An unprecedented road map, both comprehensive and enjoyable, is what yoga master and author David Garrigues presents in his extraordinary new book titled: Ashtanga Yoga Vinyasa-Movement, Breath, and Posture of the Primary Series. This is the first of its kind to provide a concise, easy-to-follow breakdown of the vinyasas and poses of the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga.
This book is sure to help reverse the unfortunate misperception that Ashtanga is too difficult for the average student or only meant to be practiced by advanced students. With this book, David uses an engaging balance of seriousness and playfulness to reveal the inherent logic and universal accessibility of the Ashtanga Yoga method. This means that not just Ashtanga students, but students from any style, including beginners and those who are new to Ashtanga Yoga, will find a wise and trustworthy guide for entering into a powerful learning method.
The instructions are presented in an effective, action-packed bullet-point style that provides a continuous flow of bite-sized bits of information from start to finish. The skillfully articulated instructions focus on technical cues for doing the transitions and poses of the Primary Series combined with a pleasing weave of cues on pranayama (controlling the breath), vinyasa (transitions), mudra, (energetic seals/gestures), bandha (energetic locks), drsti (gazing points), meditation, philosophy, Indian folklore, and the five elements.
In 1996, David Garrigues was awarded a teaching certificate from late yoga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois-he's one of only thirty teachers in the world to receive this distinguished, highly regarded honor. For three decades, David has been teaching yoga with great passion, inventiveness, and curiosity. He has a thriving on-line yoga studio that specializes in Mysore-style classes and theme-based intensives. He travels the world offering workshops, in-depth studies, teacher trainings, and retreats and is also the founder the Asana Kitchen video instruction series, a leading on-line yoga learning resource on Youtube.
David's students form a diverse, open-hearted global learning community, a circle of Hatha yoga lovers who are devoted to applying the teachings of Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga in ways that promote physical, psychological, and spiritual growth. This book provides an excellent entrance into David's unique, potent way of teaching. By being both a dedicated yoga master and deep lover of the art of writing, David has crafted an instant classic on Ashtanga Yoga that is sure to be found beside the mats of present and future generations of yoga students.