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Sri K. Pattabhi Jois was born 7th July 1915 in Kowshika,
a district of Mysore, South India. He studied yoga under Sri
T. Krishnamacharya from 1927 to 1945, and attended the Sanskrit
College of Mysore from 1930 to 1956, where he eventually served
as a professor of Sanskrit and Advaita Vedanta. The Maharaja
of Mysore appointed him head of the Yoga Department at the Sanskrit
College in 1937, and he retained this post until his retirement
in 1973.In 1948 he founded the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute
with a view to teaching yoga according to traditional methods
prescribed by the ancient Maharishis of India, and to exploring
the curative value of yoga as described by the ancient texts.
Pattabhi Jois's aim in teaching yoga is to promote a sound philosophy
of life in every student, and to enable them to attain higher
mental concentration and stability, which are the basis for
the achievement of spiritual elevation.
The KPJ Ashtanga Yoga Institute has moved to a
larger building in Gokulam, Mysore where the new shala opened
in 2003.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois passed away in May 2009 and
was teaching almost till the last. His great joy of teaching
and to be together with all his students in Mysore and on workshops
around the world was always apparent in his warm smile and embracing
spirit. Guruji almost turned 94 and has in the recent years
passed an age old tradition in strong shape to his successor
Sri R. Sharath.
We are honoured to be his students and to have
hosted him and his workshop here in Copenhagen August 2006.
Ashtanga Yoga in the Tradition of Sri
K. Pattabhi Jois
Yoga is a philosophy of life, which also has the potential
to create a vibrantly healthy body and mind.
Ashtanga yoga practiced in its correct sequential order, gradually
leads the practitioner to rediscover his or her fullest potential
on all levels of human consciousness – physical, psychological
and spiritual. Through this practice of correct breathing (Ujjayi
Pranayama), postures (Asana), and gazing points (Dristi), we
gain control of the senses and a deep awareness of ourselves.
By maintaining this discipline with regularity and devotion,
one acquires steadiness of body and mind.
Astanga literally means eight limbs
They are described by Patanjali as: Yama (abstinences), Niyama
(observances), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara
(sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation)
and Samadhi (contemplation).These branches support each other.
Asana practice must be established for proper practice of Pranayama
and is a key to the development of the Yamas and Niyamas. Once
these four externally oriented limbs are firmly rooted, the last
four internally oriented limbs will spontaneously evolve over
time.
Vinyasa means breath synchronized movement
The breath is the heart of this discipline, and links asana to
asana in a precise order. By synchronizing movement with breathing,
vinyasa, and practicing Mulabandha and Uddiyanabandha (body locks),
an intense internal heat is produced.
This heat purifies muscles and organs, expelling unwanted toxins
as well as releasing beneficial hormones and minerals, which
can nourish the body when the sweat is massaged back into the
skin. The breath regulates the Vinyasa and ensures efficient
circulation of the blood. The result is a light, strong body.
 There
are three groups of sequences in the Ashtanga system
The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the
body. The Intermediate Series (Nadi Sodhana) purifies the nervous
system by opening and clearing the energy channels. The Advanced
Series A,B,C,D (Sthira Bhagah Samapta) integrate the strength
and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility
and humility.
Each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the
next, and the sequential order of the asana is to be meticulously
followed. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing
the strength and balance required to move further.
Breath is Life
Breath: the continuity of deep, even breathing cannot be overemphasized
in the Ashtanga yoga system. When breath feeds action, and action
feeds posture, each movement becomes gentle, precise and perfectly
steady.
According to the teaching of Sri T. Krishnamacharya and Sri
K. Pattabhi Jois, "Breath is Life". Breathing is our
most fundamental and vital act and holds a divine essence; exhalation
a movement towards God, and inhalation an inspiration from God.
Practice: it is said that where there is no effort there is
no benefit. Strength, stamina and sweat are unique aspects of
this traditional yoga, seemingly contrary to western perceptions
of yoga.
This demanding practice requires considerable effort to purify
the nervous system. The mind then becomes lucid, clear and precise:
and according to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois "Wherever you look
you will see God". Only through practice will we realise
the truth of what our Guru often says. "Everything is God".
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