Context Matters for Indigenous Insight Practices

Decontextualizing indigenous insight practices—like those in traditional Ashtanga Yoga or other ancient systems—tends to diminish their efficacy because these practices are deeply embedded in specific cultural, spiritual, and historical contexts. This “embedding” isn’t a casual detail; it’s essential to how these systems work. When aspects of a practice are extracted or secularized, they lose the nuanced interconnections that support the whole system, similar to removing a keystone from an arch. For example, in Ashtanga Yoga, specific techniques and philosophies are not just exercises but methods developed within a layered understanding of ethics, community, and personal transformation. This is why teachers like Gregor Maehle emphasize that yoga is not just postures but part of a system that includes spiritual texts, breath work, ethics, and ritual. Removing…

Discovering Zen: A Journey with Alan Watts

Are you an Ashtanga practitioner ready to explore Zen philosophy through the lens of Alan Watts? Join us as we dive into the captivating documentary “Zen: The Best of Alan Watts” and discover how Zen principles can enhance our Ashtanga journey. Expand your understanding of yoga and find inner calm amidst the challenges of your practice. Embrace a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you. Let Alan Watts guide you on this beautiful path of self-discovery. Happy watching and happy practicing!

A Yogi’s Guide to the Branches of Yoga

A Yogi’s Guide to the Branches of Yoga

Introduction: Welcome fellow yogis! Today we are going to explore the diverse branches of yoga and understand their origins. This guide will help deepen our understanding of Bhakti, Jnana, Raja, Tantra, and Hatha Yoga. So, roll out your mat, breathe, and let’s get started. Bhakti: Yoga of Devotion Bhakti yoga is known as the path of devotion. Those who practice Bhakti yoga see the divine in all. They believe in invoking love and feeling a sense of closeness to the divine through their thoughts, words, and deeds. The practices of Bhakti yoga include chanting mantras and kirtan. Krishna has explained this yogic path in “The Bhagavad Gita.” Karma: Yoga of Action Karma yoga is known as the path of service or union through action. Karma…

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…