Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, as by taught Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is a branch of Hatha yoga and is a sequential system of postures linked together by breath and movement. This is an ancient and powerful discipline for cultivating physical, mental and spiritual health. Progressive techniques of breath, posture (asana), gaze (drishti) and movement, cleanse, stretch and strengthen the body as well as focus and calm the mind. The breath is the heart of this discipline, and links asana to asana in a precise order. By synchronizing movement with breathing and practising Mula and Uddiyana Bandhas (locks), an intense internal heat is produced. This heat purifies muscles and organs, expelling unwanted toxins as well as releasing beneficial hormones. The breath regulates the vinyasa and ensures efficient circulation of blood. The result is a light strong body. Awareness is essential to asana practice, which aims to influence, integrate and harmonise all levels of being: physical, energy, mental, emotional, psychic and spiritual. Awareness in this context is noting sensations in the body, the physical movement, the posture, the breath, synchronisation of movement, concentrating on a particular area of the body and witnessing and accepting any thoughts or feelings that may arise during the practice. A deeper experience of the self becomes possible through consistent practise as we gain control of the senses and acquire steadiness of body and mind.
View the full, traditional, counted primary series with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois here.
Try some Yoga Bradford Ashtanga online classes!
Ashtanga Class:
Improve and advance your Ashtanga practice with focus on:
- Breath and Movement Synchronicity
- Drishti
- Core Strength
- Alignment in postures
- Strength, stamina and flexibility
- Meditation and relaxation
View our Timetable for class times.
This class will build on the foundations laid in the beginners course and will work through a modified Primary Series focussing on technique and alignment and developing synchronicity of breath and movement. This class is great for building stamina and strength with specific techniques for accessing trickier postures. The class will include regular led full primary-series and occasional Mysore-style self practice (see below).
It is recommended that you have some yoga experience or have completed the beginners yoga course.
Mysore
Mysore asana practice is part of the Ashtanga yoga tradition; this class is not led by the teacher, students will self-practice at their own pace, in a class setting. This approach therefore provides the opportunity for 1:1 physical and verbal adjustment from the teacher, tailored to the student’s needs and experience.