digital screen

5 entries · oldest first

2023
2024
We’re a week in to the 30 Day Core Fitness Challenge and the 2024 Teaching Immersion over at @ashtanga.tech — and I’m just over the moon. Ashtanga Tech is the ashtanga education platform I built, designed for practitioners and professionals. She’s meant to facilitate development in a variety of different components of the ashtanga yoga system— from core fitness to meditation. It’s amazing to see so many of you guys using it already, and I’m just so over the moon. Can’t wait to see you in homeroom.
in imageYour Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Understanding Body Scan Meditation: Learn how this practice helps in acknowledging and releasing stored tensions. It's a key tool for developing deeper awareness of your physical self.
2. Finding the Right Spot: Lie down in a quiet, comfortable place. Allow your body to feel supported by the ground beneath you.
3. Start at Your Toes: Begin with focusing on your toes. Observe any sensations, warmth, tingling, or maybe nothing at all.
4. Gradually Move Upward: Slowly shift your attention through
This meditation isn't just a cooldown; it's your path to understanding and harmonizing with your body. Embrace each sensation, and emerge more connected and relaxed. 🧘✨🌿
💬 Comment
2025
Being a part of something is wonderful. Movements, clubs, communities. These organizations shouldn’t demand a loss of your personal identity or sense of sense of self. High pressure communities have a way of twisting these conversations because of the inherent philosophical paradox of self and not-self in Ashtanga philosophy.

More on youtube!
in imageIndividuality is often suppressed in favor of group think.
Meanwhile, a group identity demands you only do their activities have their
Does it encourage personal development and critical thinking? Groupthink Beliefs Promotes critical thinking Fosters individuality Unique Individuality Identity Loss vs Unique Individuality Identity Loss k" dominates
Individuality is often suppressed in favor of group think.
Meanwhile, a group identity demands you only do their activities have their | Group Identity vs Individual Identity | Group Identity | Individual Identity | Rights | Activities | Beliefs | Groupthink | promotes critical thinking | unique Individuality
Does it encourage personal development and critical thinking? Groupthink Beliefs Promotes critical thinking Fosters individuality Unique Individuality Identity Loss vs Unique Individuality Identity Loss k" dominates
💬 Comment
I used to say that teachers should never sleep with their students. I still feel that way broadly, but a number of people in mentorship roles and friendship roles have had long, long relationships with former students. My teacher cremated her husband last year, him being perhaps my dearest heart’s teacher. She was his student 20 years ago.

Time delays in a system can help highlight the difference between a pragmatic, transparent room with agency and a room with an authoritarian vibe. Are sexual relations between leaders and community members given clear protocols for safety? Generally, i think not. This is not a efficacious strategy.

I think the best bet is don’t sleep with your students, I think the second best bet is make sure that there is a transparency and accountability if a relationship starts.

I’m no HR expert, but your yoga teacher probably didn’t go to seminary school to hear all this. And anyway, its not like that has a 100% score, either. We can anticipate and intervene better, I think when we remain pragmatic and transparent.

More on youtube!
in imageIt's like you shouldn't fuck your students. Grooming Leaders abusing power Power dynamics Sexual exploitation Safeguarding Non-existen[t] [safeguar]ding Poor sa[feguarding]
population and you understand and That they are already inherent power
But you know you can like allow that to not Happen by having a zero
It's like you shouldn't fuck your students. | Grooming | Leaders abusing power | Power dynamics | Sexual exploitation | Safeguarding | Non-existen...ding | Poor sa...
population and you understand and That they are already inherent power
Leaders abusing power
Power dynamics
Sexual exploitation
Safeguarding
Non-existent safeguarding
Poor saf[eguarding]
Prompt
But you know you can like allow that to not Happen by having a zero
It's like you shouldn't fuck your students. Grooming Leaders abusing power Power dynamics Sexual exploitation Safeguarding Non-existen[t] [safeguar]ding Poor sa[feguarding]
population and you understand and That they are already inherent power | Leaders abusing power | Power dynamics | Sexual exploitation | Safeguarding | Non-existent safeguarding | Poor saf[eguarding] | Promp[t]
But you know you can like allow that to not Happen by having a zero
It's like you shouldn't fuck your students.
Grooming
Power dynamics
Leaders abusing power
Sexual exploitation
Safeguarding
Non-existen[t] [safeguar]ding
Poor sa[feguarding]
population and you understand and That they are already inherent power
Leaders abusing power
Power dynamics
Sexual exploitation
Safeguarding
Non-existent safeguarding
Poor saf
Prompt
But you know you can like allow that to not Happen by having a zero
💬 Comment
from Collider
in imageYou're not alone in seeing the dysfunction. Find the people who can also see it. Create spaces—even informal ones—where honest conversation is possible. Some of my most powerful teaching happened in hallway conversations after class. People would share what they were noticing, validate each other's perception, realize they weren't crazy for seeing what they saw. Community isn't about creating another system. It's about creating conditions where truth-telling is possible. 3. Practice Non-Identification You are not your role. You are not your title. You are not the system. Every time you come to your mat and just breathe—you practice remembering this. You practice being the awareness that sees the system rather than being consumed by it. 4. Work at the Smallest Scale That Matters Don't try to reform the entire organization. You can't. The system will eat your efforts and
5. Know When to Leave

Sometimes the most intelligent response is to exit a pathological system.
Not every system can be reformed from within. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is leave—find a different job, find a different teacher, build a different community.
This isn't failure. It's discernment.
Several of my federal students eventually left government work. Not in rebellion, not burned out, but consciously—recognizing that the system wasn't serving their development anymore, and choosing something different.
The practice gave them the capacity to see clearly, which gave them the courage to choose differently.

Final Thoughts: You're Not Broken—You're Just Seeing Backwards
💬 Comment

Get MichaelFilter

Enter your email. We'll send you a one-tap link to read every issue — PDFs and carousel cards. The link works for 24 hours.

Already a member of theyoga.club or ashtanga.tech? You're already on file — no re-registration. We won't add you to any list.