Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is an in-depth photographic celebration of the practice of this meditative and beautiful form of yoga. Photographer Richard Pilnick has created an unprecedented study of the asanas in the first four series by working with four of the leading teachers from the global community, all of whom studied under the guidance of the father of Ashtanga yoga, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (Guruji).

Both a detailed reference of the practice and an elegant gift for its practitioners, Ashtanga Yoga curates over 150 inspirational images, all photographed using a large format camera and black-and-white film. They present the asanas in a detail that captures the mindful nature of the practice—and, indeed, catches the breath. This is not your standard step-by-step guide. The photographs are given the space to speak for themselves, each accompanied merely by its name in English and Sanskrit.

The book proceeds from the Sun Salutation and Fundamental Postures, through the Primary and Intermediate series, to two Advanced series and a Finishing sequence. The backgrounds used for the portraits progress from dark to light, reflecting the progression of the inner self from darkness to light through the journey of the Ashtanga yoga movement meditation. Each chapter is introduced by an accompanying poem and a portrait of the internationally respected teacher demonstrating the postures and the fluid movements and breaths that connect them.

Author: Richard Pilnick's work has been exhibited around Europe and Asia, most notably in London's National Portrait Gallery. Richard was working as a fashion photographer when a trip to Gokarna, India, ignited his passion for Ashtanga yoga and yoga photography. After building a studio on the beach, he began photographing the series of portraits that would develop into his mission to portray Ashtanga yoga with integrity and inner beauty, and so inspire more people to take up the practice.