Ashtanga Yoga Method

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic asana practice; constant order of postures which are divided into six series. Practitioner learns the asanas one after the other, starting with primary series. As one reaches comfort and stability, a new asana will be introduced by the teacher. In such way, each practitioner is progressing at their pace, following ones own breath. Mysore style practice creates an acceptive environment for each level, and opens a space to experience the - most important - inner practice of yoga. We start and finish the practice with Mantra.

what is Ashtanga Yoga

our mysore program

We offer the mysore program to provide students a daily space for reflection to access fully the benefits of the practice as a whole.

Consistency is the key to understand the complexity and wholeness of yoga. It helps student to develop a relationship with the teacher that is based on mutual trust and respect. The teacher come to know each students process and can observe his/her individual development. this way the teacher can support the student throughout their experience of the practice.

The consistency can be translated as a tool, a mirror to observe ourself daily without filters. This will softly change the way we live our life outside the practice allowing us to respond from an inner space of calm steady observance.

A daily practice asks us to show up on the mat also when we don’t feel at our best regarding our level of energy, state of mind and emotions. in this way we develop a certain capacity to listen to ourselves and to what we need moment by moment, to accept what it is without any judgement and to get the benefit of our practice even on days it will be shorter and less powerful. this is actually the way we get to understand how to use the practice to become real, to look at ourselves with awareness. slowly but surely we will develop that equanimity, which allows us to respond to difficult times and ups and downs in life.

Fa bene al nostro corpo, aumenta la nostra flessibilità, forza ed equilibrio. Rilassa il sistema nervoso, riduce lo stress, trasforma le nostre cattive abitudini in sane abitudini.Rende la nostra vita più felice per via dell'impegno e dello sforzo che mettiamo nella nostra pratica quotidiana. Ci regala sorrisi, lacrime, risate ed una forza interna incredibile che ci accompagna nelle vita di tutti i giorni :)

mysor program

Patanjali, Yoga Sutras 1.14

LA PRATICA DIVENTA UNA REALTÀ ACQUISITA SOLO DOPO UN LUNGO ESERCIZIO, ININTERROTTO E COMPIUTO CON REVERENTE DEVOZIONE.

ashtanga yoga

ashtau means 8, anga means limbs

Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient method of Yoga that was taught by Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta. This text was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900’s by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Pattabhi Jois during his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning 1927. Today, his grandson R. Sharat Jois welcomes thousands of students every year in Mysore India, following the same yoga method of his grandfather. The principle of transmitting knowledge in its most valuable form, knowledge based, direct and practical experience with your teacher is called Parampara.

The following are aspects that Pattabhi Jois emphasizes as the main components of Ashtanga Yoga method.
THE 8 LIMBS OF ASHTANGA YOGA METHOD
1 Yama - Self disciplin
2 Niyama - Activities to observe
3 Asana - physical practice - postures
4 Pranayama - Control of breathing
5 Pratyahara - Withdrawal of senses, detachment from the world
6 Dharana - Concentration
7 Dhyana - Meditation
8 Samadhi - Contemplation

VINYASA

Vinyasa means breathing and movement system. For each movement, there is one breath. For example, in Surya Namskar there are nine vinyasas. The first vinyasa is inhaling while raising your arms over your head, and putting your hands together; the second is exhaling while bending forward, placing your hands next to your feet, etc. In this way all asanas are assigned a certain number of vinyasas.

The purpose of vinyasa is for internal cleansing. Breathing and moving together while performing asanas makes the blood hot, or as Pattabhi Jois says; boils the blood. Thick blood is dirty and causes disease in the body. The heat created from yoga cleans the blood and makes it thin, so that it may circulate freely.

The heated blood also moves through all the internal organs removing impurities and disease, which are brought out of the body by the sweat that occurs during practice.
Sweat is an important byproduct of vinyasa, because it is only through sweat that disease leaves the body and purification occurs. In the same way that gold is melted in a pot to remove its impurities, by the virtue of the dirt rising to the surface as the gold boils, and the dirt then being removed.

If the method of vinyasa is followed, the body becomes healthy and strong, and pure like gold.

TRISTHANA
This means the three places of attention or action: posture, breathing system and gaze. These three are very important for yoga practice, and cover three levels of purification: the body, nervous system and mind. They are always performed in conjunction with each other.

Asanas
Purify, strengthen and give flexibility to the body.

Breathing
Rechaka and puraka, that means inhale and exhale. Both the inhale and exhale should be steady and even, the length of the inhale should be the same length as the exhale.

An important component of the breathing system is mula and uddiyana bandha. These are the anal and lower abdominal locks which seal in the energy, give lightness, strength and health to the body, and help to build a strong internal fire. Without bandhas, breathing will not be correct, and the asanas will give no benefit.

When mula bandha is perfect, mind control is automatic.

Dristhi
Dristhi is the place where you look while in the asana. Purifies and stabilizes the fluctuations of the mind. There are nine dristhis: the nose, between the eyebrows, navel, thumb, hands, feet, up, right side and left side.

SIX POISONS
A vital aspect of internal purification that Pattabhi Jois teaches relates to the six poisons that surround the spiritual heart. In the yoga shastra it is said that God dwells in our heart in the form of light, but this light is covered by six poisons: kama, krodha, moha, lobha, matsarya, and mada. These are; desire, anger, delusion, greed, envy and sloth. When yoga practice is sustained with great diligence and dedication over a long period of time, the heat generated from it burns away these poisons, and the light of our inner nature shines forth.

This forms the practical and philosophic basis of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

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