Ashtanga Yoga Explained: Poses and Sequences

The popularity of yoga is taking the fitness industry by fire. With the increasing familiarity with different forms of yoga, it is now considered much more than a simple breathing exercise accurate for meditation. People are now increasingly adopting yoga to fulfill their various fitness goals. Thereby, among people who actively seek physical movement and high-intensity exercises, ashtanga yoga is common in the name of Power Yoga.  So, if you are also looking forward to learning power yoga you should consider enrolling in some of the best Ashtanga yoga training in Delhi.

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Poses and Sequences of Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is primarily divided into six series with a motive to continuously train the body for the next stage. The first series is considered the most difficult of all the consecutive ones. Yet there is a homogeneity in sequences with an alteration in the poses.

Opening Mantra

An Ashtanga class always begins with an opening mantra which is a Sanskrit chant to activate the throat activity and chakras, which have a positive impact on memory and attention. This mantra is a form to express gratitude towards your teachers and symbolize surrender to the process.

Surya Namaskar A

Sun salutation A famous in the name of Surya Namaskar A forms the second phase of an Ashtanga class and consists of 9 asanas which are to be repeated 5 times in the predetermined cyclic order. It is aimed to build heat in the body and begin to sync the breath with movement.

Sun Salutation B

This series is an extension to sun salutation A and has 17 asanas which are also repeated 5 times in a cyclic order. The inclusion of chair pose and warrior I pose among others makes this round a bit more challenging creating more leg strengthening and balance challenges.

Standing Poses

This series requires balancing, forward folds, and hip openers. Big toe pose, hands under feet pose, triangle pose, revolved triangle pose, extended side angle pose, revolved side angle pose, wide-legged forward fold, extended hand to big toe pose, and half bound lotus intense stretch are some of the celebrated poses of this series. With practice, this series often becomes a favorite of the practitioners.

Seated Postures

These poses bring the breath back and are taught at a slightly slower pace. Some of the most commonly accepted poses of the series are staff pose, seated forward bend, upward plank pose, head to forward knee bend and four versions of marichyasana and boat pose.

Finishing Sequence

This is the most challenging part of the primary series and requires the guidance of a trained yoga instructor. It includes several advanced poses such as the crow pose and jump backs, the kona family of postures, upward bow or wheel pose, paschimottanasana, shoulder stand, head beyond the knee pose, child’s pose, lotus pose and corpse pose.

Closing Mantra

The Ashtanga class comes to an end with the closing mantra also known as the “Namaste” salute.

Reiterating the primary series is the toughest of all the series but these challenges can easily be addressed by expert guidance. So, if you are planning to learn Ashtanga yoga consider registering with the top yoga and wellness studio in Delhi.

Enroll in Yoga Training Courses Online

The Indian School of Yoga is an infamous yoga training institute in Delhi. It has experienced yoga instructors with a comprehensive curriculum and the course fee is all-inclusive of accommodation, meals, excursion, and course material. They also provide some of the best yoga teacher training certification courses in Delhi, for aspiring yoga trainers. Also, the institute is registered with the Yoga Alliance which ensures your insurance and provides you with global exposure.