What is Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga ?

Ashtanga Vinyasa is a thousand years old system given by Vamana Rishi.  The Vinyasa count is a format in which the Rishi Vamana recorded the Ashtanga practice. Each movement that is needed to enter and exit a posture in the traditional way is counted along with breathing. Different Asanas have a different sets of vinyasa counts as they are performed differently. Breathing in vinyasa acts like a string that holds the practice together. We move into and out of poses with breath. 

You move with the breath & not breathe with the movement.

The most visible aspect of the Ashtanga Yoga system is the different yoga Asanas & the movements. More important, though, is the invisible content, which consists of three fundamental techniques. These techniques bind the postures together on a string.

The three fundamental techniques are 

• Breath

• Bandhas

• Drishti

Which type of breathing is used in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga?​

Breathing used in this practice is Ujjayi breathing, which is done by slight constriction of glottis while breathing. Inhale and exhale are equal length. The sound of Ujjayi draws attention inwards and withdraws it from the external world, inducing a state of Pratyahara, the fifth limb of Patanjali`s Ashtanga Yoga. The breath also works as a feedback system on the quality of your practice. No Ujjayi sound, shallow breathing, and fidgeting indicate that the awareness has drifted and focus is lost. 

Which are Bandhas used in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga?

All three Bandhas namely Moola Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha & Jalandhar Bandha are used during the practice. Moola Bandha is used throughout the practice along with laghu Uddiyana Bandha. Jalandhar Bandha is used in some Asanas.

What are Drishti Points in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga?

Drishti or gazing point is used in each Asana as specified. This forms the sense withdrawal and meditative part of practice along with a focus on breathing. Various Drishti points are used, for example, Nasagre Drishti (Nose tip), ​ Hastagre Dristi (Hand), Padagre Dristi (Toes), Parsva Drishti (Side & Behind),  Angushtagre  (Thumb), Nabhi Dristi (Navel Point ), Urdhav Dristi (Upward gazing), Bhrumadhya Dristi (Eyebrow center)

Why is Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga called moving meditation?

The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice is dynamic meditation. Every breath taken becomes a conscious one. The consistent flow, the Bandhas, the Drishti, and the sound of the Ujjayi are techniques designed to induce a state of meditation.  The system is designed to work as a movement meditation, where the transitions from each posture to the next are as important as the postures themselves, focus on breathing and Drishti points bring the mental focus into the practice. Body, breath, and mind work together to keep the practitioner in the present moment on the mat. This a state of yoga when the mind is in the present moment, present place and fully concentrated on the practice. 

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A beginner usually starts at Primary series which is the first stepping stone to higher practices in later series of Vinyasa. The primary series prepares the sadhaka`s body in terms of flexibility and strength and mind in terms of concentration and awareness for advanced Yoga practices. Here is a list of Yoga Asanas used in primary series