I like this explanation of
Ashtanga by Yana (who just completed the AYP teacher training). Very
practical way to explain this complex practice! Thanks Yana for allowing
us to share!
Ashtanga yoga is one of the most efficient hatha yoga systems known these days. It was formed by a disciple of Krishnamacharya’s (one of the greatest yogis of 20th century): Sri. K.P. Jois based on an ancient text called Yoga Korunta and on common experience of Pattabhi Jois and his teacher. Ashtanga yoga is one of the most complete yoga systems which includes work on all aspects of a disciple’s life starting from the physical body and continuing with more subtle structures. What is interesting in the Ashtanga system is that the practitioner himself can chose to go deeper in morality and philosophy of yoga or to stay with physical aspect.
The classical
way to start Ashtanga Vinyasa practice is by following Mysore style class with
a qualified teacher. There you learn the sequence posture by posture, learning
to synchronize movement with breath mastering vinyasa. This way of studying
allows your body to get used to the new physical activity and lets all the body
structures get adapted to it.
The sequence
is designed to gradually stretch and strengthen muscles, to gain flexibility in
joints and to get rid of toxins with the sweat coming out during practice. We
start from sun salutations to warm the body up, we continue with standing
positions working hard on our foundation, we proceed with sitting postures
stretching nicely our spine and gaining mobility in hip, knee, ankle, shoulder,
elbow and wrist’s joints, we work on back bend for a flexible spine and to
energize all structures, and at the end we perform some inversions to change
the blood circulation patterns for a while and to calm the body after active
practice. All that is performed with great attentiveness to each breath.
With practice
you both cultivate discipline and improve your mood and general state.
Ashtanga if practiced properly develops body structures gradually in the
safest way possible for a dynamic practice. You become stronger physically and
with time emotionally.
Practice affects your character, it changes your
relationship with yourself and with the outer world you become more
determined if you were indecisive and softer if you were too strict, in other
words practice brings you balance.
Yoga gives us
uncountable tools to make life better, one could simply say that it raises the
quality of life and there is no doubt in that, but also there can be a deeper
understanding of this statement. We start this with simple movement, from
movement connected with the breath this is already a powerful tool in
understanding your own body, seeing connections between it’s different parts;
than we add focal points to help our concentration; than we add energy locks
first to understand that there are some muscles inside and then to find the
energy motion inside the body.
The teaching
of Yoga includes some behavior rules yamas and niyamas, comprising of
truthfulness, nonharming, cleanliness, and contentment. According to the
ancient texts following these rules serves for saving energy inside the body,
which helps in achieving higher levels of consciousness. Looking at the subject
from modern point of view we could say that following these rules makes you a
nicer and more aware person.