The seminal treatise and guide to Ashtanga yoga by the living master of this increasingly popular discipline There is a yoga boom in America, and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois is at the heart of it. One of the great yoga figures of our time, Jois brought Ashtanga yoga to the West a quarter of a century ago and has been the driving force behind its worldwide dissemination. Based on flowing, energetic movement, Ashtanga and the many forms of vinyasa yoga that grow directly out of it--have become the most widespread and influential styles of practice in the United States today. Mala means "garland" in Sanskrit, and Yoga Mala --a "garland of yoga practice"--is Jois's distillation of Ashtanga. He first outlines the ethical principles and philosophy underlying the discipline and explains its important terms and concepts. Next he guides the reader through Ashtanga's versions of the Sun Salutation and its subsequent sequence of forty-two asanas, or poses, precisely describing how to execute each position and what benefits each provides. Brought into English by Eddie Stern, a student of Jois's for twelve years and director of the Patanjali Yoga Shala in New York City, Yoga Mala will be an indispensable handbook for students and teachers of
Yoga Mala is a guide to yoga by one of the most influential yogis of the modern era, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Sri Jois, who passed away in 2009, developed an approach to Hatha Yoga that is alternatively called Ashtanga Vinyasa or Ashtanga Yoga. Herein, I will use the term Ashtanga Vinyasa to represent Sri Jois’s style of yoga, which relies on a fixed sequence(s) conducted with vinyasa, i.e. flowing transitions that link postures. The reason I chose one term over the other is that the term “Ashtanga Yoga” long predates Jois and is a more generic name for the practice of all eight limbs of yoga as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
Having mentioned the “eight limbs of yoga,” it should be noted that this book really only gets into half of them: yama (rules for interacting with others), niyama (rules for conducting oneself), asana (poses), and pranayama (pranayama.) Furthermore, three-fourths of the book’s pages are devoted to asana. This is not unusual as many yogis consider it a waste of time delving into the higher level practices (pratyahara [sensory withdrawal], dharana [focus], dhyana [meditation], and samadhi [liberation] with individuals who haven’t yet made headway into the more fundamental practices.
After brief discussion of yama, niyama, and pranayama, Yoga Mala launches into description of the postures of the Ashtanga Vinyasa preliminary series. This begins with the two variants of the Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations) practiced in Ashtanga Vinyasa and progresses through the poses of the standing, seated, and finishing sequences in the order in which they occur in the Preliminary Series. There are clear black and white photos of the optimal version of each asana. The written descriptions explain the entire set of vinyasa for that asana—i.e. the flowing transitions that connect one pose to the next. Most asana have a header paragraph that tells how many vinyasas are associated with the pose and which vinyasa constitutes the asana proper. This opener is followed by a “Method” section that lays out the vinyasa in detail, and—in many cases--a “Benefits” section that explains what the posture is said to do for one--and occasionally what major the contraindications are. (However, this is a poor reference for contraindications as it mostly only says what pregnant women shouldn’t do and doesn’t get into much detail beyond that.)
There are a couple things that I think could have been improved—mostly formatting / editorial critiques. The first is that the text increasingly lags the photos so that one has to flip forward several pages to view the associated photos. Also, the author often refers to a movement through a position using the numbering system of an earlier set of vinyasa, and this necessitates a lot of flipping back and forth. For example, the instructions often say “then go to the 4th vinyasa of the first surya namaskara sequence” whereas if he said “then do chataranga dandasana [or low plank]) they would have saved words and obviated need for the back and forth.
Sri Jois was very devout man. For those of a similar mindset, you’ll likely find the book resonates. However, if you’re the kind of person who prefers explanations rooted in a logical or scientific approach, then you may find explanations a bit summarily invoked for your tastes. In other words, he’s prone to say, just do what the Vedas and your teacher tell you and everything will be rosy. I don’t know that this is a critique so much as fair warning. If you think that the Vedas were divinely written by infallible authors, then Jois’s approach may sound good to you. However, if you think that the Veda’s reflect the biases and limited knowledge of another era (just like our present writings reflect our current biases and limitations), you may find a few comments suspect. For example, Sri Jois makes a point of saying that the Vedas state that one can do a headstand for three hours straight without adverse effects. (To be fair, he does point out that you must do it properly and under the supervision of a teacher.)
If you practice Ashtanga Vinyasa, or intend to, this is a must-read book, but it’s a useful book for those who practice Hatha Yoga of other styles as well. It’s a good summary of classic asana, and you may find something in Sri Jois’ explanation of yama and niyama to be helpful to you on your personal path.
