Ashtanga, also sometimes spelled Astanga, yoga is a method of yoga developed by Pantanjali, a yogi-sage, in his "Yoga Sutras" during the third century. This form of yoga does not consist of postures and poses; rather, it is a philosophy that incorporates the idea of "eight limbs," or practices and steps for living, according to Kriyananda Swami in his book, "The Yoga Book." These limbs consist of spiritual practices, meditation and appropriate ethical and moral conduct, among others. Ashtanga yoga postures, also known as asanas, are used as a part of the entire practice of Ashtanga yoga.
Surya Namaskara
Surya Namaskara, or the Sun Salutation, is a series of several postures used as a basic warm-up in most yoga methods and in Ashtanga yoga, according to Ashtanga Yoga Info. The Sun Salutation consists of nine movements that are repeated in a sequence for five repetitions. The postures that are used in Ashtanaga yoga are the Urdhva Vrikshasana, or the Upward Tree, two variations of Uttanasana, or forward bends, Chaturanga Dandasana, or the Four-Limbed Stick, Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana, or the Upward Facing Dog, Adho Mukha Shvanasana, or the Downward Facing Dog, followed by two forward bends and the Upward Tree Pose, ending in Mountain Pose.
Fundamental Asanas
The fundamental asanas are postures performed in sequence after the closing of Surya Namaskara. The postures that comprise the fundamental asanas include Padangushthasana, or the Big Toe Forward Bend, Pada Hastasana, or the Feet-on-Hands posture, Utthita Trikonasana, or Triangle, Parivritta Trikonasana, or the Revolved Triangle, Utthita Parshvakonasana, or the Extended Side Angle, Parivritta Parshvakonasana, or the Revolved Side Angle, and several variations of the Prasarita Padottanasana, or the Wide-Legged Forward Bend.
Primary Series
The primary series of Ashtanga poses consist of more than 20 different postures that are meant to be worked on at the individual level. Once you learn and become comfortable with a specific series of poses, your instructor will guide you to the next series, until you learn the entire series of poses. Some of the poses included in the primary series include Navasana, or the Boat and Bhuja Pidasana, or the Arm-Pressure Posture, according to Ashtanga Yoga Info.
Closing Sequence
The closing sequence is a series of postures that is performed to end your practice. The closing sequence consists of more than 15 poses, some of which have variations based on your own individual level of difficulty. The poses are meant to calm the mind and provide a sense of grounding after an invigorating practice. Some of the poses include Baddha Padmasana, or the Bound Lotus and Utplutih, a lifting posture. You end your practice with Savasana, the Corpse, or the pose of final relaxation.
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