The Evolution of an Ashtanga Teacher Introduction Change and iteration? I’m good with those. I started out verbose—talking too much, explaining every little thing. Then I swung the pendulum toward the stereotypical Ashtanga script: minimal instruction, no props, traditional cues only. But ultimately, I came back to being real. The journey wasn’t a straight line. I had poor mentorship modeling early on in my Ashtanga career. It took a while to trust myself—to teach from what I knew to be true, not just what I was shown. I. The Early Years: Strict Adherence to Tradition In the early years of teaching, I thought I needed to model exactly what had been handed down to me. That meant ditching props—even though I had used them before…

The Five Obstacles to Yoga Introduction Every yogi, whether fresh-faced on the mat or seasoned from years of practice, eventually bumps into… something. A wall, a plateau, a discomfort, or an inexplicable resistance. In yoga philosophy, these aren’t random speed bumps — they are known, predictable, and profoundly human. Enter the kleshas — the five obstacles. These obstacles aren’t about flexibility or how long you can hold a handstand. They’re inner blocks that cloud perception, distort behavior, and make spiritual evolution feel like wading through peanut butter in a wet blanket. Understanding them doesn’t magically solve them (sorry), but it does provide a framework for self-inquiry, personal growth, and a yoga practice that transcends hamstrings. I. Avidya (Ignorance): The Root Obstacle In yoga, avidya is…

Adapting Poses for Individual Needs You know that moment when you cue “step your right foot forward between your hands,” and someone’s foot ends up somewhere between left field and the front row? That’s not failure — that’s anatomy doing its thing. Welcome to the beautiful chaos of individualized yoga teaching, where no two bodies are the same, and your one-size-fits-all cue just made sense to exactly one person. Effective teaching isn’t about making everyone look the same — it’s about helping each student discover how yoga fits their body, not the other way around. Let’s dive into how smart, thoughtful adaptation — rooted in both biomechanics and compassion — transforms the practice for everyone. I. Understanding Individual Body Differences People come to yoga with…

The Art of Saying It So They Actually Feel It If you’ve ever stood in front of a room full of yogis and said something like “engage your core,” only to be met with blank stares or wildly different interpretations (someone holds their breath, another tenses their shoulders, and one person just clenches their jaw), then congratulations — you’re a yoga teacher. Welcome to the high-wire act that is teaching alignment and body awareness: one part science, one part poetry, and one part trying not to scream, “No, not like that!” Because here’s the truth: precise, embodied instruction isn’t just about keeping students from face-planting in bakasana. It’s about helping them access their own felt sense of the pose — safely, effectively, and (if we’re…

Mastery Demands Deliberation, Not Just Repetition! In the quest for mastery in any field, the distinction between naive practice and deliberate practice often determines the trajectory of an individual’s progress. While many may believe that simply investing time into an activity guarantees improvement, the reality is more nuanced. Understanding these two approaches can illuminate the path toward genuine skill acquisition and expertise. This article explores the pitfalls of naive practice and the effectiveness of deliberate practice, ultimately guiding readers toward more productive learning strategies.