Ashtanga Yoga literally means “eight limb yoga.” It is a system described in the yoga sutras associated with the ancient sage Patanjali.
Yoga sutras are prevailing guidelines for spiritual growth through a healthy and ideal life, and they are universal. They are not just beliefs, but methods that each practitioner can try and see for themselves if they really get the benefits they claim.
The sutras consist of eight limbs or requirements for achieving full self-actualization. They are not practiced in order, but they all develop together as one progress on the spiritual path. Meditation is one of those techniques that help a spiritual practitioner to develop in these areas.
Ashtanga Yoga sequences and series
Generally, an Ashtanga practice begins with five repetitions of Surya Namaskara A and five repetitions of Surya Namaskara B, followed by a permanent sequence. After this, the practitioner advances through one of the six series, followed by a standard closing sequence.
The six series are:
The primary series: Yoga Chikitsa, Yoga for health or Yoga Therapy
The intermediate series: Nadi Shodhana, The Nerve Purifier (also called the second series)
The Advanced series: Sthira Bhaga, Force Focused
Advanced A, or third series
Advanced B, or Fourth series
Advanced C, or fifth series
Advanced D, or sixth series
There were originally four series in the Ashtanga program: Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced A, and Advanced B. A fifth series of classes was the “Rishi series,” which was said to be done once a practitioner had “mastered” these four.
Ashtanga Yoga Advanced Poses –
Below is the list of advance ashtanga yoga poses –
- Vasishthasana
- Vishvamitrasana
- Kasyapasana
- Chakorasana
- Bhairavasana
- Skandasana
- Durvasana
- Urdhva Kukkutasana [A]
- Urdhva Kukkutasana [B]
- Urdhva Kukkutasana [“]
- Galavasana
- Eka-Pada Bakasana [A]
- Eka-Pada Bakasana [B]
- Kaundinyasana [A]
- Kaundinyasana [B]
- Ashtavakrasana [A]
- Ashtavakrasana [B]
- Purna Matsyendrasana
- Viranchyasana [A]
- Viranchyasana [B]
- Viranchyasana [B]
- Viranchyasana [B]
- Dvi-Pada Viparita Dandasana
- Eka-Pada Viparita Dandasana
- Viparita Shalabhasana
- Ganda Bherundasana
- Hanumanasana
- Supta Trivikramasana
- Digasana [A]
- Digasana [B]
- Utthita Trivikrimasana
- Nata Rajasana [A]
- Nata Rajasana [B]
- Raja Kapotasana
- Eka-Pada Raja Kapotasana
- Urdhva Dhanurasana
- Urdhva Dhanurasana
- Paschimottanasana
The conclusion –
Ashtanga yoga is a complex type of yoga created around the concept of cleaning your body and mind. You may have noticed in your personal life that when you don’t eat well and don’t take care of your body the way you should, you just don’t feel good about yourself. Ashtanga yoga poses are designed to help purify your body under the direction of a philosophy that believes that a clean body bestows clarity of mind and awareness.
Call us at 955-867-2399 or drop an email on rishikeshvinyasayogaschool@gmail.com. Visit our Facebook page for reviews and follow us on Pinterest.