Ashtanga Yoga
Dynamic Balance with Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is a beautiful, fluid practice that flows seamlessly from one posture to the next, creating a strong yet graceful sequence.
In this dynamic style of yoga, the asanas (postures) are linked with the breath, synchronized into a series of movements. As you learn and repeat the sequence, your practice naturally deepens. With time, dedication, and commitment, it evolves into a moving meditation—bringing you a profound sense of awareness and presence, both on and off the mat.
Patanjali
“Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind.”
Ashtanga Yoga with Wicklow Yoga
Begin your journey into Ashtanga Yoga with a gentle and mindful approach, allowing your body and mind to grow into the practice at a natural pace. The Ashtanga sequence starts slow, building strength, flexibility, stamina, and a deeper understanding of the Primary Series over time. This steady progression helps your body feel lighter and healthier, while your mind and senses become calm and focused.
Ashtanga Yoga is rooted in the synchronisation of breath and movement, creating heat that purifies the body and nervous system while releasing toxins. Each practice concludes with Shavasana, a silent period for integration and healing, allowing your body, mind, and spirit to recalibrate into a state of harmony and alignment. You’ll leave your practice feeling refreshed, grounded, and rejuvenated.
This practice is non-competitive, emphasising presence, steady breath, and a relaxed mind over achieving advanced postures. The true focus is on creating a strong foundation for growth, healing, and connection.
While I currently offer private sessions tailored to your needs, my teaching philosophy reflects the traditional Ashtanga journey: beginning gently and deepening with dedication and support. Together, we’ll ensure your practice is safe, mindful, and aligned with your energy levels, creating space for transformation at your own pace.
One-to-one sessions: “Need personalised guidance? Explore our private yoga sessions tailored to your unique needs.”
From Beginners to Mysore: Your Ashtanga Journey
Beginners yoga classes
In the beginners yoga classes, you’ll learn to coordinate breath and movement mindfully, exploring the basics of Ashtanga. Each week, we’ll build on the practice by introducing new asanas (postures), allowing you to progress at a pace that feels right for your body and energy levels.
Ashtanga Yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation, suitable for all ages, body types, and fitness levels. With individual modifications and adjustments offered throughout, you’ll be supported in practicing in a way that’s uniquely suited to you. These sessions are taught as led classes, offering a taste of the graceful flow and meditative aspects of the practice.
The journey doesn’t end here—when you feel ready, you can move on to the next level or explore the Mysore-style classes, where you’ll develop a self-practice at your own pace.
All you need to join us is enthusiasm, an open mind, and a sense of humor. Your path to balance and well-being begins here!
"Ashtanga Yoga: A journey of transformation through breath, movement, and mindfulness, leading to a deeper connection with the self."
Intermediate yoga class
As you progress in your yoga journey, an intermediate practice allows you to build on the foundation established in the beginner’s sequence. This next step gently deepens your connection to the Ashtanga Vinyasa series, encouraging a slower, mindful pace while exploring more challenging asanas (postures) and transitions.
Ideal for those ready to take their practice to the next level or anyone returning to yoga after some time away, this progression emphasises linking movement and breath with greater fluidity. It provides an opportunity to enhance your strength, flexibility, and awareness in a relaxed, supportive way.
With a focus on alignment and mindfulness, the intermediate practice enables you to expand your understanding of Ashtanga while maintaining a pace that suits your body and energy levels. This is your chance to explore the transformative potential of yoga at a deeper level while honoring where you are in your journey.
Advance yoga practice
For those with confidence and a deeper understanding of their body and yoga practice, the advanced stage offers a dynamic flow through the full Ashtanga Primary Series. This invigorating progression is highly energetic, heating the body and promoting purification—so be prepared to sweat!
Building on the awareness developed in earlier stages, this level empowers you to adapt and modify postures (asanas) to suit your individual needs, making the practice truly your own. Hands-on guidance and insights help refine alignment and deepen your connection to the practice, encouraging growth in both physical and spiritual aspects of yoga.
The advanced practice creates confidence with the rhythm, pace, and complexity of the full sequence, supporting you as you integrate these elements into a self-practice. This stage is not suitable for beginners but is ideal for those ready to fully immerse themselves in the transformative potential of Ashtanga Yoga.
Self-Practice Yoga
Self-practice is the traditional and empowering way to explore yoga, making it suitable for all levels—from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. This approach allows you to build your practice at your own pace, one pose at a time, with personalised one-on-one guidance tailored to your needs.
You’ll receive adjustments and support to deepen your understanding of each posture (asana) while creating a non-competitive and mindful space for growth. This method encourages you to connect with your body and breath, giving you the confidence to continue practicing at home or wherever life takes you.
With self-practice, yoga becomes your own journey—a blend of exploration, dedication, and personal empowerment.
Beginner-Friendly Approach
At Wicklow Yoga, we understand that starting something new can feel intimidating, but our beginner-friendly Ashtanga classes are designed to ease you into the practice with confidence and care.
