What is Ashtanga Yoga

This traditional method of Yoga involves synchronising the movement of the body with a breathing technique known as Ujjayi Breath (breathing with sound) and the use of internal locks or Bandhas while the practitioner moves dynamically through a series of postures or asana. The combination of the breathing, bandhas and asana ignites an internal heat necessary for the purification of internal organs and the nervous system. This method of dynamic or vinyasa yoga cleanses the body internally. Regular practitioners enjoy many health benefits beyond just increased flexibility, stamina and strength.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga originated in Mysore, India where it’s founder Sri K Pattabhi Jois taught up to 300 international yoga students daily until the age of 92. A Brahman Priest and scholar, Pattabhi Jois said “Ashtanga Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory ”.

When visiting Mysore, students of Pattabhi Jois' Grandson Sharath Rangaswamy must commit to a minimum of one month’s tuition, guaranteeing their place in the Mysore class under his care and guidance. At Ashtanga Yoga Space we offer regular students a place in either morning or afternoon Mysore on a monthly basis. If you are looking for a casual yoga class try one of our seven weekly drop-in LED or Beginner Mysore classes.


The Ashtanga Yoga Space Philosophy

Opening in 2005 for “the love of the practice”, our philosophy centers on providing our students with a consistently high standard of teaching, guidance and support in this traditional daily practice within a supportive community.

Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient system of Yoga recorded by the sage Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta, an ancient manuscript said to contain lists of many different groupings of asanas, as well as highly original teachings on vinyasa, drishti, bandhas, mudras, and philosophy. The text of the Yoga Korunta was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the early 1900's by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Pattabhi Jois during the duration of his studies with Krishnamacharya, beginning in 1927. Ashtanga Yoga is still taught today at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, in Mysore, India by Sharath Rangaswamy, Grandson of Pattabhi Jois.

This method of Yoga involves synchronising the movement of the body with the breath, through a progressive series of postures that build internal heat in the body and help to clear the mind, detox the body & improve circulation in addition to building strength, stamina and improving flexibility, thus resulting in a greater sense of well being.