Vinyasa Yoga (Ashtanga Supplement)
What is Vinyasa Yoga?
Ashtanga means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit, which refers to the eight limbs of yoga laid out in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Ashtanga
method of asana practice was interpreted by T. Krishnamacharya and
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois from an ancient text called the Yoga Korunta,
which they claimed described a unique system of hatha yoga developed
by Vamana Rishi.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic, fluid and athletic form of yoga. This style is physically demanding as it involves synchronizing breathing with progressive and continuous series of asanas (postures), a process that produces intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs.
The practitioner goes through a choreographed sequence of postures which flow into one another, building strength, unwinding tight joints, and loosening muscles. Ashtanga yoga is a complete mind and body workout that develops concentration and reduces stress.
Vinyasa means synchronized breathing and movement system, so for each movement there is one breath. Each posture is meticulously designed with a number of movements and breathing so the practisioner links the position faithfully following the rhythm of breathing and movements. The sequence or serie of postures is fixed and the student will be adding postures as the practice progresses. Thereare six different Ashtanga series, through which the student progresses at his or her own pace.
Apart from the Vinyasa system other elements are essential to the practice: Ujjayi breathing (pranayama), Bandhas (energy locks) and Drishti (gaze). Through these three elements we will increase our ability to concentrate throughout the practice and learn to
control our energy.
Ujjayi Breathing is obtained by gently contracting the glottis (a small muscle at the level of the trachea) that causes a sound, slow, regular breathing. It is an essential element throughout the practice. At the sound of our breathing our mind calms and relaxes.
Bandhas are muscle contractions which create energy control: Jalandara Bandha, at the height of the throat; Mula Bandha, at the height of the coccyx, and Uddyana Bandha, at the abdominal muscles. When we activate the bandhas our focus and control of energy increases.
The Drishti ("look" in Sanskrit) is to fully focus the gaze throughout the performance of every asana. Each asana has its own dristi and the total concentration of the gaze leads to meditation. It also increases our ability to concentrate our eye muscles which is beneficial for some vision problems.
The practise
Ashtanga Primary Series: The Primary Series is called Yoga Chikitsa, which means Yoga Therapy. This class refers to the full primary series of the Ashtanga system, as taught in the tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. In the Primary Series is intended to realign the spine, detoxify the body, and build strength, flexibility, and stamina. In this series are about 75 poses and it takes an hour and a half to two hours to complete, beginning with sun salutations (Surya Namaskar A and Surya Namaskar B) and moving on to standing poses, seated poses, inversions and backbends before relaxation.
Mysore Style: is practiced silently, with individual instruction. It is is named after Mysore, India, where Ashtanga yoga originated and was taught by Sri K Pattabhi Jois for many years. ALL LEVELS are welcome to practice at their own pace, while the teacher goes around the room doing hands on adjustments and verbal cues as needed. We ask the students to learn the Primary Series by heart and to have taken Ashtanga Primary Series guided class to familiarize themselves with the sequence before attending to Mysore Style class.
Ashtanga means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit, which refers to the eight limbs of yoga laid out in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Ashtanga
method of asana practice was interpreted by T. Krishnamacharya and
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois from an ancient text called the Yoga Korunta,
which they claimed described a unique system of hatha yoga developed
by Vamana Rishi.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic, fluid and athletic form of yoga. This style is physically demanding as it involves synchronizing breathing with progressive and continuous series of asanas (postures), a process that produces intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs.
The practitioner goes through a choreographed sequence of postures which flow into one another, building strength, unwinding tight joints, and loosening muscles. Ashtanga yoga is a complete mind and body workout that develops concentration and reduces stress.
Vinyasa means synchronized breathing and movement system, so for each movement there is one breath. Each posture is meticulously designed with a number of movements and breathing so the practisioner links the position faithfully following the rhythm of breathing and movements. The sequence or serie of postures is fixed and the student will be adding postures as the practice progresses. Thereare six different Ashtanga series, through which the student progresses at his or her own pace.
Apart from the Vinyasa system other elements are essential to the practice: Ujjayi breathing (pranayama), Bandhas (energy locks) and Drishti (gaze). Through these three elements we will increase our ability to concentrate throughout the practice and learn to
control our energy.
Ujjayi Breathing is obtained by gently contracting the glottis (a small muscle at the level of the trachea) that causes a sound, slow, regular breathing. It is an essential element throughout the practice. At the sound of our breathing our mind calms and relaxes.
Bandhas are muscle contractions which create energy control: Jalandara Bandha, at the height of the throat; Mula Bandha, at the height of the coccyx, and Uddyana Bandha, at the abdominal muscles. When we activate the bandhas our focus and control of energy increases.
The Drishti ("look" in Sanskrit) is to fully focus the gaze throughout the performance of every asana. Each asana has its own dristi and the total concentration of the gaze leads to meditation. It also increases our ability to concentrate our eye muscles which is beneficial for some vision problems.
The practise
Ashtanga Primary Series: The Primary Series is called Yoga Chikitsa, which means Yoga Therapy. This class refers to the full primary series of the Ashtanga system, as taught in the tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. In the Primary Series is intended to realign the spine, detoxify the body, and build strength, flexibility, and stamina. In this series are about 75 poses and it takes an hour and a half to two hours to complete, beginning with sun salutations (Surya Namaskar A and Surya Namaskar B) and moving on to standing poses, seated poses, inversions and backbends before relaxation.
Mysore Style: is practiced silently, with individual instruction. It is is named after Mysore, India, where Ashtanga yoga originated and was taught by Sri K Pattabhi Jois for many years. ALL LEVELS are welcome to practice at their own pace, while the teacher goes around the room doing hands on adjustments and verbal cues as needed. We ask the students to learn the Primary Series by heart and to have taken Ashtanga Primary Series guided class to familiarize themselves with the sequence before attending to Mysore Style class.