The Ashtanga Yoga Method

Ashtanga yoga is a unique, dynamic and traditional  yoga system that combines breath with movement. Postures (asanas) are followed in an especially designed sequence, targeting different systems of the body as well as the mind in an intelligent manner – helping the practitioner towards balance in body and mind.

When done with awareness, the practitioner will perceive a meditation-like state during practice.  Breathing through confronting postures, learning to accept one’s limits while creating more space by searching the limit – body and mind will respond intelligently (and beautifully) leading the practitioner to experience more strength and flexibility in body and mind – on and off the mat.

Practitioners start their ashtanga journey with the Primary Series, the first series of Ashtanga Yoga.  The Primary Series, also called Yoga Therapy, serves to strengthen and detoxify the body and the mind. Practicing the sequence of the series in the correct order with the help of  the keys assets of ashtanga yoga: vinyasa, breathing and using the bandhas results in the production of intensive internal warmth. This heat purifies muscles and organs, expelling unwanted toxins as well as releasing beneficial hormones and minerals.

​Traditional Ashtanga is practiced in the Mysore Style.

Key Elements of the Ashtanga Practice

The key elements of Ashtanga yoga are the ujjayi breath, the vinyasas, the drishti and inner alignment (bandhas) – all applied throughout the whole practice, and helping to draw focus inside the body and out of the head, increasing embodied awareness and a sense of yourself.  Of course, for this, practice is needed, as it does not all unfold in your first class (most likely...)

Ujjayi breath

the ujjayi breath creates heat. This heat is said to burn out all the toxins from the body and mind. It basically consists in inhaling and exhaling through the nose while making a gentle and soft noise with the back of the throat. It creates space in body and mind.
​Much more can be said about ujjayi breath... explore it yourself!

Drishti ​

is the focus point of the eyes – which helps the mind to focus. In most poses it is intuitively, and the gaze it is a soft gaze that is not attaching.  Another tool to draw awareness inside, rather than outside a

Vinyasa

think of it as the synchronization between movement and breath.  Knowing the vinyasa (how to enter and exit a pose with breath awareness) allows to focus more inward rather than outward, with practice and understanding vinyasa it allows for the meditative experience in this dynamic practice to unfold.

Bandhas

are energetic locks within the body, may be as a beginner think of it as inner alignment. This muscular work will help to regulate the flow of prana (energy) while keeping the body safe throughout the practice.

Our practitioners 

This is Ingrid in Samasthitih. All poses start and cease in Samasthitih.

Here Casper is in a version of utthita parsva konasana (one of the fundamental poses) that works for him and his shoulders.

Marichyasana C, one of the intense twists of the primary series, as practiced by Kim.

You can few more of our Mysore practitioners practicing here.