According to the ancient teaching method, Ashtang Yoga is a systematic arrangement of Body, Breath and Mind. During this Foundation Course we’ll go through the Asanas of the Primary series of Ashtanga Vinyasa until Navasana position that means “Half Primary”. Proper focus will be put on the breath work, coordinating the flow of Prana with the body movements.
Inroduction of Ashtanga Yoga
Asthanga Yoga has 6 series, divide in to Yoga Chikitsa, Nadishodhna and Sthira Baaga A B C D
Each needs to be practice with Vinyasa and Tristana
Vinyasa is a synchronised flow of body movement with breathing to get in, stay in, and getting out of an asnas.
Tristana is the name for the union of Ujjay (Pranyama), Bandha (Dharana) and Drishti (Prathyara) that we follow in Ashtanga practice. This will allow our awareness to be trapped in different regions of our body, it will reduce the distraction of our mind and increase the concentration and lead to Meditation (Dhyana).
The Asnas are always practice in pre-determined order or sequence.
Primary Series
The Ashtanga Primary Series is also called Roga chikitsa Vibhaya योग चिकित्सा that in Sanskrit means “Disease Treatment Department” (this name seems to have evolved later into “Yoga Chikitsa”, that is “Yoga Treatment”). It’s cleansing and working both on body and mind.
The world Primary means “first” as well as “main”, and even if Ashtanga Vinyasa is made up of six series (Primary, Intermediate and four Advanced Series), the Primary is usually the only series (even just half of it) that is taught.
This sequence will mainly focus on increasing the capacity of our digestive system as well as work on the spinal alignment and activating the minor muscles of our body, following deeply the yogic concept.
Strength and Awareness
On a physical level the Asanas build strength and flexibility in the body, loosening tight muscles and realigning and detoxifying the body and nervous system. It will also lubricate joints, massages internal organs, releases chronic tension, improves circulation and energizes and refreshes, helps with weight loss as well.
We are creating an imaginary wave by moving the spine, to create a circle – going and back in a reverse order – that will properly work to increase our energy level.
On a mental level, through regular practice focus, willpower, mind-body awareness and confidence are improved as we overcome the mental obstacles to our practice. On a subtle level the Primary series works therapeutically to clear obstacles in the energy channels in the body (known as Nadis).
Asnas Practice
The Asanas on which we will be focusing are the following:
Surya Namaskar A – Aruna Surya Namaskar – Driver that comes before the sun – it’s composed by 9 Vinyasa and it will focus on the spine and grand dorso > starting the warm up
Surya Namaskar B – Maha Saura – Great Solar – it’s composed by 17 Vinyasa and it will focus on the joints and the lower parts of our body > increasing the heat of our body
