Ashtanga

Ashtanga Yoga is a form of dynamic yoga which is characterized by a coded sequence of postures (asana). These single postures are linked by a particular way of breathing. The connection between the movement and breathing is called Vyniasa. The Vyniasa connects all postures within the series so that the whole series is characterized by a dynamic flow which helps to foster physical, psychological and spiritual development.

The form of breathing is essential in this type of yoga. Our bodies are full of toxins which are the cause of many health issues. Ashtanga Yoga helps to get rid of these toxins.The Breathing combined with the movement supports detoxing the blood. Practicing Ashtanga Yoga naturally heats up your body temperature and if you combine this with the right way of breathing, you allow the Oxygen to go straight into your body, going directly to your inner organs and joints.

Through sweating we force the toxins out of the blood. Practicing Ashtanga Yoga helps your body to get stronger, build up a higher flexibility and stay in good health. Which eventually will lead you to achieve another level of Ashtanga Yoga: the purification of the nervous system.

The more you learn to master your breathing, meaning to breathe deeply, the more you will be able to control the movements. But what is even more important is that you heat up your body temperature in order to improve your blood circulation and to stimulate the body to create new blood. Pracitising Ashtanga Yoga and a healthy, nutritionally balanced lifestyle can help you to achieve that.

The heat goes straight into the body due to activating the Udjana Bandha (the lower abdomen) and Mula Bandha (the Perineum.)

The whole process of learning and practicing Ashtanga Yoga takes time. It requires devotion, perserverance and the will to commit.

The Ashtanga was founded by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (Mysore, India). Lino Miele and Tina Pizzimenti, devoted students of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, introduced this practice for the first time in Italy and Europe in 1988. And since then many followers have joined their tradition and made Ashtanga Yoga ever more popular.

Lino Miele has been studying the Vinyasa system for many years, right next to Sri k. Patthabi Jois, fully understanding and appreciating the authenticity and the strength of this method. Under the mentorship of PJ and his guidance, Lino Miele published a book which describes the Ashtanga sequence. In this book, he explains and describes the benefit of each posture. In 1994 Sri Pattabhi Jois gave Lino the authorization to teach the Ashtanga in Europe. Thanks to many students of Ashtanga Yoga, who have brought the tradition back to their home countries, Ashtanga Yoga now has spread all over the world.