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Resource Page
Books, Videos, and Links
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Links
(Click on the link to go to the site)
Ashtanga Yoga -- The official site of Ashtanga Yoga, headed by its founder, J. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India.
Ashtanga Source Site -- The mother of all Ashtanga sources. This fantastic site by Terry Slade has a bibliography (with comments) of Ashtanga books. It also has the greatest Ashtanga link site I've ever seen, including general Ashtanga pages, sites from Ashtanga yoga studios and teachers around the country and world, websites of other styles of yoga, and sites of yoga supply companies.
Yahoo Ashtanga Club -- A club for Ashtangaphiles. You can chat, ask questions and get replies from other members, and more here. It's free.
David Swenson -- The site for one of the best known Ashtanga Yoga teachers in the country.
Beryl Bender Birch -- The site for yet another well known Ashtanga teacher. This site has good Ashtanga tips for athletes and for various sports, and it has a good history of Ashtanga Yoga.
Richard Freeman -- This site has excellent instruction on some poses and a good historical background on Ashtanga Yoga. Richard Freeman is another Ashtanga giant.
David Williams -- He is David Swenson's first teacher and has been teaching Ashtanga for more than 30 years and provides excellent insight into Ashtanga Yoga.
Jivamukti Yoga -- The beautiful site of a famous Ashtanga Yoga studio in New York City. Interesting to peruse.
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BACKGROUND
Ashtanga Yoga consists of six specific series of poses. All of my classes teach the first series (though a class on the second series is being considered). The first series is the foundation, as it is a healing series. The postures are done in a particular order that ensures that the body is ready for the posture when it is time to do it.
In the 1930s Ashtanga Yoga was taught to Sri Pattabhi Jois by Sri Tirumalai Krisnamacharya, who was also the teacher of B.K.S. Iyengar. Pattabhi Jois, in his 80s, is still teaching this method in India today. It is said to be based on a manuscript centuries old.
Ashtanga Yoga focuses on postures and breath control. Through the movements, the muscles stay warm, therefore less likely to be injured. Sweating -- which is purifying -- is common.
On this page you will find many sources from which to learn more about the history, what, and how of this vigorous and wonderful form of yoga.
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Books and Videos/DVDs
BOOKS
ASHTANGA YOGA “THE PRACTICE MANUAL” – By David Swenson (Ashtanga Yoga Productions, 1999).
This is a down-to-earth description of the Ashtanga first and second series, filled with pictures of the postures, and explanations of the breathing and locks. It also has shorter Ashtanga workouts for those who practice at home but don’t have an hour and a half. It’s hard bound with a large spiral spine so it can be easily referred to during practice. Available at Amazon or through David’s company at 800-684-6927.
ASHTANGA YOGA -- By John Scott (Gaia Books, 2000).
This beautifully photographed book takes the reader through the Primary Series, giving pictures and descriptions of the poses and the transitions between them. It is an excellent guide for the experienced Ashtanga practitioner, though it doesn't show many modifications for the lesser experienced (basically, John says that if you can't do the pose, don't go any farther into the series until you can). Available at Amazon and the other major book sellers.
POWER YOGA – By Beryl Bender Birch (Fireside Books, 1995).
In great detail, this book goes through the primary series of Ashtanga yoga, including modifications for beginning students. It is the best source I’ve found for describing Ashtanga Yoga's physical benefits. Available usually at the major bookstores and the major book websites, or through Yoga Journal at 1-800-436-9642.
ASHTANGA: ASHTANGA YOGA AS TAUGHT BY SHRI K. PATTABHI JOIS -- By Larry Schultz (Nauli Press, 1999).
This book is a user-friendly guide to the history, poses, breathing, and other aspects of Ashtanga Yoga. The drawings accurately show the poses and somehow the spirit of Ashtanga Yoga comes through the words. It can be ordered from IT'S YOGA (415-543-1970; www.itsyoga.com).
LIGHT ON YOGA – By B.K.S. Iyengar (Schocken Books, 1979).
This book has nothing about Ashtanga yoga per se, but all of the poses done in Ashtanga yoga are pictured and how to do them is described in this book. It is THE reference for all the major yoga postures. You can find it at the major bookstores and I assume also at the major book websites, as well as through Yoga Journal at 1-800-436-9642.
VIDEOS/DVDs
YOGA WITH RICHARD FREEMAN – (Delphi Productions, LTD.)
Richard goes through the entire primary series of Ashtanga Yoga. It can be intimidating, because he is SO good at it, but he also discusses modifications. You can order it through Yoga Journal over the phone at 1-800-436-9642. Another source is Purple Pentacle Enterprises at 1-888-398-9642.
YOGA “THE PRACTICE” – By David Swenson (Astanga Yoga Productions)
David also goes through the primary series of Ashtanga Yoga, and is also very good at it. He is a little warmer in personality than Richard, and his instructions are clear and right on target. You can order it through Yoga Journal at 1-800-436-9642, or Ashtanga Yoga Productions in Sugar Land, Texas at 1-800-684-6927.
YOGA "SHORT FORMS" -- By David Swenson (Astanga Yoga Productions)
David presents 15, 30, and 45 minute practices of Ashtanga Yoga for those who don't have 90 minute blocks of time. It's infinitely better than not doing the yoga at all, and has the flow and focus characteristic of Ashtanga Yoga. You can get it through Yoga Journal at 1-800-436-9642, or Ashtanga Yoga Productions in Sugar Land, Texas at 1-800-684-6927.
BARON BAPTISTE’S POWER YOGA, THE NEXT CHALLENGE, LEVEL THREE – (Baptiste Power Yoga Institute)
Baron Baptiste presents a modified primary series, with fewer poses and modifications of the more difficult poses that remain. It is true to Ashtanga yoga in that the poses presented are in order. This is a very good workout for one breaking into Ashtanga yoga – it is an excellent workout that takes less time. Baron Baptiste isn’t as concerned with form as Richard and David, but that is okay in the earlier stages of learning this yoga. It may be ordered through the Baptiste Power Yoga Institute at 1-800-936-9642.
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