oh huh
they bend here,
too --
duh

practice just isn’t so sexy. (unless you’re @chrisnhamp — a damn fine ashtangay)

target receipt practice receipt

sitting in
the eye of
the storm

TRYING TO BE
CAPTAIN PLANCHET.

THEY TWIST.

Chose
pleasure
over
pedantic

I did not
let perfection
inhibit proficient.

Check out yoga teacher talks podcast for an interview with me!
The links in the bio!

@balancegym

attn: patreon subscribers drip drip! New! beginners class
vinyasa class

vinyasa at 11
link in bio

every moment of every day is a chance to notice how
Alive you are.

#37 but ya keep going.
ya stay awake.
and you rejoice in being alive.

LOOKING FOR THE NEGLECTED BITS AND ASKING THEM TO PLAY

sped up 20x

20!

sped up 20x

20!

issa whole mood

it actually looks a lot more like this.

Let me know if you’d like to join in on the fun.

/so!/satisfying!/

What is pratyahara?

when the lecture goes too long

reach.

easy does it, hall.

dancing can be fun.
try to have fun.

Some call this one
“terrible face pose”

o hai

k bai

Most folks can jump higher than a tree.

besos

a duck haiku

hit by car, fucked wrist
end of April, healing up
funny pose to like

wrist is much better

grace not so much

Drills for inversions
Sped up 9x

first drop back since
getting hit by a car in April

Chair yoga

Such
a simple
creature. @theyoga.club new toys

work stuff 😍👨‍🔧

not working.

staring competition

Word. Word.

Thx @neaferrieryoga

🧘‍♂️Exploring Time Delays in #AshtangaYoga 🕰️

Did you see my article (link in bio)

🔄 I intertwine the practice of yoga with systems theory, emphasizing that the fruits of yoga bloom subtly and gradually, embodying a crucial time delay between practice and noticeable benefits.

🌱 It’s like a garden, little changes are a big deal over time— consistent practice nurtures physical strength, flexibility, and mental focus, forming a continuous cycle of growth and discovery. You can’t rush the crop.

🔄 Practice becomes a holistic exploration, intertwining physical, mental, and emotional spheres.

🚶‍♂️ Navigating through the complexities and time delays in yoga involves embracing vulnerability, seeking personalized guidance, and cultivating patience and compassion.

📝 Strategies like maintaining a practice journal and engaging in community practice are highlighted as vital in navigating through the subtle, continuous progress that unfolds over time.

🌟 Remember: The journey through Ashtanga Yoga is not merely about mastering poses but a holistic exploration that unfolds patiently and subtly over time.

🔗 Link to the full in bio

#YogaJourney #Ashtanga #YogaPractice #HolisticGrowth #Patience #Consistency #YogaLife #YogaCommunity #Mindfulness #MentalHealth #PhysicalHealth #EmotionalHealth #SustainableProgress #YogaBenefits #SystemsTheory #TimeDelay #YogaMastery #YogaPhilosophy #YogaWisdom #YogaForLife #YogaEveryday

Free workshop alert:
(Yoga & Mental Health)

Join me for a FREE 30-Day Core Fitness Challenge!

I'm excited to share @ashtanga.tech Ashtanga Tech with you guys!
---
Link in bio!!

Day 3 be like
"But I'm a star!!"
(Actually, day 2 gets spicy)
🌶️🌶️

great book! great interviewer!

I reckon this wrist and ankle are back in the game. 2 years (fine, 22 months) of incremental progress after getting hit by a car.

yoga teacher, fashion fixer, JVN wishes tbh

Here’s some stuff I do in order to wrestle with the nature of reality and the infinite. It’s mostly stuff to affect physiological change towards general well being layered with meditation and mindset. These disparate systems encourage an emergence of something greater than the sum of their parts. It looks some kinda way.

Here’s some stuff I do in order to wrestle with the nature of reality and the infinite. It’s mostly stuff to affect physiological change towards general well being layered with meditation and mindset. These disparate systems encourage an emergence of something greater than the sum of their parts. It looks some kinda way.

Here’s some stuff I do in order to wrestle with the nature of reality and the infinite. It’s mostly stuff to affect physiological change towards general well being layered with meditation and mindset. These disparate systems encourage an emergence of something greater than the sum of their parts. It looks some kinda way.

Here’s some stuff I do in order to wrestle with the nature of reality and the infinite. It’s mostly stuff to affect physiological change towards general well being layered with meditation and mindset. These disparate systems encourage an emergence of something greater than the sum of their parts. It looks some kinda way.

Doing the impossible is a matter of breaking it down into possible pieces, with a dash of faith and patience.

Here are some additional handstands and Compression Drills/ Strategies for Intermediate Series.

Join @ashtanga.tech and me for an immersive intermediate series intensive. Explore the path to personal mastery with us in Nashville at @yogashalanashville ! This isn’t about hierarchy; it’s about individual growth and mastery. Let’s journey together towards personal excellence on the mat. See you there! 🌟

Enjoyment as a Discipline:

Hey y’all, it’s Michael here, bringing you some backbending inspiration from my workroom. My biggest tip? Stop making yourself miserable.

