Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga History

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Brief History

This is a traditional practice form first introduced to the west by K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. It takes its name from the 8 limbed (or ashta-anga) system outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra in 200 BC. Only one of Patanjali's limbs was concerned with the asanas (poses) and his treatise is primarily a roadmap toward meditation and enlightenment. Pattabhi Jois (and before him, his teacher Krishnamacharya) alleges that this system of asana practice is the practice of Patanjali.

The ashtanga system consists of six series of poses, each of which is always taught in a specific sequential order.  First (primary series) and second series are of approximately equal difficulty with hard poses and moderately tame ones in each -- it's just a different flavor of practice.

First has lots of forward bends, second adds backbends, more arm balances and inversions to the menu. Third series gets quite harder -- it adds yet more arm balance work, hanumanasana, foot behind the head variations and more. Fourth, fifth and sixth have some easy poses that are very common but also a number of seldom seen items. There's enough work for most mortals in the first three series.

The ashtanga system consists of six series of poses, each of which is always taught in a specific sequential order.  First (primary series) and second series are of approximately equal difficulty with hard poses and moderately tame ones in each -- it's just a different flavor of practice.

The vinyasa (a linking sequence tied to the breath) originated with the ashtanga system but it also shows up in adaptations of ashtanga practice such as vinyasa flow and power yoga. Depending on the teacher these classes may be at a more moderate or faster pace.

The ujjayi breathing that is another hallmark of this system is now also taught in many non-ashtanga styles of practice. Most of the classes at Yoga Moves utilize ujjayi breathing. Thanks to the influence of ashtanga it has become the basic breathwork of any hatha yoga practice.

The first series work is approachable in various ways. You can explore the poses individually, work on groups of poses with their traditional vinyasas or try the whole series at once. Just take it easy, enjoy yourself and work more deeply into the practice over time.