I started working extensively with props in 2007 or so. Thats almost 20 years ago, now! There was a time when they were quite taboo in ashtanga circles for some reason. This is from my dear iyengar yoga teacher ian’s @ian_goa_yoga shala. He’s been at this more than 50 years and is one of my deepest inspirations. He is so far, but this love letter helps.

There are no transgressive questions.

A teachers role is to guide, not to dictate.

Learning Ashtanga yoga involves empowerment, not passive absorption

self practice. mystical experiences. casual. weird. authentic. honest.

Again: Personalization of practice doesn't impact authenticity.

Lets look at why we do stuff, huh?

full of hubris and not exactly humble

Check-in with your students, ashtanga yoga teacher! Make sure your students are getting the good stuff.

Revolved side angle on a chair 🙂

Cultivate deeper.

Honoring individuals isn't abandoning tradition. Get a grip.

Select postures from 2nd 1/2 of 2nd series
w/ a chair

Two teachers? Is that one too many?

A robust system is a healthy system. Ashtanga yoga can stand up to a few different student teacher relationships.

some of intermediate’s b part with a chair. goes great after those backbends.

Love when that vibe is right.

Explicit conversations about interventions in mysore rooms should be happening more broadly, don't you think?

some backbending ideas for your practice.

We need to move beyond rigid labels and coveteous attitudes in the student teacher and teacher-teacher world.

Striking a balance.

Discipline? Yes. Discernment? Please. Gatekeeping? Yall have picked some really pretty trash bags to guard the gates, lets just say that.

We can build something sustainable. But yall have to stop supporting garbage clout chasers.

Qualifications ?! Some of yall need to check your scope of practice—like, yesterday.

Get real. No space can be a safe spaces for all people. But we can have safe spaces. Read the room.

Community ownership is powerful

We're more connected than many realize. Be careful not to get bogged down in the muck of celebrity.

Continuing vocational education is so important for Ashtanga Yoga teachers.

Observing relationship patterns in Ashtanga.

If you think yoga is just shapes you're missing some good stuff.

Ashtanga yoga teachers should be held to a high standard.

Lets change how we think about parampara.

A teacher's pedagogical practice is as important as their personal practice.

Teachers provide guidance, students create insight.

Inclusivity requires structural shifts. Understanding varied starting points is a welcoming choice.

Progress in Ashtanga.

Students AND teachers should show up with humility. No pedastools here, please.

Yoga's always going to make more sense when you practice it than when you try to explain it.

All kinds of communities exist under the auspice of "Ashtanga Yoga." Getcha one that aligns with your values-- the internet is vast!

Move beyond rigid heirarchies.

Listen to the warning signs, ya'll.

Video: Pragmatically Integrating Philosophy into Ashtanga Yoga to Ensure Best Outcomes

In this video, Michael Joel Hall discusses the importance of integrating all eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga, rather than focusing solely on the physical practice of asanas. He addresses the potential pitfalls of modern practices, such as the risk of turning yoga into just another workout, the impact of social media on the practice, and the ethical dilemmas faced in a performance-driven culture. Hall advocates for a more comprehensive approach that includes elements like meditation, ethical study, and understanding of foundational texts to truly cultivate a holistic yoga practice.
00:00 Introduction to Modern Ashtanga Yoga
00:08 Criticism and Holistic Approach
00:44 Ethical Dilemmas in Social Media
01:18 Integrating All Eight Limbs
01:31 Conclusion

https://michaeljoelhall.com/video-pragmatically-integrating-philosophy-into-ashtanga-yoga-to-ensure-best-outcomes/?utm_source=SocialAutoPoster&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign

Groupthink totally wrecks creativity. That’s dangerous for creatives. I work with a lot of creatives— Reach out if you want some coaching to help you with your creativity. Find the full video on YouTube

Hindsight bias makes us think we should have caught something we couldn’t have. Find the full video on YouTube. Reach out if you’re looking for some coaching or want to talk about your practice

the yoga to QAnon pipeline was real

Student Teacher Dynamics in 2025.

Think bigger than your immediate self.

Make lesson plans. Start using them. Bam. Value.

