About Ashtanga Yoga
“if a person can breathe they can do yoga
”
This quote is for anyone who has ever considered practising yoga but for some reason or other decided it wasn’t for them.
As long as you can breathe you can practice yoga.
Even if you’re not able to touch your toes or sit down on the floor, there is always something you can do.
I’ve taught ashtanga as both a chair and mat-based practice to practitioners from 17 to 75!.
The beauty of the Mysore environment is that everyone can have a practice tailored specifically to their needs.
If you’re interested in starting yoga check out my beginners’ page
Ashtanga Yoga
The Ashtanga Yoga practice links asanas or yoga postures in movement with the breath in what’s known as vinyasa.
There are three series of Ashtanga Yoga and each is learnt in sequential order starting with the primary series.
The practice works on three levels:
the yoga postures build strength, stamina, and flexibility
the breath works to purify the nervous system
the Drishti steadies the mind.
When practised over time, our mind gradually becomes less distracted and more able to focus, we become calmer and more resilient, and our body becomes healthy and vibrant.
Ashtanga literally means eight limbs and the eight limbs of yoga according to Patanjali are:
yama (ethical living),
niyama (positive habits/observances),
asana (yoga postures),
pranayama (breath control),
pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses),
dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation)
and samadhi (complete stillness of the mind).
