Primary on Saturday.
#ashtanga practice looks and feels familiar again after upping my iron intake.

Building strength back with sexy transitions.
Paraphrasing Guruji, don't get bogged down in the mud of competitive shape making.
#iwokeuplikethis
#butisureasfuckdidntlastweek
#ashtanga #dcashtanga

Four (almost five now) years ago My father gave me three elephants.
I left one at the Ashtanga Yoga Center amongst a parade of kin. Under a chart of postures-- just aside of books, stacked akimbo. They were for my teachers, David and Keith.
I thought them very special.
Unsure of what to do with this diminutive glass menagerie, I gave one to my best friend, Michael. "Why should I have both," I thought.
I hear that elephants mate for life.
Leaving has never been so hard. I took this photo on the alter @mroike made for us.

So excited for @rupaulsdragrace #ashtangay #kriya

So excited for rupaulsdragrace #ashtangay #kriya

So excited for the premier of @RuPaulsDragRace all the way from Mysore. #ashtangay

I've been humbled and honored to share the yogic tradition as taught by Sharath Jois, the lineage of Sri K Pattahbi Jois with the #dcashtanga community... And I could not be more full of gratitude for the chance to share it with my student at the source. @livelyogini

Fresh haircut. Manjanat insisted on putting a line in. He knows what's up. #onfleek #ashtangadispatch

Just another day in mysore. Still getting adjusted to the Saturday practice/Sunday off thing. I'm like, "what day is it??"

The sound of my Karandavasana fail froze the Shala for a second. Sickening. Luckily, it looks worse than it feels, and I still have mobility. At least I lifted 😉

Today's cow. To see more of Mysore's fine bovine, checkout @emmaoneill ! #todayscow

#todaysrangoli #mysore #rangoli #todayspattern

Hanuman temple at the mysore palace.

Yoga Stops Traffick at the Mysore palace. Raising money to empower woman & stop child sex trafficking. Learn more at Odanadi.org

Yoga Stops Traffick at the Mysore palace. Raising money to empower woman & stop child sex …

#todaysrangoli #mysore #rangoli #chamundeshwari #todayspattern

#todayspattern #todaysrangoli #mysore #rangoli #chamundeshwari

#todayspattern #todaysrangoli #rangoli #mysore #chamundeshwari

#todaysrangoli #mysore #rangoli #todayspattern

Here it is, the final crescendo of the 7 fiery Uranus/Pluto Squares burning through outdated societal and personal paradigms since June 2012... a Great Cosmic Bonfire roaring through our inner and outer spaces... liberating and illuminating new expanses of awareness... creating fertile opportunities for the seeding a of brand new existence... "Kali is here. That means that deep transformation is at work in your vibrational reality... Kali is the fiercest Goddess. She rips away what is no longer needed... she is the One who can cut the ties to your anchor, for you have new waters to sail now, dear Carrier of the Light." ~ Sophie Bashford "Monday March 16th 2015 at 6:50pm PDT/9:50pm EDT, Uranus and Pluto will square (90*) each other for the 7th and last time since 2012. The wild awakening of the 60s' conjunction (0*) of Pluto and Uranus in Virgo wasg to a deeper and higher consciousness, opening up doors of new perception and states of awareness. This was to prepare humanity for our future.
#todayspattern #todaysrangoli ##rangoli #mysore

"Given Uranus square Pluto's intensities, it may feel like an urgency to finish up, close out projects or goals or relationships, and prepare for something new to arrive. Take a moment now to think about the final changes you want to make before we enter a quite different era. Consider what you've done so far and how you can put on the finishing touches. What bits can you release, what parts of life can you make more soulful, how can you reclaim power for yourself?" ~ Anne Nordhaus-Bike
http://www.opednews.com

#todayspattern #todaysrangoli #rangoli #mysore

Repost from @sammy_j2 #ashtanga #yoga #busted #tooperfect this is great cuz we all did these things! #haha

They'd all benefit from ashtanga yoga ;). Except gumby. Bendy asshole. gtfo.

#Eclipse. #rangoli #mysore #todayspattern #todaysrangoli

Dandy. #mysore #rangoli #todaysrangoli #todayspattern

Lake walk with @ashtangee in #mysore.