Emergent behavior is exciting.

how I feel watching my clips back 😅😅😅

Just imagine: not doom scrolling. It can happen.

Group think is really just peer pressure. Just because of other people feel like they have some hole to fill with stuff doesn’t mean you need to. Group thing is seen inside of Colson. Doesn’t this sound like the cult of consumerism?

Smart phones can create compulsions. Its a joy-suck,

Practice pratyahara and you're going to get insight into your thoughts and emotions.

Ok, so maybe I guess it *is* a break.

Emergent Phenomena is riveting.

I spy @theyoga.club ‘s own @mikematspace with one of my fave Internet educators— IRL

good subject matter and crew

Awareness is the key to getting past our own blind spots. Reach out if I can help with your yoga practice. Find the full cognitive bias video on YouTube

on cognative bias:

love to see #cognativebias getting discussed ‘round the internet

Nature itself echos nonlinearity.

We can do the uncomfortable work.

Said bye bye after a wisdom building winter

Why smart people make really dumb decisions. Link to full video in bio. Wanna chat about your practice? Reach out for some coaching.

Learning design for proper vocational training is so useful for educators to be discussing. I worry when organizational advancement heuristics are opaque. You’ll have to remember that I was the american government’s yoga teacher for 15 years. I know something about this.

If you think practice can’t go on because you’re injured, there’s a significant foundational knowledge gap. Reach out if you wanna bridge that gap

small changes, big impact. thats a hallmark of nonlinearity.

Ashtanga accommodates injury— and when done right can facilitate healing. It should not be causing injuries.

Modifications are intelligent practice. Reach out if you want support.

Nonlinear systems encourage creativity.

Video: Evolving Perspectives on Mind-Body-Spirit

In this video, Michael Joel Hall discusses how Ash Yoga in 2025 is evolving by integrating physical fitness, self-inquiry, biomechanics, neuroscience, and mindfulness. Practitioners are embracing a personalized approach, blending tradition with modern insights to enhance the practice's transformative potential. This balanced integration of physical and spiritual elements provides stability and meaning, reinforcing rather than weakening the discipline.

00:00 Introduction to Ash Yoga in 2025
00:05 Evolving Practices: Integrating Physical and Spiritual
00:28 Modern Insights: Biomechanics, Neuroscience, and Mindfulness
00:40 The Unchanging Core: Discipline and Self-Awareness
01:02 Strengthening Through Adaptation
01:11 Intelligent and Sustainable Transformation

https://michaeljoelhall.com/video-evolving-perspectives-on-mind-body-spirit/?utm_source=SocialAutoPoster&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign

Body diversity is real and if Ashtanga is being presented only to the lithe, somethings up. If you are looking for someone who can help you with the body that you have learn Ashtanga reach out.

Yoga is thrilling and it’s unpredictable way.

Small changes, big impact. If you look for leverage points and thresholds. Also: emergence. Reach out if ya wanna talk yoga systems.

Identifying the ego, in order to deal with Avidya-- aka ignorance.

Most practitioners have more roadblocks with the mental than the physical. Reach out if you wanna talk about your practice.

Not being able to find a way forward in practice means limited thinking or limited skills.

Video: Boost Your Yoga Studio with Fluent Booking & WordPress

Ready to elevate your yoga business? Discover the game-changing benefits of integrating Fluent Booking with WordPress! 🌟 Learn how this powerful combo not only streamlines your operations but also slashes costs.

In this video, Michael Joel Hall shares insight into managing bookings effortlessly, creating customized experiences for group classes and private sessions, and enhancing your client engagement with ease.

Are you stuck managing bookings manually? Let automation take charge! From personalized client communication to efficient data collection—transform your yoga studio today.

Subscribe for weekly tips on boosting your yoga business and maximizing your efficiency. #YogaBusiness #FluentCRM #WordPressBenefits

0:00 Introduction
1:20 Cost Efficiency with Fluent Booking
2:45 Versatility for All Session Types
3:30 Enhancing Client Engagement and Automation

For step-by-step guidance, visit Indie Yoga Pros!

https://michaeljoelhall.com/video-boost-your-yoga-studio-with-fluent-booking-wordpress/?utm_source=SocialAutoPoster&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign

What if we brought an executive mindset to our practice?

