Ashtanga Yoga

[ashtau=eight; anga=limb]

Sage Patanjali presents the most comprehensive model for yoga practice as a whole. In the Yoga Sutra, he structured the yoga practice into eight limbs, offering a way to relate yoga to all aspects of life.

1. Yama: yogic attitude

2. Niyama: yogic lifestyle

3. Asana: yoga of the physical body

4. Pranayama: yoga of the breath and vital energy

5. Pratyahara: yoga of the senses – optimal use to open up to higher influences and reduce disturbing ones

6. Dharana: yoga of the outer mind – attention and focus to awareness

7. Dhyana: yoga of the inner mind – steadiness in a receptive state of meditation

8. Samadhi: yoga of the inner heart – through which higher bliss and peace can arise

ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA

Ashtanga yoga in the tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois is a dynamic form of Hatha yoga founded on a fixed sequence of asanas, yogic breathing and specific gazing points.

There is a strong emphasis on the uninterrupted lineage based teaching, called parampara, which supports a clear transfer of knowledge and nurtures an authentic teacher-student relationship.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois