Ashtanga yoga is an ancient system of Yoga that was taught by Vamana Rishi in
the Yoga Korunta. The teachings in this text were passed on to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with
Sri T. Krishnamacharya
,
beginning in 1927. At the request of his Guru transmitting this practice has
become his life's work, which he
continues to this day at the Ashtanga Yoga
Research Institute in Mysore, India. Myself, and many other students around the world are deeply indebted to him
for his tireless effort.
The Ashtanga Yoga system is based on
therapeutic and progressive sequences of yoga asanas, which are synchronized
with a specific breathing technique (ujjayi pranayama), bandhas (internal locks)
and dristhi ( looking place).
The concept of Trishthana refers to the
union of three places of attention or action: posture, breathing system and
looking place. Together they form a powerful transformative practice
which links the body and mind in meditative awareness. Producing heat and
purification in the body and
calm focus in the mind.
The
sequences are practiced daily and developed over
the course of several years. New poses are added gradually as ability is gained
in the practice. There are six sequences in the ashtanga system.
The
first ( Yoga Chikitsa) grounds and restores health to the physical body. The
second ( Nadi Shodana) cleans and purifies the subtle nerves for meditation.
The remaining three ( Sthira Bhaga) consist of advanced asanas to further
refine and bring strength, grace and humility to the practitioner.
Over time the
practice leads to the elimination of the six internal poisons surrounding
the heart. These are kama (desire), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha
(delusion), mada (sloth) and matsarya (envy). The benefits are best experienced
with consistent balanced practice, for this reason students are encouraged to
make a long term commitment and develop their own daily practice in a
traditional Mysore class setting. All levels are welcome.
Though challenging to begin with,
continued daily practice will bring healing change on the physical, emotional
and mental levels.
