On Ashtanga Practice

"When it rains heavily, the water does not necessarily penetrate the earth. If the surface is dry and hard, the rain water floods the surface and run off. But if it rains gradually for many days continuously, and the ground is moist, then the water seeps deep into the earth, which is good for cultivation and for life" - BKS Iyengar

The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system follows a strict series of asanas that should be followed and practiced regularly. Each pose opens and prepares the body for the next one. The primary series is called yoga chikitsa, or yoga therapy, which has a detoxifying and healing in the body.

The use of deep breathing called ujjayi breath, bandhas or energy valves, and vinyasa or the synchronization of movement and breath, in this method cultivates internal heat and sweating that leads to the cleansing of the body and calming of the mind. In this system of hatha yoga, the body must be cleansed and purified before the more subtle practices of pranayama and meditation are introduced. However, done properly, the practice itself integrates these subtle practices as ujjayi breathing is always emphasized and the rhythmic flow of each movement makes the whole practice a meditative one.

The same sequence of asanas must be practiced daily so that like the rain that pours gradually each day, the cleansing and detoxifying effects of the practice can penetrate deep into the body.