Yoga and Pilates in Manchester with Mathew Godebski

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

(Ashtanga is sometimes spelled Astanga, or other slight variations; but pronounced "ashtanga")

Ashtanga Yoga is a fast flowing style of yoga with a set sequence of postures. It helps you tone muscle and lose weight. This style of yoga improves cardiovascular fitness as well as providing many of the other benefits of other styles of yoga such as de-stressing, improving focus and concentration, as well as benefits to posture and health.

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Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
These classes includes vinyasas (sequences linking postures which coordinate breath and movement). Suitable for beginners and intermediates. This is an energetic class but beginners are most welcome. You just need to pace yourself when you first start, and get used to the style. More challenging work will be offered to those with more experience or ability. There will be some variability in which postures are covered week to week.

We usually practice Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Primary Series, however, depending on the ability and experience of people in the room, we will sometimes practice Second Series (Intermediate Series) in the Wednesday and Friday classes.

Beginners are welcome into any of the Ashtanga Yoga classes. Just pace yourself and try not to compete with anyone else. I do try to be nice!

Please remember...
"As the bodily constitution of each human being is different, it is important to practice the asanas accordingly. The benefit to be had from one asana or pranayama can be derived just as well from another that better suits the structure of a person´s body. Some asanas are not suitable for particular people...."
                                                                Shri K.P. Jois, Yoga Mala,

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click here for Self-practice (Mysore-style Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga)

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Hands-On Adjustment

Hands-on adjustment is inherently part of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system of teaching and learning. Adjustment and correction is also given verbally and visually, by demonstration. However, I also occasionally adjust, correct and assist through physical hands-on contact in classes that are not Ashtanga Yoga, e.g Pilates or general Hatha Yoga classes. If you feel this is not appropriate to you, let me know in advance.

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click here to view Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Primary Series Sequence

Some nice feedback...

"A year ago yesterday - Thursday 13th March 2008 - I wandered into my very first Ashtanga class with you.  Can you believe it?  Only one year ago.  It seems so much longer.
I'd like to thank you for being a great teacher.  I don't think I would have got hooked so quickly with anybody else.  You are absolutely incredible at leading a big class and somehow being everywhere at once adjusting everyone at the same time.  And you always know just how much people need.  I hope you know how good you are.  I was very lucky to find you.  You helped me so much."
Beth R. March 2009

"Many thanks for the class yesterday - was really good, as always. You're pretty much the best ashtanga teacher I have come across."
Tim B. April 2010

More about Ashtanga Yoga...

An Ashtanga yoga class may be taught in different styles depending on the level of the students:
1.) "Teacher demonstrates - students follow"
This is a very non-traditional way of teaching Ashtanga yoga. Some hands-on adjustment. Used in beginners/introductory Ashtanga classes and Dynamic Hatha classes. In this type of class we have time to examine different aspects of Ashtanga Yoga in more detail.
2.) "Talk-through"
Teacher names and describes postures, students go through sequence together. More hands-on adjustment. Not originally practised in Mysore, India; but now practised there once a week.
3.) "Traditional Mysore-style" / "Self-Practice"
Students go through sequence individually whilst teacher provides lots of adjustments as necessary.
I generally only do this style privately with small groups, individually or with a more experienced group.

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Yoga is a philosophy of life, which also has the potential to create a vibrantly healthy body and mind.

ASTANGA YOGA - Practiced in its correct sequential order, gradually leads the practitioner to rediscover his or her fullest potential on all levels of human consciousness - physical, psychological and spiritual. Through this practice of correct breathing (Ujjayi Pranayama), postures (asanas), and gazing point (driste), we gain control of the senses and a deep awareness of ourselves. By maintaining this discipline with regularity and devotion, one acquires steadiness of body and mind.

"Astanga" literally means eight limbs. They are described by Patanjali as: Yama (abstinences), Niyama (observances), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (contemplation). These branches support each other. Asana practice must be established for proper practice of pranayama, and is a key to the development of the yamas and niyamas. Once these four externally oriented limbs are firmly rooted, the last four internally oriented limbs will spontaneously evolve over time.

"Vinyasa" means breath synchronized movement. The breath is the heart of this discipline, and links asana to asana in a precise order. By synchronizing movement with breathing and practicing Mula and Uddiyana Bandhas (locks), an intense internal heat is produced. This heat purifies muscles and organs, expelling unwanted toxins as well as releasing beneficial hormones and minerals, which can nourish the body when the sweat is massaged back into the skin. The breath regulates the vinyasa and ensures efficient circulation of blood. The result is a light strong body.

There are three groups of sequences in the Astanga system.
The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body. The Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels. The Advanced Series A, B, C and D (Sthira Bhaga) intergrate the strength and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility and humility.

Each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the next, and the sequential order of asanas is to be meticulously followed. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing the strength and balance required to move further.

BREATH - The continuity of deep, even breathing cannot be overemphasized in the Astanga Yoga system. When breath feeds action, and action feeds posture, each movement becomes gentle, precise, and perfectly steady.

According to the teachings of Sri T.Krishnamacharya and Sri K.Pattabhi Jois, "Breath is Life". Breathing is our most fundamental and vital act and holds a divine essence; exhalation a movement towards God, and inhalation an inspiration from God. Our last action in life is to exhale, which, in essence is the final and total surrender to God.

PRACTICE - It is said that where there is no effort there is no benefit. Strength, stamina and sweat are unique aspects of this traditional Yoga, seemingly contrary to Western perceptions of Yoga. This demanding practice requires considerable effort and taps into and circulates a vital energy throughout the body, strengthening and purifying the nervous system. The mind then becomes lucid, clear and precise; and according to Sri. K.Pattabhi Jois "Wherever you look you will see God." Only through practice will we realize the truth of what our guru often says-

"Everything is God"

NOTES FOR STUDENTS - Please note the importance of learning the Astanga method only from a traditionally trained teacher. Only a qualified teacher can provide the necessary guidence to assure safe, steady progress without injury to body or mind!

© This information has been generously provided with the approval of Sri K.Pattabhi Jois. Please honor its authenticity and distribute only in unaltered form.

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