Ashtanga Yoga Lineage

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a sequence of yoga asana popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois during the 20th century.

Pattabhi Jois began practicing with Krishnamacharya starting in 1927 when he was just 12 years old. In 1937, he began a position as yoga teacher at the Sanskrit College in  Mysore, India. K. Pattabhi Jois continued to teach at the Mysore Sanskrit College until retirement in 1973. He taught yoga for 70 years! Ashtanga Yoga is continued & honored by his son Manju Pattabhi Jois, his daughter Saraswati Jois, his grandson Sharath Jois & every Ashtanga teacher & practitioner today. 

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There are three groups of movement sequences & six series in total in Ashtanga Yoga:

• The Primary Series, called Yoga Chikitsa (yoga therapy) - cleanses the physical body.

• The Intermediate Series, called Nadi Shodhana (nerve cleansing) - purifies the nervous system, opening up experiencing the subtleties of our energy & mind.

• The Advanced Series A, B, C & D, called Sthira Bhaga (strength & grace) - explores more deeply flexibility, vigor & tranquility, & requires higher levels of humility & dedication.

 

Each series of postures must be accomplished before proceeding to the next. The practice is cumulative & it is essential to follow the order of postures (asanas) as each individual asana builds on the previous one & prepares practitioners for the next. Each asana, or group of asanas, has a specific effect that is counter balanced by the previous asana, or group of asanas. The sequential process of learning Ashtanga Yoga allows its practitioners to develop the concentration, strength, flexibility & stamina needed to progress in a safe & balanced manner. It also allows the practitioner to cultivate a deeper understanding of their body, their mind, & their samskaras on & off the mat.