Ashtanga Asana Guide: Primary & Intermediate Series
Primary and Intermediate — the shapes of the series, with names in Sanskrit and English.
The two series
Primary is the first series, Yoga Chikitsa. Its standing, seated and closing poses are counted in the room. This guide follows that order: Surya Namaskara A and Surya Namaskara B, each with seven counted steps, then the Standing Sequence, the Seated Sequence, and the Finishing Sequence of closing poses.
Intermediate, Nadi Shodhana, is the second series. It is added only when your practice and body are ready, and it is never rushed. The Intermediate pages open with a preview of poses as they appear after Primary, from Pasasana through the Intermediate count, then the rest of Nadi Shodhana after the first ten poses.
How the guides are organised
Each series has its own page. The asana pages name the shapes of each series in Sanskrit and English. Primary is grouped into sun salutations, standing, seated and finishing. Intermediate uses the same Sanskrit and English names for each pose in the series.
Practising in Dubai
In Mysore-style practice, each student works at their own pace with individual guidance from the teacher. The foundation is breath linked with movement, at a steady pace that fits your body. Nelli Kulikova teaches Mysore-style, and she also teaches led classes. Sessions take place in Dubai or online, by arrangement. The practice page describes this way of working.
If you are new to Ashtanga, private sessions are the place to start. They are ongoing one-to-one Mysore-style guidance for Primary and Intermediate, in Dubai or online, by arrangement. The place for an in-person session is agreed when you book. The sessions page sets out private practice and the Dubai pop-up.
The Dubai pop-up is a shared Mysore-style room for students who want a traditional Ashtanga rhythm. Primary and Intermediate practitioners are welcome. Pop-up rooms suit students with some Ashtanga foundation, or a willingness to learn patiently. Dates are announced once the room is confirmed, and the venue is shared at the same time. Current listings are on the dates page.
Practice already runs in Dubai as pop-up classes, private sessions in Dubai and online by arrangement, and Mysore-style work in the Primary and Intermediate series. The shala page sets out that practice. Request a place on the booking form.
Primary and Intermediate are practised in a Mysore-style room, or in a private session in Dubai or online. Pop-up rooms run when a venue is confirmed.