Ashtanga Yoga is a legendary practice of dynamic Raja Yoga, transmitted by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

Raja Yoga seeks to focus the mind to achieve a state of harmony. In Ashtanga, we learn to focus the mind by using the body—through yoga postures, audible breathing (*Ujjayi Pranayama*), specific gazes (*Drishti*), and physiological locks (*Bandhas*).

We move from the material and physical—the body—to the subtle and immaterial—the mind.

Human beings accumulate toxins throughout their lives. A newborn is pure; their mind and body are in a state of development. During this natural process of growth, we gather fears, tensions, and all manner of physical and emotional issues.

The practice of Ashtanga Yoga helps us cleanse and purify our entire system; it aids in eliminating both physical and emotional tension and brings us closer to that initial state of purity we knew in life. When we lift the veil covering our minds, we feel free and light; life smiles at us, and we smile back.

In Ashtanga, we sweat! We generate internal heat and stoke the inner flame—something achieved only through breath and postures. We allow our bodies to cleanse from the inside out.

The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga method is divided into three series: Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced (A, B, C, and D).
The Primary Series, *Yoga Chikitsa* (Yoga Therapy), realigns the body, reduces toxins, and purifies internal organs.
The Intermediate Series, *Nadi Shodhana*, purifies the nervous system.
And the Advanced Series, *Sthira Bhaga*, develops strength and stability.

Classes are structured so that each student understands the correct sequence of postures and breathing, with the pace adjusted individually to allow for gradual progress in the practice.

​

Ashtanga Yoga in Mysore, India

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois was the most renowned teacher (guru) of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga of our time; he studied for 29 years under his teacher, Sri T. Krishnamacharya (a "teacher of teachers" who instructed Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Indra Devi, B.K.S. Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikachar, and the Maharaja—or "King"—of Mysore). It was in the small Indian city of Mysore—home to a population of one million—that Sri K. Pattabhi Jois established the Ashtanga Yoga school, following his teacher's tradition.

Around 1970, the first Westerners arrived and discovered this beautiful practice for the rest of the world. Motivated by the physical and mental transformations, as well as the intensity and beauty of the practice, they spread it to the United States, from where it subsequently reached Europe. In Spain, Tomás Zorzo discovered Ashtanga and Pattabhi Jois around 1980.

Tomás Zorzo is the pioneer of Ashtanga Yoga in Spain and the only Spaniard certified by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (having completed the Third Series). Today, hundreds of people travel to Mysore, including celebrities such as Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Willem Dafoe.

Photo 1 (This photo from 1993/1994 shows Guruji, Sharath, and a group of students—including Peter Sanson, Chuck Miller, Gerald, Tomás Zorzo, and Anand Zorzo—outside the old *shala* in Laxmipuram, Mysore, India, celebrating Sri K. Pattabhi Jois's birthday.)

The practice takes place early in the morning on an empty stomach. Its duration varies, depending on the length of the breath and how far the practitioner advances through the series. Naturally, the practice of a beginner takes a different amount of time than that of a student with ten years of experience.

​

Ashtanga Yoga Certification.

Training in Ashtanga Yoga requires tremendous discipline and motivation. The only recognized institution is the Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India.
There are three levels of training:
Authorized Level 1: Can teach the First Series and has engaged in the daily practice of Ashtanga for a minimum of four years.
Authorized Level 2: Can teach the Second Series and has practiced daily for more than four years.
Certified: The highest level of qualification. A certified teacher can teach the Third Series and has practiced for over ten years.

 

Ashtanga Yoga teacher training courses are not officially recognized and merely foster deception and confusion among students.

 

Driven by demand, unscrupulous schools offer Ashtanga Yoga teacher training courses. These courses lack official recognition, fail to respect the tradition, and do not allow for the natural process of understanding and grasping Ashtanga—something that is acquired only through years of practice under the guidance of a competent teacher.

 

Flexibility is not the true measure of a teacher's quality. One could simply buy a certificate—say, for €3,000—after a one-month course, or one could wait patiently under the guidance of an authorized or certified teacher who leads the student through the learning process only when they are truly ready.

 

Therefore, practicing with an authorized or certified teacher is a mark of competence and quality; it means working with someone who knows what they are doing and can guide the student in their Yoga practice based on actual experience.

 

Fears of a beginner:

​

Flexibility develops gradually; the goal of this practice is not to place your foot behind your head—that is merely a possible outcome. Furthermore, being more flexible does not make you a better practitioner. 

Ashtanga is ideal for everyone, whether they are 10 or 100 years old. Breathing techniques and postures can always be adapted to suit different life stages and physical conditions.

Recommendations:

Ashtanga is designed as a daily purification practice; it is recommended to practice at least three times a week, and students are encouraged to make this wonderful tool a part of their everyday lives.

​

Just as it is better to brush your teeth every day rather than just twice a week, it is preferable to practice yoga for 30 minutes daily rather than for four hours on a single day.
• Do not eat for 2 to 3 hours before practice; ideally, it should be done on an empty stomach.
• Do not drink water during practice, as it halts the purification process; if possible, avoid drinking for half an hour before and after the session.
• It is recommended to practice in comfortable clothing and to have a towel handy.

 

According to the ancient scriptures of Patanjali, the only person unable to practice yoga is the lazy person.

 

If you have the motivation, you are already halfway there!

Through the practice of Ashtanga Yoga, the practitioner gains control over the senses and self-awareness. Consequently, the body heals, and the mind finds peace.

 

Ashtanga Yoga is ideal for developing strength, flexibility, and vitality.

We recommend that any student interested in this practice attend at least three days a week.