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It's been called ‘Power Yoga’, ‘Aerobics with a meditative flair’, for those who like it hot’ and ‘the work-out that can change your life’. The real reasons this ancient, yet relatively new to the West, traditional style of yoga has taken the work-out and yoga scenes by storm are very logical and extremely profound. Dating
back several thousand years, Ashtanga Yoga carries the pure
wisdom of ancient Yoga Masters and is still taught in its traditional
form. The Purification through heat is fundamental to many indigenous cultures. Using the breath, the internal holds, the continuous flow of postures together with mindfulness builds internal heat. This increased heat and circulation rapidly improves flexibility, restores function to injured areas, facilitates realignment and removes toxins, enabling physical therapy to take place. Psychologically, this ‘internal fire’ burns through ignorance and illusion. The result is a powerful cleansing, detoxifying and purifying of body and mind. Breath is the intimate link between the body and the mind - carrying an intelligence of it’s own. To follow the breath is to do Yoga from the inside out, making it an internal experience, a meditative practice. The tempo of the practice is beautifully personalised - in tune to the rhythm of the individual’s breath, one follows their own melody and remains in harmony. In our lives there is no way to remain the way we are - we either become more rigid or we break out of old patterns and transform. At its core Yoga is a process that involves confronting your limits and transcending them. It is a psycho-physical approach to life. Yoga transforms you by opening the physical, mental and emotional binds that block your potential and limit your life. The art lies in learning how to focus and generate energy on the one hand and to let go and surrender on the other... down to the last pose, Savasana, the corpse posture, our last and final let go! The success of this practice does not depend upon being able to do the perfect pose, but on understanding what is necessary to do the postures - 'faith, courage and a sense of adventure’. Yoga teaches us about life, as the exact same principles apply. You will work it out with Ashtanga Yoga, physically, emotionally and mentally . The series will take you through specific memories, emotions and physical sensations, allowing you to examine them objectively and to let them go. Yoga brings opening and movement deep within the fibre of our being, giving spaciousness and expanding our consciousness. This transformation opens us to the extraordinary wisdom and well-being that is our potential and to a more profound relationship with life. The purpose is to become the observer, the witness of our body and mind, to merge consciously with our breath, to find the truth within us and to experience the oneness of life. Monica Gauci All
quotes from Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (Master of Ashtanga Yoga,
Mysore, India) |
Ashtanga
system is unique and distinctly different to other yoga styles.
Focus is on full, directed breath and synchronising it with
an uninterrupted flow of yoga postures. The series of postures
(asana) is intelligently and logically choreographed, each posture
opening and strengthening to prepare the body for the next pose.
The sequence is progressive and balanced, strong and challenging.
The breath system is mindful and absorbing, empowering and invigorating.
Internal holds (bandhas) give centred and integrated movement
and build inner strength. Gazing points (drishti) enhance focus,
concentration, direction and inner reflection. Together these
techniques form Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. This Movement Breath
System addresses the whole of our being. It makes the body strong
and lithe and able to support the incredible flexibility gained,
whilst building cardiovascular fitness. It trains the mind to
observe, to focus, to be clear and able to reflect. The balance
it brings increases vitality and inspires a happiness of spirit.