Understanding Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a yoga system that involves the synchronization of one's breathing with a series of yoga postures.  Ashtanga yoga means "eight limbed yoga", with the eight parts representing eight spiritual practices ranging from moral codes and self-purification through control of mind and body to meditation and contemplation.

Ashtanga yoga is a vinyasa style practice which has two series of yoga poses in particular: Yoga Chikitsa, which means basically yoga therapy, is used to realign the spine, detoxify the body, and build flexibility, strength, and stamina as well. This part of Ashtanga yoga consists of about 75 poses, and it takes about an hour and a half to complete if you go all the way through.

All the postures, called asanas, in Ashtanga yoga have a specific number of breathing patterns called vinyasas.  For example, when performing a certain yoga pose, one may be required to inhale and then exhale during the next pose.  The whole point of the vinyasa is purification and cleansing.

The intermediate or second series of poses in Ashtanga yoga is called Nadi Shodana, which means nervous system purification.  This deals with purifying and fortifying the nervous system and helps by strengthening the subtle energy channels within the body. 

Ashtanga yoga is one of the more popular styles of yoga.  There are no shortage of yoga studios or yoga dvds where you can learn how to perform it.

Talk to a yoga studio instructor and ask questions about the various forms of yoga so you can learn more about yoga and find out what's best for you.

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