John Scott - Ashtanga Yoga: The Essential Step-by-step Guide to Dynamic Yoga

Om
Vande Gurunam charanaravinde
Sandarshita svatmasukavabodhe
Nishreyase jangalikayamane
Samsara halahala mohashantyai

Abahu Purushakaram
Shankhacakrsi dharinam
Sahasra sirasam svetam
Pranamami patanjalim
Om

Om
I pray to the lotus feet of the supreme guru
Who teaches knowledge, awakening the great happiness of the Self revealed
Who acts like the jungle physician
Able to remove the delusion from the poison of conditioned existence

To Patanjali, an incarnation of Adisesa, white in colour with a thousand radiant
heads (in his form as the divine serpent, Ananta)
Human in form below the shoulders, holding the sword of discrimination
A wheel of fire representing transcended time, and the conch representing
cosmic consciousness
To him I prostrate
Om

A s the guru and teacher of John Scott, I am pleased to be able to say a few words to support this book that John has produced in accordance with the traditional method as I have taught it. Ashtanga is a very fine yoga method, having its roots firmly established in the Indian culture since time immemorial. It brings me great joy that the fruits of this yoga system have reached students worldwide. Ashtanga Yoga is helping many people throughout the world to balance the mental, physical and spiritual pressures and stresses posed by the modern world we live in today.

Yoga was once regarded as a spiritual practice, suited only to sannyasins or people living an absolute celibate life. This has changed and it has been my duty to my guru, Shri Tirumali Krishnamacharya, to pass on the teachings of this fine method and to share it with as many people as possible, for the greater good. It rewards me to see so many of my fine students continuing to pass on the teachings and subsequent benefits of Ashtanga Yoga. The traditional method of teaching is passing down the method directly from guru to student and, in this book, John refers many times for the need to learn the practice directly from a qualified teacher.

The step-by-step presentation of this book is a clear and precise representation of the practice method, and can be used to enhance the study of Ashtanga Yoga. I have often said One per cent is theory and ninety-nine per cent is practise. It is the doing or the daily practise that brings the many benefits and rewards. John Scott is my good student. He has written this fine book showing the correct method of Ashtanga Yoga. I give my blessing to John, this book and to the students who read it.

Om

Shri K Pattabhi Jois

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is ninety-nine per cent practice and one per cent theory. Practise, practise, practise, do your practice and ALL is coming. Shri K Pattabhi Jois

Gurujis most famous sutra ran through my mind as I embarked on the project of editing this work to produce an updated edition of Ashtanga Yoga, the definitive guide to dynamic yoga.

Now, after 30 years of practising this form of Yoga, when interviewed Im often asked what has changed for me during this time. The short answer is that the practice has not changed, I have. Through continued Practise, Practise, Practise and passing on Gurujis method, I no longer look outside of myself for answers I look inside. The practice is no longer a work out but rather a work in.

Eighteen years ago, when approached by Jonathan Hilton, an editor at Gaia Books, with a view to writing a book on Ashtanga Yoga, I did not think I had the experience or knowledge to write such a book. I remember telephoning Guruji to ask for his consent. I can hear his answer as loud and clear now as I did way back then. You?! You write book? I replied Yes Guruji. Ive been asked to write a book on Ashtanga Yoga. Hmmm was his doubtful response. Guruji, I have been asked many times by the editor to write this book and many times I have rejected the offer, saying I dont have the necessary experience or knowledge. The editor replies saying that all their enquiries point to me and that if I do not accept this offer they would find someone else. So Guruji, I feel a responsibility to you, to the practice, and to the new students and thats why Im calling you, for your approval. There was a long pause and then Guruji replied with Yes, you write book!

I knew that I was a complete beginner in Gurujis eyes. Though I was humbled by his acceptance of the situation, something inside me knew that if I used Gurujis method, sat aligned, counted and regulated my breath, turned my focus to look deep within, transcending my ordinary thinking mind to see clearly the practice as it is, and if I simply recorded my direct experience with Guruji, it would be possible to write a text that would inspire and help other seekers onto the path of yoga and self enquiry.

The new edits in this second edition and the inclusion of the Counted Method reveal the most significant change that I have undergone. When I took my first steps onto the path of yoga, I was attracted to the physical expression of the practice how I looked. I wanted to look like my first teacher, Derek Ireland, who inspired me so much. He was like Tarzan, with an amazing physique, and his charismatic personality drew many people into the practice. My initial motivation developed into something deeper as Derek challenged his students to meet themselves on the mat. Most importantly, though, Derek introduced me to Guruji.

Guruji welcomed me into his