What is Ashtanga Yoga?

The practice of Ashtanga Yoga (Ashtanga/Vinyasa Yoga) as established by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India is a dynamic system that consists of a precise sequence of poses (asana), breath control (ujjayi pranayama), a gazing point (drishti), and internal energetic locks (bandhas). Each pose in the sequence is a preparation for the next, and is traditionally practiced in sequence.

The combination of breath, movement, and focused awareness begins to generate heat (tapas). This heat purifies the senses of perception, (indriyas), and consequently, we begin to be more discriminating in how we feed our senses.

Yoga is above all experiential. It is your own experience that will always be your truest and best teacher.

As Pattabhi Jois was fond of saying “99% practice, 1% theory. Do your practice. All is coming!”

Photo by Amy Janel Pickering