Breath
- For every asana, there is a defined number of inhalations and exhalations. This
aspect of the Ashtanga yoga breathing technique is called the "vinyasa". Every
movement in the Series is linked with an inhalation or exhalation.
The Series is like a piece of music, a composition in which every note has its
defined place. Change one note, change one breath, and the composition goes
out of tune, the rhythm of the practice fails.
It is impossible to practise Ashtanga yoga without an understanding of the
breath or without the proper rhythm. Many asanas cannot be practised at all
without the proper linking of the movement to the rhythm of the breath (try it
with ardha baddha padmottanasana of the Fundamental asanas, for instance!).
Please compare Lino Miele´s book "Astanga Yoga" in our "books" section for
more detailed information about the vinyasa system.
- On one hand, using the breath will make it possible to do certain asanas, to keep
the balance, etc. This is the "technical" side of it. But we consider it more
important to contemplate the mental effect. Yoga means to control the mind, to
halt the eternal flicker and to be completely focused on the "Right here, right
now". Keeping the mind busy with the counting of the breath helps to achieve a
state of "moving meditation" without distractions from the world around us – and
this is what we understand to be the purpose of the rigorous practice. This is the
difference between yoga and contortionism. What else could be the benefit of
putting one´s legs behind one´s neck and counting to five .... ?
- An important breathing technique in Ashtanga yoga is called "ujjayi breath". It
is better to learn this from your teacher rather than from a written source. In a
nutshell, it means to contract the glottis in order to produce a hissing sound and
to use solely the chest for the necessary expansion of the lungs after activating
moola bandha and uddiyana bandha, not the belly. Ujjayi breath will fill and calm
your mind through the concentration on this hissing sound. You will be prevented
from forgetting to synchronize movement and breath. And also heat will be
produced in your body which helps you to “bend the iron” (a warm body is more
flexible) and to detoxify through sweating.
- Another important aspect of the Ashtanga yoga breathing technique is the use of
internal "locks" or "valves" (called bandhas) to facilitate the asana practice.