| Ashtanga is a more physically intense form of yoga | | | | were able to give beginners both standing and floor |
| than most, which is one of the reasons for its' | | | | postures in one abridged session, all linked by the |
| immense popularity. This can make it more challenging | | | | characteristic vinyasa flow. |
| to learn however. There are two main ways it is | | | | In many ways, this approach is actually more true to |
| taught - a more traditional approach pioneered by | | | | the way Jois' teacher, Krishnamacharya, taught. |
| Pattabhi Jois in India, and an adapted form of the | | | | Krishnamacharya had a great belief in the principle that |
| primary series developed by teachers here. One of | | | | yoga was not a 'one size fits all' proposition. He tailored |
| the questions many beginners may have, is do they | | | | it to people's individual needs and circumstances. |
| actually need a class to learn this style anyway? An | | | | Indeed, the reason he created the ashtanga practice |
| associated question is what makes it so different? By | | | | to start with was because it was intended for |
| addressing these issues, it is much easier to learn | | | | adolescent boys for whom the more introspective |
| ashtanga in a way that promotes true benefits, as well | | | | hatha yoga practice would be unsuitable due to their |
| as avoiding some of the frustrations that beginners | | | | energy and teenage distractibility. |
| may face. | | | | Though ashtanga is different to hatha in a number of |
| Pattabhi Jois was a lifelong student of | | | | ways, it would be a mistake to think that it did not |
| Krishnamacharya, one of the most well known Indian | | | | develop introspection. The asanas may not be held for |
| yoga teachers this century. Krishnamacharya may | | | | as long, but they still require practice and focus. The |
| have developed the system of ashtanga, but it was | | | | acrobatic nature of some of ashtanga actually |
| Jois who adopted it as his own. Through Jois' | | | | requires a certain degree of coordination, focus and |
| patronage, ashtanga became popular in India and the | | | | strength. Though beginners may find these aspects |
| West. When students traveled to Jois' school in | | | | challenging initially, if the practice is modified in the way |
| Mysore, India, they were taught as much as they could | | | | many local teachers do, then these qualities can be |
| do of the Primary Series at a time. | | | | developed gradually. In this way, all the benefits can be |
| The Primary Series is the first series of asanas. There | | | | enjoyed as we learn ashtanga yoga. |
| are later, more advanced series, but everyone starts | | | | Finding a teacher is highly recommended. It is very |
| with this one. However, because of its' dynamic and | | | | difficult to describe the way the vinyasa sequence is |
| athletic nature, the Primary Series is generally too | | | | done, even more so when explaining the use of the |
| much for a beginner to learn in one session. So, Jois | | | | bandhas (also called a 'root lock'). Even with the visual |
| would teach one, or a few, poses, and once a student | | | | aid of a DVD, nothing can quite replace the way a |
| had mastered those, he would give them another. | | | | beginners class or workshop provides the opportunity |
| Thus, new asanas were gradually introduced, until the | | | | for feedback and corrections with postures. For those |
| whole series was completed. | | | | more experienced students however, DVD's are |
| This was a somewhat slow way to learn ashtanga, | | | | perfect. |
| and perhaps influenced by the way other styles of | | | | Ashtanga is an energetic sequence that provides |
| yoga are taught, many Western teachers taught | | | | many of the benefits of a traditional fitness program. |
| beginners a different way. They maintained the | | | | By approaching it in a way that takes into account any |
| essence of the series, but left out some of the more | | | | personal injuries, and initial limitations with strength, it is |
| challenging poses until later, and included adaptations of | | | | possible to learn ashtanga and enjoy every minute of |
| some poses so beginners could do them. Thus, they | | | | it. |