From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (extract)

The Ashtanga Vinyasa series is said to have its origin in an ancient text called the Yoga Korunta , compiled by Vamana Rishi, which Krishnamacharya received from his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari at Mount Kailash .

Krishnamacharya has had considerable influence on many of the modern forms of yoga taught today. Among his students were many notable present-day teachers such as K. Pattabhi Jois , B.K.S. Iyengar ,Indra Devi , and Krishnamacharya's son T.K.V. Desikachar . Krishnamacharya was well known for tailoring his teachings to address specific concerns of the person or group he was teaching , and a vinyasa series for adolescents is a result of this. When working under the convalescing Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnamacharya set up a shala , or yoga school in the palace grounds and adapted the practice outlined in the Yoga Korunta for the young boys who lived there . Vinyasa has since been thought of as a physically demanding practice, which can be successful at channeling the hyperactivity of young minds. This system can also be used as a vessel for helping calm ongoing chatter of the mind, reducing stress and teaching extroverted personalities to redirect their attention to their internal experience.

This style of yoga is characterized by a focus on vinyasa , or a dynamic connecting posture, that creates a flow between the more static traditional yoga postures . Vinyasa translates as linking and the system also implies the linking of the movement to the breath. Essentially the breath dictates the movement and the length of time held in the postures. Unlike some Hatha yoga styles, attention is also placed on the journey between the postures not just the postures themselves. The vinyasa 'flow' is a variant of Surya namaskara , the Sun Salutation. The whole practice is defined by six specific series of postures, always done in the same order, combined with specific breathing patterns (ujjayi breathing).

The purpose of vinyasa is to create heat in the body, which leads to purification of the body through increased circulation and sweating. It also improves flexibility, as well as tendon and hard tissue strength, allowing the student to practice advanced asanas with reduced risk of injury.

Bandhas

There are three bandhas which are considered our internal body locks, prescribed in the different postures. The bandha is a sustained contraction of a group of muscles that assists the practitioner not only in retaining a pose but also in moving in and out of it. The Mula Bandha , or root lock, is performed by tightening the muscles around the pelvic and perineum area. The Uddiyana Bandha , often described as bringing the navel to the base of the spine, is a contraction of the muscles of the lower abdominal area – this bandha is considered the most important bandha as it supports our breathing and encourages the development of strong core muscles. Jalandhara Bandha , throat lock, is achieved by lowering the chin slightly while raising the sternum and the palate bringing the gaze to the tip of the nose.

Drishtis

Drishti, or focused gaze, is a means for developing concentrated intention.

There are, in total, nine drishtis that instruct the yoga student in directing his or her gaze. Each pose is associated with a particular drishti. They include:

• Angustha madhyai : to the thumb
• Bhrumadhya : to the third eye, or between the eyebrows
• Nasagrai : at the tip of the nose (or a point six inches from the tip)
• Hastagrai : to the palm, usually the extended hand
• Parsva : to the left/right side
• Urdhva : to the sky, or upwards
• Nabhicakra : to the navel
• Padayoragrai : to the toes

German Garro in Urdhva Padanghustasana