The Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga
Yama: Self-restraint
Niyama: Self Purification, Personal Observances
Asana: Seat or Posture
Pranayama: Breath Control, Development of Energy
Pratyahara: Sense Withdrawal
Dharana: Concentration
Dhyana: Meditation
Samadhi: Absorption, Enlightenment
The Ashtanga Yoga method is a living tradition with the relationship between teacher and student at the epicenter of its transmission going back over 5,000 years. At the root, it is a spiritual practice that purifies the heart, body and mind, illuminating ones own divine nature.
In modern times Ashtanga Yoga is linked to the late yoga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, otherwise known as Guruji (1915 – 2009), who passionately spread the beauty of the practice to countless people all over the world. Now his teachings are reverently carried forward by his grandson R. Sharath Jois, the director of KPJAYI in Mysore, India; his daughter, Sarawati Jois, his son, Manju Jois in California USA, and granddaughter, Sharmila Mahesh in Bangalore, India.
In turn, it is my intention to transmit the Ashtanga Yoga practice in the lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois with sincere focus and dedication as I am a student and practitioner of this timeless tradition first and foremost.
The Practice
Ashtanga Yoga is traditionally taught in the “Mysore” style and is the most impactful approach in learning and understanding the practice. The name Mysore is derived from the actual city located in Southern India where Sri K. Pattabhi Jois lived, studied, taught and raised his family for most of his life.
Mysore is also deemed as supervised self practice where the āsanas (postures) are introduced and taught, one at a time for the student can easily memorize the sequence with both confidence and comfort, ultimately building the skills to move through the practice establishing a sense of empowerment, steadiness and calm. In class the student will advance at their own rate with the guidance of an experienced teacher. In turn, the Ashtanga yoga practice is offered to each individual student fully dependent on where they are the day they walk into class. Rest assure, there will always be guidance and support when needed and it is consistently the teacher’s goal to meet the needs of each student the very best they can. It is recommended when first starting out students commit to at least one month minimum of 3 times per week to accelerate and deepen the learning process.
All students are welcome in Mysore class. At the heart of this method all levels of experience can impart the teachings of the practice no matter the limitation. In fact, in Mysore the teacher can better suit the needs of those who need special attention or guidance in learning.
No Mysore class on Full and New Moon. Schedule can be found here.
“You should not be practicing to have a ‘good’ practice, but instead to keep steadiness within yourself. Practice happily regardless of whether it is ‘good’ or not. Sometimes some postures will not be possible, but when you accept the good and the bad and everything becomes equal for you, that is yoga.”