"I was disappointed to find that so many novice students have taken
Ashtanga yoga and have turned it into a circus for their own fame and
profit (
Power Yoga,
Jan/Feb 1995). The title 'Power Yoga' itself degrades the depth,
purpose and method of the yoga system that I received from my guru, Sri.
T. Krishnamacharya. Power is the property of God. It is not something
to be collected for one's ego. Partial yoga methods out of line with
their internal purpose can build up the 'six enemies' (desire, anger,
greed, illusion, infatuation and envy) around the heart. The full
ashtanga system practiced with devotion leads to freedom within one's
heart. The Yoga Sutra II.28 confirms this 'Yogaanganusthanat asuddiksaye
jnanadiptih avivekakhyateh', which means 'practicing all the aspects of
yoga destroys the impurities so that the light of knowledge and
discrimination shines'. It is unfortunate that students who have not yet
matured in their own practice have changed the method and have cut out
the essence of an ancient lineage to accommodate their own limitations.
The
Ashtanga yoga system should never be confused with 'power yoga' or any
whimsical creation which goes against the tradition of the many types of
yoga shastras (scriptures). It would be a shame to lose the precious
jewel of liberation in the mud of ignorant body building."
-K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, Mysore, South India
