Breathe in, Breathe out: Understanding Pranayama in Ashtanga Yoga

Introduction: Breathing is an integral part of our lives, but we often take it for granted. In Ashtanga yoga, we focus on the breath through the practice of pranayama. Pranayama is the fourth limb of the Eight Limbs of Yoga, and it’s all about breath practices. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what pranayama is, its purpose, and how it can enhance your Ashtanga yoga practice. What is Pranayama? Pranayama is a Sanskrit word that means “life force extension,” and it refers to breath practices designed to enhance one’s life force energy or prana. Pranayama is presented as the fourth limb in the Eight Limbs of Yoga, and it’s all about controlling your breath to control your prana. By regulating the…

Flexibility and Stretching: The Hidden Secrets of Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and challenging practice that demands strength, flexibility and endurance. As Ashtanga practitioners, we are often obsessed with achieving the perfect posture, but sometimes we forget the importance of flexibility and the role it plays in our practice. In this article, we will delve into the complex world of anatomy and physiology, and explore the hidden secrets of flexibility and stretching in Ashtanga yoga. We will cover what limits flexibility, the benefits of stretching, and the different types of stretching techniques that can be used to improve flexibility. What is Flexibility and What Limits It? Flexibility refers to the ability to move (without pain or restriction) through a joint’s range of motion. It is specific to a particular joint or set…

What is Pranayama?

What is Pranayama?

What is Pranayama? Pranayama, or breath control, is an ancient practice that is a cornerstone of many forms of yoga. The practice of pranayama is said to improve overall health through deep, mindful breathing exercises and techniques. Through its ability to strengthen the connection between the mind and body, pranayama can be used to reduce stress and tension, increase focus, increase energy, and improve general wellbeing. Though it has been practiced for thousands of years, in recent times pranayama has become more popular and accessible to the public. In this blog post, we will explore what pranayama is and how individuals can benefit from its practice. 1. Pranayama is a yogic practice that involves controlling the breath If you’ve ever heard of pranayama and wanted…

What Is the Yoga of Synthesis?

What Is the Yoga of Synthesis?

If you’ve made it this far, you already know that yoga is an ancient practice that has been around for centuries and is beloved by many for its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. But did you know that there is a special type of yoga that is even more advanced and powerful? It’s called the yoga of synthesis and it is a unique approach that combines a variety of yogic traditions to provide a holistic experience. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what the yoga of synthesis is, as well as how it differs from other types of yoga. We’ll explore how this approach can help to bring peace, balance, and well-being into your life. Lastly, we’ll provide some tips on how…

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What is Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga?

Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga is a powerful practice that has been gaining in popularity in the yoga world for many years now. Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic, flowing and meditative practice that cultivates strength, flexibility and concentration. In fact, it is an excellent way to build strength and increase flexibility, while also calming the mind and the body.  In this blog post, we will take a look at the basics of Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga, to help you get a better understanding of what this type of practice entails. We’ll also explore how it differs from other types of yoga, and how it can be beneficial to anyone looking to improve their physical and mental health. So, without further ado, let’s dive into…

Ashtanga Yoga and Acute and Chronic Pain

Ashtanga Yoga and Acute and Chronic Pain

One of the most brilliant aspects of the ashtanga vinyasa yoga physical practice lies in its adaptability. Not unlike the swiss army knife housing a blade, a toothpick, and a bottle opener, the ashtanga yoga practice works effectively across a spectrum of applications. Not confined to being solely a central axis meditation, one could also consider the vinyasa practice a kind of physical therapy. After all, Guruji referred to the primary series of ashtanga yoga as “yoga therapy” — yoga chitiksa. The premise here is that this practice, when done correctly, heals the body. What needs healing, one might ask? To my mind, its an easing of chronic pain, the kind that subsist long after trauma has been healed.  The other is acute pain, the…

Don’t Be a Hater: On Selfies, Radical Self Acceptance, and Yoga on the Internet

Don’t Be a Hater: On Selfies, Radical Self Acceptance, and Yoga on the Internet

After I was assaulted and hospitalized in 2012, I became something of a media spectacle. We needed money for my surgery (titanium plates run about 14k a pop, and I needed a few), and my community rallied around me. From yogis to drag queens, so many people gave that we had to tell folks to stop. It was pretty amazing. There were even lots of news articles. I shouldn’t have read the comments in those articles. I know a lot about victim blaming now. Shortly after my recovery period, the non-profit activist group Collective Action for Safe Spaces (formerly: Hollaback!) approached me to raise some awareness for their cause: stopping street harassment. It should be a no brainer: you should be able to walk home without getting…