There is a quiet debate in the Ashtanga community regarding the poster. Critics argue that looking at a poster breaks Dharana (concentration). If you are craning your neck to look at the wall, you aren't looking inward.
However, the poster offers more than just a cheat sheet for order; it is a study in geometry and alignment. Because Ashtanga places a heavy emphasis on drishti (focused gazing point) and bandhas (energy locks), the visual representation of the posture is critical. A well-designed poster captures the micro-adjustments—the slight internal rotation of the thighs in Trikonasana or the extension of the spine in Paschimottanasana . It provides a mirror for the student to check their own embodiment of the form. When a student struggles in a posture, a glance at the poster can reveal a missing nuance, reminding them that yoga is not about touching the toes, but about the alignment of the spine and the direction of the gaze. yoga poster ashtanga