Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute

What is Ashtanga Yoga?

Ashtanga Yoga is more than just a physical discipline. It is a way of life or rather a path to calm mind and pure soul. It is the harmonization of the breath with a series of postures that detoxify muscles and organs. Astanga Yoga involves a certain number of steps, through which a person attains a light and strong body as well as the composure that all of us so desperately desire.

Expansion of the Astanga Yoga Institute

Pattabhi Jois Yoga Institute of Mysore has gradually expanded to the various parts of the world. People in countries such as America, Britain, Japan, etc are attending Ashtang Yoga classes in the centers that have been opened there.

The Technique - The Sequence of the Six

The curriculum of the Astanga Yoga Institute consists of six standardized and graded routines. They range from introductory challenging formats to the ending sequences. Students have not yet mastered the ending sequences, comprising of the realization of the self or Enlightenment. However, the Astang Yoga methods taught by K. Pattabhi Jois do bring one quite close to the threshold of heaven and Enlightenment. The following steps are followed under the Ashtang Yoga taught at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute...

• The first step involves a detoxification of the physical body.
• The intermediate series, which come next, work to build up the energy level of an individual. The 'nadis' or nerve routes are build up and the 'prana' or the life force is regulated. All this is achieved through the linkages of the seven chakras in the body.
• The four levels that follow are known as the advanced series. They aim at drawing the subtle energy up the 'sushman nadi' or the central energy channel, from the 'muladhara' or root 'cakra', through to the 'sahasra' or crown 'cakra'. This psychophysical process comes to an end when biological processes start producing phenomenal changes in our consciousness.
• What follows is the state of samadhi or trans-consciousness.

The Course

The basic course undertaken at the institute carries on for a minimum of one month. Students are required to stay there throughout the period of the course.

A Day at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute

The day begins early at the Pattabhi Jois Yoga Institute. Students are required to start practice exactly at 4:00 am. With the exception of Sundays, new moon days and full moon days, classes are held daily.

Accommodation

There are no accommodation facilities at the institute. However, there are a number of lodges near the institutes where one can get a room easily.

How to Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is at Bangalore. The airport is well connected with all the key cities in India. A few international airlines also operate from Bangalore.

By Rail

Mysore is well connected by rail to Bangalore as well as Chennai.

By Road

State Highways connect Mysore to the national Highways as well as to the various cities in India. There are a number of government and private buses plying between Mysore and Bangalore.

Local Transport

Local buses, auto rickshaws, private taxis and tongas (horse driven carts) are available for traveling within the city.