Welcome to our new series on finding your best yoga practice. And since we are right at the start of Yoga Month the timing could not be better! From my introduction, I really want to help debunk and demystify some of the more popular and readily accessible styles of Hatha yoga. And please note, there are tons of yogic experts, practitioners, teachers that might have a different interpretation of these schools of yoga. I will try and give the most researched description peppered with my own personal views.
What is it?
According to the official Ashtanga website: Ashtanga Yoga is a system of Yoga recorded by the sage Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta, an ancient manuscript said to contain lists of many different groupings of asanas, (postures) as well as highly original teachings on vinyasa (flowing together of different poses), drishti (point of vision for each pose), bandhas, mudras (sacred hand gestures), and philosophy… The text of the Yoga Korunta was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900’s by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927…” Since 1948, Pattabhi Jois has been teaching Ashtanga Yoga from his yoga home, the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois is THE father of Ashtanga yoga and considered one of the founding fathers of modern yoga. He is 93 years old this month and their were many celebrations for him within the yoga community. To read more about this master, please read his most fascinating bio.
Ashtanga Yoga literally means “eight-limbed yoga,” as outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. According to Patanjali, the path of internal purification for revealing the Universal Self consists of the following eight spiritual practices. They are:
- Yama - moral codes
- Niyama - self-purification and study
- Asana - posture
- Pranayama - breath control
- Pratyahara - sense control
- Dharana - concentration
- Dhyana - meditation
- Samadhi - contemplation
What is the style/class like?
Ashtanga is truly one of the traditional/purist styles of yoga, as you can see from the above, with its origins derived from ancient text. An Ashtanga class follows a very strict set of poses beginning with surya namaskara (sun salutations.) Ashtanga is a very vigorous practice that builds heat from the inside out and continues with a constant flow of poses/ primary series, only graduating to the next “level” when deemed ready by a master instructor. Once you’ve achieved basics and foundations, students can advance to intermediate levels where the focus is on pace and breath versus alignment which should now already be mastered. Also what you’ll hear associated with Ashtanga is the term Mysore, or self-led Ashtanga classes.
Mysore is the town in India where Jois is from and where the style originated. These self-led classes are held in studio and you will see them on the schedule. These are self-paced classes with a teacher in the room to adjust with everyone doing their own yogic thing. Not for beginners! Ashtanga purists don’t practice on moon days. These are considered days of rest for Ashtangis.
Who might benefit from Ashtanga Yoga?
Ashtanga was my first yoga discipline. I craved structure, discipline and foundation. Keep in mind that Ashtanga is one of the more “serious” of the styles, many practitioners are intense and focused; I cannot recall having music in an Ashtanga class. And, if you need to advance to that next level quickly you might feel frustration - I know people who have been in the beginning series for years and are FINE with that. However, if you’re looking for strong foundations, an intense practice and want a discipline that can lead to a strong home practice (Mysore), Ashtanga is for you.
Additional Information:
David Swenson and Richard Freeman are considered two of the leading Ashtanga experts today. They both give workshops and retreats regularly. If you can’t get to these masters, check out Richard Freeman’s Introduction to Ashtanga video.
Namaste.
Written by: Michelle Barge
What is it?
According to the official Ashtanga website: Ashtanga Yoga is a system of Yoga recorded by the sage Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta, an ancient manuscript said to contain lists of many different groupings of asanas, (postures) as well as highly original teachings on vinyasa (flowing together of different poses), drishti (point of vision for each pose), bandhas, mudras (sacred hand gestures), and philosophy… The text of the Yoga Korunta was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900’s by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927…” Since 1948, Pattabhi Jois has been teaching Ashtanga Yoga from his yoga home, the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois is THE father of Ashtanga yoga and considered one of the founding fathers of modern yoga. He is 93 years old this month and their were many celebrations for him within the yoga community. To read more about this master, please read his most fascinating bio.
Ashtanga Yoga literally means “eight-limbed yoga,” as outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. According to Patanjali, the path of internal purification for revealing the Universal Self consists of the following eight spiritual practices. They are:
What is the style/class like?
Ashtanga is truly one of the traditional/purist styles of yoga, as you can see from the above, with its origins derived from ancient text. An Ashtanga class follows a very strict set of poses beginning with surya namaskara (sun salutations.) Ashtanga is a very vigorous practice that builds heat from the inside out and continues with a constant flow of poses/ primary series, only graduating to the next “level” when deemed ready by a master instructor. Once you’ve achieved basics and foundations, students can advance to intermediate levels where the focus is on pace and breath versus alignment which should now already be mastered. Also what you’ll hear associated with Ashtanga is the term Mysore, or self-led Ashtanga classes.
Mysore is the town in India where Jois is from and where the style originated. These self-led classes are held in studio and you will see them on the schedule. These are self-paced classes with a teacher in the room to adjust with everyone doing their own yogic thing. Not for beginners! Ashtanga purists don’t practice on moon days. These are considered days of rest for Ashtangis.
Who might benefit from Ashtanga Yoga?
Ashtanga was my first yoga discipline. I craved structure, discipline and foundation. Keep in mind that Ashtanga is one of the more “serious” of the styles, many practitioners are intense and focused; I cannot recall having music in an Ashtanga class. And, if you need to advance to that next level quickly you might feel frustration - I know people who have been in the beginning series for years and are FINE with that. However, if you’re looking for strong foundations, an intense practice and want a discipline that can lead to a strong home practice (Mysore), Ashtanga is for you.
Additional Information:
David Swenson and Richard Freeman are considered two of the leading Ashtanga experts today. They both give workshops and retreats regularly. If you can’t get to these masters, check out Richard Freeman’s Introduction to Ashtanga video.
Namaste.
Written by: Michelle Barge