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Ashtanga Yoga

Praise for Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy

“I love Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy. At last there is a book that is not just on asana but coupled with that, the real beauty of asana and philosophy.”

— Frances Liotta, founder of Yogamat

“Gregor Maehle’s Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy weaves philosophy and integrated knowledge of anatomy into our yoga practice to keep us centered in the heart of a profound tradition. He also gives us a brilliant translation and commentary on the Yoga Sutra, revealing a deep philosophical and historical context in which to ground and stimulate our entire lives.”

— Richard Freeman, founder of the Yoga Workshop in Boulder, Colorado, and author of The Yoga Matrix CD

“A much-needed new tool for practicing the method with greater safety in the physical form and with much needed depth in the inner form of the practice. I especially appreciate the comprehensive approach, which includes philosophical perspectives, anatomy, vedic lore, a thorough description of the physical method itself as well as a complete copy of Patanjala Yoga Darshana. A valuable contribution to the evolving understanding of this profound system and method of yoga.”

— Chuck Miller, Ashtanga yoga teacher,

senior student of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois since 1980

ASHTANGA YOGA

Practice and Philosophy

ASHTANGA YOGA

Practice and Philosophy

A Comprehensive Description of the

Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga,

Following the Traditional Vinyasa Count,

and an Authentic Explanation of

the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali

Gregor Maehle

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

The material in this book is intended for education. Please consult a qualified health care practitioner before beginning any exercise program and learn yoga under personal supervision. This book is not a substitute for medical advice or instruction from a qualified yoga teacher. No expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of the use of the recommendations can be given nor liability taken.

Every effort has been made to contact the holders of copyright of quoted material.

Originally published in Australia by Kaivalya Publications in 2006.

Text design and typography by Allan Watson

Photography by Adrian Kat

Illustrations by Steve Dance

Front cover photograph: Gregor Maehle and Monica Gauci performing Kaundinyasana, a posture dedicated to the sage Kaundinya, author of the commentary on Lakulisha’s Pashupata Sutra; back cover photograph: Gregor Maehle and Monica Gauci performing Yoga Mudra.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Maehle, Gregor.

Ashtanga yoga: practice and philosophy: a comprehensive description of the primary series of ashtanga yoga and an authentic explanation of the Yoga sutra of Patanjali / Gregor Maehle.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-57731-606-0 (pbk.: alk. paper)

1. Astanga yoga. 2. Patañjali. Yogasutra. I. Title.

RA781.68.M34 2007

613.7’046—dc22

2007022806

First New World Library edition, September 2007

ISBN-10: 1-57731-606-1

ISBN-13: 978-157731-606-0

Printed in Canada on partially recycled, acid-free paper

New World Library is a proud member of the Green Press Initiative.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To the first and foremost of all teachers, who has been known by various names, such as the Brahman, the Tao, the Lord, and the Mother, and who, after all names are left behind, is still there as the incomprehensible, luminous, vibrant, silent, vast emptiness in my heart.

Note

It is important to learn Ashtanga Yoga by the traditional method, according to which the next posture is added on only when the student has gained proficiency in the previous one. In this way excessive exertion, fatigue, and unwanted side effects are avoided. Proficiency in a posture can be assessed only by a qualified teacher.

The importance of learning the method from a qualified teacher cannot be stressed enough. It is not possible to learn yoga from a book or video, because these media cannot provide feedback when the student engages in a posture poorly. If this should be the case, little or no benefit would be gained from the practice; in fact damage could be done.

PART 1 Fundamentals: Breath, Bandhas, Drishti, Vinyasa

PART 2 Asana: The Primary Series

PART 3 The History and Lineage of Yoga

PART 4 Philosophy: The Yoga Sutra

Glossary

Biographies of Yoga Masters and Rishis Mentioned in the Text

Bibliography

Index