THE PRACTICE
Ashtanga Yoga, a traditional Indian dynamic practice developed in Mysore, is based on “vinyasa”, the synchrony between movement and breathing: the breath is the heart of the practice and connects one asana to another in a precise order articulated in a series of progressive intensities and complexities.
In our shala we practice Asthanga Yoga in its traditional form as taught by Sri K Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Jois through the study of the First Series (Yoga Chikitsa) which detoxifies and aligns the body, the Intermediate Series (Nadi Sodhana) which purifies the nervous system, pranayama and mantras.
In the traditional Mysore Style practice – under the supervision of the teacher who helps through adjustments to develop personal practice – we have added guided classes to help beginners discover the practice.
The traditional method requires that each level be fully developed before moving on to the next, through consistent practice and the development of deep breathing. The order of the asanas in the sequence must be maintained since each posture prepares you for the next one.
The practice of Ashtanga Yoga requires commitment, discipline, and humility in order to gain the benefits of a healthy, energetic body, a purified nervous system, and a calm, clear, and aware mind. Ashtanga Yoga can therefore only be practiced with the support of a properly trained teacher, following the tradition, who is capable of guiding the student in achieving stability starting from listening to the breath.
Ashtanga Yoga. Corpo, respiro, movimento nella pratica del vinyasa
Opening Mantra
auṁ
vande gurūṇāṁ caraṇāravinde sandarśita svātma sukhāva bodhe |
niḥ-śreyase jaṅgali-kāyamāne saṁsāra hālāhala mohaśāṁtyai ||
ābāhu puruṣākāraṁ śaṁkhacakrāsi dhāriṇam |
ahasra śirasaṁ śvetaṁ praṇamāmi patañjalim ||
auṁ
om
I bow to the lotus feet of our great teachers, who uncovers our true self and awakens happiness
Like a Shaman in the Jungle he brings total complete well-beeing.
He can even heal the most awful poision of conditioning and illusion.
The upper body of human shape, carrying a mussel horn (original tone), a discus (infinity) and a sword (power of differentiation) having 1000 bright heads, I bow to Patanjali.
om
Closing Mantra
go-brāhmaṇebhyaḥ śubham-astu nityaṁ lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino-bhavaṁtu ||
uṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
May the well-being of all people be protected By the powerful and mighty leaders be with law and justice.
May good success be with all cows (divinity) and scholars May all (samastah) the worlds (lokha) become (bhavantu) happy (sukhino).
Om peace, peace, peace
