Introduction

Ashtanga Yoga is a beautiful and dynamic practice, incorporating posture (Asana), movement (Vinyassa) and concentration (Dristi), all syncopated to a strong and long breathing technique (Ujaya & Bandha).

Mysore-style is the traditional method of practicing Ashtanga Yoga, whereby each student progresses through a precise sequence of postures as a self-practice. Instruction is one-on-one within the group setting; each student works independently at his/her own individual pace, and is assisted individually by the teacher, who gives verbal instruction & physical adjustments, thereby developing a safe and fulfilling practice, appropriate to each students’ level. Therefore classes are suitable for all - including complete beginners to yoga.  Zero flexibility is zero problem!

Mysore-style is typically practiced in the early morning, before breakfast on an empty stomach. Students are free to start their practice at any time convenient to them during the class hours. Typically practice takes 60 – 90 minutes. 

Those who are interested to learn yoga in this traditional, comprehensive and scientific way and are prepared to commit to between three and six days practice per week will find the practice very rewarding and potentially life changing.

Benefits are numerous; including increased physical, mental and emotional flexibility, strength, stamina and balance. The movement and breathing process produces intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs and improves circulation. Over time, alignment and injury issues can be helped and a lighter and leaner body developed. As a self-practice system, Mysore-style also imparts to the practitioner a greater sense of self-reliance and self-confidence. Often practice leads one towards a healthier and more moderate lifestyle and a calmer mind.

Ashtanga Yoga has experienced a complete renaissance in recent years, and is now very widely practiced in the West and East alike. It is famously the yoga of choice for many of the uber-fit icons of the modern age including Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Gweneth Paltrow, Christy Turlington, Sting, Willem Dafoe and Coldplay singer Chris Martin. The system is credited as the inspiration for many of the intuitive modern dynamic yoga systems, including all forms of Vinyasa Yoga, Dynamic Yoga, Power Yoga, Flow Yoga  etc.  

Ashtanga Yoga in the Tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

 

Yoga is a philosophy of life, which also has the potential to create a vibrantly healthy body and mind.

Ashtanga Yoga, practiced in its correct sequential order, gradually leads the practitioner to rediscovering his or her fullest potential on all levels of human consciousness; physical, psychological, and spiritual. Through this practice of correct breathing (Ujjayi Pranayama), postures (asanas), and gazing point (driste), we gain control of the senses and a deep awareness of our selves. By maintaining this discipline with regularity and devotion, one acquires steadiness of body and mind.

 

"Ashtanga" literally means eight limbs. They are described by Patanjali as: Yama (abstinences), Niyama (observances), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (contemplation). These branches support each other. Asana practice must be established for proper practice of pranayama and is a key to the development of the yamas and niyamas. Once these four externally oriented limbs are firmly rooted, the last four internally oriented limbs will spontaneously evolve over time.

 

"Vinyasa" means breath-synchronized movement. The breath is the heart of this discipline and links asana to asana in a precise order. By synchronizing movement with breathing and practicing Mula and Uddiyana Bandhas (locks), an intense internal heat is produced. This heat purifies muscles and organs, expelling unwanted toxins as well as releasing beneficial hormones and minerals, which can nourish the body when the sweat is massaged back into the skin. The breath regulates the vinyasa and ensures efficient circulation of blood. The result is a light, strong body.

 

There are three groups of sequences in the Ashtanga system. The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body. The Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels. The Advanced Series A, B, C, and D (Sthira Bhaga) integrate the strength and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility and humility.Each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the next, and the sequential order of asanas is to be meticulously followed. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing the strength and balance required to move further.

 

BREATH:The continuity of deep, even breathing cannot be overemphasized in the Ashtanga Yoga system. When breath feeds action,　and action feeds posture, each movement becomes gentle, precise, and　perfectly steady.

According to the teachings of Sri T. Krishnamacharya and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, "Breath is Life." Breathing is our most fundamental and vital act and holds a divine essence: exhalation a movement towards God, and inhalation an inspiration from God. Our last action in life is to exhale, which, in essence, is the final and total surrender to God.

 

PRACTICE: It is said that where there is no effort there is no benefit. Strength, stamina and sweat are unique aspects of this traditional Yoga, seemingly contrary to Western perceptions of Yoga.

This demanding practice requires considerable effort and taps into and circulates a vital energy throughout the body, strengthening and purifying the nervous system. The mind then becomes lucid, clear and precise; and according to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, "Wherever you look you will see God." Only through practice will we realize the truth of what our guru often says:

 

"Everything is God."

Please note the importance of learning the Ashtanga method only from a traditionally trained teacher. Only a qualified teacher can provide the necessary guidance to assure safe, steady progress without injury to body or mind!

This information has been generously provided with the approval of Sri K.Pattabhi Jois. Please honor its authenticity and distribute only in unaltered form.

Guruji

Until quite recently Ashtanga Yoga was taught in Mysore, Southern India, by the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. He taught it for 70 years, and was therefore perhaps the most experienced yoga teacher of our times. Known to his followers as Guruji, Jois learnt it over a period of 25 years, from his guru, Sri T. Krishnamacharya.

A veil of mysticism surrounds how it was that the practice of Ashtanga Yoga came to be rediscovered. Legend has it that it is an ancient system - at least 2500 years old - that was taught by Vamana Rishi in a text called the Yoga Korunta. It is said that later, about 100 years ago, Rama Mohan Brachmachari passed the system on to Sri T. Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya in turn taught it to the young Pattabhi Jois in the 1920’s. The two men worked together on the practice for about 25 years. Later Krishnamachrya taught the system to B.K.S Iyengar, and later still to his son T. K. V. Desikachar. Only Pattabhi Jois chose to desist from any personal reinterpretation of the system, and to this day it is generally agreed that Ashtanga Yoga deviates only in minor details from the original teachings of Krishnamacharya.

Sri T. Krishnamacharya became a legendary figure in the yoga world. He is considered almost solely responsible for the reemergence and enormous popularity of yoga practice in the 20th century

Pattabhi Jois patiently taught his Gurus system for 50 years at his humble shala in Mysore, The Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, before the first wave of Western practitioners started appearing there in the 1970’s. In 2002, Pattabhi Jois and his family finally moved on from the small 12 person shala to a grander venue that can, and usually does, accommodate 50 plus practitioners at a time.  

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois died on the 18th of May, 2009 at the age of 93.

Pattabhi Jois’ grandson R. Sharath Jois is now the inheritor and the most respected authority of the Ashtanga Yoga system. He was for many years Gurujis primary student, receiving private study early every morning and is the only person in the World who practices all six series of Ashtanga Yoga. In addition during those years, Sharath assisted Guruji in class every day. Sharath now teaches for much of the year at the shala in Mysore, now renamed The Shri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute. 

About Ashtanga Yoga