings passed to Sri T. Krishmacharya in the 1900’s by his teacher Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and then to Pattabhi Jois around 1927.

Though somewhat light on meditation, Ashtanga is fast moving and intense, proving to be one of the more physically demanding forms of yoga. The poses are a set sequence of Asanas synchronized with the breath and always performed in the same order. Students move in a quick yet natural flow through a combination of sun salutation poses which include a standing forward bend, upward dog, downward dog, and other poses like standing, seated, backbends, inversions, balancing and twisting poses. The result is continual movement which can improve stamina, strength and flexibility. Ashtanga yoga was the inspiration for Power yoga which, though based on the flowing style of Ashtanga, typically does not strictly adhere to the set series of poses.

It has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among athletes, and is a good choice for anyone who is in reasonably good physical condition.

The 3 main focuses in the Ashtanga Yoga taught by Pattabhi Jois are:

1. Vinyasa: The flow of breath and the movement. Each movement must have one breath. Standing up is one breath (inhalation), bending forward has another breath (exhalation) and successively.

The benefits of Vinyasa is internal cleanse as creates heat removing toxins and making the blood thinner so it can circulate free through the body.

The practice of Vinyasa brings the focus inward.

2. Tristhana: The 3 points of focus: Breath pattern, dhristi, and posture.

1. Breath pattern: The inhalation and exhalation should have the same length. The locks should be used, mula bhanda, and uddiyana bhanda. Breathing purifies the nervous system.
2. Dhristi: There are 9 dhristi, or place where you stare at, nose, brow point, navel, thumb, hands, feet, up, right side and left side.
3. Posture: Through asanas to strengthen and purify the body.

3. The 6 poisons: The Yoga Shastra claims that God lives in our hearts as light, but it is covered by these poisons. And discipline and a long period of time practice the heat produce from the practice will burn them.
1. Karma (desire)
2. Krodha (anger)
3. Moha (delusion)
4. Lobha (greed)
5. Matsarya (envy)
6. Mada  (sloth)