Ashtanga Yoga has its first mention in Yoga Korunta written by Vamana Rishi, which has a list of various postures grouped separately. This has been made popular by Pattabhi Jois who was 12 when he began to study yoga in 1927.
Also known as the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, this form is famous in turning yoga into a dynamic flow, by giving importance to the number of breaths between each posture, which is unique in itself.
‘Ashtanga’ means ‘eight limbed’ and as mentioned in the Patanjali, contains 8 spiritual practices. The first four include:
- Yama (self control)
- Niyama (rules)
- Asana (posture)
- Pranayama (extension of breath).
The last four are:
- Pratyahara (withdrawal or self-control)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyana (contemplation)
- Samadhi (state of consciousness where the subject and object become one).
The initial ones are for external cleansing and the later ones are for internal cleansing. The external ones can be controlled easily; however, the internal cleansing can prove to be a risk if not followed properly.
One has to understand and implement vinyasa and tristhana in Ashtanga yoga to achieve the desired results. Vinyasa means breathing and movement method, which forms a key factor in this form.
The harmonization of breath and asanas warms the blood, thus making it lighter and improves the circulation. Tristhana means the close union of the three places of attention, which are asana, vinyasa and drishti (looking place).
Clearing the mind and cleansing it with the help of these principles is the basic goal of this yoga type. This is achieved by regular practice of pranayama so that your mind is disciplined to think in a single direction by following the breathing movements.
