This ancient practice comes in two distinct forms. First, the classical yoga outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras aims for ultimate liberation or moksha.

Then, there’s the modern, dynamic Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. It focuses on poses, movement, and breathwork.

We’ll delve into each type, exploring their origins, history, practices, and benefits. Plus, we’ll uncover why many find Ashtanga Yoga a rewarding challenge.

Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga (Ashta=Eight and Anga=Limb)

Patanjali defined yoga as “yogaś-citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ.” This means yoga stops the mind’s constant changes. When these changes end, we reach moksha or freedom. Patanjali proposed an eight-part guide to achieve this. It’s called “Ashtanga,” where “Ashta” stands for eight and “Anga” for Limbs (parts). These eight parts are steps to achieve inner peace. They include:

1. Yamas (rules): Yamas, the first step in Ashtanga Yoga, guides us in social behavior. They teach us to live rightly. Yamas are five moral codes: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (fidelity), and aparigraha (non-greed). These values help us avoid harm and live in harmony. They shape a yogi’s actions and thoughts.
2. niyama (practices): Niyama focuses on personal observances. It includes five practices: saucha (cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas (self-discipline), svadhyaya (self-reflection), and ishvarapranidhana (surrender to a higher power). These practices are about treating oneself well. They build happiness, confidence, and discipline in our lives. Niyamas guide us to improve ourselves from within.
3. Asana (postures): In Ashtanga Yoga, asana is about finding a pose where you can be still and at ease. Patanjali calls it “Sthirsukhmaasanam,” meaning a steady, comfortable posture. These poses are meant to be held for a while. You stay relaxed, motionless, and focused. 
4. Pranayama (breathing): Pranayama is the art of breath control. “Prana” in Sanskrit means breath. It’s all about managing how we inhale and exhale. This practice makes us mindful of our breathing patterns. Patanjali says prana moves with each breath in and out. Pranayama teaches us to pause this cycle. We learn to hold our breath at times. This helps calm the mind and body.
5. Pratyahara (inner focus): Pratyahara is about detaching from our senses. It means pulling back from taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smell. This step takes us away from the outside world. Our focus turns inward. Pratyahara sets the stage for deeper yoga practices. These include Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (unity of mind). This journey leads to understanding our true self, or Purusha.
6. Dharana (concentration): Dharana, the sixth step in Ashtanga Yoga, is about focusing your mind. It means choosing one thing to concentrate on. This could be a picture, symbol, or even a mantra. Your mind might wander off, but you bring it back each time. With regular practice, this leads to Dhyana, the next stage of yoga. Dharana is key to mastering your thoughts.
7. Dhyana (meditation): Dhyana in Ashtanga Yoga is deep meditation. It follows Dharana, the focus stage. In Dhyana, you’re fully in meditation. You feel one with what you’re focusing on. You can’t tell where you end and the meditation begins. If Dharana works well, Dhyana happens. It’s a key part of yoga’s journey.
8. Samadhi (Moksha): Samadhi in Ashtanga Yoga is about reaching bliss. It’s when your mind is totally still. You feel united with everything. Samadhi is the highest meditation level. It’s where you’re fully absorbed in your focus. The mind stops wandering. There are different levels of Samadhi. Each one takes you to a higher state of awareness. It’s the ultimate yoga goal.

But Where Are Yoga Poses in Ashtanga Yoga?

In Ashtanga Yoga, Patanjali highlights one “Asana” for meditation, like Padmasana. But staying in one pose for a long is hard. Your body may resist. To strengthen and stabilize your body, you need various asanas.

Here, K. Pattabhi Jois’s Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga comes in. He believed Asana should be the first limb, not the third. His method involves a series of asanas.

Also, a strong mind is needed for Yama and Niyama. This strength comes from regular practice. Let’s dive into K. Pattabhi Jois’s Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.

The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga by K. Pattabhi Jois

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a special type of Hatha Yoga and not Ashtanga Yoga. Surprising? Isn’t it? Yes, it’s based on Yogi Vamana’s teachings from the ‘Yoga Kuranta.’

Pattabhi Jois spread it worldwide as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Over time, people started calling it just Ashtanga.

Jois opened his Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in 1948. Now his teaching style is known as the “Mysore style,” named after the Indian city.

Originally, students learned a sequence by heart and practiced together without a teacher leading. Later, Pattabhi Jois introduced classes with a teacher guiding the students.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Series

Ashtanga Yoga includes six series. Each series has its own focus.

• The first is the Primary Series, known as Yoga Chikitsa. It’s for health and therapy.
• The Intermediate Series is called Nadishodhana. It’s about purifying nerves.
• Then come the four Advanced Series, together known as Sthira Bhaga. These focus on building strength. They
  • Advanced A (third series),
  • Advanced B (fourth series),
  • Advanced C (fifth series), and
  • Advanced D (sixth series).

Initially, there were four series: primary, intermediate, and two advanced. The fifth, called the “Rishi series,” is for those who’ve mastered the first four.

Benefits of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is powerful for both body and mind. It tones muscles, boosts energy, and helps with weight control. This practice also calms your mind, bringing peace and self-awareness. Benefits include:

• Building strength
• Increasing flexibility
• Managing weight
• Developing muscle tone
• Promoting detoxification
• Boosting energy and vitality
• Relieving back pain and injuries
• Improving digestion and circulation
• Enhancing coordination and balance
• Lubricating joints, ligaments, and tendons

This yoga teaches acceptance of your body’s limits, encouraging you to improve.