Bring health and harmony to your body, mind, and spirt by praticing Ashtanga yoga. Originated by Shri Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga is a more rigorous, powerful form of Hatha yoga. By focusing on balance and controlled breathing as your move quickly through the series of poses in rhythmic routines called Vinaysa, you'll strenghen and rejuvenate yourself in wonderful ways. Juliet Pegrum-an experienced teacher who spends several months every year studying Ashtanga yoga under Jois-explains how to achieve each pose so that even beginners can enjoy the benefits right away.

Let go of tension in every muscle, and feel relief and a soothing calmness take over. Each fully illustrated sequence prepares your body for what's to come, from warm-ups through sitting, standing,and finishing poses. At every stage, you'll know the health benefits that can be attained. Whether you want to encourage restful sleep or prevent lower back pain, you'll feel fully refreshed and tranquil by the experience.

Establish a rhythm with weekly schedules especially designed for novices. Every week you'll add more complex poses, advancing at the best pace. Advice on correct breathing, diet, and how to relax, helps ensure total success.

Revitalize yourself with this classic, powerful practice that offers great physical-and spiritual-benefits.

Juliet Pegrum is an expereinced Ashtanga practitioner who lives and works in New York. In 1984 she began practicing yoga (Hatha, Iyengar,and Sivananda schools) and in 1994 she met Master Shri Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, South India, who introduced her to the Ashtanga system. She has taught and demonstrated yoga in Jaipur, India, and Santiago, Chile.

Swami Ambikananda Saraswati is a Hindu monk and eminent author who has been teaching yoga for more than 25 years. As a Sanskrit scholar and founder of the Traditional Yoga Association, based in England, she has a keen interest in all contemporary interpretations of the ancient system of Ashtanga yoga, including that of Pattabhi Jois.

'Pattabhi Jois has articulated a perspective on Ashtanga yoga that we now, in our age, our cities, and our techniolgically complex world can use. Juliet Pegrum, his disciple, holding fast to the teaching of her guru, presents this perspective in a way that makes it accessible to everyone who seeks health and a return to wholeness.'-from the foreword by Swami Ambikananda Saraswati

Begin the compelete mind and body workout known as Ashtanga yoga, focusing on the relaxing, synchoronized movements and breathing that have made it so popular. You'll quiclky build strength and stamina using the Asanas, or Hatha poses that even complete beginners can learn to perform and fully enjoy. The heat that's generated through practice encourages flexibility, boosts energy, helps the body detoxify, and promotes peace of mind. Colored tabs indicate where different sequences in the book begin, from the two warm-ups known as Salutes to the Sun to the finishing poses. Now you can promote good health through physical exercise and a newfound sense of serenity.

Contents

Foreword by Swami Ambikananda Saraswati
Ashtanga yoga mantra
How to use this book
Introduction
Yoga philosophy: the eight limbs
How to practice
Breath conrol
Nadis: energy channels
Chakras: energy wheels
How to relax
Safety first
Chapter One
Warming up
Salute to the sun (A)
Fast index
Salute to the sun (B)
Fast index
Chapter Two
Standing poses
Fast index
Chapter Three
Sitting poses
Forward bends
Spinal twists and balances
Advanced sitting poses
Fast indexes
Chapter Four
Finishing poses
All limbs cycle
Fast index
The headstand cycle
Fast index
Chapter Five
Daily practice
Schedules
Spiritual changes
Glossary
Index