Ashtanga Yoga is a style of yoga that emphasizes the synchronization of breath with a specific sequence of postures. It was developed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in the early 20th century in Mysore, India.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois was born on July 26, 1915, in a small village in Karnataka, India. He was a student of the great yoga master Sri T. Krishnamacharya, who was known for his emphasis on the individualization of yoga practices to suit the needs of each student.
In 1927, at the age of 12, Pattabhi Jois was introduced to Krishnamacharya, who was teaching yoga at the Mysore Palace. He began studying with Krishnamacharya and eventually became his most advanced student.
In 1948, Pattabhi Jois founded the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India, where he began teaching the Ashtanga Yoga method. He also began to travel around the world, spreading the practice of Ashtanga Yoga to other countries.
Ashtanga Yoga consists of six series of postures, each of which is more challenging than the previous one. The first series, known as the Primary Series, is the foundation of the practice and focuses on building strength and flexibility. The second series, known as the Intermediate Series, builds on the first and focuses on cleansing the nervous system and opening the energy channels. The remaining four series are advanced practices that are only taught to advanced students.
Ashtanga Yoga gained popularity in the West in the 1990s, thanks in part to the efforts of Jois's son, Manju Jois, and his grandson, Sharath Jois, who continue to teach the practice today. However, the practice has also been criticized for being too rigid and not adaptable to the needs of individual students.
Despite this, Ashtanga Yoga remains a popular style of yoga around the world, and its influence can be seen in many other styles of yoga that incorporate vinyasa flow and synchronized breathing.
However, as practiced today in the West, ashtanga yoga has come to mean something different. Today, ashtanga yoga is sometimes referred to as power yoga. Its emphasis is less on the spiritual than on the physical ability to assume a set of complicated postures, such as the sun salutation, swiftly and gracefully. Ashtanga yoga places a strong emphasis on breathing techniques. Because if provides a full-body workout, it has found favor among many athletes and other celebrities who must keep their bodies strong and flexible.
Ashtanga yoga requires many difficult movements. Amateurs and even professionals may inadvertently injure themselves by pushing too hard or by forcing themselves into a posture they are not sure how to do. Therefore, people wishing to try ashtanga yoga are advised to take several classes to master the principles before trying to practice alone. It is also a good idea to purchase a yoga sticky mat or a rug to keep from slipping and falling while performing the postures. Some practitioners prefer rugs for doing ashtanga yoga, because the rugs absorb sweat better than mats do.
Celebrities Who Practice Ashtanga Yoga
As mentioned above, ashtanga yoga is the darling of celebrities who practice it for fitness. One such celebrity is singer and actress Madonna, who has been practicing ashtanga yoga since the early 1990s. Another is model Christy Turlington. Other celebrities include actors Woody Harrelson and Willem DaFoe as well as athletes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Randal Cunningham.
Power Yoga and Ashtanga yoga
Often, the terms ashtanga yoga and Power yoga are used interchangeably; however there are some slight differences between the two programs. Although power yoga is based on ashtanga yoga, it has been somewhat Westernized. For instance, the primary series of ashtanga yoga asanas can take over two hours. power yoga has shortened this sequence considerably. Power yoga also utilizes a heated room to increase flexibility and allow students to sweat out toxins.
Ashtanga yoga has achieved the reputation of providing a formidable workout while still focusing on the principles of controlled breathing and mindfulness that has made yoga so popular. It is an excellent choice for the experienced athlete or even the beginner who is starting out in great shape. However, beginners who are not in good shape might be better served by starting out practicing the gentler Hatha yoga.
More info about Ashatanga Yoga here: https://amzn.to/3Zh6TP0