Yoga asanas, or postures, are what most people think of when they hear the term ‘yoga’. However, if you have read the page About Ashtanga Yoga you will know that your mind is just as important than your body in this practice. That is not to say the asanas are not important. On the contrary, they are the tool with which we begin to still the mind.
There are six series of asanas in the Ashtanga tradition. Everyone, irrespective of athletic ability, flexibility, age or circumstance, begins with the primary series. Each pose must be achieved to the required standard (decided by a authorised teacher) before the next is attempted. In this way, we build our own personal practice based completely around our own physical, mental and emotional capabilities.
Many stay with the Primary Series for several years before progressing to Intermediate. Very few progress beyond this stage, onto the Advanced Series. There is only one practitioner in the world currently practicing sixth series, which demonstrates its level of intensity!
When we start to practice asana it is important to learn from an authorised or certified teacher. There is the potential for injury should you try to learn asana from a book, DVD or the internet. A good teacher will explain how to move in and out of each posture correctly, providing advice and adjustments when necessary. They will also be able to help with breathing, drishti, and the ‘bandhas’. A full list of teachers around the world can be found here.
If you are lucky enough to have a teacher near to your home, it’s well worth the initial investment of time and money to go them and receive proper instruction. Once the series is grounded in your mind and body, it is quite acceptable – and often encouraged – to practice in your own home for the majority of the year, and to ‘check in’ with a teacher intermittently to further your practice – and correct any bad habits.
If there is no authorised or certified teacher near to you, you may want to consider a retreat or intensive introduction to the ashtanga practice. These take place regularly around the world and often encourage newcomers. The official Ashtanga website – www.ashtanga.com – has a full list which is updated regularly. If you have any questions, email the appropriate teacher before booking.
If you want to study the poses before attending or alongside your classes, there are some excellent books available. I would recommend:
Yoga Mala by Shri K Pattabhi Jois is the original text on the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Pattabhi Jois, or Guruji as he is known to his students, talks us through the primary series explaining each posture carefully.
Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy by Gregor Maehle gives a comprehensive breakdown of the primary series, with exact description of poses and the related muscle groups. He talks knowledgably about the tradition of ashtanga yoga and it’s relevance to the modern world. There are full discussions on drishti, breath and bandhas, and a good explanation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (the primary text of Yoga, originally written in Sanskrit).
Once drishti and breath become automatic, and the asana become familiar, the sequence becomes a moving meditation. This creates space in the mind, body and heart. That’s not to say every practice feels peaceful. There are days when the mind cannot stay still, weeks when you may feel ou are losing your focus, months when you feel down. But stay with the practice, believe in it, and get on your mat every morning. In this way, as Guruji says, ‘All is coming’.
