The DVDs offered on this site are color copies of the complete and original VHS releases, shot on November 17 & 18, 1993 in Los Angeles, California, and produced in 1996 by Yoga Works Productions. These videos of the Primary and Intermediate Series have been digitally preserved so that both current and future practitioners can be inspired by the beauty and perfection captured in these practices.
Ultimately, your teacher will be the one that knows best when you are ready to begin the Second/Intermediate series. The Ashtanga Advanced Series. The Advanced series is definitely one that you must have a six-day-a-week practice and be proficient in the Intermediate series to begin.
This material is offered by donation. Please use the PayPal “Donate” button below:
Set of the Primary and Intermediate Series DVDs:
$25 For delivery within the USA
$35 For delivery outside of the USA
$8 Download the Set of videos
$5 Download the MP3 audio
A day or two after we are notified of your donation, you will receive an email with a link to download the videos from Google Drive. A Google email address will be needed if you have one. Please realize that these files are very large, and even if you have a fast download connection, it may take some patience before the download completes.
DVDs: For a set of the Primary and Intermediate Series DVDs, $25 minimum is recommended for delivery within the USA. $35 minimum is recommended for delivery outside of the USA and overseas. For Mexico and Italy, please include an additional $15 for registered mail to ensure delivery in those countries.
The Ashtanga Yoga Intermediate (second series) practice is a powerful tool for reaching into the subtle energy of the nervous system. Many of the the first 1. 1 Hour Ashtanga Yoga (Second Series) Intermediate. Try this 1 hour ashtanga yoga intro next https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wYN1IhnXT4&list=PLEs9dX8UXFZpRJ5.
Download: We are also offering a specially formatted video for your mobile device as a download for $8. Download this file onto your computer for transfer onto your mobile device. This file includes the complete Primary Series video, and that portion of the Intermediate Series video that covers the postures from Pasasana to Baddha Hasta Sirsasana D. Please specify MOV format (3.12GB ) or MP4 format (1.3GB). These files will play on any computer.
An MP3 of the audio is also available as a download for $5. This file includes the complete Primary Series audio, and that portion of the Intermediate Series audio that covers the postures from Pasasana to Baddha Hasta Sirsasana D. (102.5MB)
The Practitioners
Much gratitude is offered to the practitioners in these videos. Thank you for your dedication. For those who will come after you, the perfection of your practice shines a light on the possibilities of what yoga asana can be.
Video previews on YouTube
Special YouTube video: Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, the father of modern yoga and Pattabhi Jois’s teacher, demonstrates the practices of yoga in 1938 at the age of 50. (Hanuman Chalisa by Bhagavan Das.)
Yoga Makaranda
The Ashtanga Second Series can be intimidating. Upon first glance some of the poses may seem impossible, but with supportive and expert instruction, the impossible will soon become possible. Practice with Kino in the mornings and study technique and philosophy with her in the afternoons. Second series, or nadi shodhana, is a sequence of poses designed to clear the nervous system and the energy channels of the subtle body known as the nadhis. There are over 70,000 nadhis in the body. The focus of this series is on backbends, deep hip openers, and some inversions.
PDF: Yoga Makaranda
by Sri T. Krishnamacharya, Mysore Samasthan Acharya. 1934, English translation 2006.
PDF: Yoga Makaranda Part II
by Sri T. Krishnamacharya, as offered by A. G. Mohan.
The Content of the Videos
Pattabhi Jois counts in Sanskrit, calls out all postures and dristi, and counts all breaths in English; five breaths for each posture unless otherwise noted below.
