Aṣṭāṅga Vinyasa Yoga travels the world

Maybe Aṣṭāṅga yoga is like yoghurt fermentation. When you add a bit of leavening agent to the milk, in which the bacteria are located, they convert milk into yoghurt. No matter in which country you blend your leavening agent with milk, the same events will always happen. But the yoghurt will taste a bit different every time. The leavening agent is the same, but the milk changes. Likewise, Aṣṭāṅga yoga has a different flavor all over the world, but it is still remains Aṣṭāṅga yoga.

If you have ever learned the Vinyasa system, you can walk in and practice with Aṣṭāṅga shalas all over the world. This is a beautiful experience, and feels a bit like being at home anywhere the world. In addition, you will notice small differences that might be valuable details for you and your practice. This universality of Aṣṭāṅga, combined with the individual characteristics of teachers and students, is part of the special magic of Aṣṭāṅga.

Many new ways of yoga in the West originated from, and were inspired by, Aṣṭāṅga Yoga. With these, the traditional form of Aṣṭāṅga was lost, but the basic principle, unity of movement and breathing, stayed preserved. This principle is called Vinyasa. Therefore, one can also combine these children of Aṣṭāṅga as Vinyasa yoga.