Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga - The Intermediate Series

More Praise for
Ashtanga Yoga — The Intermediate Series

“I was pleased to find that once again Gregor Maehle has done an excellent job of presenting the traditional method of Ashtanga Yoga. This book provides a wealth of background information essential for building the context needed to fully benefit from this profound method of yoga — to prepare the soil so the practice bears the intended fruit. Students need to do the work of reading and studying the ancient texts in order to fully appreciate the practice, to have a context in which it can fit. This book helps to fill in many of those blanks. I salute Gregor for his hard work and his studiousness and thank him for helping to maintain the authentic, traditional practice, thus enabling students to have the intended experience of this great form of yoga.”

— Chuck Miller, Ashtanga Yoga teacher,
senior student of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois since 1980

“Gregor Maehle presents a carefully crafted and thoroughly researched view of the Ashtanga Yoga Intermediate Series. The first available book on the topic, this is a great guide for students of Ashtanga Yoga and a valuable resource for all yoga practitioners wishing to study the Intermediate Series in more detail. The anatomical explanations, illustrations, and technical assistance will be very beneficial for many students and teachers alike.”

— Kino MacGregor, founder of Miami Life Center and creator of
instructional Ashtanga Yoga DVDs

“I wish this book had been around when I was introduced to the Intermediate Series. It is immensely informative — a must-read for every practitioner who would like to look beyond the form. When embarking on the journey of the Intermediate Series, one intuitively understands that there is a depth to this practice that is beyond words. This book has given me great insight into the richness and interconnectedness of our practice and helped me understand why I have always felt this way.”

— Angelika Knoerzer, director of North Sydney Yoga

ASHTANGA YOGA

The Intermediate Series

The Intermediate Series

Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice

Gregor Maehle

with Dr. Monica Gauci, chiropractor

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. It is not meant to take the place of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified medical practitioner or therapist. No expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of the use of the recommendations can be given nor liability taken.

Photographs by Adrian Kat

Illustrations by Toby Gibson

Composition by Tona Pearce Myers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Maehle, Gregor.

Ashtanga yoga—the intermediate series : mythology, anatomy, and practice / Gregor Maehle with Dr. Monica Gauci, chiropractor.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-57731-669-5 (pbk. : alk. paper)

1. Astanga yoga. I. Gauci, Monica. II. Title.

RA781.68.M343 2009

613.7'046–dc22

2009038441

First printing, November 2009

ISBN 978-1-57731-669-5

Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

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

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To our ancient mother, India — origin of civilization long before our written history dawned, abode of the noble ones (aryas), land who brought forth an endless stream of sages and liberated ones (rishis), who produced the manifold sciences (vidyas) and the language of wisdom (sanskrita), and who does not cease to provide paths for those who dare. May there dawn a new age that reveals again your original splendor.

This book is intended for those who generally want to learn more about the Ashtanga system and for those who are practicing the Intermediate Series but are isolated from daily contact with a senior teacher. This book cannot replace such a teacher, however. Yoga can be learned only through personal instruction and not from a book, DVD, or website, as such media cannot give feedback. Without feedback, students cannot correct their mistakes, of which there will be many in the beginning. This book can only add to the information that you get from your teacher.

This book is not a substitute for medical advice. Seek advice from a doctor before commencing exercise. The author and publisher disclaim any liability for injury or other loss resulting from performing the exercises described in this book.

1 Jnana, Bhakti, and Karma: The Three Forms of Yoga

2 Using Indian Myth and Cosmology to Deepen Your Practice

3 Sanskrit: The Sacred Language of Yoga

4 The Mythology of the Intermediate Postures

5 The Antiquity of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

PART 2 Practice

6 Anatomy: Understanding the Capabilities and Limitations of Your Body

7 Respiratory Movements and the Breath