Astanga Yoga

Astanga Yoga is a Rapid Cardio Based Yoga Technique that may Aggravate your Back Pain or Shoulder. The Different Yoga Positions or Ashtanga Yoga Poses can be Fast and Furious, so be Aware.

Astanga Yoga is a Rapid Cardio Based Yoga Technique that may Aggravate your Back Pain or Shoulder. The Different Yoga Positions or Ashtanga Yoga Poses can be Fast and Furious, so be Aware.

Astanga Yoga is technique of different yoga positions designed by Pattabhi Jois. The ashtanga yoga poses move in quick succession from one yoga position to another with the intention to increase the heart rate. This causes the muscles to heat up and allows for increased dynamic stretching of the muscles of the body. The series consists of about 75 different yoga positions, practiced in a vigorous, athletic style which takes an hour and a half to complete.

The Ashtanga Yoga Mat Series has a 4 series program. Below is a explanation of this style:

The first or primary series, called Yoga Chikitsa ashtanga yoga poses, is described in Yoga Mala. Yoga Chikitsa, which means yoga therapy, realigns the spine, detoxifies the body, and builds strength, flexibility and stamina. The series of about 75 different yoga positions takes an hour and a half – two hours to complete, beginning with Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskara A and Surya Namaskara B) and moving on to standing poses, seated poses, inversions and backbends before relaxation.

The intermediate or second series is called Nadi Shodana, meaning nervous system purification. These Ashtanga yoga poses cleanse and strengthen the nervous system and the subtle energy channels throughout the body. This series is only introduced when the primary series is strong. It follows the same progression – Sun Salutations, and moving through Standing positions, Sitting poses, etc. as the primary series, but introduces new postures and yoga position variations.

The advanced Ashtanga yoga mat series consists of 4 routines, called Sthira Bhaga, which means divine stability. Pattabhi Jois originally outlined two intensive advanced series of movement, but later subdivided them into a four series program to make them accessible to more people. These series emphasize difficult arm balances and are only appropriate for extremely advanced students.

What Types of Yoga are Best for the Back

Try our Vinyasa Yoga sequence – Effective for Healing Back Pain

Yoga Asanas that can be Helpful to Stabilize your Back

Our Yoga Back Pain Sequences can Help You!

I Recommend You Start with Yoga for Beginners to Reduce Back Pain

Considering Bikram Yoga Postures for the Back, Think Again

Learn 3 Yoga Stretching Postures Designed to Help Back Pain

Return from Astanga Yoga to Yoga Exercises

Return from Astanga Yoga to Back Pain Guru Home