Bath Ashtanga Yoga, & Bristol Ashtanga Yoga

STRENGTH. DETOX. CALM MIND

 

A one-to-one class or course will teach the practitioner the Full Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga: the five elements of Ashtanga Yoga - the asanas (postures); the pranayama (the Ujjayi breath); the drishti (the gaze points); the vinyasa (the synchronisation of breath with movement); and the bandhas (the body-locks). The practitioner will then be able to practice the sequence at home, and also confidently attend group classes.

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Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and vigorous form of Hatha yoga. It offers a set series of poses, each held for only five breaths and punctuated by a half sun salutation to keep up the pace. 

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Ashtanga Yoga was passed down through ancient gurus to Sri Krishnamacharya. He later passed it onto Sri K. Pattabhi Jois who taught it to thousands of students in Mysore, India and popularised it in the West disseminating it globally from 1964. Ashtanga Yoga can be characterised by its use of 'vinyasa', the synchronisation of breath with movement, and its energetic, dynamic form. It is more strenuous than other systems of yoga. An Ashtanga class is effective in flushing away non-constructive self-practice habits, such as a wandering mind, losing the connection with the breath, or fidgeting between postures.

 

Ashtanga Yoga is a system of yoga that consists of the Primary, Intermediate and Advanced Series of a pre-defined sequence of postures. The Primary series should be mastered before taking on the other Series. But the Primary series is a yoga system practitioners can stick with and use for many years or a lifetime.

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PRIMARY SERIES

The Primary Series of Ashtanga yoga is known in Old Indian Sanskrit as “Yoga Chikitsa” which means yoga therapy. It is a healing process of cleansing and toning for your body, mind and the senses. The understanding in yoga is that there exists within the body a complex network of energy pathways known as “nadis”. The energy that flows through these nadis is an unseen life force called “prana”. When the nadis get blocked prana cannot flow freely through them and the body, mind and senses become blocked, unbalanced and unhealthy. This yoga practice cleans and clears the nadis allowing prana to flow and energise all of the body. With fewer obstacles to confront, the body, mind and senses are allowed a more fertile environment in which to function thereby operating at the utmost level of efficiency. The postures are arranged in a time-tested sequence designed to specifically align the body and strengthen the nervous system. Many practitioners of Ashtanga yoga have found the Primary Series to be an invaluable tool to assist them in their healing process, whether it is mental or physical. With any healing process you must be patient; allow your practice time to mature and you will see the results!

 

THE FIVE ELEMENTS

Ashtanga yoga combines just five elements: vinyasa (movement and breath), asanas (postures), drishtis (gaze points), bandhas (locks)and ujjayi breath (a breathing technique). Ashtanga yoga begins to lead the practitioner towards enlightenment through starting the eight-fold path through its initial stages of purifying the practitioner.

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For private group Bath Ashtanga Yoga classes or to discuss anything further with the teacher go here.