Power Yoga and its sister practices of Vinyasa Flow and Hot Power Yoga have important roots in India where a unbroken line of gurus (beginning with Krishnamacarya, and his student Sri K Pattabhi Jois), have led Ashtanga Yoga classes for a century. Ashtanga (the eight limbs of yoga), is a highly-structured style of yoga that is based on an individual student’s personal practice and growth, rather than the Westernized power flow yoga which is taught as a group lesson, where students are flowing in sync. Both utilize Sun Salutations to develop strength, discipline and focus.

This episode features Mauren Dinkins, a Florida-based Ashtanga Yoga teacher and studio owner, who studied Ashtanga yoga over many years with Sharath Jois, in Mysore India. She then studied with Ajay Kumar at Ashtanga School Sthalam 8, where she deepened her methodology. While in Mysore, India, Dinkins spent many afternoons in the home of Dr. M.A. Jayashree & Professor Narasimhan learning Sanskrit, the Yoga Philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Sutras, as well as transcendental meditation. These two teachers had the biggest effect on her yoga journey, she says, because they explained how to truly live the Eight Limbs of Yoga.

In this episode, Dinkins also shares how she incorporates the Eight Limbs in her daily life, and importance of an individual learning path and practice.

Quick Links

Website: ashtangaorlando.com
Pinterest: Ashtanga Orlando
Instagram: @maureendinkins