Incorporating enjoyment and gratitude into the discipline of yoga practice is in itself a transformative act. It shifts the focus from viewing practice as a duty or challenge to seeing it as a cherished part of daily life. This shift in perspective can significantly enhance a practitioner’s dedication and enthusiasm, making the practice more sustainable and enriching.

Commit to knocking the sh*t*y self talk off. Enjoyment is part of the process— be disciplined about its curation!

**
Intermediate Intensive -Nashville @yogashalanashville - 6/14-6/16
*
Primary Intensive- Washington, DC @theyoga.club - 6/21-6/23

When I got to Goa, I felt anonymous again.

In Mysore, I felt like everyone had heard. I was the ashtangi who got hate crime'd in the face after his house burned down. I wanted to be the tall pretty one. Or the smart one. But for now, I was very much the tragic one.

Luckily, Rolf wasn’t watching the news. I was just one more 6'3 drop back for him to do. And he was happy to oblige-- quietly sharing lite bits here and there in my ear about his work. But not so happy with it that I didn’t get assigned sone extra. Great.

After 26 years of shrinking myself for others, I got to just be the big one. You gotta gang up to take the big one down, and that's what was happening in real life. Literal gangs at home on the street, and little yogi gangs jockeying for status in Mysore.

When you question your ability to be loved by the universe, it is very helpful to see real love pouring out of someone else’s eyes.

Rolf didn’t need to know that I was stitched together with laughy taffy and titanium. Marci went to work on putting my physical injuries to bed and Rolf my heart. Neither needed a narrative. it is good, because I was so sick of my own story I couldn’t take it anymore.

As I’ve been working on my book-- it’s almost done -- the only part that I haven’t gotten into is my introduction into Systems Thinking-- through a gang beatdown.

I have known catastrophe again and again and gotten up to go again and again. This might sound like hubris, but check my receipts.

Rolf was able to help me see the interconnected nature of things in a way that makes the big picture possible. He also helped me understand how unspecial I was — while also feeling very very, very special. As Rolf would say, you do as you feel, and every day, the Yoga grows inside of you like a little plant.

In many ways, the development of my practice and the autonomy — the Santosh— the self sufficiency — means that there is less labor for my teacher to take on. Now i understand that my desire to be better in my physical practice was also so that Rolf had to do less for me.

Since he’s dead now, I will have to put my thigh down on the ground myself.

Learn how to use your practice to live better. Ashtanga Yoga can impact our physiology in life changing ways. This and much more at https://ashtanga.tech/ @ashtanga.tech

Between backbends

Taking it all in the last night before renovations 🥹

healing this ol’ cage one rib atta time

When I started practicing in 2002, there wasnt a yoga studio on every corner. Yoga hadn’t quite hit the granola standard yet (when its not just for hippies anymore). Practice in general was still counterculture, with lineage-based yoga studios having been established for a decade or two. It wasnt yet seen from a consumerist athleisure lens.
This was at a time when traditional yoga studios had begun to propagate naturally into smaller studios from their spry, allowing 30-something teachers to enter full time teaching, inside their own four walls. It was a time before the big boxes, the local chains, and venture capital from Wall Street. Yes, at one time, independent yoga studios were owned by people who had made exotic journeys and devoted insane amounts of time to their spiritual quests amd studies.

So what happened? Head to michaeljoelhall.com to read more.

Are you ready to explore the hidden connections between Eastern spirituality and Western science? 🌌 In this video, Michael Johal reveals the intriguing parallels between the ancient concept of Bindu and today’s understanding of western physiology, focusing on the pineal gland and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. 🧠✨ Discover how these connections could enhance your understanding of consciousness and spiritual experiences, potentially linked with DMT production. We delve into how Bindu relates to neuroplasticity and our brain’s ability to heal and grow, offering a fresh perspective on spirituality and science. Don't miss out on this fascinating journey into the interplay of mind, body, and spirit. Stay curious, and keep exploring with us! #Consciousness #Neuroplasticity #EasternWisdom

See the sources cited at Ashtanga.tech

Discover the profound wisdom of the Yoga Sutras! 🌟 In this video, we explore the essence of Patanjali's influential text, guiding you through the key sections that form the philosophy of yoga. Uncover how Kevalya Pada emphasizes liberation, Sadhana Pada delves into sustainable practice, Samadhi Pada focuses on deep absorption, and Vibuttipada underscores accomplishments.

By understanding these pillars, you not only deepen your practice but also awaken to the invisible insights surrounding us daily. Are you ready to elevate your journey? Learn how to integrate these timeless teachings and enrich your philosophical insights into yoga.

Join us in revealing the secrets hidden within the Yoga Sutras. 🌌

#YogaWisdom #Patanjali #UnlockTheInvisible

hyggie x britney

Ashtanga yoga acts as a powerful ally in confronting our deepest cognitive biases and illuminating a path towards clear perception. 🌟 More at the blog.

Being honest encourages others to be honest. It also means you can trust the feedback. No need to polish a turd— but not everything can be sh*t. Radical candor helps sort that.

o hai weirdo

improve your back bend

good subject matter and crew

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

Striking a balance.

some backbending ideas for your practice.