To the ashtanga yoga community: I’m cheering for you.

Ive recieved a lot of shame and pressure from my colleagues over the years about my open approach — an approach that is now considered the gold standard in circles that respect both the science of strength and conditioning and yoga as an indigenous insight practice.

Am I mad? No. I’m too busy being blessed.

Since my parents needed full-time care for a while (and my clientele has been largely in person) ive been busy. My book got backburnered for a few months. I want the world to have it.

Im so happy that people who dont have the same caretaking work that I have are available to usher in the conversations i want to be having. And I hope my little talking heads have been valuable to you guys. Sometimes my colleagues get a bit myopic and territorial. I’m appaled by that, especially since my approach dismantles that.

As the federal government’s yoga consultant, ive been busy. You get it.

Since i work with people in real life, these systems and processes I have refined over the last 10 years have been siloed. I want them out in the open.

Yoga practice has gotten painted with a consumerist brush. Don’t let marketing fool ya.

If you need to be 10% of better every practice, you’re gonna find yourself sorely disappointed. Enjoy practice for what it is. Reach out if you’ve lost that loving feeling.

I hear an awful lot of practitioners talk about “losing their practice.” It makes me wonder how their practice got so fragile in the first place.

Embracing the whole yoga journey.

Shift your focus from performance to sustainability and you’ll find both improve. Reach out if you’re not sure how to do that.

There’s a false dichotomy at play between props good/bad. Really shortsighted thinking. The conversation is so dumb. Reach out if you want to chat about your practice.

The whole “give a new posture” and /or “take a new pose” thing isn’t how I roll.

improve your back bend

108 reps, too.

A functional practice meets diverse needs. Props rock. Use whatever works. Jeeze.

I can’t believe people would be weird about using a block in their yoga practice in 2025. They can’t be, right?

What are the key teachings of the yoga sutras?

Video: It Should Be a Spiritual Focus, Shouldn't It

Michael Joel Hall discusses the practice of Ashtanga Yoga as a vehicle for self-inquiry, awareness, and transformation. He emphasizes that it is more than just physical postures, involving breath, movement, and meditation to foster presence and stillness. Hall highlights the importance of ethical principles and turning practice into a way of living. The objective is to cultivate flexibility of the mind, recognizing deeper transformations that align practice with life.

00:00 Introduction to Ashtanga Yoga
00:15 Beyond Physical Postures
00:32 Ethical Principles and Living Practice
00:42 Spiritual and Physical Connection
00:56 Deeper Transformations
01:05 Applying Meditation in Life

https://michaeljoelhall.com/video-it-should-be-a-spiritual-focus-shouldnt-it/?utm_source=SocialAutoPoster&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign

You run some risks when you decontextualize.

Sometimes practitioners need to get real about how much they have going on and maybe be a little easier on themselves.

How do we preserve bindu?

A flexible practice supports your life. So many different ways to do that— reach out if you’re not sure.

Lets get weird. What is bindu?

What kind of hubris is it to think you’re not gonna have to modify your practice at some point?

Ya gotta secure your bag, guys.

Video: Enhance Student Engagement with Simple CRM Tactics

Transform your teaching with a powerful CRM strategy! 💡 In this video, discover how to use customer relationship management software to enhance student engagement and improve your teaching effectiveness. As an independent yoga teacher, I've found ways to simplify student tracking, personalize communication, and tailor workshops using a dynamic CRM like FluentCRM. The key? Automating workflows for optimal interaction and leveraging data from newsletters and attendance. Watch this video to explore easy steps to start implementing CRM in your teaching today. Perfect for educators ready to deepen student relationships and boost classroom participation. #StudentEngagement #YogaTeaching #CRM

https://michaeljoelhall.com/video-enhance-student-engagement-with-simple-crm-tactics/?utm_source=SocialAutoPoster&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign

Feeling Stable Through Different Models of Working as a Yoga Teacher!

Time Constraints are real. An efficacious practice at the 20 minute mark is worth keeping in your back pocket.

bb steps

Practice fundamentally must meet us where we are. Do you need some help finding flexibility in your system?

Negotiating a Revenue Sharing Model.

