What is Ashtanga?
A fluid practice
If you’ve heard of sun salutations, you’ve heard of Ashtanga yoga. The foundation for all Vinyasa yoga, Ashtanga connects postures, or asanas, into an energizing flow that keeps your body moving, breathing and sweating through each posture.
The Ashtanga Series
Build your practice
Ashtanga yoga has six series with set sequences: Primary, Intermediate and four Advanced Series. All students begin with Sun Salutations and move through the Primary Series at different rates, only advancing under the teacher’s guidance, which builds a strong, safe, and sustainable practice.
The History of Ashtanga
The beginnings of yoga
Ashtanga yoga was popularized by the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, a student of “the father of yoga,” T. Krishnamacharya, who also taught B. K. S. Iyengar, the creator of Iyengar yoga. Because of its history and direct teacher-student lineage, Ashtanga yoga is considered a traditional yogic practice, maintaining a form of asana from the original teachings.
The 8 Limbs of Yoga
The focus of your practice
Ashtanga is Sanskrit for “Eight Limbs.” Asana, our physical practice, acts as an entrance point to the eight branches. Through correct guidance and consistent practice, it reveals entrance to the other seven limbs.
Yama
Ethical Standards
Practicing the Golden Rule with others
Niyama
Self-Discipline
Integrating mindful practices into our every day
Asana
Postures
Consistently practicing physical yoga postures
Pranayama
Breathing
Mastering control of our breathing
Pratyahara
Withdrawing the Senses
Drawing our awareness away from the external world
Dharana
Concentration
Focusing our awareness on a single point
Dhyana
Meditation
Being acutely aware without focus
Samadhi
Meditative Absorption
Transcending the self and experiencing enlightenment
