Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic, flowing practice that blends dynamic poses with breath awareness and core strengthening exercises to form an engaging practice for beginners looking to build physical strength while increasing flexibility. The challenging backbends and twists help stretch leg, arm and buttock muscles for greater comfort while decreasing back pain.
Not to push yourself too hard in any pose: A great yoga teacher will teach you not to overstretch yourself in any pose - injury is one of the main reasons people abandon yoga, and pushing too far can easily happen if left to your own devices. Working with an experienced, knowledgeable instructor can help avoid injury while making practice more enjoyable and safe.
Ashtanga yoga employs a series of postures in sequence, designed to soothe your autonomic nervous system and increase focus during practice. Ujjayi pranayama, slow audible breathing, is used for increased concentration. Drishti, fixed gaze gazing used during this practice helps focus the mind during its execution while practicing these poses builds coordination while engaging bandhas (body locks) can create core stability for enhanced practice.
Ashtanga yoga offers numerous physical advantages, including increased flexibility, improved circulation and decreased muscle tension. Strengthening and toning muscles may also help reduce weight gain while improving balance - plus its flexion of back muscles can ease lower back pain! A 2015 study also indicated that regular participation in two ashtanga sessions helped increase bone density among premenopausal women.
