COMMUNITY PRACTICE

Ashtanga vinyasa yoga is postural practice that links breath and movement in a dynamic sequence of asanas. Each posture in the series is held for a certain number of breaths (typically 5) and includes specific movements into and out of the poses. Because the set sequence of postures is repeated during every practice session, a regular frame of reference is created from which to observe the felt sense of the body, mind, and heart. This awareness combined with the rhythmic synchronization of breath creates a powerful style of asana practice. The primary sequence of poses in ashtanga vinyasa yoga is comprised of about 75 poses. It’s the first in a series of six and the foundation for the sequences that follow. Ashtanga vinyasa yoga originated from a sequence of poses created by Tirumalai Krishnamacharya based on what he learned from Rama Mohan Brahmachari in the early 1900s. Traditionally, practitioners memorized the sequence and practiced in community, without being led by a teacher.