Wikipedia
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
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religious_origins=Hinduism
regional_origins=Mysore, India
founding_guru=Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
popularity=Growing from the late 20th century
derivatives=
related_schools=Iyengar Yoga
practice_emphases=Vinyassa - coordinating of breathe and movement, very physically active, ujjayi breath
other_topics=
The term Ashtanga means eight limbs. Within Raja Yoga, a classical Indian system of Hindu philosophy the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali#The Eight Limbs of Raja Yogaeight limbs of yoga are expounded by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras of PatanjaliYoga Sutras. This article is about the style of yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India.''This article is about the Ashtanga Yoga style of yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. This school of yoga seeks to embody the traditional eight limbs of yoga (also referred to as Ashtanga Yoga) as expounded by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras. Ashtanga Yoga is said to have its origin in the ancient text ''Yoga Korunta'' by Vamana Rishi, which Sri Tirumalai KrishnamacharyaKrishnamacharya received from his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and later passed on to Pattabhi Jois. Having taught many of the major yoga teachers of the 20th Century, such as B.K.S. Iyengar and Indra Devi, Krishnamacharya has a huge influence on many of the modern forms of yoga taught today and played a crucial part in their development. Today, Ashtanga remains the most faithful to his original teachings. Krishnamacharya was well-known for tailoring his teachings to address specific concerns of the person or group he was teaching, and Ashtanga Vinyasa is a result of this. When working under the convalescing Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnamacharya set up a shala, or yoga school, in the palace grounds and adapted Ashtanga practice for the young boys of about twelve years of age who lived there. Ashtanga, therefore, is a very physically demanding practice targetted at focusing the mind and body.The asana or practice (Hatha YogaHatha) aspects of this style of yoga is practiced and popularized by Madonna (entertainer)Madonna and Sting (musician)Sting.
Method - The main difference of this style of Yoga to other styles is the focus on vinyasa, which is the union of movement and breath. The student moves into and out of each asana in a well-defined set of movements, called Suryanamaskara or Sun-Salutation, which are combined with specific breathing patterns. The purpose of vinyasa is to create heat in the body, which leads to purification of the body through increased circulation and sweating. It also improves flexibility, which allows the student to practice advanced asanas without risk of injury.Other components of Ashtanga Yoga include bandhas (internal locks), ujjayi breath (sound breath), and drishti (gaze). There are six series altogether. Practice begins with a set number of Sun-Salutations and standing poses, then the student moves to either the Primary, Intermediate, Advanced A, B, C, or D, depending on his or her skill level, and closes his practice with a group of finishing poses. Ashtanga Yoga is traditionally taught in ''Mysore style'' (supervised self practice). Each student moves through their practice at their own pace and level. The teacher observes the students, and helps or adjusts individual students when the need arises. However, in order to be able to conduct larger classes in his world travels, Jois developed the Led style, where the teacher announces the poses as they arise and students follow as a group, one pose at a time. Many western Ashtanga classes are taught in this way.
Bandhas - There are three bandhas, or internal body locks, prescribed in the different postures. The banda is a sustained contraction of a group of muscles that assists the practitioner not only in retaining a pose but also in moving in and out of it. The mula bandha, or root lock, is performed by tightening the muscles around the pelvic and perineum area. The udiyana bandha, often described as bringing the navel to the base of the spine, is a contraction of the muscles of the lower abdominal area. Jalandhara bandha, the chin lock, is achieved by bringing the chin to rest on the torso and bringing the gaze down.
Drishtis - Like bandhas, there are nine drishtis that instruct the yoga student in directing his or her gaze. Each pose is associated with a particular drishti. They are:''Angusta ma dyai'': to the thumb''Broomadhya'': to the third eye, or between the eyebrows''Nasagrai'': at a point six inches from the tip of the nose''Hastagrai'': to the palm, usually the extended hand''Parsva'': to the left side ''Parsva'': to the right side''Urdhva'': to the sky, or inwards''Nabichakra'': to the navel''Padayoragrai'': to the toes !
Mantras - The Ashtanga practice is traditionally started with the following Sanskrit mantra:vande gurunam sharanaravinde sandarshita svatma sukhava bodhe
nih shreyase jangalikayamane samsara halahala mohasantyai
abahu purusharakam sankhashakrasi dharinam
shahasra shirsam svetam pranamami patanjalim
and closes with the mangala mantra:svasti prajabyah paripalayantam nyayena margena mahim mahishah
gobrahmanebyah shubamashtu nityam lokasamasta sukhinobavantu
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Websites
BYRON YOGA CENTRE
Yoga Teacher Training Courses in Byron Bay, Australia. Six weeks, 250 hours, $2000, maximum 18 students. Byron Bay Yoga Centre which is one of the longest running yoga schools in both Byron Bay and Australia, is now conducting a series of Yoga Teacher Training Courses.
http://www.byronyoga.com.au/
BREATHE YOGA AND PILATES
BREATHE is the premier source for London's best yoga and Pilates teachers, offering private instruction for individuals and small groups in homes and offices all over London. There is no limit on class size and teachers are available seven days a week.
http://www.breatheonline.com/
Ashtanga Yoga
Articles and information on this system of Hatha Yoga, taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Includes teacher directory, links to resources.
http://www.ashtanga.com/
Ashtanga.org
Information on the teachings of Patanjali and their application to Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga as taught by Jois and others. Describes the Patanjala Yogashala school in Mysore where Yogaratna BNS Iyengar teaches.
http://ashtanga.org/
Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute
The official site of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and his Ashtanga Yoga school in Mysore, India. With quotes, postures and biography.
http://www.ayri.org
Practice Ashtanga
Articles related to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Pattahbi Jois.
http://www.practiceashtanga.com/
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