Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a style of yoga as exercise created by K. Pattabhi Jois during the 20th century, often promoted as a modern-day form of classical Indian yoga. The style is energetic, synchronising breath with movements. The individual poses (asanas) are linked by flowing movements (vinyasas).
Currently, ashtanga yoga has six series with set sequences: Primary, Intermediate and four Advanced Series. All students begin with Sun Salutations and move through the Primary Series at different rates, only advancing under the teacher’s guidance, which builds a strong, safe, sustainable practice.
Ashtanga vinyasa yoga emphasizes certain main components, namely tristhana (“three places of action or attention”, or the more physical aspects of poses) and vinyasa. Tristhana means the three places of attention or action: breathing system (pranayama), posture (asana), and looking place (drishti).