So, you thought Yoga was all about sitting quietly and meditating eh? Welcome to Power Yoga.
Power Yoga is a fast paced, aerobic form of exercise incorporating the Ashtanga Yoga discipline. Many people compare the intense workout to a form of Yoga “bootcamp” which is unlike most peoples’ perception of Yoga being a calming, meditative exercise, which of course it is that as well.
Ashtanga Yoga is often referred to the Eight Limb system credited to the sage Patanjali. However, the high energy, “sweaty” version of Ashtanga Yoga, which uses an intense approach to asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises), is attributed to K. Pattabhi Jois.
The main practice of Ashtanga involves six increasingly challenging and difficult postures linked to the next involving between 90 minutes and 3 hours to complete. According to practitioners, if you can survive Power Yoga it can change your life.
Ashtanga Yoga requires each participant to perform a spectrum of postures including difficult and unpleasant ones, in a quest to unlock certain aspects of the mind and body.
The goal is to complete each of four series. The first, or primary series known as Yoga Chikitsa, is designed to realign the spine, cleanse the physical body, and build strength and endurance.
The intermediate, or second series, is called Nadi Shadona, which means to purify the nervous system. Its purpose is to cleanse and strengthen the nervous system and energy channels throughout the body. Power Yoga disciples are only invited to this second series after building a strong primary series.
Overall there are four series which are called Sthira Bhaga, or divine stability. The original structure of Ashtanga Yoga by Jois only had two series but he decided to split them into four series so less experienced Yoga practitioners could participate.
A word of caution, this intense program is only for the most advanced of Yoga students. There is a real danger that students may attempt poses or techniques that are too advanced and end up injuring themselves. These exercises are very demanding and must be performed in a series flowing from one into the other.
It is less about the physical challenge than the ability to master the mind. You must accomplish each series with a focused mind and a heart full of joy, even if the pose you are in is incredibly difficult and discomforting.
However, if you are able to rise to the challenge and complete each series properly, it is said to be a blissful experience.
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