Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a discipline of yoga that can be allied to the ‘eight limbs of yoga’. The system is based on the writings of the mystic Patanjali, but was made famous by K. Pattabhi Jois. Pattabhi Jois started off his yoga studies in 1927 at the age of 12 and established a yoga institute that specialized in Ashtanga Yoga in 1948. This form of yoga includes efforts taken to harmonize breathing and a chain of physically challenging postures. With regular practice and performance of Ashtanga yoga poses, the circulation of blood in the body improves due to the production of positive internal heat. This helps the ‘practitioner’ develop a strong and healthy body along with a calm and focused mind. Conquering Ashtanga yoga is extremely tough and can even take a lifetime of dedication and practice. The system of yoga known simply as Ashtanga in the West is different from the historical Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. Read on to know more on Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and the poses that are a part of it.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Poses

Ashtanga yoga thrives on postures that are linked to each other. Ashtanga yoga comprises a chain of exigent and free-flowing poses. It’s like a continuous wave of poses.
The poses move from standing to seated and lying down variations. You will have to stand, bend, balance, twist, and stretch. You will have to work on the sun salutation pose, the upward dog pose, the downward dog pose and various other poses.
Vinyasa refers to the flowing of one pose into the other. A full vinyasa stands for a completed cycle of the first salutation to the sun. You start off with the ‘Mountain Pose’ and graduate into a standing forward bend. From this pose, you move on into performing the ‘Chaturanga Dandasana’, it’s the four limbed stick pose. You’ve then got to perform the upward facing dog pose and the downward facing dog pose. Jump back onto your feet, the jump should see you back to the start position. Repeat the standing forward bend, stretch towards the skies and finish off the cycle with the mountain pose. This is a full vinyasa.
For beginners however, pulling off a full vinyasa is not an easy task. It takes practice, passion and dedication to perform a full vinyasa. This is exactly why most yoga practitioners stress on the half vinyasa. In ashtanga vinyasa, the half vinyasa revolves around seated poses while both standing and seated poses make up the full vinyasa. The poses and the sequences of the same have a palpable effect on the practitioner.
A little on the three main sequences in the discipline of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is made up of three main sequences. Each of these three sequences are inter-related and complement each other perfectly. The first sequence is known as the Yoga Chikitsa; this sequence eliminates toxins and also gives a certain shape to the body. The second sequence is the Nadi Shodhana sequence. It helps in the sanitation of the nervous system and assists in the flow of energy. The third and last sequence is called Sthira Bhaga. It is an advanced sequence and can be executed only by the masters of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. It requires loads of stamina and flexibility.
Practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and mastering it can help you reap the benefits of the same. It can make you both physically and mentally tough. It improves your overall fitness by supplementing your inner strength and increasing your flexibility. Go ahead; strive to achieve perfection in the discipline of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. It’s only going to help you, in terms of fitness and mental toughness, to traverse from where you are to where you desire to be.

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