Qualifications? For Yoga? Yes! But what are they and who decides?
00:00 Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga Teaching
00:12 The Evolving Role of a Yoga Teacher
00:32 Qualifications and Expectations
01:02 The Art of Teaching Yoga
01:14 Balancing Tradition and Growth
01:36 Commitment to Lifelong Learning
01:41 Future of Ashtanga Yoga
This is a video about Ashtanga Student-Teacher Dynamics in 2025
00:00 Introduction: The Evolving Teacher-Student Relationship in Ashtanga Yoga
00:10 Balancing Tradition and Modernity in Teaching Methods
00:35 The Role of the Teacher: From Gatekeeper to Guide
01:01 Modern Approaches: Inclusivity and Adaptability
01:40 Finding the Middle Way: Sustainable Teacher-Student Relationships
02:20 Conclusion: Embracing Authenticity in Ashtanga Yoga
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.
BUILDING THE CAPACITY TO STAY OPEN To live in a body that is fully connected to its capacity for feeling means opening to being vulnerable. By vulnerable, I’m not meaning without clear boundaries, but rather the capacity to open when openness is needed. The ability to remain open is a skill that involves increasing our threshold for both pleasant and unpleasant sensations. Staying open when we want to shut down, staying open when it’s easier to walk away. Staying open when we feel panicky or threatened. – Donna Farhi BUILDING THE COURAGE TO FEEL Part of the process is to build the courage to feel whatever feelings are stored in your heart or in your back—or wherever. Some of it is really uncomfortable—like your rage or your…
Advancing in yoga, particularly in the Ashtanga tradition, is a journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to confront both physical and emotional limits. Over the years, I have found myself at the intersection of personal expectations, teacher guidance, and the inevitable boundaries of my own body. The process has been as much about internal growth as it has been about mastering the physical postures. In Ashtanga, this challenge is heightened by the structured progression through the series, where each new posture represents both an achievement and a new set of demands. “I will not be cracking. Thanks so much. What I’m going to do is catch my wrist and you’re going to move me to intermediate faster than anyone has ever moved intermediate…
Teaching yoga is a profound and fulfilling vocation, yet the weight of responsibility can lead to burnout if we’re not mindful. As Jason Crandell reminds us, the journey is not for the faint-hearted, with challenges such as compassion fatigue, financial worries, and the isolation that can come with the role.
In this blog, we’ll explore essential strategies for self-care that will not only help you recognize the signs of burnout but also empower you to take proactive steps towards healing. From nurturing your personal practice to prioritizing rest and connection, discover how you can align your expectations and embrace the journey of teaching without sacrificing your well-being.
Join us as we dive into effective self-care techniques designed to rejuvenate your spirit and enhance your teaching capacity—because self-care isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity that allows you to shine brighter for your students. Embrace the process and remember, when you prioritize yourself, you elevate your entire practice.
Teaching, at its core, is about conveying information in a way that leads to understanding. Whether it’s teaching yoga, guiding students through complex subjects, or addressing legal matters, the clarity and precision of communication are paramount. In my experience, explicit communication has proven to be an essential tool, especially when working with autistic or neurodivergent individuals. Interestingly, I have found that this same level of explicitness is often required when working with lawyers. As I’ve observed, “The lawyers and the autistic people require the same stuff. You have to have everything explicitly broken down.” The necessity for clear, step-by-step instruction is not unique to one specific group but is vital across a wide range of learners. This essay will explore why explicit communication is so…
The journey of incorporating props in Ashtanga yoga has been met with curiosity and skepticism. Traditionally, there was a belief that props were not part of the Ashtanga practice, often viewed as unnecessary crutches. This perspective suggested that props were a deviation from the purity of traditional practice.
For many, Ashtanga yoga may evoke images of youthful, flexible practitioners twisting gracefully into challenging poses. This perception, deeply rooted in yoga’s modern history, suggests that the practice is predominantly tailored for the young and resilient. This belief, however, overlooks an essential truth about yoga’s adaptability and its potential as a lifelong practice.
Many yoga students walk into class thinking they need to “perform” the poses perfectly. If they struggle, they feel like they’ve failed. But when you use Radical Candor—balancing direct feedback with genuine care—you shift their mindset from perfection to progress.
Instead of saying, “That alignment is off,” try:
✔ “I love how focused you are—let’s adjust your stance a little so you can move with more ease.”
This tells them you see their effort and want to help them grow, not just critique their form.
Let’s explore a few more.