When I started 13 years ago, it was Ashtanga Yoga that drew me to practise. Over the years, I have explored different styles of hatha yoga (ie physical yoga practice), such as Iyengar, Lara Bauman's Quantum Yoga, Ed Clarke's Tripsichore Yoga as well as other dynamic sun power based yoga. In the end, I found that Ashtanga is my one and only true practice, and have followed that path for the last 6 years. I have had the good fortune to learn from a number of fabulous teachers such as Kino McGregor, Matt Ryan, Scott Johnson and Hubert de Touris, who have all made lasting impact on my yoga practice both on and off the mat.
Ashtanga Yoga was introduced to the modern world by the late Sri K Patthabi Jois (1915-2009). This ancient system of Yoga was originally taught by Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta. This text was then imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900’s by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927.
Ashtanga Yoga consists of 6 series of progressive sequences, the first being the Primary Series. A main feature of Ashtanga Yoga is that the postures in each series are linked together using the breath (Ujayyi breath).
Ashtanga Yoga can be practised by anyone, young, old, healthy and sick. Each student is considered as individual and taught at a pace that is suitable to his/her situation in life. Once you have learned the basic sequence, you’ll be able to practice Ashtanga Yoga anytime, anywhere.
The chief aim of Ashtanga Yoga is for the practitioner to create an internal heat (agni) which purifies and detoxes the body. This internal heat, combined with the intense focus that is required for this dynamic practice, ultimately draws us closer to our intuitive and soulful nature, developing an inner calm with increased flexibility, stamina and strength.
According to the yoga shastra, “Superconsciousness” dwells in our heart in the form of light, but this light is covered by six poisons: kama, krodha, moha, lobha, mastarya and mada (desire, anger, delusion, greed, envy and sloth). When Ashtanga yoga is practiced diligently with dedication over a long period of time, the internal heat generated from it burns away these poisons, and the light of our inner nature shines forth.
This is the essence of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by the late Sri K Patthabi Jois.