What is Ashtanga yoga?

Ashtanga (also sometimes spelt Astanga) is a yoga system taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India and involves synchronizing the breath with different series of postures and movements. It's generally seen as an intense, physical practice. Indeed one of the ideas behind it is that the the internal heat and profuse sweating induced during class helps detoxify muscles and organs. Perhaps because of its tough physical regime Ashtanga has become increasingly popular in the west where it fits in with the idea of a 'workout'.

Unlike other styles ashtanga has no international system of ashrams or organisations: Jois still teaches in a small setup in India as he has done since 1948. However Ashtanga punches beyond its weight in international yoga styles: ashtanga teachers such as David Swenson and John Scott are among the most widely respected teachers in the world.

Ashtanga emphasises alignment, focussing on posture, breath and looking place, which correspond to three levels of purification: the body, nervous system and mind. Once these levels have been strengthened and purified, the student is able to progress to higher levels. Indeed the world 'ashtanga' means '8 limbed', after Patanjali's 8 yoga steps. Physical practices comprise only the first 4 of these – once the student has mastered these he is ready to take on the higher, more esoteric realms.

Ashtanga's history is said to be recorded an ancient manuscript called the Yoga Korunta. This manuscript, according to Jois is "said to contain lists of many different groupings of asanas, as well as highly original teachings on vinyasa, drishti, bandhas, mudras, and philosophy". The text of the Yoga Korunta was imparted to Sri T. Krishnamachyra in the early 1900's by his Guru Rama Mohan Brahmachari, and was later passed down to Pattabhi Jois during his studies with Krishnamachyra, beginning in 1927