If you want to combine meditation with good physical exercise, this dynamic yoga practice might be perfect for you.
Ashtanga Yoga is a modern form of yoga inspired from the
Indian discipline and developed by the well-known K. Pattabhi Jois.
In Sanskrit, ‘ashtanga’ means ‘eight-limbed’.
Therefore, this yoga practice emphasizes eight different aspects:
moral codes, union with the meditation object, study and
self-purification, deep meditation, posture, concentration, breath
control and the separation of the senses from the mind.
What is Ashtanga Yoga?
Ashtanga Yoga mainly concentrates on synchronizing one’s
breath with diverse and progressive posture series. In turn, this
process is meant to produce a very intense internal heat, plus a
purifying and profuse sweat meant to detoxify not only the internal
organs, but also the muscles. In the end, this can result in having
a calmer mind, a strong and light body and a better
circulation.
In order to practice this type of yoga, you have to perfect the
yama and the niyama, meaning the moral codes and the
self-purification. This must be done daily, but it also has to be
followed by the use of the vinyasa and the tristhana, meaning of
the correct forms of breathing and of the correct postures.
Ashtanga Yoga principles
There are five basic principles that Ashtanga Yoga has. The
first one is represented by breath. This is an essential part while
practicing this kind of yoga that sustains the idea that the action
of breathing should be done simply through the nose. Through the
contraction of the epiglottis, the breath flows and regulates.
The next two principles are represented by bandhas and drishti.
Badhas represent the muscular contractions which can positively
affect the psychic and the physical parts. Drishti refers to the
ability of keeping your mind steady, without letting it be
distracted by smells, sounds or any other interference that might
occur. There are nine different drishti points intrinsic to every
pose: the navel, the toes and toe tips, the third eyes, the finger
tips, the thumbs, up to the sky, far left and far right.
Finally, the last principles are represented by the vinyasa and by
the intention. The vinyasa promotes a dynamic and flowing yoga
practice that can provide full benefits to the practitioners.
Lastly, the intention refers to the purpose of the yoga practice
that must be set before commencing the actual yoga ritual.
Benefits of Ashtanga Yoga
There are different mental and physical benefits that those
practicing Ashtanga Yoga can benefit of. The most important
of them are represented by the reduction of the stress impact and
of the multiple chronic diseases, the strengthening of the
cardiovascular system, the improvement of flexibility and strength,
of the immune system functions, of joints, of metabolism and of
digestion.
Moreover, this kind of yoga can also improve athletic performances,
alleviate anxiety and depression and promote weight regulation and
weight loss.
Basic Ashtanga Yoga poses
Ashtanga Yoga has three main sets of poses: the primary
series, the intermediate and the advanced ones. The primary set
focuses on those poses meant to restore health and purify the
entire body. These poses are organized in a progressive order,
meaning that each pose builds on the one before. In turn, they
strengthen the body and make it feel balanced.
The intermediate set of poses must be practiced after the body was
strengthen and cleaned. As soon as this foundation is established,
the intermediate poses can open and then clear the body’s energy
channels.
Finally, the advanced poses are meant to strengthen the
practitioner’s inner spirit. In order to be able to practice them
though, the practitioner must be steady both in mind and body,
focus intensely and act humble.
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