Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

PDF Print E-mail
Written by George   
Thursday, 15 March 2007

Find inner peace and fulfilment with ashtanga vinyasa yoga.

Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, or sometimes called ashtanga yoga is in actual fact taught today by a man named Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, in Mysore, India. He took ashtanga yoga to the west about twenty five years ago and still teaches today at 91 years of age.

Ashtanga yoga came into being with the rediscovery of the ancient manuscript Yoga Korunta. It describes a unique system of hatha yoga as practiced and created by the ancient sage Vamana Rishi. It is believed to be the original asana practiced by Patanjali.

The Yoga Korunta put the emphasis on vinyasa, or breath-synchronized movement, where a person practices a posture with specific breathing patterns associated with it. This breathing technique is called ujayyi pranayama, or the victorious breath, and it is a process that produces intense internal heat and a profuse sweat that purifies and detoxifies the muscles and organs. This also releases beneficial hormones and nutrients, and this is usually massaged back into the body. The breath ensures efficient circulation of blood. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body and a calm mind.

There is a proper sequence to follow when practicing ashtanga vinyasa yoga:

A person must graduate from one sequence of postures to move onto the next.

  • The primary series (yoga chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body, purifying it so that toxins do not block.
  • The Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels, allowing energy to pass through easily.
  • The Advanced Series A, B, C, and D (Sthira Bhaga) integrate the grace and stamina of the practice, which calls for intense flexibility.

It is best to find a fully trained and knowledgeable teacher to assist you through the discipline of ashtanga vinyasa yoga. It is an intense practice that is rigorous, six days a week. You are however guaranteed to find inner peace and fulfilment with each breath you take.

No one has commented on this article.
Please keep comments on topic.
Name : E-mail :
Website :
Comment(s) :
J! Reactions Commenting Software
General Site License
Copyright © 2006 S. A. DeCaro
 
< Prev