Yoga is a process, a life long learning. A study of the self. A deep self enquiry. A traditional, spiritual practice.
Yoga can be traced back to the Indus culture (7000BC). Originally,an oral tradition. Since, yoga was passed down from teacher to student. It is therefore difficult to claim to know the true facts with regards to the history.
The word ‘Yoga’ is a Sanskrit term derived from the root ‘yuj’, meaning to yoke or unite.
The ancient seer Vamana Rishi, who wrote the Yoga Korunta, (he lived approx. 4,000 years ago) wrote it with people in mind who had responsibilities and families,like you and I. This text is believed to have contained original teachings on the system of Vinyasa, drishti, bandhas, mudras and philosophy.
Some Yoga disciplines do require long periods of meditation and isolation. Ashtanga Yoga does not require that of us, once a full practice has been established,only 2 hours a day are required for practice. ‘Whether young, old or very sick or debilitated, one who is vigilant attains success in all the Yogas, by means of practice’. Hatha Yoga Pradipika. I:64 So Yoga is for all. ‘Yoga is about steadiness with in the constant flow of all things.’Shelley Osman Krishnamacharya was an inspirational Teacher, it is through him that we now have Ashtanga Yoga (K.P.Jois), Iyengar Yoga (B.K.S. Iyengar) and Vini Yoga (T.K.V.Desikachar).
He spent 8 years of intensive study with his Guru Rama Mohana Brahmachary at Mount Kailash, learning asana and Vinyasa practice. After 25 years of practice he began to teach. He was married and raised 6 children. Sri. T. Krishnamacharya taught everyday people and you can only do that if you live the everyday life.
During the period of Krishnamacharya's study with his Guru, Sri Ramamohan Brahmachari, he had received the teachings on The Yoga Korunta, which intergrated the philosophical teachings of the great Sage Patanjali. These texts were compiled together. We begin to see that the Ashtanga Method is a balance of practice and study/philosophy. It was thought that The Yoga Korunta was lost during the middle ages and then rediscovered.
Patanjali's text, The Yoga-Sutras (500BC) describe the methods of pranyama and asana practice, bandhas and drishti. Here Patanjali systematized an approach to yoga.
The Yoga Korunta writes of the joining of postures together. It confirms the Vinyasa method and it is here that the scripture scientifically describes the 6 series described as the Primary (yoga chikitsa), Intermediate (nadi shodona) Advanced (stihra baga)
The term Ashtanga Yoga was derived from Patanjali's Yoga-Sutras it is written in the 2nd part of the Sutras, under 'Practice'
It is said that by practising the eight limbs impurities will be destroyed and true knowledge manifests itself.
It is said that the first 4 limbs are very difficult, they are the foundations, they ground us. They enable us to respond in the real world with awarenes. Helping us to live by good morals and to therefore see the nature of our ways.
It is said that Asana practice must be established first, it is a key development of Yama and Niyama.
If Ashtanga Vinyasa is practised correctly, in its sequential order, it leads the practitioner to rediscover their fullest potential, on all levels of human consciousness.
The scripture scientifically describes the Ashtanga yoga system. Together, Guruji and Krishnamacharya deciphered and translated this text, collating the 6 Ashtanga series.
Sri. T. Krishnamacharya then assigned his principal student to devote himself to the study and sharing of this practice, which with great humbleness and love he has continued to do so.
Today, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga continues to thrive under the wonderful guidance of Guruji, Sri.K.Pattabhi Jois. In 1948 Pattabhi Jois became the director and founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institiute in Mysore, India. This is where the phrase ‘Mysore style’ has come from. Pattabhi Jois at the age of 92 still continues to teach this method with his daughter Saraswati and his grandson Sharath Rangaswamy.
Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic and graceful system which synchronizes breathing and movement. It follows a therapeutic and progressive sequence of postures. We start with the third limb, Asana. Yoga is not about torturing the body, though some people may do this to themselves. It is not gymnastics or contortionism. Someone performing advanced asanas, may not have any realization in Yoga. Whilst it is energetic, it is truly a flowing meditation. Asanas (postures) give the body strength, flexibility and purify the system. All the postures have been designed in a particular set order, so in time we may feel a sense of balance and harmony. The elements that distinguish Ashtanga Yoga are: VINYASA - It is the systematic linking of one asana to the next asana, lead by breath. It is the constant flow of movement and breath that creates heat. Sweat is a very important aspect of this system and Vinyasa is the foundation for this to occur. Following the method of Vinyasa, the body is purified and becomes stronger and more flexible. The fundamental aspects of Ashtanga are: UJJAYI BREATHING - This is created as we breathe through the nostrils whilst gently making a subtle contraction of the muscles around the glottis, at the back of the throat. From this a soft sound is created. The breath is the core of this discipline, breath being life. The breath is kept steady, deep and controlled. BANDHAS (‘lock’) - are a partner to breath. Through the subtle use of bandha we can begin to regulate the flow of energy in the subtle body. DRISTHI - is the looking place. A place on which our eyes focus whilst in a posture.
WHAT IS MYSORE STYLE SELF-PRACTICE? As Pattabhi Jois is fondly known for saying: "One per cent is theory and 99% is practice." Mysore practice, self practice is the traditional way that this method is taught. Gradually, over time the student is encouraged to memorize the sequence of postures, pose by pose. This way of practicing allows the student to work at their own pace, suiting their own level of ability and individual needs within a group energy. This in turn will develop a personal practice for the student. The Teacher, is able to work with students individually, giving personal guidance, assisting verbally and offering physical adjustments when and if a student needs it. This style is unique in comparison to guided Yoga classes. There is no pressure to keep up with anyone else and you don’t become reliant upon the Teacher, you do the practice, and not just copy. When the Teacher feels a student is ready, then a new posture will be given. In a Mysore class, there will be students of all abilities, some practicing the primary series, others practicing the intermediate series. At times, your Teacher will be working with you on a one to one basis within this described group setting. You will be individually guided through each posture. When you cannot remember the sequence, do not worry or feel embarrassed, your Teacher is there to help you. When first starting Ashtanga Yoga, your practice in class may only be for about 45 minutes, then gradually building up to an hour and over time to an hour and half.
Very Briefly Some of the benefits of this practice The body becomes internally cleansed. We learn to focus and become attentive to breath and to the body’s messages. This dynamic practice enables the body to sweat, from the internal heat that the practice generates. Therefore, weightloss, muscle definition and tone are other benefits. There is less risk of injury, due to the internal heat that the body creates, allowing the body to become more pliable during practice. It is said that the body becomes therapeutically more aligned. Improved strength, flexibility and a dramatic increase of energy. As toxins are eliminated, the nervous system is purified. We can develop concentration and mindfulness, which can lead to a calm, meditative state. Most students report back to me on the reduction of stress and tension in their lives. The internal organs are massaged in certain postures and the diaphragm is being exercised. You may develop a better sleeping and eating pattern. This system can make us aware of energetic and physical blockages and with awareness, these can be released. The Ashtanga system could become an invaluable tool within your life if you give it time to be. With patience and perseverance the numerous benefits will come. ‘Do your practice and all is coming’, as Guruji is fondly known for saying.
During these pages, I am merely scratching the surface.
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Sri.K.Pattabhi Jois Born on the full moon of July 1915.
He began his studies with his teacher Krishnamacharya in 1927 and continued to be his student until 1945.