Ashtanga Yoga Questions

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Does anyone here do Ashtanga or has anyone here done Ashtanga and can you tell me what you think about it or how you feel about it

I have discovered an Ashtanga Yoga class near me and since I tend to like Power Yoga I am wondering if I would like Ashtanga.

Of course the reality is that like most Yoga schools in my area they cater to their audience who either do not work or work second shift so it will be next to impossible for me to get there and I went and bruised the bone in my knee joint a week ago too and that sure as heck didn?t help?.. but a guy can dream can’t he.

I was reading a bit about it and I like this bit that I read about Ashtanga

This vigorous, athletic style of practice appeals to those who like a sense of order and [B]who like to do things independently.[/B]

#2

OK I have had a chance to look at a couple of Ashtanga videos and although I hate to judge anything by a video on YouTube I have to say Ashtanga makes the power Yoga I have done and do look slow.

Is Ashtanga generally that fast?

#3

@SCMT…

Difference between Power and Ashtanga is Power has freedom to “mix it up” and not stay with the set Ashtanga sequences. Power yoga can be fast paced like Ashtanga or slowed down a bit, holding poses longer. Both Power and Ashtanga creates heat. Although I’ve slowed my practice down, I always liked how creative you can be in sequencing a Power class.

And your quote pretty much sums it up!

#4

I do both. Ashtanga is a fixed sequence of poses, Power is more flexible. Both are very athletic.

#5

[QUOTE=SCMT;74011]Is Ashtanga generally that fast?[/QUOTE]

Ashtanga can be done in a sequence led by an instructor, which usually is done quite fast from what I have seen. It can also be taught in “Mysore Style” classes where you just show up and practice the sequence on your own in a room with other students. Your teacher is to there to instruct and assist individually, and to monitor you and give more postures as you progress (someone just starting cannot do the full sequence, so they will start with opening and closing practices and slowly add more postures to it). In the Mysore classes, you would be able to practice at your own pace for the entire session. Many ashtanga schools will offer a series or classes specifically for beginners in the method, so that they can familiarize with the foundations of that practice in preparation for trying the Mysore Style classes. These beginner courses are usually a little slower, have less postures, and leave more room for instruction while still having the anonymity of being in a led group class.

#6

I practice several styles, but Ashtanga is my ‘home’ practice. I love it because, not only is it physically challenging, but because of the traditional nature of the sequence I can place myself and my breath in that ‘middle space’ where I’m focused where my drishti fixed. I know the sequence and the breaths are constant (adjusted to suit the day). So, it becomes a deeply spiritual practice as well.

#7

Thank You lotusgirl, Newpractice, suryadaya and FlexPenguin

Ashtanga looks interesting but based on what I have been reading today, both on and off YogaForums, I think I like the flexibility of Power Yoga, although if my schedule allowed I might go check out a beginner Ashtanga class.

#8

Like flexpenguine ashtanga is my “home” she brought up a lot of good comments.

Power yoga came from ashtanga… They made power yoga to suit the western body type more so there is less lotus and less twisty bendy stuff…

The first series of ashtanga(which 90% of people get to practice) is called yoga chikitsa “yoga therapy” it is designed to bring your body back to its orginal blue print. It has a lot of forward folding to work amd cleanse the digestive system.

#9

The problem with both Ashtanga and Power is there is little, if any, attention paid to alignment.

@pinoyvegasyogi420,

Not sure what you mean by less lotus and less twisty bendy stuff. (?) I taught Power yoga for several years and had been my practice of choice. There’s plenty of twisty bendy stuff and an occasional lotus or two! I guess much is dependent on the teacher.

#10

You know now that I think about it I have never heard that much talk of alignment in Power Yoga. I heard it from my last yoga teacher a lot though and she said she was teaching me Hatha. However her background was Iyenger and Integral and the time I trained with her changed my practice considerably