From the archives: Pratyahara Practices – However, most sources were limited in their offering of practices and it was rare to find detailed support describing how to practice and teach them. – Therefore, we think our research to bring this together may offer a particularly valuable contribution to your toolkit. – We invite your thoughts and leads for additional resources. Read the full study guide →
Utthita Trikonasana A & B (Extended Triangle Pose) A standing pose that opens the hips, stretches the hamstrings, and builds lateral stability through the legs and torso. Key mobility focus: hip external rotation FRC Mobility Protocols These videos target hip external rotation for Utthita Trikonasana A & B: Hip Joint External Rotation PAILS & RAILS Hip Joint External Rotation Hovers Hip Joint External Rotation Lift Offs Hip Joint External Rotation Passive Range Hold Hip Joint External Rotation PNF
We practice, and nothing happens. Then we stop expecting anything, and suddenly—transformation. This paradox sits at the heart of Ashtanga Yoga, and systems thinking reveals why: time delays create the invisible architecture of our evolution. The gap between effort and result is not a bug in the practice—it is the feature that makes real change possible. In yogic philosophy, this is kala—time as the great revealer, the force that allows seeds to germinate in their own season. The Yoga Sutras remind us that practice becomes firmly grounded only when attended to for a long time, without break, and with devotion. But what the ancient texts describe poetically, systems thinking explains mechanically: feedback loops do not operate in real-time, and that lag is precisely what allows…
From the archives: Philosophy Intro Be aware of the profound depth and potential scope of yoga as a philosophy and practice, and consider multiple perspectives on the purpose of practice. Read the full study guide →
Dear Soni, One of the most quietly radical acts in Ashtanga yoga is learning to work with volume and sequence in a way that serves your whole life, not just your practice. Many students—especially those who are driven and high-achieving—find it difficult to accept that splitting the sequence (breaking it into smaller, more digestible segments) is not only allowed, but often a mark of maturity and wisdom. There are many methods: half-primary, alternating days, focusing on a single section for depth. Each demands a willingness to experiment, patience, and the courage to let go of perfectionism. More on this in Applying Volume Training to Ashtanga. It’s tempting to measure progress in yoga by how much of the sequence you can complete or how quickly you…
From the archives: Sanskrit First Words Be prepared to introduce Sanskrit words into teaching. Read the full study guide →
Utthita Trikonasana A & B (Extended Triangle Pose) A standing pose that opens the hips, stretches the hamstrings, and builds lateral stability through the legs and torso. Key mobility requirements: hip abduction, hip external rotation, knee extension FRC Mobility Protocols These videos will help you build the joint mobility needed for Utthita Trikonasana A & B: Hip Joint Abduction PAILS & RAILS Hip Joint Abduction Hovers Hip Joint Abduction Lift Offs Hip Joint Abduction Passive Range Hold Hip Joint Abduction
What if the future of reading isn’t about technology at all, but about who gets included? In a recent piece for 51st News, Martin Austermuhle explores how D.C.’s library system is grappling with the high cost of e-books—and who gets left out when budgets tighten. This story isn’t just about library funding or e-book pricing. It’s about access: who gets to learn, grow, and dream—who gets to belong. In yoga, sangha means community, and ahimsa calls us to collective care. What would it mean to design our systems so the doors stay open for everyone, not just those with means? 📚 Digital Divides, Real Consequences It’s tempting to treat e-books as a great equalizer: downloadable, never late, always a click away. But the story under…
Neuroscientists are designing elaborate protocols to induce gamma oscillations in the human brain — flickering lights, transcranial currents, near-infrared light helmets. A 2024 review in Frontiers in Neuroscience catalogues four distinct stimulation methods to achieve what the brain needs to perceive clearly, move well, and regulate emotion. Reading it, I kept having the same thought: Ashtanga yoga already does all of this. Not metaphorically. Simultaneously, and without a single device
From the archives: Sanskrit Study & Teaching Tips Progressively develop the capability to use Sanskrit in teaching by practicing vowel pronunciation and learning common Sanskrit words that form the components of pose names. Read the full study guide →