I should point out that those who aren’t sure whether they want to practice this form should be forewarned that Ashtanga Vinyasa is an intense practice. The vinyasas require a high level of core strength as well as upper body strength for Uth Pluthi (lifts) and vinyasa motions requiring that one load all one’s bodyweight onto one’s arms. Also, the fact that one is doing the “Preliminary Series” shouldn’t falsely lead one to believe that these are all the “easy” asana. That isn’t the case; there are a number of challenging poses both in terms of flexibility and strength requirements. If you haven’t done yoga before, I would only suggest Ashtanga Vinyasa for those who have a fairly high fitness level.
One of my reasons for joining the Yoga teacher training program was because I am very interested in the mind and body connection. Therefore, I very much enjoyed the first few sections of Yoga Mala because it focused so much on that concept. On page 11 he talks about how “if the mind turns toward the inner self for the purpose of knowing the nature of the self, then the strength will increase. Conversely if the mind is interested in external objects, then the strength will be diminished.” He warned about staying away from external influences and how to keep our minds clean and pure. On page 16 he explains that when a person becomes ill, his mind is not steady and he cannot do any work. To prevent this, the mind must be stabilized through yama and niyama. On page 25 he talked about how the mind and body were related one to another. “If pleasure and pain are experienced by either the physical body of the sense organs, the mind will experience them as well.” The body depends on the strength of the mind. The body must be purified and then mental strength is developed. This method is called asana. “When the body is purified, the breath also becomes purified, and the diseases of the body are eliminated. He talks about how diseases that cannot be cured with medicine can be cured by yoga. I would like to study further into this topic. It also resonates with me that there is no limit for the practice of yoga and that anyone can practice. I like to think of Yoga being a unifying practice for all. Since yoga means union, it puts everyone on the same plane. Of course, only the lazy people find the practice of yoga useless. He expressed many times the benefit of learning from a guru and not from a text which supports the idea of 99% practice and 1% theory. Lastly, I enjoyed reading the benefits of each asana. Sometimes as I am practicing, I can feel the physical benefit of the poses but some of the internal benefits have until now been unknown to me. I would like to be able to tell my students the benefits of the asana so that they can feel the improvements to their minds and bodies. This has been a good, instructive read that I will be able to refer to as I increase my practice and path to yoga teacher.
I know that the book was written many years ago, but it felt very challenging since the beginning to connect with a book in which there are several passages saying that "yoga is mind control" or that "perfection can be achieved through yoga". I practice Ashtanga 2x per week in the last few years and I love it, but the book doesn't capture what yoga really means to me. Also, it felt very superficial all the benefits explanations that are given from the asanas, basically, the author uses an authority argument to persuade readers to blindly trust whatever the scriptures have to say. Sorry, but we have to have critical thinking in the realm of spirituality more than ever.
This book is a must-read for all serious Ashtanga practicioners. Which is great. If you're a serious yogi. And only do Ashtanga.
I understand that this book has had a massive part in the introduction of Indian yoga to the West, and that it has influenced thousands of people and yogis across the world. However, unless you're ready to be told that everything you do in yoga class and everything you believe is yoga is wrong, this might not be the book for you. If you believe veganism is good and moving with your body is great, yeah, no, maybe don't read this. The traditional ashtanga yogi's diet should consist of no vegetables and plenty of sugar, and if your ashtanga (remember, only ashtanga, all other types of yoga are wrong and could lead you to a premature death. The book's words, not mine) teacher isn't leading what basically amounts to a pretty strictly regulated monastic life, they're also wrong.
If you're looking for something to inspire your yoga practice, this might not be right for you. But if you are way into ashtanga and curious about its origins in the West, if you're looking for better guidelines and a clearer manual on the vinyasas, drishtis and bandhas in your practice, this is definitely a good help. This book was, to me, both good and bad, depending on the information I was trying to get out of it. It's a little bit like any religious text. It offers you guidelines, but the morals of it, what you do with the information, is your call. I mean, it's pretty straightforward in saying you'll die a horrible diseased death if you don't follow the prescribed rules, but shhh, that's just an interpretation of it.
Disclaimer: This is not a plane read, but a book for yoga practitioners.
With all the flotsam and Bikram floating around, I prefer a more traditional yoga. I never had the honor of practicing with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and I'll probably never make it to Mysore, but these black and white pictures and the sincere, if somewhat odd prose of this revered teacher inspires me to be a better practitioner—of all eight limbs.
Once we practice yoga, we come to realize its ananda [bliss].
"Tasmat shastram pramanam te karya akarya vyavasthitau [Therefore, the sacred teaching is your measure in determining what is to be done and what is not to be done]. If we practice the science of yoga, which is useful to the entire human community and which yields happiness both here and hereafter -- if we practice it without fail, we will then attain physical, mental, and spiritual happiness, and our minds will flood toward the Self.
Antah shaucha means viewing everything and every being as a friend, and treating all with affection (maitri). This means engaging the mind with the supreme feeling that all are our friends, and considering everything to be a reflection of God. Such focusing of our attention on the Supreme Being is antah shaucha.
