Is Ashtanga The Most Misunderstood Yoga Practice? #Yoga #Ashtanga #AshtangaYoga

By Allen Barkus


Is Ashtanga Yoga

misunderstood? When the word Ashtanga is introduced to yoga most people only picture in their minds people doing a very physically challenging practice, more like gymnastics. 

 I've actually taught Ashtanga to all types of people 15-85 including with/recovering from different types of cancer, obese (one person lost 70 pounds in 8 months, no other lifestyle changes), recovering from injuries and surgeries,children and even a woman with emphysema and COPD. Yes I've also taught athletes including a teen at the University of Pennsylvania, a baseball player and a marathon runner.

I teach the traditional practice as taught by Manju Jois, who brought Ashtanga/vinyasa yoga to America in 1975 along with his father. Since 2004 he has been my exclusive teacher for advanced studies into the intermediate practice. The greatest influence Manju has had on me is what the practice in intended for, healing of both the mind and body.

What is Ashtanga Yoga? Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient system of healing in the Hindu tradition: Asta=Eight

Anga=Limbs

Yoga=Union

"The Eight Limbs of Yoga"

The author of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali, described yoga as eight limbs of a tree: Yama, ethical disciplines; Niyama, self observation; Asana, posture; Pranayama, breath control; sense withdraw; Dharma, meditation; and Samadi, a state of joy and peace. Therefore possibly one of the greatest misconceptions of yoga is that it is purely a physical practice.

The physical practice was first recorded by the sage Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta, taught to Pattabhi Jois by T Krishnamacharya. This system links the asanas with vinyasas (connecting movements), with pranayama (breath), drishti (visual focal points) and bandas (internal energy locks)

By Allen Barkus. Allen has been practicing Ashtanga yoga since 1998 and teaching since 2004. His initial teacher training was with David Swenson and has been the student of Manju Jois since 2004. Manju, along with his father, introduced Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga to America in 1975. His studies focus on Healing Therapy. He is available in Philadelphia for private lessons and clinics and travels around the world teaching clinics. www.AshtangabyAllen.com