Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga - A Brief Introduction
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Peaceful, serene, strong, relaxed, pure — this is how you will feel after participating in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. This ancient practice centers around the concept of “flow” and connected movements. Like most methods of yoga, it’s not just a series of “stretches” or exercises — but rather, a combination of philosophy, moral code, meditation and healthy habits. Muscle toning or flexibility may attract athletes to a yoga center, but for others it’s that spiritual yoga meditation that entices — producing a calmer mind, better circulation and more energy.
Through active, flowing movements, six different positions and specially timed breathing exercises, followers of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga aim to reach a state of internal cleansing, mental clarity, body strength and connectedness with the universal soul. By following the “eight limbs” of yoga, outlined by Indian sage Patanjali Maharishi, adherents practice the following: moral codes, self-purification and study, posture, breath control, control of the senses, focused concentration, meditation and contemplation.
In the beginning of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, a yoga teacher will help students master “external cleansing practices.” They learn about morality and study, while practicing particular postures and breathing. Instructors help novices find the correct positions and inspire students to live a just and moral existence. Next, after days of mastering the proper poses and gaining strength, students learn to control their minds. Through posture, breathing and concentration, the practice purifies the body, nervous system and mind over time.
In practice, Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga encompasses six unique postures (also referred to as “asanas”) that are always completed in the same order. In the first asana, there are ten standing “Sun Salutations” or “The Primary Series,” which aims to align and detoxify the body. The “Intermediate Series” focuses on the nervous system by opening and clearing internal paths of energy. “The Advanced Series A, B, C and D” helps students achieve maximum flexibility, strength, definition and humility. Teachers emphasize the mastery of each level before moving on, with particular focus and attention given to each step of progress.
The ujjayi (meaning “victorious breath”) method of exhaled and inhaled breathwork, combined with the flowing, dynamic asanas, warms the blood and generates a detoxifying sweat, or what is known as “internal cleansing.” Advanced forms of breathing techniques (bandhas) teach learners how to “lock” or “seal” energy and redirect it to one of the 72,000 energy channels within the body. To obtain maximum benefit from the asanas, learning to lock in positive energy is crucial. 9 different focus points seek to purify and stabilize the mind, facilitating concentration.
Once perfect form is achieved, a true understanding of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is found and the 6 spiritual poisons (desire, anger, delusion, greed, sloth and envy) will be eliminated. It is said that the mind will become unshackled and true happiness and understanding will pour inwards. With life moving so rapidly, the benefits of yoga meditation attracts around 16.5 million Americans every year.
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