Regulating the breathing stabilizes the mind and makes it firm.
In this scientific age, we accept only what we see and reject what we do not. We make no effort to perceive the Universal Self, which is the Indweller that witnesses all actions, that is the cause of the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the universe, and that is of the nature of consciousness.
It would be a great blessing of if all people, men and women, were to achieve the practice of the limbs of yoga, which gives happiness both here and hereafter, and is the fulfillment of human experience.
When the mind is not attached to things, such as the objects of the senses, it will be able to dissolve itself into the Self. This is what is known as the state of jivanmukti [liberation while in the present life].
An aspirant must carefully learn the rules of pranayama first, and avoid haste.
Nayam atma balahinena labhyah Na medyaya na bahunashrutena. [The Self cannot be attained by the the weak, by the intellect, or by much learning. - Mundaka Upanishad
Only half the stomach should be taken up by the food that is eaten. One quarter of the other half should be given over to water and the remaining quarter to the movement of air. Moderation in regards to eating, sleeping, and the like is thus important to follow.
If our country is to produce robust, intellectual and long-lived children who believe in God, we must, in my humble opinion learn ways to control our sense organs. Limiting the number of children is necessary.
Birth control by natural means helps us to lead long, happy lives, while it, at the same time, nourishes our intellects and frees us from the scourge of disease.
This book is the heart of the Ashtanga yoga primary series; the historical documentation of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois' curriculum for asana practice and his overview and explanation of the 8-limb path.
There are newer Ashtanga books written by some of Jois' long-time students that explore in greater detail different areas of the practice, but this book is considered the original source. If you are looking to incorporate Ashtanga yoga principles both on and off the mat, you will need, and want, to own this book and revisit it frequently.
The photos of the primary series postures are refreshing in that Guruji isn't inhumanly "perfect" in every one! What a lovely reminder that the practice is more than just the execution of a shape, with positioned limbs and flexed muscles, it's about the intention you bring to the mat and allow to develop with consistent attention.
Wonderful explanations of the asanas of the primary serie and put into a traditional context. I'm very inspired to continue to explore the Ashtanga Yoga tradition and be fully present in every breath while doing so... And maybe take some ghee with that :)
The intro to this book focuses on the ethical principles of yoga, including detailed rules for those practicing ashtanga yoga. Turns out it is just RICH to hear morals preached from the perspective of a man who used his power as a guru to sexually abuse women.
The rest of the book focused on the specific postures and order for an ashtanga practice, which was… fine. Mechanical descriptions were given for each pose which made for quite dry reading (the pictures were helpful though), some descriptions were a bit confusing, and then there were vague unscientific descriptions of the benefits of each pose.
I read this for yoga teacher training and while it was useful to learn about ashtanga yoga, it is amazing to me that this guy is still on a pedestal.
I fell so madly in love with the practice of yoga and the Yoga Mala was a requirement in my yoga teacher training and I read this entire book in three days! That’s not that amazing but it is THAT amazing! I always encourage anyone who has questions and is curious about Ashtanga to read this book! An absolute necessary read for anyone who wants to start a practice in general.
ask any Ashtangi, and this will be their reference. I would suggest using it in conjunction with Iyengar's Light on Yoga as the latter expands on the description and benefits in general as well as contain more asanas that were added later on to the Ashtanga sequence. This book was also the reference material for my TT course.
A great book if you are already practicing and want to hear about the philosophy behind the primary series from the Guruji himself. If looking for something instructional as a beginner then the asana descriptions may seem a little abstract. Otherwise a lovely read :)
As a student of ashtanga, who practices alone, I have found this book to be an invaluable resource. In addition to providing information about the origins of ashtanga, it also gives ample descriptions for each pose in the Primary Series, as well as a list of physical benefits for each.
The subject of this book, Pattabhi Jois, has sexually abused his female students. This book is putting him on a pedestal that he clearly doesn’t deserve. Most of his early students knew this truth and kept quite. Besides they have written his fake book honoring him. It is a disgrace.
It is a very good book to complement the Ashtanga practice. It is also a very thoughtful book at the beginning. Super recommended both for those who practice Ashtanga, as for those who want to deepen their philosophy.
An essential read especially for those who have a daily Ashtanga practice. Valuable for both teachers and students and is one the books I refer to time and time again.
As a practitioner of Ashatanga yoga, I can say that this book is quite helpful in explaining many things that you wouldn't learn in a western/non-traditional yoga class. As much as I deeply respect the author and his knowledge, I felt as though his description of the benefits of the asanas to be a bit exaggerated. He made it seem like yoga is the cure to all diseases in the world, which is a farfetched claim. Otherwise, I'll keep this book as a reference for my practice.
Again, I don't think this book should be reviewed as a creative work because it isn't. It's very interesting and it helped me see Yoga from a new perspective.