Ashtanga Yoga is one of the most popular forms of yoga, it is an ideal discipline for those people who like challenges and order.
Ashtanga Yoga is based on the performance of a series of postures, which must be carried out continuously, with fluidity and consistency. Those who practice this type of yoga, must move in an accelerated manner each time they change their posture, and this is complemented with inhalations and exhalations.
Ashtanga Yoga is characterized by its dynamism, and the big difference between this type of yoga and Hatha Yoga is the vinyasa, which is a technique of movements and breathing that are synchronized with each other.
Each asana in Ashtanga Yoga is designed with a certain amount of movement and breathing, so people who already have a lot of experience in this form of yoga will link the asanas based on the rhythm of each movement and breathing.
The series of postures will never change, the only thing is that the Ashtanga Yoga practitioner will add postures over time because his or her experience will be greater.
In addition to the vinyasa, there will also be other components that are necessary for the practice of Ashtanga Yoga such as the bands (energetic closures), the Ujjayi breath (pranayama) and the dristi (gazes); all of these are excellent to help the person concentrate better and increase their energy while practicing.
The elements of Ashtanga Yoga
Magnetic bands or closures are contractions of the muscles that lead to being able to control the energy. Among these is the Mula Band, which is at the level of the coccyx, is based on contracting the sphincters of the anus; the Jalandara Band is at the level of the throat and is exercised when practicing some breathing exercise (pranayama); there is also the Uddyana Band which is a contraction of the abdomen.
When the bands are carried out the concentration is increased and therefore you will be able to control the energy.
Ujjayi breathing is achieved when you gently contract the glottis, it is worth mentioning that the glottis is a small muscle at the level of the trachea.
This contraction leads the person to breathe loudly, regularly and slowly. This is elementary when you are practicing Ashtanga Yoga because when you listen to the sound of your breath your mind will relax and calm down.
As for the Dristi (the gaze), it consists of the total focus of the gaze for the duration of one asana. The different asanas have their Dristi, and with the fact of concentrating the look it is possible to meditate.
Likewise, it increases the capacity to concentrate and the toning of the eye muscles, which considerably benefits those who have a problem with their eyesight.
With these three elements of Ashtanga Yoga (the band, the Ujjayi breath and the Dristi) you will be able to increase your ability to concentrate on the whole yoga session, and you will also learn to have control over your energy.
You will also learn to have control over your energy. Also, you will notice that if you do not concentrate on practicing this form of yoga, it will make it much more difficult for you to perform the postures.
What is Ashtanga Yoga based on?
Ashtanga Yoga is a system that is based on a lineage of learning, therefore the applied methodology and also the practice is transmitted directly from the teacher to the student.
Therefore, there is only one way to learn to practice Ashtanga Yoga, and that is by studying in the company of another person who already has sufficient knowledge of the practice of this form of yoga, taking into account that this person may have learned from someone else who already knew about the practice of Ashtanga Yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga cannot be learned through a book, although there are a good number of quality books that explain it. Nor can it be learned by watching videos even though you can find many of these. In this type of yoga, the relationship between teacher and student is very important and cannot be avoided.
Benefits of Ashtanga Yoga
1) Endurance, strength and warmth: The practice of Ashtanga Yoga makes you work your whole body, the asanas performed are intense and make you sweat, which helps you eliminate the toxins that are accumulated in your body.
2) Bringing together various yoga techniques: Ashtanga Yoga is the combination of various yoga techniques consisting of exercises for both body and mind; all of these represented in asanas, meditation and breathing. This means that Ashtanga Yoga is one of the most complete types of yoga that can exist.
3) Body and Mind: Because Ashtanga Yoga works the body in an integral way, benefits can be obtained on the mental, physical, intellectual and emotional levels. This makes you improve your relationship with yourself and also with other people, and can even improve your sex life.
4) Stimulate your mind: As a consequence of the asanas that are performed and the control that should be had in concentration, breathing, visualization and meditation, the student can clarify his mind and this will make it easier for him to see the reality of the world.
5) Control your emotions: It is ideal for the control of your emotions since this type of yoga separates them from your feelings.
Keep in mind that each emotion is the response of the mind to circumstances that it already recognizes. With the constant practice of Ashtanga Yoga you can learn to feel healthy without causing harm.
6) Manage stress: Ashtanga Yoga enables you to manage stress so that it does not affect your daily life and you can live life to the fullest. It also stimulates the immune system and thus helps to prevent disease.
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