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If you want to see some strong, bendy ashtangis practice asana in unusual places like temple doorways and rooftops (recommended against in both the Pradipika and Yoga Mala), check out this video. (Watch for the monkey coming out of the tree in the first few seconds.) You can find a host of other yoga clips on YouTube these days, some better than others, if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration or distraction. I should point out, though, that ashtanga yoga is not about performing fancy vinyasas or looking like a gymnast- – in fact, the primary series of ashtanga is called yoga chikitsa, or yoga therapy, and is designed simply to heal the practitioner from within. The eventual stamina, flexibility, and overall fanciness one may develop through yoga chikitsa are just by-products. But nice by-products, as things go.
In addition to an opening prayer traditionally chanted at the beginning of each ashtanga practice, there is also a closing prayer to be chanted after practice, either before or after savasana (corpse pose). In a Mysore-style class in which students end at different times, a student may choose to chant this mantra silently or quietly when he or she is finished. In a led class, the instructor may lead the mantra call-and-response style at the end of class; however, the line “OM shanti, shanti, shanti” is always chanted together.
Mangala Mantra:
Swasthi praja bhyaha pari pala yantam
nya yena margena mahi mahishaha
go brahmanebhyaha shubhamastu nityam
lokaa samastha sukino bhavantu
OM Shanti, Shanti, Shantih.
Translation from the AYRI website:
May all be well with mankind.
May the leaders of the earth proect in every way by keeping the right path.
May there be goodness for those who know the earth to be sacred.
May all the worlds be happy.
OM, Peace, Peace, Peace.
Please note that this is not a direct translation. There are many different English translations out there, and one is not necessarily more correct than another.
Happy practicing.
Last week during the morning intensive, I introduced the ashtanga invocation, or opening prayer. This chant is a way for us to focus our minds, develop a sense of group energy, and most importantly, express gratitude for the practice of yoga which has been passed down to us through the ages. It is traditionally chanted call-and-response style, but some may wish to memorize it to chant during self-practice. Click here for an mp3 of Sri K. Patthabi Jois chanting the invocation.
Transliteration and translation borrowed from Richard Freeman’s site:
OM I bow to the two lotus feet of the (plurality of) Gurus which awaken insight into the happiness of pure Being, which are the refuge, the jungle physician, which eliminate the delusion caused by the poisonous herb of Samsara (conditioned existence).
I prostrate before the sage Patanjali who has thousands of radiant, white heads (as the divine serpent, Ananta) and who has, as far as his arms, assumed the form of a man holding a conch shell (divine sound), a wheel (discus of light or infinite time) and a sword (discrimination). OM
AshtangaYoga.info An informational site created by an advanced practitioner in Germany. Clear photos and vinyasa instructions for all the asanas from Primary Series through Advanced B Series.
Ashtanga Yoga Ashtanga yoga resources including workshop information, a directory of officially authorized and certified teachers, and Ashtanga community news.
Ashtangi.net Ashtanga community news and links to various Ashtangi blogs.
Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute The yoga school of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, guru and original teacher of Ashtanga.
Yoga Thailand Ashtanga yoga retreat center and home of Centered Yoga Institute, located on the island of Samui in Thailand.
