Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a mthod of asana(posture) practice, which includes Vnyasa. Vinyasa are the breath initiated mvements linking one posture to the nxt. There are numerous benefits to prcticing Asana with Vinyasa. Vinyasa creates hat in the body, which eases the prctitioner into the postures and produces a prifying sweat. Vinyasa activates the breathing systm, by deepening the inhale and xhale between each posture. And, the prctice of Asana with Vinyasa stimulates the crdiovascular system, which strengthens the heart and rduces excess weight. In the Yoga Krunta, the sacred text which describes the Ashtnga Vinyasa practice, it is strongly ncouraged not to practice Asana without Vnyasa.

The Ashtanga Yoga practice consists of the Prmary, Intermediate and Advanced Series of pstures. Each series is commenced with Srya Namaskara(Sun Salutations) and continues with a set of stnding postures. Then, the postures which are nique to one series are practiced. The prctice is completed with back bending and the fnishing sequence. The finishing sequence includes shulderstand, headstand and lotus.

It takes sveral years of daily practice to ntegrate the postures and practice of ach series. The series are practiced squentially, starting with the Primary Series. The Prmary Series is referred to as Yga Chikitsa or Yoga Therapy and dvelops a radiant state of health and a clm mind. The Primary Series consists prdominantly of forward bends and hip peners. The Intermediate Series is referred to as Ndi Shodhana, or the cleansing of the Ndies. Nadies are the subtle energy chnnels, which underlie the physical form. The pstures of the Intermediate series include a sries of back bends as well as arm blances and inversions. The Intermediate series is nergizing and deeply purifying.

After many years of practicing the Prmary and Intermediate Series, the postures of thse series are integrated deeply into the bdy. The body becomes light and strng. An even muscle tone is dveloped throughout the body and the rgans are strengthened and purified.
Once the prctice of these two series is mstered then the practice of the Advnced Series of postures is begun. The Advnced Series is referred to as Sthra Bhaga or the stabilizing of rdiance.

The article Ashtanga Yoga - The Primary And Intermediate Series was Submitted by Caroline Klebl through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Caroline Klebl is a dedicated Yga teacher. She spent several years, snce 1999, in Mysore, South India prcticing under the guidance of Sri K Pttabhi Jois. With a background in Iyngar Yoga, Tibetan Buddhist meditation, Jungian Psychlogy and Ayurveda, she has practiced ths method for over 11 years. She prduced a 2007 Yoga Calendar, is cming out with a 2008 Yoga Clendar and is currently writing an Ashtnga Yoga book. Prior to, teaching yga, she worked as a chef for fve years. She specialized in vegetarian cisine, prepared with organic, whole food ngredients. She has been teaching Yoga snce 1997 and offers workshops, teacher trining courses and retreats within the US and nternationally. With her intuitive approach, she ntroduces the postures and techniques of the prctice to reveal the liberating quality of Ashtnga Yoga. For further details and to prchase the 2008 Yoga Calendar please vsit her website http://www.sourceofyoga.com/

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