Ashtanga Yoga
ASHTA means EIGHT
ANGA means LIMBS
YOGA means UNION
EIGHT LIMBS OF YOGA is a profound system that originates the city of Mysore in India.
This dynamic method of yoga was pioneered in the early 19th century by Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, a Brahmin from south India, often hailed as the father of modern Yoga. He taught this system to young students of the Sanskrit University in Mysore and applied it therapeutically to citizens in need of healing. His journey was extensive and eclectic: He studied various sciences and disciplines throughout India, had earned the highest University degree in Vedic subjects and was also proficient in Ayurveda, Astrology, Music, and many languages, he spent significant time in Varanasi, the spiritual heart of India, and eventually his journey took him to the Himalayas mountains of Tibet, where he resided for seven years on the banks of Lake Manasarovar with his his Guru Sri Ramamohana Bramachari, mastering thousands of asanas (poses) and vinyasas (breath sequences).
In 1922 his Guru instructed him to leave the Himalayas and return home to civilisation in order to spread and share the message of Yoga. On returning to Mysore, Krishnamacharya refined his vast knowledge — from some 7,000 asanas learnt, he distilled about 200 postures designed specifically to detoxify and purify the body and nervous system while fostering internal focus and clarity. Today these postures are divided in four sequences that form the Ashtanga Yoga system.
Among his most famous students:
Pattabhi Jois, widely recognised in the West for popularising Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga dinamic series
B.N.S. Iyengar, my beloved teacher, who studied under both Krishnamacharya and Pattabhi Jois. A true legend, he continues to teach in Mysore at the remarkable age of 99.
Indra Devi, the first woman to study yoga in the Mysore Palace, who transported Yoga to China and Hollywood, instructing iconic stars such as Greta Garbo and Marilyn Monroe among many others.
B.K.S. Iyengar, world renowned for his Iyengar method, its tattention to details and therapeutic approach to yoga with props.
T.K.V. Desikachar, who further developed Yoga Therapy and Viniyoga.
I mainly teach Yoga Chikitsa, the basic first series meaning "yoga therapy." This strong practice cleanses and strengthens your body, mind, and senses, improving your overall health. It helps heal both mental and physical problems and boosts self-awareness and focus with regular practice.
I learned asanas, pranayama, mudras, and philosophy from Sri BNS Iyengar, so my primary series classes follow his style, including chanting and variations. I also practice with senior teachers from the Patthabi Jois tradition and respect their teachings. I trained deeply in Iyengar Yoga with Usha Devi in Rishikesh and studied Vinyasa styles like Jivamukti and gentle Yin Yoga. This mix lets me adjust classes to each student's level. Students find my classes both challenging and fun.
VINYASA
In the Ashtanga traditional method of yoga, Vinyasa is the link between breath and movement creating a fluid and continuous flow between postures. This synchronisation of inhalation and exhalation with specific physical movements not only enhances concentration and internal awareness but also generates heat within the body, facilitating detoxification and strength. The vinyasa system is a steady way to link poses. It takes time, patience, and commitment to learn. Don't rush—practice regularly and let progress come naturally. Over time, the practice feels like meditation, a dance of energy with the universe. It shows the flow of our inner life force.
UJAY Breath
Ujjayi means “victorious” in Sanskrit. It’s a breathing technique where you breathe in and out through your nose, making a soft sound in the back of your throat. This helps you focus on your breath, making every movement a form of meditation.
In beginner Hatha Yoga, we breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth, filling the belly with air. In Ashtanga Yoga, we use Ujjayi breathing all through the practice, filling the lungs fully. This increases breathing capacity, oxygenates the blood, and helps refresh and tone the body.
DRISHTI
Drishti means “looking in” in Sanskrit, it a point of gaze or focus, it is a tool that directs the gaze to a single, steady point, helping to bring our focus inward and cultivate deep one-pointed concentration of the mind, away for the external distractions. There are 9 Drishtis and the teacher usually gives this instruction during the class.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
This tantric and holistic path is traditionally divided into eight progressive limbs, each offering a unique aspect of practice and self-development:
YAMA (Ethical Disciplines)
NIYAMA (Self Observation)
ASANA (Posture)
PRANAYAMA (Breath Control)
PRATYAHARA (Sense Withdrawal)
DHARANA (Concentration)
DHYANA (Meditation)
SAMADHI (Eternal Bliss)
The Ashtanga Yoga system is a comprehensive roadmap offering not only physical wellbeing but also ethical, mental, and spiritual transformation.
“Asanas and Pranayamas are meant to evolve the soul to come out of its hidden abode to travel in its frontier, wholly and totally mingling with each and every cell.”
from the book Yoga Makarana (The Nectar of Yoga)
Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya
Guruji BNS Iyengar
PRANAYAMA
10 days course
in person and online
Primary series Yoga Chikitsa - Practice sheet from B.N.S. Iyengar at Krishnamachar Yogahsala in Mysore
What is Pranayama?
Pranayama, taught by BNS Iyengar in Mysore, is a yoga practice that controls breathing to balance life energy called Prana. It cleans the body and mind by focusing on breath rhythm, depth, and holding. This helps calm the mind, relax the body, and improve awareness for better meditation and health. I was authorised by BNS Iyengar in 2015 to teach these techniques. While strong yoga poses help sit straight and let Prana flow, anyone can use pranayama to calm the mind through breath control.
