I come to Yoga by the Ashtanga approach and would like to take this opportunity to tell you more about it.
Being a rather structured style, Ashtanga Yoga has jokingly been described as âsuitable for westerners, who always want a planâ. Far from being your âeight steps to bliss-shortcutâ or any such thing however, I find great calm in this comparatively organized style of Yoga.
I find it easier to gradually let go and feel once I know where to begin. I find, that this makes the practice more accessible, like any improvisation is less daunting once you have a place to start.
In the following I will go into a bit of detail about the eight stages of Ashtanga Yoga, as I have been taught and as I see them. Some of it may be controversial, but I see that as a beautiful opening for a conversation.
In case, you have more questions, view the FAQs or E-Mail me!
What I say may vary from other things you have heard, but this is what I base my teaching and practice on. Yoga is diverse and so too are the opinions on it. I believe, that we all benefit from giving a truthful account of our own interpretation. Mine has been called dark by some, because I do not believe that life is just about being happy. Life is hard and all the positive thinking in the world will not change that. This, however, is not contradictory to Yoga but inherent in its Philosophy. “All life is suffering” the Vedas say, and that is the fundamental truth to begin from. From there Yoga emerges and leads to enlightenment. The question then is not “How can I pretend that all is good” – although it’s not – but what would be worth the struggle of life and how will I find the strength, courage, focus, calm and hope to live a good life. This is the same idea as in Western Culture – that we must brave and confront our shadow to rise above it.
I heard one most intuitive picture to illustrate this point learning about the Chakras in Yoga: To open yourself to infinity you have to “work your way up” starting at your lowest Chakra – like a Lotus needs their roots in the mud firm and strong in order to blossom.
I believe Ashtanga Yoga holds many “tools” for this endeavour and also helps with the direction – for what good are tools when one is lost. Even just the Asanas are a constant training ground for compassion and determination (don’t violate your limitations but stay right close to them daily and they will expand) strength and surrender, attention and mindfulness. Whether through “Yoga” or calling it by some other name – this is the route we all truly want to walk, I believe, becoming better human beings.
For more information view my book recommendations or contact me.
Ashtanga Vinyasa is a style of yoga codified and popularized by K. Patthabi Jois, one of the most influencial teachers of the last century. It is considered a modern form of Yoga, that still manages to keep its tradition recognisable.
Ashtanga means eight limbs or branches of yoga mentioned in the Yoga Sutras of which the famous Asana (the physical yoga postures) is merely the third branch, breath or Pranayama being the fourth.
The first two limbs – Yamas and Niyamas, which could be described as a “code of conduct” – are deemed essential for any progress. Take the very first of the Yamas, for instance: Ahimsa, which means Nonviolence. If you do not adhere to this in your very physical practice, you will not heal, but injure yourself. If you cling to what your postures will look like, you will be inclined to push yourself too far and cause harm, not good.
As my teacher Lalit would always say, when we started straining to “manage” a challenging stretch:
“Slowly, slowly, if you force it, it will happen only once.”
This is just a minor overview, aimed at giving you a feeling for the structure of Ashtanga Yoga. None of this needs to be known in order to start, however. As Krishna Pattabhi Jois famously said:
Yoga is 99 percent Practice and one percent theory.
In keeping with this spirit: Let’s practice together!
Sophia Mannherz
A student of western philosophy, about to begin psychotherapy training, excited Yoga Teacher and outside adventurer - if you want to know more about me, this is, where I'll give you an overview.
Ashtanga Yoga
Before you commit to letting someone else literally make you move, it can be assuring to know, what they're up to. I devoted this part of my website to an educational purpose, explaining what I do and why.
How to reach me
Contact me for any questions, be they straight down to business, asking for advice or general curiosity - I'm happy to get in touch. Visit the FAQs first, if you're feeling shy today đ
I come to Yoga by the Ashtanga approach and would like to take this opportunity to tell you more about it.
Being a rather structured style, Ashtanga Yoga has jokingly been described as âsuitable for westerners, who always want a planâ. Far from being your âeight steps to bliss-shortcutâ or any such thing however, I find great calm in this comparatively organized style of Yoga.
I find it easier to gradually let go and feel once I know where to begin. I find, that this makes the practice more accessible, like any improvisation is less daunting once you have a place to start.
In the following I will go into a bit of detail about the eight stages of Ashtanga Yoga, as I have been taught and as I see them. Some of it may be controversial, but I see that as a beautiful opening for a conversation.
In case, you have more questions, view the FAQs or E-Mail me!
What I say may vary from other things you have heard, but this is what I base my teaching and practice on. Yoga is diverse and so too are the opinions on it. I believe, that we all benefit from giving a truthful account of our own interpretation. Mine has been called dark by some, because I do not believe that life is just about being happy. Life is hard and all the positive thinking in the world will not change that. This, however, is not contradictory to Yoga but inherent in its Philosophy. “All life is suffering” the Vedas say, and that is the fundamental truth to begin from. From there Yoga emerges and leads to enlightenment. The question then is not “How can I pretend that all is good” – although it’s not – but what would be worth the struggle of life and how will I find the strength, courage, focus, calm and hope to live a good life. This is the same idea as in Western Culture – that we must brave and confront our shadow to rise above it.
I heard one most intuitive picture to illustrate this point learning about the Chakras in Yoga: To open yourself to infinity you have to “work your way up” starting at your lowest Chakra – like a Lotus needs their roots in the mud firm and strong in order to blossom.
I believe Ashtanga Yoga holds many “tools” for this endeavour and also helps with the direction – for what good are tools when one is lost. Even just the Asanas are a constant training ground for compassion and determination (don’t violate your limitations but stay right close to them daily and they will expand) strength and surrender, attention and mindfulness. Whether through “Yoga” or calling it by some other name – this is the route we all truly want to walk, I believe, becoming better human beings.
For more information view my book recommendations or contact me.
Ashtanga Vinyasa is a style of yoga codified and popularized by K. Patthabi Jois, one of the most influencial teachers of the last century. It is considered a modern form of Yoga, that still manages to keep its tradition recognisable.
Ashtanga means eight limbs or branches of yoga mentioned in the Yoga Sutras of which the famous Asana (the physical yoga postures) is merely the third branch, breath or Pranayama being the fourth.
The first two limbs – Yamas and Niyamas, which could be described as a “code of conduct” – are deemed essential for any progress. Take the very first of the Yamas, for instance: Ahimsa, which means Nonviolence. If you do not adhere to this in your very physical practice, you will not heal, but injure yourself. If you cling to what your postures will look like, you will be inclined to push yourself too far and cause harm, not good.
As my teacher Lalit would always say, when we started straining to “manage” a challenging stretch:
“Slowly, slowly, if you force it, it will happen only once.”
This is just a minor overview, aimed at giving you a feeling for the structure of Ashtanga Yoga. None of this needs to be known in order to start, however. As Krishna Pattabhi Jois famously said:
Yoga is 99 percent Practice and one percent theory.
In keeping with this spirit: Let’s practice together!
Sophia Mannherz
A student of western philosophy and literature, about to begin psychotherapy training, excited Yoga Teacher and outside adventurer - if you want to know more about me, this is, where I'll give you an overview.
Ashtanga Yoga
Before you commit to letting someone else literally make you move, it can be assuring to know, what they're up to. I devoted this part of my website to an educational purpose, explaining what I do and why.
How to reach me
Contact me for any questions, be they straight down to business, asking for advice or general curiosity - I'm happy to get in touch.
Visit the FAQs first, if you're feeling shy today đ