Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, founded by K
Pattabhi Jois, is situated in the Mysore city of India.
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.
