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Where can I find an excellent Power Yoga or (Ashtanga?) DVD?

Nov 11, 2009 by ♥ ashin ♥ | Posted in Diet & Fitness

I recently took a Power Yoga class and enjoyed immensely. But times are tight and I honestly can't afford the fee every week. I'd like to buy a DVD that will produce the same results. I believe the formal name of this type of yoga is Ashtanga.....but I may be wrong. It's the type that goes through a series of poses very quickly so it's strenuous and produces a sweat. Thanks!

First, be aware that Ashtanga (also spelled Astanga) can have two different meanings.

Patanjali (India, about 150 to 200 BCE) compiled the Yoga Sutras.
Within Yoga Sutras, Patanjali identified the "eight limbed path" (think as eight practices/subjects).
(In Sanskrit, "ashta" = eight; "anga" = limb).
The practice of yoga postures ("asana" in Sanskrit) is just one "limb" of the eight.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (India, 1915 - 2009) is creator of the contemporary style of Hatha yoga also called Astanga.
This system is sometimes distinguished from Patanjali's Astanga as Mysore style Astanga, or, Astanga Vinyasa.

("Vinyasa" means to flow/move in conjunction with breath.
A classic yoga vinyasa example is Sun Salutations, aka Surya Namaskar).


Jois's Astanga yoga and power yoga share the common feature of moving directly from one pose (asana) to the next without interruptionon, timed in sequence with inhale and/or exhale.

The big difference between the two is in Jois' Astanga there is a correct sequence to the asanas that is always followed.
In power yoga, there is no set sequence of poses.

Thus, power yoga can be considered a somewhat generic term for a less rigid form of Jois' Astanga.


Two Astanga dvd's I recommend are either Melanie Fawer or David Swenson.

Fawer http://www.amazon.com/Mysore-Style-Ashta nga-Yoga-Certified/dp/B00078S6A6/ref=sr_ 1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1257994676 &sr=1-1

Swenson http://www.amazon.com/Ashtanga-Yoga-Prac tice-First-Swenson/dp/B000VS872Y/ref=sr_ 1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1257994641 &sr=1-1


I have not viewed any power yoga dvd's, but from what I have read, you may wish to investigate dvd's offered by following two:
Beryl Bender Birch http://www.power-yoga.com/

Bryan Kest http://www.poweryoga.com/aboutyoga/about bryan.php


Namaste',
dwb

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