General Information On Ashtanga YogaWhat is Ashtanga yoga? Well, before setting forth on this sometimes demanding, but nonetheless exciting journey, it is a good idea to have some more general information on ashtanga. One fact that I found interesting was a discussions on the origins of ashtanga. Despite the mythology that some teachers cling to, the most likely origin was in fact that it was a program created to teach yoga to children and adolescents. The man most associated with Ashtanga is Pattabhi Jois, a student of the well known teacher Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya usually allowed the needs and circumstances of his students to define the practice he gave them. When he was working with the Maharaja of Mysore, he gave the young boys who lived at the palace a vinyasa practice that he had adapted. The practice was designed to appeal to children and adolescents with a lot of energy, and a restless mind. Aspects of hatha yoga that may have bored them were not minimized. For example, instead of holding poses for a long time, they were only held for about 5 breaths, with the exception of a few. The intense physical nature of this style of yoga well reflects the natural strength, flexibility, and energy that younger children and teenagers have. And added to the yoga was a linking series called ashtanga vinyasa that was probably influenced by athletics and acrobatics.
Either way, it has become a legitimate form of yoga in its' own right. Like more traditional forms, ashtanga still expresses a philosophy within the practice of it. Yoga ultimately helps us center and focus within, and allows a greater dialogue with our own spirituality. An article providing general information on ashtanga yoga would not be complete without mentioning the ashtanga primary series, which is the first practice series of yoga ashtanga students are generally given. Like all programs in this style, this series is a set sequence of poses, however it is often modified, or given gradually, to beginners. It is too challenging otherwise. After all, the program may have been designed with teenage boys in mind, but it is mostly adults who practice it now!
References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtanga_Vinyasa_Yoga
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Nonetheless, despite these likely origins, and the fact that Krishnamacharya himself neither practiced this style nor taught adults the same way, ashtanga yoga has become very popular. Perhaps its' athleticism and dynamic nature is why it appeals to the West so much, or at least, to many adults in the West. Its' continued popularity is certainly a testament to the many ashtanga benefits a regular practice confers. - And many add weight loss and physical conditioning to that list.
(C) Copyright by Rebecca Prescott, 2006 - 2008. All Rights Reserved
