Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga: Learn To Synchronize Your Breathing

When you check the meaning of the Sanskrit word Ashtanga you will come to realize that it is a word that means eight limbs. The origin of the word dates back to the time when a mystic known as Patanjali coined the term. When used to describe a form of yoga that in the West the meaning of the word Ashtanga is not eight limbs, but refers to something that is an activity, flows freely and which refers to the type of yoga made popular by a person named Pattabhi Jois. There is no doubt that the works of Pattabhi have influenced all forms of yoga, including Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. So the philosophies underpinned in his principles apply equally to Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga as to all other forms of yoga.

Eight Limbs

In Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga the eight limbs are abstinence, observance, postures, breath control, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation and contemplation. Furthermore, the term Vinyasa, that forms part of the name Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, deals with correct practice of synchronizing the breath pertaining to a special kind of breathing style that is known as ujjayi pranayama.

This form of breathing in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga makes a lot of noise and requires that the practitioner breathes with his or her mouth closed and requires making the throat constricted. The end result is a reduction of air passing that results in a consequent rise in the speed and force of the air that the practitioner breathes. Breathing in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga also results in generation of heat in the body.

The mind also becomes more focused on the different poses, so this form of yoga is useful in helping a practitioner to train their minds. When the desired poses are attained and combined with body heat, there is expulsion of unwanted toxins from the body and the internal organs as the muscles become purified, which is yet another benefit of using this form of yoga.

There are three basic sequences to Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and each sequence has its own function with one function building on the previous one and requiring that the practitioner have the necessary skill, strength and flexibility. These functions include Yoga Chikitsa, Nadi Shodhana and Sthira Bhaga. To learn how to perform Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga more efficiently, you may want to visit an Ashtanga yoga center where trained instructors will provide you with the proper steps by which to attain success with Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga.

To be sure, you will certainly enjoy doing Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga if you are just practicing on your own because it is a most dynamic form of yoga that provides you with both a physical and mental challenge that you will love facing.