Taking up Ashtanga yoga?

RE: Taking up Ashtanga yoga?

Hi there

Just wondering whatmade you think about ashtanga before any other style?

I'm not a yoga teacher but have been practising yoga [various styles] for about 12 years. Different styles suit different people and it's a very personal choice.Ihave a theory that different personalitytypes are drawn to different styles - but that's another topic.

I would suggest you try a few taster classes. Many gyms and local area classes will let you try out a class for free. In fact they should let you try a class for free. Lots of gyms offer free one day passes and I've yet to encounter a yoga teacher who won't offer a taster class.

I've tried sivananda, ashtanga, anusara andiyengar and my personal preference is iyengar. For years I thought it was too pernickity, fussy and anal - as it's all about working towards correct alignment in each pose. However, for the last two years I've become a complete convert.

I believe that starting off with iyengar is a great grounding for any other style as you will learn how to do the poses safely and correctly and build up stamina and strength. Iyengar yoga also makes use of a lot of props to help the body align correctly. One thing it isn't however is flowing. Poses are held for a bit and then you move onto the next pose. Iyengar teachers give really good and detailed instruction - in fact they don't stop talking at all except during relaxation at the end.

Coming from a tai chi background you may prefer something more flowing?

In which case sivananda might be a good starting point. It's less demanding and more gentle than ashtanga. I found ashtanga to be very physically demanding and the pace is quite fast - depending on the teacher and level of class of course. However, I found even beginner classes were very challenging and I'd been doing yoga for a number of years already. I was aching all over. I do think there is potential to injure yourself if you jump head first into a full-on ashtanga class - as the flow is fast and not that much instruction about alignment is given by the teacher. If you're in good physical shape and have stamina and strength then you may very well love this from the offset.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

RE: Taking up Ashtanga yoga?

I agree with much of what Melanie says and am interested in the replies to the questions she asks. I was taught that Ashtanga yoga came about originally as a means of using up the male energy (and testosterone I guess!) in the ashrams. It is hard work and if not done properly, is more likely to damage the body than other forms of hatha yoga such as those Melanie mentions. (Of course anything not done properly can harm the body).

I personally teach hatha yoga as per the BWY, and I attend an Iyengar class myself. Like Melanie says, for beginning yoga, Iyengar is great as they put great emphasis on getting the postures right, often using props such asblankets andbricks,before going on to the full version of the pose. This will build your strength and flexibility safely. If you find it too precise, then try a BWY class which is also great for beginners but less reliant upon props. Once you are able to do the poses well and understand how they should feel, then perhaps move onto the flowing and demandingAshtanga if you would still like to.

Simplistically, the original point of all forms of hatha yoga (ie physical yoga) is ultimately to prepare the body, mind and spirit for the next stages; breathing, withdrawal of the senses, concentration, meditation, and ultimately bliss... etc.

So, it also depends what you are looking for in a yoga class and what it was about Ashtanga that appealed??

Hope that helped a bit... good luck with finding something that fits your purpose.

RE: Taking up Ashtanga yoga?

Ashtanga tends to suit the western business head-type person - its more like visiting the gym than authentic yoga. Theres a rumour/myth/story that Mr Jois's ashtanga yoga was actually given to heady young monks to manage their testosterone which is why its intense and full on, while other yogas are far more gentle, patient and, well, authentic...

not sure how well it would complement your tai chi!

Dont get me wrong - i do ashtanga (since i use it as exercise instead of running or the gym), have done hatha and Iyengar, and teach meditation, soundwork and other yoga-related things - but ashtanga isnt the best starting point, as the others have suggested.

If you are looking for a workout, then give ashtanga a go, otherwise I back up the previous posters and recommend Iyengar or even Hatha if you want something much kinder.

you should know that its MISLEADING for any teacher to call their yoga 'ashtanga' when all they teach is Patabhi (Spelling?) Jois Ashtanga VINYASA style yoga.

Ashtanga translates to '8-limbs' and refers to the structure of Raja Yoga as handed down by Patanjali. If its the workout-ashtanga then strictly speaking it should be called 'Ashtanga vinyasa' class.

Asanas (postures) are only mentioned once or twice in the sutras and that is really in reference to the posture of the bodies for meditation - Hatha and physical yogas were in their element in previous civilisations - they are a good support tool these days for fitness and wellbeing but not essential- a raja yogi can achieve through meditation, no one since Lemuria or Atlantis at the latest has achieved (spiritual attainment) SOLELY through postures. All lead to breathwork and meditation, as avalondove said, which is where the real fruits lie.

Physical Yoga is good for feeling good - but it wont enlighten you unless you engage in other practises too..

Darren

RE: Taking up Ashtanga yoga?

I have practiced Tai Chi for twelve years, and started Ashtanga in January. I find it complements it nicely, as it really stretches the body - you can appreciate that I already have depth from my TC. I will admit that I started in order to lose weight - TC's really no good for that, except to raise your body awareness. I have lost a significant amount, and have found this type of Yoga very effective in raising my activity levels. It's good to feel the body able to get further each week (well, perhaps not every week!). Unless you've done a lot of TC, the breathing can be confusing.I did Hatha yoga as a teenager and again just before I had my children, but prefer Astanga as it is sochallenging. As above, I would recommend it as a contrast to the slow movements of Tai Chi, and to extend the range of the body.