Ashtanga Yoga is the method taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois as he was taught by Sri T. Krisnamacharya. In November of 1993 Pattabhi Jois agreed to document this precise method with these demonstration videos. His wish was to use students who needed little or no help, thereby demonstrating the full impact of this very dynamic practice.
The DVDs offered on this site are color copies of the complete and original VHS releases, shot on November 17 & 18, 1993 in Los Angeles, California, and produced in 1996 by Yoga Works Productions. These videos of the Primary and Intermediate Series have been digitally preserved so that both current and future practitioners can be inspired by the beauty and perfection captured in these practices.
These demonstration videos are an important contribution to the future of Ashtanga yoga. They are not only an historic record of how perfect the dance of Ashtanga yoga can be, more importantly, they are a "time capsule" of how Pattabhi Jois intended these practices to flow. These videos show how he orchestrates it, as performed by his most accomplished students at the time. Now you can use these demonstration videos to enrich your own practice, as you take in the rhythm and flow of Pattabhi's lead.
This set of DVDs is offered by donation. Please use the PayPal "Donate" button above. $25 minimum is recommended for delivery within the US. $30 minimum is recommended for delivery overseas. For Mexico and Italy, please include an additional $10 for registered mail to ensure delivery in those countries.
A substantial percentage of your donation is gifted to HEAL Africa.
The Content of the Videos
Pattabhi Jois counts in Sanskrit, calls out all postures and dristi, and counts all breaths in English; five breaths for each posture unless noted otherwise below:
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| Primary Series | Intermediate Series |
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The Beginning or Primary Series is labeled "Chikitsa Bhaga". This translates as the curative or therapeutic section. The intent of this series is to first prepare the way. To remove the obstructions structurally, organically, emotionally and mentally thus enabling the practitioner to move on to the higher forms of yogic practice.
The Second Series is labeled "Nadi Sodan," which translates as nerve or channel purification. The Second or Intermediate Series builds on the skills learned in the First, or Primary Series. It is only after a certain degree of mastery of the Primary Series that a student is taught the Intermediate Series. The postures of Second Series are added "one-by-one", in the words of Pattabhi Jois, to the practice of First Series. As a student gains proficiency in the new postures more are added until the entire new series is learned. In fact this is the method of progression in all the series of Ashtanga yoga. Progress is based on the ability of each student.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, (July 26, 1915 - May 18, 2009) affectionately known as Guru-ji, was a sanskrit scholar who held two degrees from the renowned Sanskrit College of Mysore. His knowledge of Ashtanga Yoga is practical as well as scholarly. Ashtanga Yoga Institute's website
Much gratitude is offered to the practitioners in these videos. Thank you for your dedication. For those who will come after you, the perfection of your practice shines a light on the possibilities of what yoga asana can be.
Participants:
- Chuck Miller
- Eddie Stern
- Maty Ezraty
- Tim Miller
- Richard Freeman
- Karen Haberman
A most valuable treasure:
The master tapes of these videos.
It is our sincere hope that the "Jois family" will make the decision to have the original tapes digitally remastered. As of 2010, these tapes are already over seventeen years old and, unfortunately, deteriorating rapidly every day. At some point very soon, if not already, their content will be lost forever. This would be a great tragedy. By digitizing the videos - including the recorded but unreleased Third Series - the legacy of these teachings will be preserved well into the future for all Ashtanga practitioners, and all students of yoga history.
The videos offered on this site are our contribution to the Ashtanga community, and all present and future practitioners of this most perfect and beautiful gift of yoga. Should the "Jois family" digitally remaster the original tapes and release them on DVD, we will no longer offer these videos, and this site will permanently redirect to their new page promoting the remastered DVDs.