Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga or short Ashtanga Yoga is a style of Hatha Yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. It is based on 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 T. Krishnamacharya received from his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari and later passed it on to Pattabhi Jois.

Table of contents

1 Method
2 Further Reading
3 External Links

3.1 General
3.2 Certified teachers in the US

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, 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 are bandhas (internal locks), ujjayi breath (sound breath), and drishti (gaze).

Ashtanga Yoga is traditionally taught in Mysore style, which can be described as 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.