Primary Series Sequence (click to open/close)
- Ashtanga Yoga Mantra chant in call and response
- Surya Namaskara A – 3x
- Surya Namaskara B – 3x
- Padangusthasana
- Padahastasana
- Utthita Trikonasana A
- Utthita Trikonasana B (Parivritta Trikonasana)
- Utthita Parsvakonasana
- Prasarita Padottanasana A
- Prasarita Padottanasana B
- Prasarita Padottanasana C
- Prasarita Padottanasana D
- Parsvottanasana
- Utthita Hasta Padangushtasana
- (Utthita Parsvasahita)
- (Utthita Eka Padasana)
- Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana
- Utkatasana
- Virabhadrasana A
- Virabhadrasana B
- (Dandasana)
- Paschimattanasana A
- Paschimattanasana B
- Purvattanasana
- Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimattanasana
- Tiryan Mukha Eka Pada Paschimattanasana
- Janusirsasana A
- Janusirsasana B
- Janusirsasana C
- Marichasana A
- Marichasana B
- Marichasana C
- Marichasana D
- Navasana (with Lolasana)
- Bujapidasana
- Kurmasana
- Supta Kurmasana
- Garbha Pindasana – and rolling 5x
- Kukkutasana
- Baddha Konasana A
- Upavishta Konansa A
- Upavishta Konansa B
- Supta Konasana
- Supta Padangusthasana
- (Supta Parsvashita)
- (Chakrasana)
- Ubhaya Padangusthasana
- Urdhvamukha Paschimottanasana
- Setu Bandhasana
- (Chakrasana)
- Urdhva Dhanurasana – 3x
- (Chakrasana)
- Paschimattanasana
- (No vinyasa)
- (Tadaka Mudra) – 5 breaths
- Sarvangasana – 10 breaths
- Halasana – 8 breaths
- Karnapidasana – 8 breaths
- Urdhva Padmasana – 8 breaths
- Pidasana – 8 breaths
- Matsyasana – 8 breaths
- Uttana Padasana – 8 breaths
- (Chakrasana)
- Sirsasana – 25 breaths
- (Ardha Sirsasana) – 10 breaths
- Balasana (30 seconds) – uncounted
- (Baddha Padmasana)
- Yoga Mudra – 10 breaths
- Padmasana (with Jnana Mudra) – 10 breaths
- Utpluthi – 25 breaths
- (Half vinyasa only)
- Savasana
Ashtanga Second Series List
Intermediate Series Sequence (click to open/close)
- Ashtanga Yoga Mantra chant in call and response
- Surya Namaskara A – 3x
- Surya Namaskara B – 3x
- Padangusthasana
- Padahastasana
- Utthita Trikonasana A
- Utthita Trikonasana B (Parivritta Trikonasana)
- Utthita Parsvakonasana
- Prasarita Padottanasana A
- Prasarita Padottanasana B
- Prasarita Padottanasana C
- Prasarita Padottanasana D
- Parsvottanasana
- (Half vinyasa only)
- Pasasana
- Krounchasana
- Salabhasana A
- Salabhasana B
- Bhekasana
- Dhanurasana
- Parsva Dhanurasana
- Dhanurasana
- Ustrasana
- Laghuvajrasana
- Kapotasana A
- Kapotasana B
- Supta Vajrasana
- Bakasana A
- Bakasana B
- Bharadvajasana
- Ardha Matsyendrasana
- Eka Pada Sirsasana
- Dwi Pada Sirsasana
- Yoga Nidrasana
- (Chakrasana)
- Tittibhasana A
- Tittibhasana B
- Tittibhasana C
- Pincha Mayurasana
- Karandavasana
- Mayurasana
- Nakrasana
- Vatayanasana
- Parighasana
- Gomukasana A
- Gomukasana B
- Supta Urdhva Pada Vajrasana
- Mukta Hasta Sirsasana A
- Mukta Hasta Sirsasana B
- Mukta Hasta Sirsasana C
- Baddha Hasta Sirsasana A
- Baddha Hasta Sirsasana B
- Baddha Hasta Sirsasana C
- Baddha Hasta Sirsasana D
- Urdhva Dhanurasana – 3x
- (Chakrasana)
- Paschimattanasana
- (No vinyasa)
- (Tadaka Mudra) – 5 breaths
- Sarvangasana – 10 breaths
- Halasana – 8 breaths
- Karnapidasana – 8 breaths
- Urdhva Padmasana – 8 breaths
- Pidasana – 8 breaths
- Matsyasana – 8 breaths
- Uttana Padasana – 8 breaths
- (Chakrasana)
- Sirsasana – 25 breaths
- (Ardha Sirsasana) – 10 breaths
- Balasana (30 seconds) – uncounted
- (Baddha Padmasana)
- Yoga Mudra – 10 breaths
- Padmasana (with Jnana Mudra) – 10 breaths
- Utpluthi – 25 breaths
- (Half vinyasa only)
- Savasana
Ashtanga Yoga is the method taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois as he was taught by Sri T. Krisnamacharya. In November of 1993 Pattabhi Jois agreed to document this precise method with these demonstration videos. His wish was to use students who needed little or no help, thereby demonstrating the full impact of this very dynamic practice.