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

looking for iyengar yoga in the DMV?

check out @532yoga on sunday mornings!

brilliant stuff by dr miskie

Resistance bands are great for end-range strength training, and this can be especially beneficial for Ashtanga Yoga asana practice—here’s the “why” in both anatomy and Ashtanga terms:

1. Why resistance bands work for end-range strength

Resistance bands provide what’s called variable resistance: the further you stretch them, the more resistance they provide. This makes them perfect for training end-range strength—that’s the strength required when your muscles are either fully lengthened or fully shortened. Think of the top of a backbend, the deepest point in Supta Kurmasana, or holding your leg behind your head: these are all end-range positions.

Unlike free weights, bands make it harder as you move deeper into the range, which is the opposite of most real-life strength patterns (where you tend to be weakest at the extremes). So by training at those extremes with resistance bands, you’re preparing your muscles and joints to be strong, stable, and supported in yoga’s most demanding positions.

2. Why that’s good for Ashtanga yoga

In Ashtanga, especially the Intermediate Series and beyond, we are constantly exploring the limits of flexibility and control. But:
• Flexibility without strength is like stretching a rubber band with no tension—it’ll snap or sag.
• End-range strength helps prevent injury by supporting joints in vulnerable positions—like Kapotasana or Karandavasana.
• It also helps balance the nervous system’s stretch reflex. If your nervous system doesn’t trust you to be strong at end-range, it will limit your flexibility. But when it feels you’re strong and stable, it lets you go deeper—safely.

3. Systems Thinking

From a systems view, resistance bands act as an elegant feedback mechanism. They amplify the demand precisely when the system (your body) is most vulnerable—end-range. By strengthening the feedback loop between mobility, control, and proprioception, bands help shift the whole system (your practice) toward resilient adaptability—aka fewer injuries and deeper poses with less drama.

Yoga practice builds resilience— something i really encourage.

I’m sort of known for my resilience, which is a nice way of saying I’ve seen some sh*t and seem fairly well adjusted. I even got to write about resilience during times of political unrest for @yogajournal . I’m also known as well as my transparent, explicit approach to yoga and life.

I’m full of nonsense and laughter— with high concienciousness, and low agreeability. I help people understand yoga by becoming a team player— again, with high conscienciousness and low agreeability 😅😅 Independent thinkers who can be team players are like improv triple threats.

The secret to life is “Yes, and.”

Here’s my CV For the last half decade, including the trauma porn.

2020 Covid + RIP Brother & Sister-in-Law + first Functional Ashtanga training + Parents in lockdown in Mexico after moving w/brother & him dying.
2021 Opened @theyoga.club (omg no way)
2022 Evolved functional Ashtanga to Ashtanga Tech with Cory & Heather
+ Hit by car while biking + broken wrist and rib
2023 Turned 40
+ Hit by bicyclist and broken ankle and reinjured rib + huge success with peer support initiatives
2024 Quit Drinking and kept on rehabbing + changed my body radically (again) + took on the neighborhoods drug problems
2025 Infinite Possibilities

I’m the friendly neighborhood ashtanga yoga teacher, whose mysore program has been going at it uninterruptedly since 2013.

I struggle to marry commerce and art in this format, so do bear with the high brow-low brow of it. I have a lot of opinions after doing this for 12 Years, and I hope to cast a wide net. .

single arm rear delt fly

What does it mean to have an internal landscape? Ashtanga emphasizes the inner experience.

More over on my youtube.

Critical Thought in Healthy Groups doesnt look like convoluted stories. Full video on YouTube.

Cult Warning Sign 4: Lack of Reason and Magical Thinking. Whole video on youtube!

When leaders make decisions for their constituency behind closed doors without consulting said constituency, an organization is no longer designed to serve the people. This creates a sense of hierarchy, and inside of that hierarchy leaders are placed above the law.

more on YouTube!

Laruga makes the pain of time delays in systems understandable. She also talks about opportunism. I really appreciate this. It’s all about service

Organizations that limit agency and critique internally are inevitably going to be fragile. Pragmatically, its not great to be around.

More on youtube!

Whistleblowers are often shunned. Luckily for us, it’s actually a good sign of a toxic group. When the priority is protecting the group and not the members of the group, there’s a problem. And it’s an easy one to spot!

Manipulation comes in all kinds of forms— intellectual, emotional, professional.

Look for shunning and a lack of respect for nonmembers. Looks for discrediting. If an organization lacks transparency and accountability, it’s likely toxic.

Heres the deal: someones gotta pay to keep the lights on. Studios have to run. Teachers have to get paid. This remains true, even as there is an imperative to care for the ecosystem— enough old timers to help the rookies, enough rookies to replace those who move.

Numbers are great, but sustainability is better. More on youtube.

comedy fights authoritarianism

Appreciating Ashtanga yoga as an indigenous insight practice means understanding that the practice is interconnected to the place that its from, those people, that topography, and that culture. These practices have to be adapted so they are honest and efficacious as part of your culture/community— and what works in one place won’t work in another. Lots on this subject at dcashtanga.com