| The primary series of postures in Ashtanga are | | | | - Staff Pose |
| referred to as the Yoga Chikitsa. The word Chikitsa | | | | - West intense stretch |
| means therapy. This series works on realigning the | | | | - East intense stretch |
| spine, detoxifying the body, building stamina and | | | | - Half bound lotus |
| improving flexibility. The Ashtanga primary series leads | | | | - Head to knee pose |
| the yogi through a session of about an hour and a half | | | | - Boat |
| to two hours and consists of about 75 poses. It entirely | | | | - Handstand |
| depends on the instructor as to the number of | | | | - Arm pressure pose |
| postures that are utilized in class. | | | | - Tortoise |
| Yoga Chikitsa begins with surya namaskara or sun | | | | - Embryo in womb |
| salutation. The sun salutations are done in order to | | | | - Rooster |
| purify the body and restore health, before progressing | | | | - Bound angle |
| to other poses. There are two types of sun salutations | | | | - Wide angle seated fold |
| referred to as surya namaskara A and B. This entails | | | | - The wheel |
| a process of going through 18 different postures to | | | | - Bride building pose These then lead to a few |
| prepare the body for the next series of asana or | | | | relaxation poses including the upward bow, intense |
| positions. | | | | stretch and the corpse before starting the shoulder |
| After surya namaskara, the primary series proceeds | | | | stands, which include: |
| to standing poses. These lead the yogi through a | | | | - Supported limb |
| sequence of postures that require flexibility but it also | | | | - Plow |
| prepares for the harder steps that follow in the seated | | | | - Ear pressure |
| version of the Chikitsa. A few of the positions are | | | | - Upward lotus |
| listed below: | | | | - Embryo |
| - Big toe pose | | | | - Fish |
| - Hands under feet | | | | - Intense feet and leg stretch |
| - Triangle | | | | - Lifting from the headstand |
| - Revolved Triangle | | | | - Childs pose |
| - Extended side angle | | | | - Bound Lotus |
| - Revolved side angle | | | | - Energetic Lock |
| - Wide leg forward fold | | | | - The uplifting The Yoga therapy is concluded by a |
| - Hands on floor | | | | pose called the Corpse. The corpse as the name |
| - Hands on waist | | | | states is where the yogi is so relaxed that all his or her |
| - Hands clasped behind | | | | limbs and body reach a level of tranquility equivalent to |
| - Hands grabs big toes | | | | that of a corpse. |
| Side Intense stretch | | | | Chikitsa is supposed to be the most challenging form |
| Extended hand to big toe | | | | of Ashtanga. This is due to the fact that this series is |
| Half bound lotus | | | | for the beginners and it entails a long and strenuous |
| Warrior | | | | workout. Many people find it difficult when they begin |
| Next Chikitsa continues to the seated poses, inversions | | | | taking yoga classes. However, with the right instructor |
| and backbends. These are considerably harder to | | | | to lead you through the primary series, it proves to be |
| manage than the standing ones and involve a lot of | | | | fun as well as a healthy and vigorous workout session |
| coordination and concentration. A few of the seated | | | | along with providing mental and physical relaxation. |
| postures are as below: | | | | |