Patanjali is one of the most recognised names in yoga history. Whilst there isn’t a huge amount of available information about Patanjali himself, he is known to have been responsible for compiling The Yoga Sutras – a collection of Indian traditions, presented in 195 short verses. This text holds significant value in the history of yoga, as the first structured record of yoga practice as a way of life, which Patanjali took from many different past practices at the time.
Ashtanga yoga is made up of six series or sequences, each with 25 asanas (poses). The sequence is always practiced in the same order to enable you to build up your technique and focus wholly on the accuracy of your alignment. This in turn allows deeper stretches and clears the mind of idle or negative…