Ayurveda & Ashtanga Yoga

Ayurveda is one of the world´s oldest health systems and derives from India and the Vedic traditions. Ayurveda means "Knowledge of Life" and is a way to look upon life from when we are born up until we die. We look at the whole being, body, mind and soul. The purpose of ayurveda is to help us create balance, health, and to retain that balance throughout life.   

Ayurveda states that everything is linked. Humans, the universe and our surroundings are all connected and shares a purpose. The most known part of ayurveda is the tridosha theory. The theory describes the unique constitution of each individual and our connection to life. This unique composition contains of three dynamic forces/energies, also called doshas, and in sanskrit Vata Pitta and Kapha. These doshas are responsible for different fysiological and psychological functions within us. We are all made up of our own unique constitution of one, two or more dohas. To look at yourself and the life you lead through the doshas can help you understand yourself better, your needs, conditions and possibilities so that you are able to create a life in balance.  

Balance is when body, mind and soul are working together in harmony, in other words when we live according to our needs. Inbalance arise when we live a life that goes against our needs, for example the food we eat. Inbalance comes first and if we keep living in a way that goes against our true nature, disease will come. In Ayurveda each individual is treated based on their constitution,  possibility and need. 

Ayurvedic Massage acts like a powerful recharger and rejuvenator of body and mind. It is used as a tool to balance our whole being.  

The massage is often practiced in silence since it should contribute to relaxation, give space, rest and most of all a chance to go inward. Ayurvedic Massage differs from other classical massages in pressure, grip, movement and the way you look at the connection between body and mind. Oil plays a large part in the massage and every movement has a purpose of stabilizing the nervous system, balancing the immune system, digestion and more. Ayurvedic massage looks to the unique individual you are.

Ashtanga Yoga is as in any spiritual practice, a practice to calm the mind. It is a dynamic practice with focus on the breath. We create heat through positions such as sun salutations, standing, seated and finishing postures (asanas). 

The practice is a 6-day practice where 5 of those days are self-practice (called Mysore) and 1 day is led class.  This way of practice Yoga makes it available and open for all people. Beginners as well as more advanced in the asana practice

To read more about the history and tradition of the practice please see KPJAYI Institute in India

To practice Ashtanga Yoga in it´s traditional way in Stockholm please visit the Mysore Program

Patanjali presents 8 parts (ash=8 tanga=limbs/parts) of the Yoga. The first part is our approach to our environment (yama) and the second one is our approach to ourselfs (niyama)

• Yama: Ethic rules towards our surrounding
- Ahimsa (non-violence)
- Satya (to be true)
- Asteya (to not steel)
- Brahmacharhya (intelligent use of our sexual energy)
- Aparigraha (not take what is not mine)
• Niyama: (lifestyle, the yogis own life rules)
- Shaucha (cleanliness)
- Santosha (contentment)
- Tapas (disciplin, to do your practice)
- Svadhyaya (self study through texts and mantras)
- Ishvarapranidhana (surrender)
• Asana:  Body positions
• Pranayama: Breath control
• Pratyahara: Mental control. Turn senses inwards
• Dharana: Concentration
• Dhyana: Deep meditation
• Samadhi: Total bliss