What is Ashtanga Yoga?

Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic sequence of postures that are practiced with simultaneous breathing. The postures are all connected by the movement called “vinyasa”. By keeping the concentration on breathing and the concatenation of movements, this results in a lack of flow of movements. Thanks to this flow of movements, a kind of inner sensation of the body is created, whereby the mind becomes still and gradually finds itself in a moving meditation.

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.