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| Ashtanga Yoga | Vinyasa Yoga |
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The India yoga master K. Pattabhi Jois made Ashtanga Yoga famous in the 1950s with the publication of a book called “Yoga Mala”.
Pattabhi Jois was instructed by Krishnamacharaya, who interpreted the Ashtanga style of yoga from an ancient text.
Although K. Pattabhi Jois was not the first Ashtanga yoga instructor, he absolutely popularized this rigorous style and made it well-known to the West as well. |
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What is Ashtanga Yoga?The term Ashtanga means “eight limbs,” which is meant to refer the eight limbs of yoga laid out in the ancient yoga teachings. Although many novice yoga practicers are only familiar with the primary Ashtanga series that combines 26 poses in a specific order, there are actually four different series of poses that each take up an entire yoga class.
The primary series and the secondary series are used to introduce the flowing movements along with flowing breath into the yoga practice. From here, more experienced students can begin to incorporate the final four series into their practice. There is not a particular set pace for the six series, it is truly up to the yogi to determine how quickly they advance to the next series.
Ashtanga yoga is associated with Vinyasa yoga and the terms are often confused or used interchangeably. Because of this, both styles will almost always refer to a class where all of the poses flow together and work in connection with breathing.
Keep in mind that Ashtanga is usually a more rigorous form of exercise, but not every Vinyasa class is rigorous. There are a variety of different levels of “movement based” yoga classes. Most often a studio or yoga video will label their Vinyasa and Ashtanga classes beginner, intermediate or advanced.
Although the term Vinyasa is often used to describe a style of yoga, it is actually not a form of yoga by itself. Many times when a yoga instructor says they will be teaching a “Vinyasa class” a new student will assume this is a style of yoga like Bikram, Kundalini, or Ashtanga. In actuality, the term “Vinyasa” means “putting things together” and in yoga definitions has been defined as “breath linking movements”. So, an Ashtanga Yoga class will inevitably be a style of yoga where the instructor focuses on asanas, or movements, where the inhale and exhale flows with the movements.
Often Ashtanga and Vinyasa is associated with sun salutations, the most easily recognized breath-linking movement for yoga practicers. These are the most basic of Ashtanga poses and are often referred to as “Vinyasas” by instructors. Even for those taking on a beginning Ashtanga class, it is extremely likely that you will be doing sun salutations to help you warm up for future movement.
One important factor to keep in mind is that no matter what you do in an Ashtanga class, breathing is the most important factor. Also remember that inhaling and exhaling does not just “happen” in Ashtanga, Vinyasa style classes. There is an actual function and purpose for when a student should inhale and exhale, helping to release toxins and energy from the body and replacing it with fresh breath.
Experienced yoga instructors can help to explain when you should inhale and exhale and the reasons why. The most important reasons for practicing Ashtanga include heating the blood to help with circulation and cleansing in order to purify the body and keep it healthy and strong, as well as to promote stress relief and flexibility.
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