Back to Basics: Understanding the Anatomy of Your Back Muscles for a Stronger Ashtanga Practice

Do you ever wonder why your back feels sore after a vigorous Ashtanga practice? Or maybe you’re struggling to lift up into your Chaturanga without collapsing in the middle? It’s time to get back to basics and understand the anatomy of your back muscles! In this lesson, we’ll explore the different categories of back muscles and how to strengthen and stretch them through Ashtanga poses. But don’t worry, we won’t be boring you with complicated medical terms. We’ll keep it fun and easy to understand, just like your yoga practice. Superficial Muscles: Let’s Get This Party Started First up, we have the superficial muscles. Don’t let the name fool you, these muscles play a vital role in your yoga practice. The trapezius, latissimus dorsi (lats),…

Get to Know Your Spine: A Guide for Ashtanga Yogis

Welcome to the world of Ashtanga Yoga, where we align our breath and movement to create a sense of calm and balance in our lives. One of the most important parts of our physical practice is the spine, the central axis of our body that supports our movements and protects our nervous system. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the anatomy of the spine, its different regions, and how we can enhance our practice by understanding our body’s structure. Section 1: The Anatomy of the Spine Let’s start with the basics. The spine is also known as the spinal column, the vertebral column, or the backbone. It’s made up of 33 specialized bones called vertebrae, which are divided into five regions: the…

The Business of Yoga: A Guide for Mindful Ashtanga Practitioners

Are you an Ashtanga yoga practitioner who is considering becoming a yoga teacher? Or are you already a yoga teacher who wants to improve your business skills? Then this guide is for you! In this article, we will explore the business aspect of yoga teaching and give you tips on how to run a mindful business. The Importance of Your Niche As a yoga teacher, it’s important to find your niche. Your niche is the area of focus within yoga teaching that sets you apart from other teachers. For example, you may specialize in teaching Ashtanga yoga for beginners or yoga for athletes. By choosing a niche, you can build a brand around your expertise and attract students who are looking for that specific type…

From Studio to Retreats: How Ashtanga Yoga Teachers Can Build Experience and Income

Hello, hello, hello, Ashtanga yogis! Are you looking to build your experience and create new revenue streams as a yoga teacher? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll explore different teaching formats and opportunities that can help you achieve your goals. Let’s dive in! Part 1: Building Experience Part 2: Creating Revenue Streams Part 3: Maximizing Passive and Residual Income Part 4: Understanding the Importance of Connection Conclusion: Whether you’re looking to build experience or create new revenue streams, there are plenty of opportunities out there for you. By exploring different teaching formats and opportunities, you can find new and exciting ways to share your love of yoga with others. And remember, connection is at the heart of the…

Marketing Your Ashtanga Yoga Business: Tips and Strategies for Success

If you’re an Ashtanga yoga teacher looking to build your business, marketing is key. But let’s be real, marketing can feel overwhelming and daunting. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some tips and strategies to help you build your brand, connect with students, and grow your business. Daily Marketing Practice: Just as a regular yoga practice is essential for growth and flexibility, a daily marketing practice is essential for building your business. Set aside time each day to update your website or social media accounts, send out emails to your subscribers, or plan upcoming workshops and retreats. Consistency is key, even when your classes are packed or when attendance is low. To Brand or Not to Brand: While branding can be important in building…

A Guide to Yoga Insurance and Continuing Education for Practitioners”

Intro: Ashtanga yoga is a beautiful practice that can transform your body, mind, and spirit. But as with any physical activity, injuries can happen. That’s why it’s important for Ashtanga yoga practitioners to have insurance (should something happen) and continue their education (to prevent something from happening). In this guide, we’ll explore why insurance is important, where to get it, and what continuing education requirements you need to fulfill. Why You Need Insurance: Let’s face it, accidents happen. Ashtanga practitioners often push themselves to the limit, and injuries can occur. But did you know that yoga-related emergency room visits happen more often than we think? That’s why it’s important to have insurance to protect yourself against claims regarding unexpected yoga accidents. Plus, having insurance can…

Don’t Overstretch Yourself: A Guide to Safe and Effective Stretching in Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a physical practice that requires a lot of stretching. It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of flexibility, but it’s important to remember that overstretching can lead to injury. In this guide, we’ll go over the anatomy and physiology of stretching and provide tips for safe and effective stretching in your Ashtanga practice. The Dangers of Overstretching Stretching can be beneficial for increasing range of motion and improving circulation, but overstretching can lead to muscle weakness, joint instability, and even permanent tissue damage. Signs of overstretching include burning sensations, popping sounds, aching muscles, sciatic pain, excessive clicking and popping of joints, and joint instability. Pregnant students are particularly at risk for overstretching, so it’s important to be extra cautious if…

MJH on “Get Your Sanskrit On: The Language of Yoga”

As Ashtanga yoga practitioners, we are familiar with the Sanskrit names of the yoga poses, or asanas. But have you ever wondered about the origins of this ancient language and its significance in the yoga tradition? In this post, we will explore the fascinating world of Sanskrit and its connection to our practice. What is Sanskrit? Sanskrit is an ancient language that originated in India over 3,000 years ago. It is considered to be the mother of all Indo-European languages and is one of the oldest languages on Earth. The…

The Secret Life of Prana: A Beginner’s Guide to Energy in Yoga

Are you an Ashtanga yoga practitioner looking to deepen your knowledge of energy in yoga? Look no further! In this post, we’ll cover the basics of prana, prana vayus, nadis, and how they relate to Hatha yoga. Let’s get started! What is Prana? Prana is the life force energy that flows within us. Think of it as the gas that fuels your car. We extract prana from various sources, including food, light, and love. According to yoga teacher Gregor Maehle, although there is only one prana, it is in different locations, flows in different nadis, and has different functions. These various types of prana are called by different names.  Prana Vayus Prana vayus are the movements or functions of prana. There are five prana vayus,…

Layers of Being: Understanding the Koshas for Ashtanga Yoga Practitioners

Introduction: As Ashtanga yogis, we are familiar with the physical practice of yoga. We flow through the series, sweat, and challenge ourselves to new postures. But have you ever considered that there may be more to us than just our physical bodies? In this article, we will explore the koshas, the “layers” or “sheaths” that make up our being and how understanding them can deepen our practice and connection to ourselves. What are the Koshas? The koshas are a model described in the Vedic text, the Taittiriya Upanishad. There are five koshas, each representing a different aspect of our being. They are: These layers are not separate entities, but rather interrelated and interconnected parts of our whole being. Understanding and working with them can help…