Ashtanga Yoga (In) Practice — 10 Things To Expect
Have you wondered what an Ashtanga yoga class looks like? Is it a style of yoga for you? I have gathered a list of 10 things you can expect, but first, get some basic information on Ashtanga yoga and its six sequences!
The basics
The name Ashtanga yoga comes from two words. Ashta refers to the number 8 and the word anga means limb or a body part. That is because this style of yoga integrates eight so-called limbs to become one complete journey in life.
Asana — the body posture is only one limb and it is completed by Yamas (morals), Niyamas (social conduct), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (nirvana, absorption).
Ashtanga Yoga was popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois in the 20th century. As all yoga practices, Ashtanga is based on the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali (philosopher and thinker) written around 4th century CE. It’s a dynamic, physically demanding practice, which was designed to create strength, flexibility, and balance in the body and mind.
The Jois familly evolved and fine tuned the practice from its original form. Today the schools adepts become worldwide certified teachers under the watchful eye of Sharath Jois — the grandson of Pattabhi, in Mysore, India.
