TRADITIONAL MYSORE ASHTANGA
With Damien & Andrea

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Ashtanga Yoga is a holistic life discipline for creating a happy body and a healthy mind. Practiced correctly it is a journey to rediscover one’s physical, psychological and spiritual full potential. The method, rooted in proper breathing (Ujayii), flowing postures (vinyasa) and intelligent focus (drsti), cultivates a strong, limber body; a clear and insightful mind, and a open heart.

There are three main series in Ashtanga, each requiring 2-3 years of dedicated practice to master. The first series, yoga chikitsa, detoxifies the body and realigns the joints. The second one, Nadhi Sodhana, purifies the nervous system; while the third series, Sthira bagha, integrates strength, grace and humbleness. Ashtanga Yoga should be studied under the guidance of a teacher to avoid any injuries and misleadings. Once the student is settled in a basic understanding of the system they can take the practice with them wherever they go without being dependent on a class or teacher.

The precise synchronization of each movement of the body to the movement of the breath generates a strong internal heat which purifies muscles and organs, expulses toxins, stimulates blood circulation, and strengthens the mind. Each posture flows into the next one in a steady rhythm with a poise and grace all controlled by the breath.

As each pose prepares for the next, the body and the mind have time to open and strengthen, allowing to go ever deeper into one’s core. As nothing is free in this life there is a little price to pay, commitment and willingness are the keys to reap the fruits of this practice, but the sweetness and the joy felt outweight by far the challenges. As they like to tell their students: ¨Ashtanga yoga is similar to climbing a steep mountain early in the morning, but then, we get to roll downhill for the rest of the day..