What do I teach?

The principles of the Ashtanga Yoga system were first discovered in the form of an ancient text known as the Yoga Kurunta authored by Vamana Rishi. The text was passed down to Sri T. Krishnamacharya by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was then systematized into a series of poses and  by Krishnamacharya, and his then student Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, in the mid 1920’s.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois became the principal teacher and guru of the Ashtanga Yoga system in Mysore India from the early 1930’s and has been teaching this method ever since. In late 1940’s Jois set up the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore India, where to this day students from all over the world come to learn the Ashtanga Yoga System.

The practice of yoga may be older than 5000 years, but it must be looked on as a growing, living knowledge and art.

The Ashtanga Yoga principles are:

Trishtana - A seamless combination of the three places of attention. Asana-Posture, Ujjayi pranayama-breathing system, and Drishti-gazing point. All three are used to cleanse and purify the body, the nervous system and the mind.

Vinyasa - Combination of breath and movement in a seamless sequence. For Each movement there is one breath that gives each asana a dedicated number of Vinyasas.

Within each Asana-Posture one must keep a mindful and focused direction to all the following elements.

1. Mulabhanda – Pull of the pelvic floor to support the core of the body
2. Ujjayi – Deep diaphragmatic breath (Combining Rechaka and Puraka/ Inhalation and Exhalation and a steady and even breath sequence)
3. Dristi – Gazing point. There are nine gazing points used in the practice – They are the nose, between the eyebrows, navel, thumb, hands, feet, up, right side and left side. All Drishtis are used to stabilize and focus the mind.

Τhe series

Within the ashtanga system there are six series or levels of practices:

• Yoga Chikitsa (yoga therapy), the Primary Series, opens, strengthens and realigns the body
• Nadi Shodana (nerve purification), the second or intermediate series, focuses on purifying the nervous system.
• Stira Bhaja, the third or advanced series (Advanced A&B), which is now divided into four series cultivates tremendous strength, flexibility, control and stamina.

«Each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the next, and the sequential order of asanas is to be meticulously followed. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing the strength and balance required to move further» – Pace

Without an earnest effort and reverence towards the practice of yama and niyama, however, the practice of asana is of little benefit.

Eleana’s approach:

My approach to the Primary Series classes is not only influenced by my experience in dance but my studies in Pilates and various forms of sports.

My emphasis on correct alignment of the muscular-skeletal system within any movement dominates the way I teach and conduct my classes.

Within the structure of the primary series I try to work carefully with each student in order to achieve their optimum balance within every pose for a safe, fun and pain free practice.

«Practice and All is Coming» – Shri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009)

Further information about Ashtanga yoga >