About Ashtanga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is an ancient system of yoga originating from India thousands of years ago. "Ashtanga" literally means eight limbs, as described in the Ashtanga Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as; Yama (moral and ethical codes), Niyama (self-purification and study), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (contemplation). "Vinyasa" refers to the idea of linking the breath with movement, with a defined number of breaths leading you into and out of a posture. The term "Yoga" has many definitions but is ultimately concerned with the refinement of the mind.
There are three levels of sequences in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga each comprising a specific order of postures linked together in a flowing series, in which the breath continues steadily throughout. These are the Primary Series, the Intermediate Series and The Advanced Series. The Primary Series consists of 10 sun salutes, 16 standing postures and 28 seated postures followed by 12 postures of the finishing sequence and ending with Savasana. The postures have been organized systematically and should only be practiced in the order in which they are presented, as they cleanse and detoxify the body in a methodical manner on all levels, including the organs, muscles, blood and the nervous system. In addition there are three fundamental techniques that underpin the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga which are the Ujjayi Breath, Uddiyana and Mula Bandha and Dristis.
All students begin with the practice of a few postures from the Primary Series, as determined by the teacher. In addition, under the guidance of a qualified teacher, each Series is to be fully developed before proceeding onto the next. Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, practiced in its correct sequential order, gradually leads the student to rediscovering his or her fullest potential on all levels - physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual.
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Originally recorded many centuries ago by the Rishi Vamana in a manuscript entitled the Yoga Korunta, the teachings of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, as outlined in this text, were imparted many centuries later to Sri T. Krishnamacharya by his Guru, Rama Mohan Brahmachari in the early 1900's and were subsequently passed onto Sri K Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) in the late 1920's. During the 1960's and '70's, the first Westerners came to India to study with Guruji. Since then Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga has spread throughout the world.
Although this ancient manuscript has since been lost, it was said to contain not only lists of many different groupings of asanas and original teachings on the core components of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system, but also the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and a commentary on the Yoga Sutras. The Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali and the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga of Rishi Vamana refer to the philosophy of (Classical) Yoga and the practice of postures (asanas) respectively. The coupling of these two together, emphasizes the importance of the practice of asana, underpinned by the practice of the philosophy.
The three fundamental techniques that underline Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga are the Ujjayi Breath, Uddiyana and Mula Bandha and Dristis. The Ujjayi breath is a chest breathing technique that has many benefits including the production of heat, which is needed to burn toxins at both the physical and mental levels. Bandhas can be described as muscle locks or seals which, on a physical level, help to stabilize joint complexes by balancing joint flexibility with muscular strength and which also generates and moves energy through the body. Applied together, the Ujjayi Breath and Bandhas not only cause the internal heat created when practicing the postures but are also responsible for the rejuvenation, detoxification and safety in your practice. Dristhi is a particular gazing point used in all postures to help to draw the sense of seeing inward, purifying and stabilizing the functioning of the mind, facilitating the practice of Pratyahara, one of the eight limbs. There are nine Dristhis: the nose, the spot between the eyebrows, navel, thumb, hands, big toes, upward, far right and far left side. When these three places of attention come together, posture, breathing system and dristhi, practitioners have reached Tristana. This facilitates the beginning of the practice of the more subtle aspects of the eight limbs, such as Dharana and Dhyana.