Ashtanga differs from other yoga disciplines because it focuses on "vinyasa, " a practice that uses postures and breathing to create heat in the body and thus increase circulation and flexibility. This comprehensive book integrates the two leading ashtanga approaches: Jois's ashtanga vinyasa yoga and the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali. The first half of the book presents a complete guide to the practice of ashtanga yoga. More than 50 postures are given clear and meticulous explanations, aided by photos, line drawings, and sidebars providing anatomical details, practical tips, mythological background, and "yogic context." The second half of the book begins with the history and lineage of yoga. It then presents an extensive commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which describe the path of ashtanga yoga and show why it is a realistic and rewarding one for modern practitioners.