About Ashtanga Vinyasa
Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient system of Yoga that was taught by Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta. This text was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900's by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Sri K Pattabhi Jois (photo to right) during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927.
The practice consists of a set sequence of opening chant, asanas, and closing chant that flow one after another like a dance. There are six asana series of progressive levels of mastery, and each student is given each next asana as she or he is ready for it. The sequence is meant to be memorized and practiced "self-paced" (following the practitioner's own breath) six days a week (with Saturdays and Moon Days off). When this practice is sustained with diligence and dedication, the poisons that surround the spiritual heart ~ desire, anger, delusion, greed, envy and sloth ~ are purified and the light of our inner nature shines forth.
Explore the below links for more information about Ashtanga Vinyasa:
K Pattabh i Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute ~ website of Sri K Pattabhi Jois's shala in Mysore, India
Saraswati ~ website of Sri K Pattabhi Jois' daughter
R Sharath ~ website of R Sharath, Sri K Pattabhi Jois' grandson
Ashtanga.com ~ resource website for Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga worldwide
Ashtanganews.com ~ what's going on in Ashtanga yoga
MorningMysore.com ~ community website for SF Bay Area practitioners
Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual ~ good basic book showing primary and intermediate series sequencing, spiralbound to lay flat if you want to refer to it for home practice
Ashtanga, NY ~ documentary film following Sri K Pattabhi Jois during the New York stop of his post-9/11 US tour
GuruTheMovie.com ~ 2006 documentary film about Sri K Pattabhi Jois
2007 Morning Mysore Calendar ~ calendar Antonia co-created with 2 ashtanga practitioner friends to offer inspiration to fellow practitioners
