Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya defined the practice of Vinyasa Ashtanga Yoga. In 954, after B.N.S Iyengar studied many years with Krishnamacharya he was invited to direct the Parakalamutt;s Patangala Yogashala where his teacher Krishnamacharya first taught the system to the Maharaja's family and others in Mysore. BNS Iyengar was awarded the Yogavisharda by the Maharaja of Mysore and started teaching the system. It includes Primary, Intermediate, Advanced A and B series. It is however BNS Iyengar's view that since asana is only limb of the classical ashtanga of Patanjali, proficient attainment for most sadhakas, who should then put their effort into the other, more spiritual limbs of yoga like pranayama.

Ping Luo, Ed.D, RYT (500 leve), CVAYT, the director of SchoolYoga Institute studied asana, pranayama, sutra, and other subjects with his Juruji BNS Iyengar in Mysore, India and continues to study with him. It is the director's intention to introduce his system and philosophy to the life of americans and other citizens who pursue a state of stillness, peace, joy, contentment.

Vinyasa Asasa

Vinyasa Asana Sequence is designed to prepare body to be strong, pliable, and stillness and be able to stay one asana (e.g, padmasana) for a long period of time for dhyana and pranayama. This specially designed practice helps heating body, opening body, and opening heart based on the traditional Vinyasa Ashtanga Yoga principles. The asanas in the sequence can be modified to any levels of physical capability.

(1) 8-limb Yoga
8-limb yoga puts equal weight on essense of all eight limbs of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga such as asana, pranayama, yama, niyama, dhyana, pratyahara, dharana, and samadhi. Every class involves opening invocation, asasa, pranayama, sutra teaching, chanting, meditation, and closing invocation.

(2) SchoolYoga
SchoolYoga is specifically designed for school age studetns as an integral part of education process. It can be integrated into physical education program and other subjects within school. Depending time availiability and capability of students SchoolYoga develops three routines practice (45 minutes, 30 minutes, and 15 minutes practice).

(3) AthleteYoga
AthleteYoga is designed for athletes at all levels to enhance their athletic performance and enjoyment. Sport specific AthleteYoga Routines are to address unique needs and demands of sports such as tennis, golf, baseball, running, triathlon, etc.

(4) Vinyasa Ashtanga Primary Series
Vinyasa Ashtanga Primary Series taught by BNS Iyengar consists of Suryanamaska A and B, Standing Sequence, Flooring Sequence (first series), and Closing Sequence. All asanas are senquenced and are incorporated with breath called Vinyasa. It takes between 90 to 120 minutes to complete the entire practice.

(5) Vinyasa Ashtanga Intermediate Series
Vinyasa Ashtanga Secondary Series taught by BNS Iyengar consists of Suryanamaska A and B, Standing Sequence, Floor Sequence (first series), Floor sequence (secondary series), and Closing Sequence. All asanas are sequenced and incorporated with breath called Vinyasa. It takes between 120 and 150 minutes to complete the entire practice.

(6) Vinyasa Ashtanga Advanced A and B Series
According to BNS Iyengar, one should not attempt to practice Advanced A and B series but devote his/her dedication for other limbs of yoga in order to reach the state of joy, peace, happiness, and contentment.

Pranayama

Prana is life force and cosmic energy and yama is regulation and restraint. Pranayama is the art of breathing. It leads to a control of mind in a result of emotional stability, concentration, and meditative stage. Pranayama bridges the mind, body and soul and serves as a vehicle to a journey of self realization – state of joy and happiness.

In Patanjali's yoga sutra, he describes Ashtanga as eight limbs yoga, Yama, Niyama, Pranayama, Asana, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi which had been practiced in India long before he composed his 195 Sanskrit sutra (Hill, 2004). In the system of Ashtanga yoga, pranayama , the third limb, is practiced to make breath long, deep, subtle, and meditative. Like other limbs it prepares practitioners to the state of Samadhi. A consistent practice of Pranayam, especially at the final phase of BNS Iyengar Pranayama System for 46 days leads to awaken Kundalini Shakti according to BNS Iyengar’ teaching.

Mechanically pranayama consists of Inhalation(Puraka), Exhalation (Rechaka), and retention (Kumbhaka). The subtle control of the three parts requires practice and dedication. It leads to life longevity due to slower breath according to BNS Iyengar.

The director of Viniyasa Ashtanga Patanjala Yogashala, Mysore India, BNS Iyengar learned Ashtanga Vinyasa system and Pranayama system from his guruji, Krsnamacharya who founded and was the first director of the Institute when he taught royal family members and other influential yogis in 1920’s.

The Eleven-Step Pranayama System – Step-by-Step taught by Guruji BNS Iyengar to his students. This system has been video-taped in January 2004 and edited by Ping Luo, director of SchoolYoga Institute, in the forms of DVD and Instruction Manual. No contend of this system can be reprinted or copied without a permission from the SchoolYoga Institute as a mutual agreement between Guruli BNS Iyengar and SchoolYoga Institute.

In the DVD, It starts with Guruji’s brief introduction to pranayama and his Pranayama system. It then follows with 11 steps of, from easy to difficult, demonstration and explanation. It ends with discussion on Yoga philosophy in general.

In the Instructional Manual, it provides a brief introduction to Pranayama based on Guruji’s teaching and then follows with step by step instruction on each of 11 steps of the pranayama system.