Five Tips to Know before Staring an Ashtanga Yoga Practice

Summary:The intricate and intimating art of Ashtanga yoga is simplified with the help of a few tips to keep in mind. This article talks about five tips to keep in mind when signing up for an Ashtanga yoga class.

Ashtanga yoga is intriguing because of the heavy cloud of doubts and prejudices that surround it. This is the reason why many are doubtful before signing up for an Ashtanga yoga class. Some believe that this science is for those who are looking for loosing weight, for the young, or for the powerful, etc. While these beliefs are based on different experiences of the practitioners, we have to say that every experience is different.

Ashtanga yoga poses might be twisted and turned upside down, but with right technique and thought, it is rather easier to master it. There is no need tobe scared of the unknown, rather embracing the art form, like it is one’s own is the way to excel. Developed and popularized by Sri K. Pattabi Jois in the 1940s, this art form in many different ways. Have a look some tip on Ashtanga Yoga for Beginners below:

Systematic form

Ashtanga yoga poses are divided into more subtle and easier ways in forms of series. Primary series, which is the basic version of Ashtanga yoga for beginners, is further more divided into smaller segments like Standing Poses, Seated Poses, Supine Poses, Prone Poses, Inverted Poses, etc. A good teacher breaks down the same furthermore bit by bit. This allows the students to learn the art form with ease and joy. Each and every pose requires five breaths hold, and specific lock and gaze to be involved. All of this together accounts for a systematic practice.

Physical adjustment

The practice of Ashtanga yoga for beginners especially is laid out on adjustment and alignment. A teacher is always present whether it is a led class or a Mysore class to guide the students both verbally and physically. Hands on adjustments are a classic trait of a successful Ashtanga yoga teacher. If it is a led Ashtanga yoga poses class, then the student might experience fewer hands on adjustment in comparison to a Mysore class, where the teacher is simply observing and correcting the students.

Beginning and Ending Prayer

Mantras are significant in a yoga practice because of the power held by the word used superficially to invoke certain energies. This does not connote to a religion or a sect, but are simply a part of the practice. Ashtanga yoga poses are in some way or the other empowered by the mantra and this is why mantra chanting marks the beginning and the ending of an Ashtanga yoga class. Initially many yogis practicing Ashtanga yoga for beginners might experience difficulty in pronouncing the Sanskrit words correctly, but over a due course of time and practice, these chants are simple and transformative.

Significance of Gaze

Ashtanga yoga poses are incomplete without correct gaze. Also known as Drishti or focal point, when the eyes are fixated on some points they direct the awareness to a specific point. There are 8 points of Gaze and they are (from the bottom up) (1) feet, (2) naval, (3) thumbs, (4) tip of the hand (left or right), (5) far side (right or left), (6) tip of the nose, (7) in between the eyebrows (or the third eye) and (8) up to the sky. Every pose engages the gaze differently.

Injury and Safety

It is not uncommon to hear about injuries, especially through Ashtanga Yoga for beginners. Many people face knee ache, elbow pain, or wrist pain, etc. Many people also face graver injuries, but Ashtanga yoga enlists a few modification, use of props, etc. to avoid injury and propel safety. This is why be prepared to take up this form of yoga bravely but with great thought.

All of the above mentioned tips could be very handy in overcoming the challenges of the eight-limbed yoga. Keep it mind before setting foot into the world of Ashtanga yoga.

The Author is a Traveler and a Yoga Teacher in India.He loves writing on yoga related stuff. He has been practioning yoga from last 7 years.His strong connection with yoga has made him to organize Yoga classes.