Our approach focuses on step-by-step guidance, breaking down each asana (posture) into manageable components. This ensures you learn proper alignment and technique from the very beginning, minimising the risk of injury while building a solid foundation. We take the time to explain the basics of breathwork (pranayama) and movement (vinyasa), helping you understand how these elements come together to create a mindful, flowing practice.
We know that every body is unique, which is why we offer tailored modifications to suit your individual needs. Whether you’re working with physical limitations, recovering from an injury, or simply starting fresh, our instructors will provide alternative options and adjustments to make the practice accessible for you.
Common concerns, like “Do I need to be flexible?” or “What if I can’t keep up?”, are met with encouragement and reassurance. Flexibility is not a requirement but rather a benefit you’ll gain over time, and the pace of each class is deliberately steady, giving you the space to explore and grow at your own comfort level.
In our beginner classes, the focus is on enjoying the journey, not achieving perfection. With a welcoming environment, clear instruction, and compassionate guidance, we aim to make yoga a positive, enriching experience for everyone—no matter your starting point.
Encouraging Self-Practice
At Wicklow Yoga, we understand that starting something new can feel intimidating, but our beginner-friendly Ashtanga classes are designed to ease you into the practice with confidence and care.
Our approach focuses on step-by-step guidance, breaking down each asana (posture) into manageable components. This ensures you learn proper alignment and technique from the very beginning, minimising the risk of injury while building a solid foundation. We take the time to explain the basics of breathwork (pranayama) and movement (vinyasa), helping you understand how these elements come together to create a mindful, flowing practice.
We know that every body is unique, which is why we offer tailored modifications to suit your individual needs. Whether you’re working with physical limitations, recovering from an injury, or simply starting fresh, our instructors will provide alternative options and adjustments to make the practice accessible for you.
Common concerns, like “Do I need to be flexible?” or “What if I can’t keep up?”, are met with encouragement and reassurance. Flexibility is not a requirement but rather a benefit you’ll gain over time, and the pace of each class is deliberately steady, giving you the space to explore and grow at your own comfort level.
In our beginner classes, the focus is on enjoying the journey, not achieving perfection. With a welcoming environment, clear instruction, and compassionate guidance, we aim to make yoga a positive, enriching experience for everyone—no matter your starting point.
Curious to Learn More About Ashtanga Yoga?
Discover the essence of this transformative practice in our blog: The 10 Best Things You Need to Know About Ashtanga Flow Yoga. Explore its benefits, key principles, and how it can enhance your mind, body, and spirit.
The Origins of Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga, as we know it today, is rooted in the teachings of K. Pattabhi Jois from Mysore, South India. Pattabhi Jois learned this system under the mentorship of the renowned Prof. T. Krishnamacharya, who was instrumental in shaping modern yoga.
Krishnamacharya’s teacher, Rama Mohan Brahmachari, imparted the wisdom of the ancient yoga text Yoga Korunta, dating back thousands of years. Yoga Korunta, said to be founded by the ancient sage Rishi Vamana, serves as the foundation for what became the Ashtanga Yoga system. The teachings of Yoga Korunta were passed down orally and provide guidance on pranayama (breath control), asana (postures), vinyasa (movement), drishti (focus), bandhas (energy locks), as well as philosophical teachings drawn from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These teachings were crafted to integrate yoga into the daily lives of people, making it accessible to anyone, regardless of family or work commitments.
After decades of practice and teaching, K. Pattabhi Jois refined and popularised this system, which is now practiced worldwide. He emphasised that Ashtanga Yoga is a holistic path, beginning with the physical postures and leading to deeper states of awareness, self-transformation, and ultimately spiritual growth.
The journey through Hatha Yoga transitions into Ashtanga (Raja) Yoga, where the mental discipline of yoga becomes as important as the physical practice. As you commit to a regular practice, each of the eight limbs of yoga naturally evolves, guiding you toward greater self-awareness, peace, and balance.
Brief History of Ashtanga Yoga
Yoga is an ancient philosophy and practice that unites the body, mind, and spirit. As Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Sutras, states, “Yoga is the ability to focus the mind on a single point without distraction.” Yoga is a unique discipline that integrates physical postures, breath control, and meditation to harmonise the body and mind, offering a spiritual path that is accessible to all, regardless of background or belief system.
The core principles of yoga—self-awareness, concentration, and purification—help guide mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical health. The practice is suitable for people of all ages, health conditions, and lifestyles, rooted in inwardness, cleansing, and mindful living.
Ashtanga translates to “eight limbs,” referring to the eight practices described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (circa 200 BCE), which form the foundation of Classical Yoga. These eight limbs are metaphorically described as parts of a tree, each vital to the practitioner’s growth toward enlightenment and self-realisation.
The system of Ashtanga Yoga as we practice it today was popularized by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in the 20th century. He structured a dynamic series of postures linked with breath (vinyasa), which purifies the body, builds strength, and focuses the mind, helping to cultivate a deep meditative state. The ultimate goal of Ashtanga Yoga, like all yoga practices, is to merge the mind with the true self, transcending ego and achieving inner peace.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
"Practice, and all is coming."
The Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is a holistic practice, built on eight interconnected principles that guide us toward personal transformation, mental clarity, and physical well-being. Each limb plays a vital role in harmonising the body, mind, and spirit, creating a deep, lasting connection within ourselves.
1. Yama (Moral Codes)
Yama represents the ethical foundation of yoga. These are universal moral guidelines that encourage us to live in harmony with others and the world around us. Yama teaches us compassion, honesty, and self-restraint. Practicing Yama helps us develop respect and kindness, creating a peaceful environment both within and outside of ourselves.
2. Niyama (Self-Purification and Study)
Niyama is the inner discipline, focusing on self-awareness and personal growth. It encourages self-reflection, purity of body and mind, and devotion to a deeper purpose. By practicing Niyama, we cleanse ourselves not just physically but emotionally and spiritually, aligning ourselves with our true essence. It is the foundation for all internal growth on our yoga journey.
3. Asana (Posture)
Asana is the physical aspect of yoga, where we practice a series of postures that help build strength, flexibility, and balance. Each posture is designed to align the body, promote well-being, and allow energy to flow freely. Asanas not only prepare the body for meditation but also serve as a powerful tool to cultivate awareness and presence in the moment.
4. Pranayama (Breath Control)
Pranayama, or breath control, connects our breath with our movement. The breath is our life force, and by regulating it, we can calm the mind, energise the body, and achieve mental clarity. Deep, mindful breathing helps us remain present and reduces stress, creating a sense of peace both on and off the mat.
5. Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal)
Pratyahara is the practice of withdrawing the senses from external distractions and turning inward. By focusing inward, we can develope deep concentration and connect with our inner wisdom. This step is essential for mental clarity and preparing the mind for the next stages of meditation. It teaches us to be present, not reactive, in our daily lives.
6. Dharana (Concentration on One’s True Nature)
Dharana is the practice of focused concentration, where we direct our attention to a single point or thought. It is the preparation for meditation, allowing us to quiet the mind and develop deeper awareness. With consistent practice, Dharana helps us move closer to understanding our true nature and living in alignment with it.
7. Dhyana (Meditation)
Dhyana is the state of uninterrupted meditation. It is the practice of sustained, focused attention, where the mind becomes still and the true self emerges. Dhyana creates inner peace, clarity, and connection to the present moment. Through meditation, we cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves, allowing healing and personal transformation to unfold.
8. Samadhi (Absorption in the Self)
Samadhi is the final stage of Ashtanga Yoga, where we experience deep absorption in our true nature—the union of body, mind, and spirit. It is the ultimate state of bliss, where the ego dissolves, and we experience oneness with the universe. Samadhi is not an end goal but a continual process of growth, alignment, and harmony.
Cultural and Philosophical Context
Ashtanga yoga is deeply rooted in a rich spiritual and historical tradition, offering a pathway to align the mind, body, and spirit. Originating from the teachings of the sage Patanjali, this practice is guided by the eight limbs of yoga, which provide a timeless framework for personal growth and inner peace.
Historically, Ashtanga yoga was passed down through oral traditions and refined into its modern form by K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, South India. While it draws from ancient texts like the Yoga Korunta, its relevance transcends time, speaking to the universal need for balance, clarity, and connection in life.
In today’s fast-paced world, the principles of Ashtanga yoga offer a grounding counterbalance. The practice goes beyond physical postures; it invites us to embrace a mindful and intentional way of living. For example:
- Yama and Niyama guide us toward ethical living and self-discipline, encouraging kindness, contentment, and self-reflection in our interactions and decisions.
- Pranayama teaches the importance of breath in managing stress and creating calmness amidst the chaos.
- Dhyana and Samadhi, the limbs of meditation and spiritual absorption, remind us to carve out moments of stillness and connection to our higher selves.
Ashtanga’s structure—combining dynamic movement, controlled breathing, and focused awareness—allows practitioners to bridge ancient wisdom with the demands of modern life. It becomes a tool not only for physical transformation but also for navigating daily challenges with resilience and grace.
Through its integration of philosophy and practice, Ashtanga yoga provides a holistic path to self-discovery, encouraging us to live with greater authenticity, mindfulness, and purpose. Whether you’re seeking physical vitality, mental clarity, or spiritual connection, this tradition offers a timeless roadmap for personal well-being in the modern age.
Claire’s Ashtanga classes are amazing! The atmosphere in the studio is really calm relaxed and welcoming. Her gentle caring instruction and adjustments really help you get into your practice in a fun but focused way. I always come out of her class feeling wonderful and have a big grin on my face (although the next day my muscles are aching!!! but it’s well worth it
I always wanted to give yoga a try especially as my “5 a side” days were coming to an end. I eventually took the plunge a couple of years back and under Claire’s expert guidance have really enjoyed it since. It’s more physically demanding than I imagined and there’s great satisfaction in learning new poses as you progress. An added bonus is that since I started yoga, with all that stretching, I’ve been injury free on the 5 a side front too!!
The Bhagavad Gita
"Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self."
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