Yoga Teachers! What are you making?!

@kylieminoguewines @michaelgeovanni @smashigram that 0% is sooo good

Don’t let structure be misconstrued as bondage. The sequence isn’t a cage. Reach out if you feel Like you wanna get out of the box.

People get so weird about things that shouldn’t be weird. Reach out if you wanna chat about your practice.

On what planet is not taking good care of ourselves when we can the right choice?

An adaptive system is a healthy system. A healthy system is a functional system.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years

So much weird gatekeeping in the classical yoga world. Stupid.

Virabhadrasana A & B: Understanding the Count and Its Flow

**Unlocking the Warrior Within: A Journey Through Virabhadrasana A & B**

Step onto your mat and prepare to unleash the vibrant energy of the Warrior! In our latest blog, "Virabhadrasana A & B: Understanding the Count and Its Flow," we delve into the essence of these powerful standing poses. Discover how the intricate interplay between breath and movement cultivates strength, stability, and an expansive heart.

Join us as we break down the 14 transformative actions that guide each posture, ensuring your practice flows with intention and grace. From the grounding stance of Warrior I to the energizing lift of Warrior II, learn the anatomical nuances that foster alignment and engagement.

Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your yogic journey, this exploration promises to deepen your understanding and enhance your connection to each pose. Let the rhythm of the count become your ally as you dance through the asanas—transforming not just your practice, but your life off the mat as well.

Dive in for insights that will empower your practice today! 🌟

https://michaeljoelhall.com/virabhadrasana-a-b-understanding-the-count-and-its-flow/?utm_source=SocialAutoPoster&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign

Presenting the primary series of Ashtanga yoga as an example Of what practice looks like is a sure fire away To create a barrier to entry.

Ashtanga has so many awesome ways to practice. On ramps aren’t dilutions— reach out if you want to find an on-ramp.

Video: What Is a Yoga Executive?

Mastering the Yoga Executive Mindset: Leadership and Purpose in Practice

Discover how to approach your yoga practice and life with intentional leadership, clarity, and purpose. Learn about the key principles such as visionary thinking, yogic agency, systems thinking, adaptability, discernment, and balance. This episode guides you on crafting your vision, setting intentional goals, practicing with purpose, adapting to changes, and celebrating your progress. Become a self-directed leader using yoga to build a purposeful and meaningful life.

00:00 Introduction to the Yoga Executive Mindset
00:32 Visionary Thinking in Yoga
00:56 Yogic Agency: The Power of Choice
01:20 Systems Thinking in Yoga Practice
01:39 Adaptability and Strategic Flexibility
01:57 Discernment and Balance in Practice
02:15 Qualities of a Yoga Executive
03:19 Becoming a Yoga Executive: Steps and Practices
04:09 Final Thoughts on the Yoga Executive

https://michaeljoelhall.com/video-what-is-a-yoga-executive/?utm_source=SocialAutoPoster&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign

Video: Ignorance is the Cause of Suffering: Overcoming Avidya with Yoga

Understanding Avidya: Overcoming Ignorance through Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

In this video, we delve into the concept of Avidya, or ignorance, as outlined in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Avidya is identified as the root cause of suffering, distorting our perception of the self, the world, and our relationships. We explore four key components of Avidya: mistaking the impermanent as permanent, misconstruing the impure as pure, confusing pain with pleasure, and identifying with the non-self. By fostering discernment and self-study, we can overcome these ignorances, leading to more authentic relationships and an enriched internal world.

00:00 Understanding Avidya: The Root of Suffering
00:21 Mistaking the Impermanent as Permanent
00:58 Misconstruing the Impure as Pure
01:59 Confusing Pain with Pleasure
02:18 Identifying the Self with the Non-Self
03:09 The Role of Egoism in Avidya
04:10 Overcoming Avidya through Discernment and Self-Study

https://michaeljoelhall.com/video-ignorance-is-the-cause-of-suffering-overcoming-avidya-with-yoga/?utm_source=SocialAutoPoster&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign

I hate the reputation Ashtanga gets for being so crazy hard. I don’t think that’s one of its Hallmark’s.

Ashtanga yoga needs to be compelling to beginners— and not just athletic beginners.