ASHTANGA
Ashtanga yoga is an ancient system of yoga that came to the Western world largely through decades of continuous effort by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and his family. Pattabhi Jois passed away in 2009 after teaching yoga in Mysore, India for more than 65 years. Shri K. Pattabhi Jois's grandson, Sharath Jois, continues running his grandfather's yoga Shala the Ashtanga Yoga Institute in India www.kpjayi.org
Ashtanga’s appeal lies in its ability to transform the practitioner’s body, mind, and soul. It does this through powerful internal heating and cleansing of the body through postures or asanas. Although there are three different “series” in Ashtanga yoga (with the third, the Advanced Series, broken down into four parts), the most familiar practice is the first sequence, which is more commonly known as the Primary Series. It is also called yoga chikitsa, “yoga therapy”. The Primary Series strengthens and purifies the body through a sequence of poses that is always performed in the same order at each practice. Through regular asana practice, the practitioner’s body is cleansed and purified becoming more flexible, lightweight and expansive. At the same time, the mind and spirit undergo their own purification process becoming more flexible and open through breath control and meditation.
There is no doubt that Ashtanga is an invigorating challenging physical practice. But according to Pattabhi Jois “Ashtanga yoga is for all people — old people, young people, fat people, skinny people — only, not lazy people.”
The Primary Series as taught by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, and as practiced at Surya Yoga, is based on the tristana method. This method involves linking the mind and body through breath (ujjayi breathing), posture (asanas including bandha control), and gaze (dristhi). The tristana method engages the concentration of the mind so that each practice becomes a moving meditation and a dance with the breath.
Although the name “Primary Series” suggests a beginning level practice, there are many yogis who spend a lifetime working on the Primary Series without moving into the next sequence, the Intermediate Series or Nadi Shodhana. Students at Surya Yoga can practice both the Primary Series and the Intermediate Series.
Surya Yoga is the only studio in Martin County focusing exclusively on Ashtanga yoga.
The following link is really all you need to find out more about the theory and study of Traditional Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois: www.kpjayi.org
