Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga was founded by K. Pattabhi jois during the twentieth century. He gained his knowledge from his guru Shri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. The style is dynamic, in synchronisation with breath and the asanas are designed with a flow which is known as vinyasa. K. Pattabhi Jois established his Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in 1948 in Mysore.

Tristana Ashtanga Yogshala offers Mysore style Ashtanga vinyasa teaching. A Mysore style ashtanga yoga class which is an assisted self-practice class. All the students are expected to flow in sync while practicing the same posture but their pace can depend upon their individual capabilities. Students work through their own practice guided by an experienced teacher at all times. 

Each student moves according to their own breath and its timing. The teacher is present in the room, giving instruction and assistance as needed.

This is the only yogshala in Rishikesh which is offering teachings of Ashtanga vinyasa sequence in Mysore style with a practitioner who has achieved 3rd (intermediate) level of Ashtanga vinyasa series. This style of practice is intense and requires consistency under guidance. Furthermore it is a style of yoga which requires a practitioner to master each pose separately that follows a linear way. Since the beginning of 21st century the new generation of ashtanga vinyasa yoga teachers have embraced the new linear rules without variations. The practice will take place in a strict Mysore style environment under the guidance of a teacher. 

What does Tristana mean?

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga emphasises on a key component known as a Tristana (Three places of action or attention), and Vinyasa which is a combination of breath and movement according to Jois.

There are core concepts for ashtanga yoga practice, encompassing the three levels of purification: the body, nervous system and mind. They are supposed to be performed in conjunction with each other.

Tristana means the three places of attention/action;

1. Breathing system
2. Drishti
3. Bandha

1. Breath – Pattabhi jois recommends to remain in a posture for five to eight breaths. There is constant inhalation and exhalation.
2. Drishti is the point where one focuses the eyes while practicing asana. In the ashtanga yoga method, there is a prescribed point of focus for every asana.

There are nine drishtis:

1. The nose
2. The space between eyebrows,
3. Navel
4. Thumb
5. Hands
6. Feet
7. Towards the sky
8. Right side
9. Left side

3. Bandha means ‘to bind’ or ‘to lock’. These locks activate the flow of energy in our bodies. Our energy flow moves upward from our spine into 72000 nadis (energy channgels). Bandhas are known as energy centres. They are key elements of asana practice which helps to create and sustain energy throughout our body which we need in the practice. Using bandha during practice creates ‘lightness’ while practicing challenging poses.

Only when all these stages are applied and achieved the lotus within us blossoms during the practice of Ashtang Vinyasa as the practice is full filled completely. The breath is the foundation of vinyasa and the alignment of the body in asana is achieved through bandha.

Vinyasa means a flowing sequence that connects each asana. The modern Vinyasa yoga co-ordinates the breath with the vinyasa transition movements between the asana. The purpose of Vinyasa is to purify the blood. This is why Tristana is the core understanding of the practice of ashtanga vinyasa.