Ashtanga Yoga, or more precisely Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow Yoga, goes back to Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who gave his long-time and then still very young student Patthabi Jois special Hatha Yoga exercise series, which he then made into his own style.
There are 6 series of dynamically performed yoga postures that increase in difficulty. Overall, they are so difficult that usually only the first “Chikitsa” or second series “Nadi Shodhana” can be mastered by athletic, mostly younger people.
In addition, there is an exact synchronization with a special type of breathing that is only practiced in this way in Ashtanga yoga: Ujjayi breathing, which is a special form of pranayama. It is created by contracting the glottis and thus allows for very tight and controlled breathing. It is audible in the room, comparable to the sound of the sea, which is why it is also known as ocean breathing. Occasionally, pranayama closures are added, which are also precisely instructed. Overall, this challenging practice results in an enormous increase in energy in the body.
Exact sequences with precisely guided inhalation and exhalation determine the practice. Here is an example, the first series is taught in class:
Here is the very challenging 3rd series in a personal Ashtanga Yoga practice:
The way in which the Sun Prayer is practiced in particular clearly shows the original origins of the new yoga style from Ashtanga yoga – in significant contrast to Sivananda Sun Prayer or other Hatha yoga styles, for example.
You can find more information about Ashtanga Yoga at: Patthabi Jois and his Ashtanga Yoga
Continue to the next yoga style: Fascia yoga & bowspring
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