Ashtanga Yoga Kamakura

Classes Suspended

2011-08-28T15:08:00.003+09:00

Thank you for visiting.

Ashtanga Yoga Kamakura classes are suspended indefinitely.

For Ashtanga Yoga in beginner's classes in Kamakura please contact Mutsumi Hanzawa:

mutsumi.hanzawa@gmail.com

What is Ashtanga Yoga?

2007-03-30T11:11:00.001+09:00

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a spiritual practice that facilitates the self-realisation process. It is a dynamic style of yoga that links a sequence of postures (asana) in a continual flow using the rhythm of the breath (vinyasa).

Using a breathing technique called ujjai (victorious breath) with the movements (vinyasa), a deep internal heat is created that energises, purifies and strengthens the entire energetical and physical systems.

Throughout the practice, dristis (looking places) and subtle inner actions called bandhas are also practiced which cultivate a deep holistic balance.

Effectively combining these elements of vinyasa, bandha, dristi and asana, Ashtanga Yoga becomes a moving meditation. A calm and focussed mind, a light, strong and soft body rapidly develop, providing the optimal conditions for experiencing the self beyond the mind and the body.

The lineage of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is taught by Sri. K Pattabhi Jois and his grandson Sharath Rangaswami at the Sri. K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI) in Mysore, South India. Please visit the KPJAYI website for more information.

Recommendations for Practice

2006-02-16T20:01:00.001+09:00

It is highly recommended not to eat at least 2 hours, or drink 1 hour, prior to practice, and for 15-20 minutes after practice. If eating and drinking is unavoidable, it's best to do so as lightly as possible.

Women are strongly recommended not to practice on the first 3 days of menstruation, and until bleeding stops. If you do wish to practice while there is blood flow please notify your teacher and they can show you an adapted practice.

On the days of a new and full moon the Ashtanga sequence is not practiced.

Ashtanga is powerful practice that works deep into the energy systems, for this reason it's highly recommended to develop regularity in your practice. Practicing at irregular intervals can be very upsetting to the natural rhythms of the body and mind. Whatever your commitment is to the practice, be it once per week, twice, 3 times... up to 6, choose practice days and times at regular intervals that nurture your energy rhythms. Always rest at least one day each week.

Gwendoline Hunt

Drink plenty of water. Ashtanga, as with other forms of Yoga, is designed to stimulate and accelerate the natural detoxification processes of the body and energy systems. Water is an essential element in these processes. A regular practitioner (3 or more practices a week) should be drinking about 2 litres per day, depending on body type and climate conditions. Indications of not enough water include: headaches, tiredness, constipation, stiffness, cramp, body aches, long recovery times from injury, and little or no sweat during practice. Be careful of tap water in urban areas, often this water is highly chlorinated and is toxic for the body, and most water filters don't remove the chlorine. Generally bottled water is safer and better for you. ...experiment, your taste buds and stomach will soon tell you what they prefer when you start to drink 2 litres in a day. Also, very cold/iced water can be upsetting for the body when drunk in large quantities, feel what serves you best.

Gwendoline Hunt

Wait about an hour after practice before having a hot bath.

Learning Aids

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Ashtanga primary sequence drawings by John Scott.

David Swenson- The Practice Manual A complete guide to the primary and intermediate series.

Matthew Sweeney- Astanga Yoga As It Is A complete asana and vinyasa guide to the first four Ashtanga series, with helpful insights from Matthew's extensive experience.

Lino Miele- Astanga Yoga (available in Japanese) This is an officially recognised practice guide with a complete and detailed desciption of the vinyasa (breath and movement) count.

John Scott- Step-by-Step Guide Step-by-step through the pimary series, available in Japanese.

Sharath Rangaswami- Ashtanga Primary Series DVD

John Scott- Ashtanga Primary Series DVD Selectable practice levels, vinyasa counted practice.

Richard Freeman- Ashtanga Intermediate Series DVD A detailed practice guide for the intermediate series.

Geshe Michael Roach and Christie Mcnally- How Yoga Works A wonderful storybook explaining the essence of yoga and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

Swami Buddhananda- Moola Bandha: The Master Key Explanations and exercises for developing moola bandha.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati- Four Chapters on Freedom Commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by a living master Yogi.

Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati- Prana Pranayama Prana Vidya A complete guide to pranayama from the Bihar school of yoga.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati- Kundalini Tantra An easy to understand complete guide the chakra system with practices.

Eckhart Tolle- A New Earth (available in Japanese) A wonderful guide to the working of mind and consciousness.

A Course in Miracles A step by step guide to realising your divinity.

David Wolfe- The Sunfood Diet Success System A wonderful and comprehensive guide to living food nutrition.

Andreas Moritz- The Liver and Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse A natural, simple, at home flush to purify and rejuvinate your body.

Ashtanga Yoga Mantras

2006-02-14T02:27:00.000+09:00

Ashtanga Yoga Mantra (Opening Chant)

OM
VANDE GURUNAM CARANARAVINDE
SANDARSITA SVATMA SUKHAVA BODHE
NIH SREYASE JANGALIKAYAMANE
SAMSARA HALAHALA MOHASANTYAI

ABAHU PURUSAKARAM
SANKHACAKRASI DHARINAM
SAHASRA SIRASAM SVETAM
PRANAMAMI PATANJALIM
OM

OM
I pray to the lotus feet of the supreme Guru, who teaches knowledge, showing the way to knowing the self-awakening great happiness. Who is the doctor of the jungle, able to remove the delusion from the poison of conditioned existence. To Patanjali, an incarnation of Adisesa, white in colour with a thousand radiant heads (in his form as the divine serpent, Anata), human in form below the shoulders, holding the sword of discrimination, a wheel of fire representing infinite time, and a conch representing divine sound, to him, I prostrate.
OM

Mangala Mantra (Closing Chant)

OM
SWASTI-PRAJA-BHYAH PARI PALA YANTAM
NYA-YENA MARGENA MAHI-MAHISHAHA
GO-BRAHMANEBHYAHA SHUBHAMASTU-NITYAM
LOKAA SAMASTHA SUKHINO-BAVANTHU
OM

SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI-HI

OM
May prosperity be glorified. May administrators rule the world with law and justice. May all things that are sacred be protected. And may the people of the world be happy and prosperous.
OM

Peace peace peace.

Yakushima, BRUTUS June 2005