What is Ashtanga Yoga?
Age-old tradition
Ashtanga yoga is a yoga form that was already described by Patanjali in his Sutras. Ashtanga Yoga has probably been around for 5000 years, but has been put back on the map since 1927 by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sri Krishnamchary. Sri Krisnamchary discovered the Yoga Kuruntha, an age-old manuscript describing a method from thousands of years ago.
• Ashtanga means the eight limbs or the eightfold path.• Yama (moral code – self-control)
• Niyama (purification and leather)
• Asana (integration of body and mind through physical activity)
• Pranayama (breathing control)
• Pratyahara (control of the senses)
• Dharana (concentration)
• Dhyana (meditation)
• Samadhi (contemplation – the silent state of thoughtless consciousness)
What does Ashtanga Yoga consist of?
The Ashtanga postures consist of a number of sets of sun greetings, standing postures, sitting postures and lying / inverted postures. Since the series is always the same, this repetition ensures that the body cells store it in their internal memory. In this way we get to know our body well and what effect the practice of Ashtanga Yoga has on us. As a result, there is less room for individual variation within Ashtanga. The attitudes can be adjusted to the experience and needs of the student.
Ashtanga Yoga develops strength, endurance, flexibility and at the same time provides purification of the body thanks to perspiration. The key is finding a balance between rest and effort while practicing a certain posture, as well as practicing Ashtanga Yoga as a whole.
When you focus on the natural sound and rhythm of breathing in combination with looking at one point in your field of vision (also called dristhi), you eventually learn to meditate in motion. Ashtanga Yoga can help you understand the connection between mind and body.
Practice and all is coming ”
Sri.K. Pattabhi Jois.
Ashtanga Yoga
Over time, your practice becomes a meditation in motion.
Mindfulness
Jon Kabat-Zinn
distinguish 3 elements in mindfulness:
1. Focused attention (conscious)
2. In the current moment
3. Without judging (open, friendly)
Integral Yoga
“the power from above”.
Yoga Nidra
Nidra means “Yogic Sleep”. It is a consciousness sleep. There is consciousness without thoughts. It is not a meditation. Rather the opposite. You withdraw your senses and the mind is not concentrated, but rather brought to sleep. You are aware of the fact that you practice Yoga Nidra.
Hatha Yoga
Zuna - Tantra Yoga
Zuna Yoga is a system after the oldest known living tradition of Eastern philosophy and science. It follows the Tantra tradition of Sri Vidya. Tantra Yoga has its roots in Hatha Yoga. It is the science of being.
Pilates
This exercise method promotes control, flexibility, coordination and tone of the muscles without increasing the size.
This is a form of movement based on the subject matter and theory of Joseph Pilates.
Subscribe for more inspiration!
Do you want to receive more meditations or blogs? Then sign up for the newsletter.