history

The term Ashtanga Yoga is derived from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras "Yoga has eight limbs". The eight limbs are a systematically organised path that leads to inner freedom and happiness. They are restraints, observances, posture, breath extension, internal focus, concentration, meditation and ecstasy.

The physical practice of Ashtanga Yoga was systematized by the ancient Vedic seer, Vamana who lived approximately 4000 years ago. In a text called Yoga Korunta (Sequential Yoga) Vamana described the various sequences that today make up Ashtanga Yoga.

The fountainhead of modern Ashtanga Yoga was the Indian master Shri T Krishnamacharya. He was possibly the last Indian teacher who had mastered such diverse arts and sciences as medicine, logic, philosophy, yoga, mysticism and Sanskrit. After he passed away, his teaching became fractured by his different students and was broken up into diverse schools.

8 Limbs is dedicated to teaching traditional Ashtanga Yoga upholding its integrity as taught by Shri T Krishnamacharya.