Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic, aerobic, and meditative practice.

It focuses on posture, rhythmic breath control, and movement.

The meaning of Ashtanga comes from Sanskrit for Ashta (eight), and

Anga (limb or stage). Ashtanga Yoga translates literally as “Union

of the Eight Limbs.”

More than two thousand years ago, an Indian sage sage named

Pantanjali wrote the Ashtanga Yoga Manuscript on a bundle of palm

leaves. Scholar Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya and his disciple

K. Pattabhi Jois discovered the manuscript in 1930 while

researching Sanskrit text at the Calcutta University library.

The Eight Limbs
• Yama—ethical discipline	• Pratyahara—sense control
• Nyama—self observation	• Dharana—concentration
• Asana—physical posture	• Dhyana—meditation
• Pranayama—breath control	• Samadhi—a state of joy and peace

Ashtanga Yoga has six levels: The Primary Series, the Intermediate

Series, and the Advanced Series A, B, C, and D.

Each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the next, and

the sequential order of asanas (postures) is to be meticulously

followed. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing the

strength and balance required to move further.

The traditional way of practicing Ashtanga is six days a week, resting

on Saturday.