These demonstration videos are an important contribution to the future of Ashtanga yoga. They are not only an historic record of how perfect the dance of Ashtanga yoga can be, more importantly, they are a “time capsule” of how Pattabhi Jois intended these practices to flow. These videos show how he orchestrates it, as performed by his most accomplished students at the time. Now you can use these demonstration videos to enrich your own practice, as you take in the rhythm and flow of Pattabhi’s lead.
The Beginning or Primary Series is labeled “Chikitsa Bhaga”. This translates as the curative or therapeutic section. The intent of this series is to first prepare the way. To remove the obstructions structurally, organically, emotionally and mentally thus enabling the practitioner to move on to the higher forms of yogic practice.
The Second Series is labeled “Nadi Sodan,” which translates as nerve or channel purification. The Second or Intermediate Series builds on the skills learned in the First, or Primary Series. It is only after a certain degree of mastery of the Primary Series that a student is taught the Intermediate Series. The postures of Second Series are added “one-by-one”, in the words of Pattabhi Jois, to the practice of First Series. As a student gains proficiency in the new postures more are added until the entire new series is learned. In fact this is the method of progression in all the series of Ashtanga yoga. Progress is based on the ability of each student.
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, (July 26, 1915 – May 18, 2009) affectionately known as Guru-ji, was a sanskrit scholar who held two degrees from the renowned Sanskrit College of Mysore. His knowledge of Ashtanga Yoga was practical as well as scholarly.
The master tapes of these videos:
A most valuable treasure.
It is our sincere hope that R. Sharath Rangaswamy will make the decision to have the original tapes digitally remastered. These fragile tapes have a limited life span and, unfortunately, have been deteriorating every day. At some point very soon, if not already, their content will be lost forever. This would be a great tragedy. By digitizing the videos, the legacy of these teachings will be preserved well into the future for all Ashtanga practitioners, and all students of yoga history.
According to Eddie Stern, they also recorded the Third Series practice. However, it was decided not to release it at the time the First and Second Series were offered. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to finally see that practice as well?
From Chuck Miller, July 2009, who turned the tapes over to Pattabhi Jois shortly after production:
I wanted to urge you to encourage Sharath to digitize and promote the tapes! It was our wish that Guru-ji and his family would reap the benefits of any further sales of the tapes. We made our investment back and received a very small profit and consider that enough.
The intention was to preserve a clean copy of Guru-ji teaching the series’ to a few of his senior students, to show how he wanted it done… I am sure we failed, but at least there are some examples of him conducting the classes out there to the future students … Ommmm…..!
Good luck.
Peace,
Chuck
Why do I keep making cheat sheets?
Students aren’t allowed to use them in my Mysore room.
Ashtanga Second Series Postures
On many occasions, I’ve pried a sweaty cheat sheet out of the trembling hands of a nervous student.
Why can’t you use a cheat sheet?
Because memorizing the sequence of asanas is part of learning the practice. Committing the series to memory promotes concentration. Doing all that hard work helps you to own your practice. And, finally, we Ashtangis are infamous for eschewing props, and what’s the cheat sheet but a prop for your brain? (Sidenote- upon the discovery and development of writing, Plato called it “A pernicious crutch to memory”.)
So if you can’t use them in the room, why do I bother making them? I think it’s because I like to see little pictures of myself doing the poses. Specifically, doing the poses the way I want my students to do the poses. So, a little bit of ego, and a little bit of honest concern.
Anyway, here they are. Feel free to download and share them. Just don’t bring them into my Mysore room.
BTW- all the pics are from the fantastic Tim Bermingham!
Primary Series:
Ashtanga Second Series Poses
Intermediate Series: