THE PRICIPLES & APPROACH OF
ASTANGA VINYASA YOGA

Astanga Vinyasa yoga was introduced to the UK due to the pioneering work of Derek Ireland (sadly deceased), Radha Warrell, Danny Paradise, David Swenson and John Crawford Scott.

This form of yoga was developed from a series of ancient Sanskrit documents found and deciphered by the famous Indian teacher Krishnamacharya. He had three pupils who developed this original teaching in different ways. One was B.K.S. Iyengar, the founder of 'Iyengar Yoga', the second his son, Desikachar, and the third Pattabhi Jois, who teaches Astanga Vinyasa yoga at his research institute in Mysore. Those following Astanga Vinyasa yoga believe that this system is closest to the system taught by Krishnamacharya.

There are several differences to both mainstream Hatha yoga and Iyengar yoga:

There are six discrete series of postures, of advancing difficulty, with similar opening and closing sections.

There is therefore a set routine of postures to be practised every day in the same order, the student being required to attain reasonable proficiency in one series before progressing to the next.

A special breathing technique, Ujjayi Pranayama, is used throughout, avoiding the use of the abdomen for breathing, concentrating on the chest, and controlled through the back of the throat. This helps to heat up the body and increase flexibility. Every movement such as entry and exit from a posture is linked to the breath.

A linking sequence, the Vinyasa, which includes the well-known yoga postures, upward and downward dog, is used between postures, thus acting as an all purpose counterpose.

The approach is said to be 99% physical, and thus students are not expected initially to undertake for instance other breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation. However, every session ends with a relaxation.
In small classes the student may be physically assisted by the teacher guiding into postures.

What kind of people do this yoga?

All kinds of people do this yoga. It is much more attractive to men than the style of yoga normally taught in evening classes because of its strongly physical nature, and so classes are usually half and half men and women. Many students come to it after doing other more gentle kinds of yoga, or from Tai Chi or martial arts, or weight training and aerobics. Some use it as 'cross training'.

What are the effects for the student?

Students practicing this yoga regularly experience an increase in suppleness, stamina and strength, and almost all develop a more pleasing body shape. After a while students may experience other more subtle effects.

Is it the same every week?

The primary series, which students practise, is a set routine. Those who practise regularly find this both challenging and satisfying. It can be broken down and practised in smaller chunks. Even those who do not practise every day will find an increase in flexibility and stamina ever a period.

For information on safe practice at home and health questions to be completed before commencing classes click here.

INSTRUCTOR - ELISABETH WILSON

Further Information

Click the following link(s) to download pdf file(s) of further information relating to Ashtanga Yoga

- Colne Valley Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

INSTRUCTOR - MARGARET BAMFORD

I first attended a Hatha Yoga class with Mary Rosier in Halifax in 1996. I really enjoyed the class and it really helped with lower back ache. I enjoyed the practice and decided to try some other styles of yoga.

In 1999 I started to learn the Primary Series with Elisabeth Wilson and Michael Taylor at their studio in Todmorden. This became my regular practice. Elisabeth and Michael encouraged me to take the British Wheel of Yoga Diploma course, three year course which helped to develop my own practice and led me into teaching Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. I have trained with other teachers including John Scott, David Swenson, Manju Jois, Danny Paradise, David Moreno, Jean Hall and Granville Cousins.

Qualifications:

British Wheel of Yoga Diploma in Yoga, 2005

Classes:

Monday 7.30pm - 9pm
Starting 1st September 2008 as an initial 6 week Beginner Course leading onto a Continuation Class