Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic form of Yoga. It is a practice in a system form that brings together body and mind through the linking of the breath (vinyasa).

Vinyasa refers to sequential movements synchronized with breathing. So the practice is conducted along the rhythm of the energizing breathing with sound.

Ashtanga Yoga is a moving meditation that allows the student to progress individually in his or her own rhythm through the practice. The most important, for those of you who start practicing should focus primarily not on fitness but on the proper attitude qualities such as dedication, patience and willingness to improve your life. This practice is a long lasting process of developing self-awareness, which leads to personal improvement and a better quality of life style.

This style of yoga was popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India, where he established the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute. As he passed away in 2009, the system has been taught by his grandson Sharath Jois keeping the tradition. 

The Eight Limbs

Ashtanga means eight limbs or branches of Yoga. The sage Patanjali described them in the Yoga sutras as:

Yamas ethical commitments 

Niyamas personal commitments  

Asana posture

Pranayama breath control

Pratyahara withrawal of senses

Dharana concentration 

Dhyana meditation 

Samadhi absorption 

 

“Practicing Ashtanga Yoga means practicing the eight limbs. It is important to understand each and every limb, as they all are interconnected and lead to the final limb called samadhi, the relization of higher consciousness.” 

Sharath Jois

Ashtanga Yoga Mantras

Closing mantra

It conveys a sense of universal well-being, seeking blessings for harmony, justice, and happiness for all beings. It expresses the aspiration for peace, prosperity, and blessings to be bestowed upon the world, including its rulers, individuals, animals, and all of creation. Reciting this mantra offers a closing prayer of goodwill and auspiciousness, invoking a sense of unity and interconnectedness among all living beings.

ॐ स्वस्तिप्रजाभ्यः परिपालयन्तां न्यायेन मार्गेण महीं महीशाः ।
गोब्राह्मणेभ्यः शुभमस्तु नित्यं लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः

OM svasti-prajābhyaḥ paripālayantāṁ nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīṁ mahīśāḥ ।
go-brāhmaṇebhyaḥ śubham-astu nityaṁ lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu ॥
oṁ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ

OM

May all be well with mankind
May the leaders of the earth protect in every way by keeping to the right path
May there be goodness for those who know the earth to be sacred
May all the worlds be happy OM peace, peace, peace

Opening mantra

Also known as the "Guru Mantra," is traditionally chanted at the beginning of a yoga practice session to pay homage to the lineage of teachers and to invoke their blessings. This mantra is a way to honor and express gratitude to the ancient masters and the wisdom they passed down through the practice of Ashtanga Yoga.

ॐ
वन्दे गुरूणां चरणारविन्दे संदर्शितस्वात्मसुखावबोधे.
निःश्रेयसे जाङ्गलिकायमाणे संसारहालाहलमोहशान्त्यै.
आबाहुपुरुषाकारं शङ्खचक्रासिधारिणम्.
सहस्रशिरसं श्वेतं प्रणमामि पतञ्जलिम्.
ॐ

OM
vande gurūṇāṁ caraṇāravinde saṁdarśita-svātma-sukhāvabodhe.
niḥśreyase jāṅgalikāyamāṇe saṁsāra-hālāhala-moha-śāntyai.
ābāhu-puruṣākāraṁ śaṅkha-cakrāsi-dhāriṇam.
sahasra-śirasaṁ śvetaṁ praṇamāmi patañjalim.

OM

I bow to the lotus feet of the Gurus
The awakening happiness of one own Self revealed,
Beyond better, acting like the jungle physician,
Pacifying delusion, the poison of Samsara.
Taking the form of a man to the shoulders,
Holding a conch, a discus, and a sword,
One thousand heads white,
To Patanjali, I salute.