Wellness From Inside Inc
Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Private and Group Instruction

Charlotte NC 28269
Phone: 704-877-0668
E-Mail: info@wellnessfrominside.com

The Ashtanga Yoga Tradition
by Shanna Small


History of Ashtanga
Ashtanga yoga originated in India and is apart of the living tradition of yoga. The system
was taught to Sri. K Pattabhi Jois  who met his teacher Krishnamacharya om 1927. Pattabhi
Jois still teaches yoga in Mysore, India today!!!

Definition of the words "Ashtanga" and "Yoga"

Yoga means "to yoke". It is designed to find a balance between the physical,mental and
spiritual aspects of life and "to yoke" them together. The Yoga Sutras says puts it in
another why, it says "yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind". Ashtanga
translates to "8 limbs". These 8 limbs or principles are used to stop the fluctuations of the
mind. The 8 limbs are : Yama (moral observance), Niyama (integrity), Asana (postures),
Pranayama (breath control), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana(meditation), and Samadhi
(contemplation or a heightened state of existence)

What sets Ashtanga apart from other forms of yoga?

All Vinyasa, flow and power yogas being taught in studios today came from Ashtanga yoga.
All the other yogas, were markedly different from Ashtanga for the reasons listed below.

  • Ujjayi Breathing-Ashtanga uses a powerful breathing technique throughout the whole
    practice where other yogas tend to keep breath work separate from the postures
  • Energetic Locks-Ashtanga uses energetic locks that were taught separately in other
    forms of yoga
  • Poses flow together-Ashtanga's poses link together and each pose builds on the
    next. In other forms of yoga, poses were often isolated from each other and they
    were not linked
  • Length of holds-Ashtanga is fast paced and the emphasis is on the flow of breath
    and not the individual pose. It is the flow of the breath and the focus it takes to
    maintain it that make Ashtanga a moving meditation. In other forms of yoga, poses
    would be held for long periods of time with more emphasis on the pose itself and
    meditation would be distinctly separated from the physical movements
  • Set Sequences-Ashtanga is made up of a series of set sequences. Each sequence
    has a different name and is designed to affect the body and mind in different ways.
    The sequence has been described as a series of keys that unlock different aspects
    of the body and mind. The sequence of the poses systemically unlock the doors to
    different aspects of your development.


If you would like to learn more about Ashtanga yoga get an idea of what it looks like
go to:

http://ashtangayoga.info/ashtanga-yoga/index.html




Benefits of Yoga


  • Promote healing of bodily injuries

  • Get the heart rate up to an aerobic level which results in improved
    cardiovascular health

  • Tone muscles

  • Reduce injuries during other physical activities

  • Reduce lactic acid build up from other physical activities thereby cutting down
    on post work out soreness

  • Promotes weight loss due to the aerobic benefits and increased muscle mass
    which burns fat more efficiently and increased mindfulness due to meditation


  • Reduce bodily stiffness associated with aging

  • Easier on your joints than aerobic activity

  • Yoga has been shown to be very theraputic in treating many diseases
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*Source, The Pain Community News. The Newsletter of the American Pain Foundation