Ashtanga Yoga Class - Everything You Need to Know
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If you’ve seen an Ashtanga practice before, you’ve probably noticed a steady flow of strong, focused poses linked with deep breathing. It can look intense from the outside, but an Ashtanga yoga class is simply a structured way to explore your body, breath, and mind.
What Is Ashtanga Yoga?
Ashtanga Yoga is a traditional method systematized by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. The word Ashtanga means “eight limbs,” referring to the Eight Limbs of Yoga described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra. These limbs include ethics, discipline, posture, breath, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and ultimately, integration or samadhi.
In yoga class, you mainly work with asana and breath, but the spirit of the Eight Limbs of Yoga is always present in the background: practice is not just physical training, it’s a pathway to awareness.
How an Ashtanga Class Is Structured
An Ashtanga yoga class follows a fixed sequence of poses. Most students begin with the Primary Series, which focuses on cleansing, alignment, and building a strong foundation.
A typical class includes:
- Opening chant
- Surya Namaskara A & B (Sun Salutations)
- Standing poses
- Seated forward folds and twists
- Backbends
- Closing sequence and rest
Because the order is always the same, you don’t have to think about what comes next. Over time, this repetition turns the yoga practice into a moving meditation.
Led Class vs. Mysore Style
In a Led class, the teacher counts the breath and calls out each posture, guiding everyone together. In Mysore-style, students move at their own pace through the series while the teacher offers individual adjustments and support.
What You Really Learn
Beyond strength and flexibility, an Ashtanga yoga class teaches discipline, presence, and patience. When you breathe consciously in each asana, you begin to experience the deeper intention of the Eight Limbs of Yoga: living with more clarity, steadiness, and inner connection, on the mat and in everyday life.