This groundbreaking guide to Ashtanga yoga, by two leading teachers, Manju Jois and Greg Tebb, covers the Ashtanga system, which is in the Hatha yoga tradition and was passed down by Sri T. Krishnamacharya. The Ashtanga system includes three main sequences of postures: Primary (Yoga Chikitsa), Intermediate (Nadi Sodhana), and Advanced Series (Sthira Bhaga). The traditional system is based on Patanjali's philosophy of the "eight limbs" of yoga. Students practice a sequence of poses linked with Vinyasa (breath movement) using Ujjayi Pranayama (deep rhythmic breathing), Bandha (muscular and energetic locks), and Drishti (meditative gaze points). This system has often been misunderstood in the west, taught primarily as a powerful form of exercise with little emphasis on therapeutic benefits. The authors aim to demystify the practice and its teachings, highlighting the role of yoga in long-term health, the benefits of each pose, and safe adjustments for poses in each series.
