WAYNE KRASSNER
ASHTANGA YOGA
Ashtanga Yoga is a powerful physical yoga practice that develops balance, focus and concentration. Through dedicated practice it has the potential to evolve into a moving meditation.
With regular, consistent practice the body heals and purifies, it becomes strong, flexible and light. The mind becomes lucid, calm, clear and sharp.
The method is simple it involves 3 elements to practice and these three elements are know as
Tristhana: Asana with Bandha, Vinyasa and Dristhi
Ashtanga Yoga - Translates as 'Eight limb' Yoga, eight branches of the tree of yoga. Ashtanga lays out a progressive path of personal development, internal exploration and self realization.
1. Yama - Abstaining from negative behavior
2. Niyama - Observing positive behavior
3. Asana - posture, stable and comfortable
4. Pranayama - regulation of prana - subtle energy
5. Pratayahra - sense withdrawl
6. Dharana - concentration, contemplation
7. Dhyana - mediation
8. Samadhi - self realization, liberation
Ashtanga Mysore Style
Ashtanga yoga in the tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois began in 1937 in the city of Mysore, south India. Mysore style named after the city is where students are taught individually within a group setting. Each student learns and progresses at his or her own pace. The teacher gives individual verbal guidance and hands on physical assistance as students require.
New and beginner students learn slowly, starting off with a short practice that gradually builds one pose at a time.
Patience and motivation are keys to progress.
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Watch this video to get an idea of what 'Mysore" style is about.
Ashtanga Led classes
Led classes is pretty straight forward, there is a set start and finish time, generally a 90 min time frame is sufficient for a complete Ashtanga practice. All students are guided by the teacher verbally and move through the prescribed sequence of poses at the same pace. A teacher may also give physical assistance during the class. Class may begin and end with traditional Ashtanga mantras.
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Watch this video to get an idea of led Primary Series class
Opening Mantra
Om
Vande Gurunam charanaravinde
Sandarshita svatmasukavabodhe
Nishreyase jangalikayamane
Samsara halahala mohashantyai
Abahu Purushakaram
Shankhacakrsi dharinam
Sahasra sirasam svetam
Pranamami Patanjalim
Om
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Play to hear opening mantra
Mantra de Apertura
Om
Rezo a los pies de loto del gurú supremo
Que enseña su saber, despertando la gran alegría del Ser revelado
Que actúa como médico de la jungla
Capaz de eliminar la ilusion causada por el veneno de una existencia condicionada.
Ante Patanjali, encarnación de Adisesa, que con su color blanco,
Mil cabezas radiantes (en su forma de serpiente divina, Ananta)
y su aspecto humano a partir de los hombros empuña la espada de la discriminación
junto a una rueda de fuego que simboliza el tiempo infinito y una caracola que
representa para él el sonido divino,
Me postro,
Om
Opening Mantra
Om
I bow to the lotus feet of the Supreme Guru
who awakens insight into the happiness of pure Being,
who is the refuge, the jungle physician,
who eliminates the delusion caused by the
poisonous herb of Samsara - conditioned existence.
I prostrate before the sage Patanjali
who has thousands of radiant, white heads (as the divine serpent, Ananta)
and who has, as far as his arms, assumed the form of a man
holding a conch shell (divine sound), a wheel (discus of light or infinite time)
and a sword (discrimination).
Om
Closing Mantra
Om
Swasthi-praja bhyah pari pala yantam
Nya-yena margena mahi-mahishaha
Go-bramanebhyaha-shubamastu-nityam
Lokaha-samastha sukhino bhavanthu
Om Shanti shanti shantihi
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Play to hear closing mantra
Mantra de Cierre
Om
Gloria a la prosperidad
Que los gobernantes guíen el mundo con ley y justicia
Que todas las cosas sagradas gocen de protecctión
Y que los habitantes del mundo sean felices y prósperos.
Om Shanti shanti shantihi
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Closing Mantra
Om
May prosperity be glorified
May administrators rule the world with law and justice
May all things that are sacred be protected
And may all people of the world be happy and prosperous
Om peace, peace, perfect peace