Ashtanga Yoga: How the Most Intense Yoga Style Went Mainstream

Ashtanga yoga, a dynamic and aerobic style of practice popularised by K. Pattabhi Jois during the twentieth century, is characterized as one of the most intense forms of yoga. This discipline focuses on synchronising breath with movement, utilizing flowing sequences known as vinyasas to link individual postures, or asanas.

The practice is often promoted as a dynamic form of medieval hatha yoga. It is distinct from the eight-limbed path of yoga described in Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, despite sharing a similar name.

Origins and Methodology

The style of flowing yoga asana practice originated from the ideas of Krishnamacharya regarding vinyāsa. K. Pattabhi Jois claimed to have learned the system from Krishnamacharya and later established the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in 1948.

The practice is structured around specific series of postures. A typical session begins with five repetitions of surya namaskara A and B, followed by a standing sequence. Practitioners then progress through one of six series of postures before concluding with a standard closing sequence.

Traditionally, students memorised these sequences and practiced them together without a teacher leading the class. This approach is known as Mysore style, named after the city in India where the practice was originally taught.

In the later years of K. Pattabhi Jois, teacher-led classes were introduced. These sessions are typically held twice per week as an alternative to Mysore style classes, with teachers guiding the group through the series and providing adjustments and assistance with postures.

Physical and Mental Demands

Ashtanga is described as an ascetic practice, requiring self-discipline and the voluntary acceptance of challenge, discomfort, and hardship. Because it is a breathing practice that is physically and mentally demanding, it is often viewed as a path of high resistance.

The intensity of the workout is noted for its aerobic and sweaty nature. In some studio settings, the environment is kept at high temperatures, such as 80 degrees, leading to steam-filled rooms as practitioners engage in what has been described as acrobatics.

While its intensity has made it a headline-grabbing workout capable of changing lives, this same rigor can act as a barrier. Some practitioners find the rules too restrictive or the physical requirements too daunting, particularly those who do not consider themselves athletic.

Mainstream Influence and Evolution

Ashtanga yoga has served as a foundation for various spinoff styles, including power yoga. Its influence reached a peak of visibility when high-profile figures such as Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow practiced the discipline.

Despite its role in the evolution of other popular styles, such as Vinyasa and Bikram, Ashtanga itself is often harder to find in a mainstream setting. Some observers suggest that the demanding nature of the practice makes it less ubiquitous than styles that offer a path of least resistance.

The transmission of education remains essential for the spread of the practice, though the discipline continues to attract those seeking significant personal growth through a rigorous and disciplined approach to wellness.