What is Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is a strong dynamic form of Yoga and which is ideal for increasing flexibility, toning and making the body more supply, while strengthening the muscles and massaging the internal organs producing optimal healthy functioning of the body.




If you have never practiced yoga before, and wish to come on an ashtanga course it is advised that

• you are between 14 and 40 years of age (if not and you still want to come, phone Dave 091-637680)
• you have no injuries especially to your back, neck or knees
• you are prepared for a strong physical workout which will involve sweating due to strong exertion
• you look at the photos in the section near the end of this page

The primary teacher of Ashtanga Yoga is Pattabhi Jois who is based in Mysore, India. He in turn was taught this practice by Krishnamacharya who is widely accepted to be one of the advanced Yogis of the 20th century.

Ashtanga is a flowing sequence of dynamic postures

It is practiced as a series of flowing Yoga postures which begin with the Sun Salutations. These heat up the body and prepare the body for the stronger postures which one gradually introduces and builds into one's own daily practice of the sequence. These stronger stretching and strengthening postures are also practiced within the flowing sequence which follows the Sun Salutations.

Ujjay breathing

One's breath is controlled and regulated by a practice known as Ujjay breathing. This produces a slight hissing sound in the throat and has an effect of lowering the blood pressure. Thus although one is physically working the body quite strenuously, one feels quite calm and centred which is quite unlike any other aerobic exercises. This allows one maintain an inward focus and a meditative awareness while practicing the sequence.

Drishtis

One's eyes and attention are also directed towards drishtes (points on which to focus the eyes and attention).

Internal locks

There are also internal locks applied (uddiyana and moola bandha) and these regulate the flow of energy within the nadis (energy channels). They also increase the internal heat of the body.


The internal heat within the body allows one?s body to become more supple and to practice postures which one could not normally practice with a cold unprepared body.

How Ashtanga is taught

Ashtanga is introduced to beginners with the Sun Salutations first. One practices these sequences initially until one is familiar enough to complete these oneself.

If one has previous experience of other Yoga (either Satyananda or Iyengar or Hatha) then it can take between 30 minutes to 2 hours before one is comfortable enough to practice the sun salutation sequence by oneself.




Then the rest of the sequence is gradually introduced. Each posture is practiced to one's own ability and the instructor gives posture corrections and verbal directions to help one learn each posture and also how to flow from one posture to the next.


The rest of the sequence consists of the usual clasical postures ranging from trikonasana or triangle pose, reverse trikonasana, intense side stretch or parsvakonasana, standing forward bends, twists, head stands, hand stands and other postures.

There is always a closing sequence which consists of a number of back bends and forward bends and a slowing down of the postures and a final relaxation period while one lies in Shavasana.

Ashtanga yoga for ordinary reasonably fit people

Just because the photos above are mainly people who are very fit, all our courses are for ordinary people.

There is no competition, and everyone does what ever postures they are able for.

If you are not able for any of the postures, the teacher will give you an easier variation.



These courses are great fun ;-)

Self-Practice

On some of the more advanced courses, the classes are given in the style of self practice. It is assumed that each participant knows the sequence and is able to practice by themselves. Usually the instructor goes from each participant to the next and makes appropriate adjustments to one?s postures and encourages one to improve one?s practice beyond what one has attained so far.

Photos of Ashtanga yoga

Photos from Ashtanga weekend with Ciara February 2006

Photos from Ashtanga week with Granville 2005

Photos of Surya Namaskara A Ashtanga

Photos of Surya Namaskara B Ashtanga

Other Ashtanga postures

Ashtanga yoga retreats and holidays

If you would like to try an ashtanga weekend ?

Ashtanga Meditation with Ciara Cronin Oct 29th

Ashtanga Vinyasa Meditation with Ciara Cronin Feb 04th

Ashtanga Vinyasa Meditation with Ciara Cronin Mar 18th

Ashtanga Vinyasa Meditation with Ciara Cronin May 13th

Or a week with Richard Spahn who has been teaching ashtanga for over 20 years ?

Ashtanga 6 day retreat with Richard Spahn June 3rd

For more upcoming Ashtanga courses, please view
Complete Calendar of yoga holidays including all Ashtanga retreats

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