Ashtanga yoga was brought about by a man named Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. The term “Ashtanga” means eight limbs in the Sanskrit language, and has been referred to the eight limbs of yoga which were brought about in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It was interpreted from the ancient text that was named the Yoga Korunta. This was brought about in the unique system of the Hatha yoga that was developed by Vamana Rishi.
Pattabhi Jois, the man who first introduced Ashtanga yoga, began studies of this art in Mysore, India when he was a mere 12 years old. The style of Ashtanga yoga is a set of postures and poses that are all done in the Vinyasa style, with Pattabhi Jois being the leading instructor even at the young age that he was. Many looked up to his style of yoga and admired him for being so spiritual at such an early age. In 1958, Pattabhi Jois had even produced his first book on Ashtanga yoga, which was called the Yoga Mala. The best part about the book is that is showed 6 different poses, posture, and routines to follow, which could be done at the pace chosen by the individual practicing the yoga, rather than being rushed in a class somewhere.
The Ashtanga yoga style has brought on several other styles of yoga afterwards such as the mula bandha, the ujjayi breathing techniques, and the drishti yoga. The Ashtanga is highly envisioned to stress the daily Vinyasa flow through its practice of yoga, as well as teaching how to achieve and live by these means.
If you are looking to get into a highly religious ritual from the India culture, the Ashtanga yoga is most likely the type that you will be looking for. There shouldn’t be any problems learning the various poses and postures and mastering them will only add to your arsenal of yoga maneuvers in order to achieve all of the yoga goals that you have set.
