“Do your practice and all is coming”

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

The Founder of Ashtanga Yoga

WHY ASHTANGA YOGA? WHAT IS THE HISTORY?

Ashtanga Yoga is the most active yoga form around. Many have already discovered that it is not just an effective way to get fit, which both strengthens and makes the body more flexible, but that it has the advantage over ordinary exercise programs that it, among other things, decreases stress and gives a sense of ease in the body and peace of
mind.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga consists of a series of postures that are combined with breathing and movement. In addition to breathing and movement, some other techniques are used with body locks (bandha) and focus points (dristhi). These techniques combine to …

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ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient form of yoga. The yoga form has been passed on from the yoga masters to the students for hundreds of years. Yoga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who made ashtanga yoga popular in the West, lived until he turned 93 (May 2009). His grandson Sri R. Sharath Jois has taken over the position of Head of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, South India.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois is one of the 4 best known students of Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya is recognized as the founder of the most widely practiced yoga practices in the West. He lived until he was over 100 years old. The other 3 of his best known students are the brother-in-law B.K.S. Iyengar, son T.K.V Desikachar and Indra Devi.

According to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga yoga is the most original form of yoga described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

Ash means 8 and anga means limbs or parts. These 8 parts are ..