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Ashtanga Primary Series
Class Act: Ashtanga Yoga's Primary Series
When you go to an Ashtanga Yoga class for the first time, you'll probably be learning Primary Series. In Sanskrit it is known as "Yoga Chikitsa" which means Yoga Therapy. Its purpose is to re-align the spine, detoxify the body, build strength, and increase flexibility.
A Little Sanskrit Lesson: Counting
The thing I love about Ashtanga yoga classes is that they are the same every time you go. Same poses, same order, same amount of breaths in each pose, and the class is always an hour and a half. There are no surprises, so you always know what to expect.
Ashtanga Yoga: Why Avoid Drinking Water?
If you've ever walked into an Ashtanga Yoga class, I'm sure you've noticed that it's warm in the room, but not even close to as hot as Bikram. The warmth helps your muscles to loosen up slightly, but the quick-paced and strength building vinyasas between poses is what really heats up your body. Think of it as creating an inner fire that heats your body from the inside out, which helps you loosen up tight muscles.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Seated Half Bound Lotus
Most of us suffer from stiff hamstrings and hips, so here's a pose that will increase flexibility in both. It's one of the seated postures in Ashtanga Yoga's Primary Series, and although it looks pretty basic, being in half lotus can be very challenging for those with tight hips.
Sanskrit Name: Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana
English Translation: Half Bound Lotus Western Intense Stretch Pose
Also Called: Seated Half Bound Lotus
To learn how to do this forward bend variation read more
Parker Posey Is a Fan of Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is one of my favorite types of yoga, and according to People magazine, Parker Posey is a big fan too. She says, "It centers me. I like the community," and I totally agree.
Class Act: Ashtanga Yoga's Second Series
Do you remember this pose? It was one of the yoga challenges called Crow pose. It's part of Second Series in Ashtanga yoga, known as Nadi Shodina, which means nerve purification.
Get Mountain Ready With Ashtanga Yoga
Now that Winter is in full force, I'm sure many of you spend your weekends skiing or snowboarding. Nothing beats the excitement and anticipation of standing at the top of a white mountain and looking down the slope. However, an exhilarating day on the mountain can leave you very sore and achy the next day.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Intense East
This next pose called Intense East is the fourth pose in Ashtanga Yoga's Primary Series. It strengthens and stretches your shoulders simultaneously, and also works your bum and hamstrings. If you've done the Pilates move called Reverse Plank, then this will be a cinch.
Move it at Home: Beryl Bender Birch Power Yoga - The Practice
Sometimes you have to stick with a winner, and even though Beryl Bender BIrch's Power Yoga: The Practice DVD came out in 2002, it illustrates Ashtanga Yoga's Primary Series beautifully. Since this series of poses never changes, this DVD is timeless.
It illustrates the poses of Primary Series just like David Swenson's Primary Series DVD, but what I love about this video is that the instructor is a woman.
You Asked: How Can I Start Getting Into Yoga?
You're asking and I'm answering.
Dear FitSugar,
I recently decided that yoga would be something I'd like to try. I understand that taking a class to learn the basics is important and a good way to see if I would like it or not, but I am just terribly shy and would much rather start this practice at home.
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