The Screen Actors Guild (SAG), now SAG-AFTRA, has long been an advocate for actors, including those in non-speaking roles such as movie extras. Under SAG’s protections, even extras—often seen as the most replaceable individuals on set—are guaranteed minimum pay rates, overtime compensation, meal breaks, and safety standards. These guidelines ensure that even those performing the most seemingly minor roles are treated with dignity and fairness. The union’s advocacy for extras highlights the importance of collective representation in industries where the workers might otherwise be vulnerable to exploitation. With SAG backing them, movie extras gain access to stable pay, healthcare, pension contributions, and a guaranteed level of workplace safety that would be nearly impossible to secure on their own. Yoga Teachers Without Collective Protection In contrast,…

A colleauge of mine feels overwhelemed and uninspired in their teaching, and feeling sore, sluggish, and resetful of their ashtanga practice . Sound familiar? I’ve sure as fuck been there. When the well is dry, it’s dry. No creativity, more irritation, and a creeping sense of burnout. Sure, our practice can help refill the cup, but one of its greatest gifts is its ability to alert us to imbalances before we hit empty. We might first notice it in outsized reactions to small annoyances—like my mom being more pissed at traffic than her own cancer. It’s a classic sign that something deeper is off, and it’s not just about the traffic. In our own system, when we’re flipping out over something inconsequential, it’s often because…

This is an introduction to the Functional Ashtanga Yoga Training Program