Ashtanga - What is Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is a set sequence of poses linked together with a dynamic movement called a ‘vinyasa’ and a strong breathing technique called ‘ujiya’.The first level of the Ashtanga practice is called the primary series.

This sequence realigns the spine, detoxifies the body, and builds strength, flexibility and stamina. The series of about 75 poses takes approximatley two hours to complete, beginning with sun salutations (surya namaskara A and surya namaskara B) and moving on to standing poses, seated poses, inversions and backbends before relaxation.

The teacher who first introduced this style of yoga to the wider world is Sri K Pattabhi Jois. Pattabhi started practicing yoga with his Guru, Krishnamachria when he was twelve years old. As a teenager he assisted his Guru in translating an ancient manuscript. This document contained the sequence of poses that is now called Primary Series and is the first level of the Ashtanga practice.

In 1958 Pattabhi Jois began to work on a book – Yoga Mala which describes the nature of the Ashtanga practise. This book was published in India in 1962 and in the UK thirty seven years later. In the 1960’s the first of Pattabhi’s European students travelled to India to see him. Soon his influence spread and students from all over the world came to learn from him.

This style of yoga is most suitable for anyone that is in good shape physically and have a good basic level of fitness.