Ashtanga Yoga is a movement and breathing system comprised of six series: The Primary Series, the Intermediate Series, and the Advanced A, B, C, & D Series. Each series is comprised of specific postures linked together through vinyasa or flow.

The method is taught slowly to ensure the body has time to adapt without injury and to promote memorization of the sequences. The practice has the potential to become a moving meditation once memorization of the sequences is achieved.

Ashtanga means “Eight limbs”. The eight limbs are:

1. Yama: Ways to regulate how we relate to others; ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (self-restraint), aparigraha (non-coveting)

2. Niyama: Commitments to ourselves; sauca (cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas (self-discipline), svadhyaya (self-study), isvarapranidhana (surrender to God or higher self)

3. Asana: The physical practice (the postures we make on our mats)

4. Pranayama: Breath-control

5. Pratyahara: Sense-withdrawal

6. Dharana: Concentration

7. Dhyana: Meditation

8. Samadhi: Contemplation & realization of higher consciousness.