ASHTANGA HATHA VINYASA

This beginners and intermediate level class humbly draws from the ancient Ashtanga Yoga tradition as described in the Yoga Sutras by the Sage Patanjali at least 2,000 years ago and maybe much older.  Yoga translates as ‘union’ or ‘yoke’ in Sanskrit.  ‘Asht’-’anga’ means ‘eight limbs’ referring to different aspects of the yoga practice which Patanjali recorded as: the Yamas (restrictions), Niyamas (qualities), Asanas (postures), Pranayama (breath), Pratyahara (sensory withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (integration, liberation). The asana postures are what is most associated with yoga today but the other limbs are all essential for ultimate success.  ‘Ha’-’tha’ means ‘sun’ and ‘moon’. Vinyasa means ‘movement’. It’s all Yoga. We can envision ourselves as sadhkas (seekers) on a journey toward happiness, health, and harmony with ourselves and the world.

The traditional practices of Ashtanga Yoga prescribe certain recommendations such as doing Mantra invocations to set the intention at start of class, breathe Ujjayyi Pranayama in the poses, repeat vigorously Surya Namaskars sun salutations with deep heart opening expressions of Chaturanga Dandasana Vinyasa, lock our Bandhas and look to our Dhristi points, stand in mountain pose with feet together, lift arms put palms together and look up between the thumbs in warrior and chair poses, sometimes take five breaths in down dog and chair, place palms down in side angle pose and twisted triangle, get really comfortable grabbing your big toes, and much more! ;)  Ashtanga is known to ask a little more of you. Go deeper, wider, taller, fuller, longer, slower, faster, stronger, higher, lower. There’s an order of practice in the renown Ashtanga Primary Series starting with Surya Namaskar A and B and then moving to the Standing Poses, Sitting Poses, Gatekeeper Poses, Backbends, Transitions, and Finishing Poses. We will incorporate this model while introducing some remixed poses and sequencing variations in the time we have.  

Tips on starting a home yoga practice ‘sadhana’ will be shared and is often how yogis can take their practice to the next level.

Yogic musical sound featuring the RAV Vast handpan. 

CLASS OVERVIEW: (individual classes will vary)

I.             Music, RAV Vast handpan

II.            Sukhasana, comfortable seated meditation

III.           AUM Mantra x3 or Ashtanga Opening Invocation (Om Vande Gurunam)

IV.           Ujjayyi Pranayama

V.            Surya Namaskar, sun salutations, essence of practice connecting to breath

a.    Classic, warm-up (counted with inhale / exhale in Sanskrit)

b.    A, 9 steps (counted with inhale / exhale in Sanskrit)

c.    B, 17 steps (counted with inhale / exhale in Sanskrit)

VI.          Standing Poses (start with padagustasana, pivoting trikoasana, parvita trikoasana)

VII.         Seated Poses

VIII.        Gatekeeper Poses

IX.          Backbends

X.           Jumping

XI.          Finishing

XII.         Music, RAV Vast handpan

XIII.        Savasana

XIV.        AUM Mantra x3 or Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi

XV.         Padmasana