Ashtanga

WHAT IT IS

Specifically grouped series of poses that are practiced in a rapid, moving sequence. Passed through generations of yogis in India, it came to the West via Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in 1975.

BEST FOR

Weight loss, cardio (no such thing as catching your breath between postures), and strength gains without weights. Devised for young jocks in India, this will get you cut fast through repetition of these athletic poses.

WHO'S GOTTA HAVE IT

CEOs, ESQs, CPAs (anyone with three letters after their name, even if they’re OCD). “Ashtanga appeals to Type A personalities—driven, intense people who like its linear quality,” explains Natasha Rizopoulos, star of the Yoga Step-By-Step DVD series.

NEED TO KNOW

The poses, before your first class. You can’t flow if you don’t know up dog from down dog. Get some experience at another, slower studio (see Iyengar) before you come here.

CHEAT SHEET

Practice your Ujjayi breathing (where you breath through your nose but sound like Darth Vader). Using Ujjayi keeps your breath long and even revs up your body heat, cleansing the body of impurities.

FAMOUS FOR

A $55,000 yoga lesson, thanks to Gwyneth Paltrow and an overeager fan at a charity auction.

RESOURCES

Official Sri K. Pattahbi Jois website