Birds and vines. Purples and greens. #mysore

Grass for cows? #mysore

#Somnathpur #mysore #padmasana
Somnathpur, a tiny village on the banks of the Kaveri, 140 kms, south-west of Bangalore.”There is a stillness and everlastingness about the past, it changes not and has a touch of eternity,” wrote Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in his “Discovery of India.”
more…

Time to go home! #Somnathpur to #mysore

Such an eventful day! Happy Ugadi! #todayspattern #todaysrangoli #mysore #rangoli

The #mysore #palace

#todaysrangoli is an #ugadi #rangoli in #mysore made with glitter!!!

#todaysrangoli #mysore #rangoli #todayspattern

-#todaysrangoli #mysore #rangoli #todayspattern

A trip to #devaraj market in #mysore for bangles and malas. But, I had to stop & smell the #flowers

Camouflaged in the water and cracks. #todaysrangoli #mysore #rangoli #todayspattern

#sunset from #devaraj #mysore

Oh, India. #Mysore #snowman. It's 97F. Have your people ever seen a snowman IRL? Not rude, but really! Elsa, ha effect.

This year, I received my teacher's blessing to teach Ashtanga Yoga.

This year, I received my teacher's blessing to teach Ashtanga Yoga. I've got a bajillion emotions. Thanks mom, dad, Sharath, and the other teachers who have supported my practice. And most especially, my best friend, partner, and teacher: Michael 🙂

Last #rangoli I saw before leaving #mysore. #todaysrangoli

Did I make it in time for #journeytohandstand ?? -- @pegmulqueen wins. I was a little jealous of your time in Kovalum with DG, @jrene01... But this is pretty fly, right? Eat your heart out #dcashtanga

Befuddled by Supta Kurmasana?

We all eventually struggle with unlocking complex asanas-- but like a well written mystery, the clues are hiding in plain sight.
Let's double back and look at the evidence and see if we can crack the case.
Primary Primer: Supta Kurmasana. May 10, #littleriveryoga

Repost @pegmulqueen with @repostapp. Xx @meghanreuck ・・・
💕 Catching up with a friend! 💕 #DCAshtanga #AshtangaDispatch

#MortalsWelcome

I got heady with @jrene01 about the commodification of yoga (and our own general badassness) -- who is selling what to whom... And why?

Asana is method of using the body as a tool for fostering insight. That's it.
This instagram challenge gives it the exact right level of seriousness.
Have fun! Go out and live your life!

And lest I deign myself to good to participate in an IG challenge, here's what I said to myself: get your head out of your ass, Hall. It really should only be that far up there in titibasana b 😉 Love you, @pegmulqueen !
#besties #ashtangadispatch #utkatasana #yoga #yogainthepark #acroyoga #partneryoga

I'm teaching a workshop on getting familiar with your hips and shoulders in primary series with the aim of Supta K in mind. Will also include some favorite extra curriculars 😉

http://www.tinyurl.com/MichaelJoelHallLRY

This commute is for the birds. #krounchasana #MortalsWelcome

#MortalsWelcome Day 12: Hanumanasana: Hanuman is the super-strong, super-rad flying monkey who can carry mountains, jump over seas, and tie you in knots. This champion of Rama teaches us devotion and represents prana, or life force.
Every super hero also needs courage in the face of fear and Hanuman is there to help! Just call him through his hymn, the Hanuman Challisa, and fear will be kept at bay as the energetic and powerful lord Hanuman helps champion your battle.

#ashtangayoga #yogaeveryday #yogi #yogini #inspiration #instapic #instaphoto #namaste #pushmedaily #motivated #pasasana #yogaig #inspired #yogadaily#yogaposeweekly #ypwcomp #iloveyoga #beautiful#strikeapose #health #happy #yogafit #igers #om #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #hanuman #hanumanasana

Hey NOVA Yogis!
Guided Primary, @mindthemat 5/31, 12-2

http://tinyurl.com/MJHledprimary #ashtanga

We shifted the moon! Open Wednesday, 7/1! Closed Sunday, 7/3!

We shifted the moon! Open Wednesday, 7/1! Closed Sunday, 7/3!

Ready for a beach weekend?

3 great events in beautiful Lewes, DE! All at the convenient Dimitria Yoga!

Led primary, Transitions, and Mysore-- $100 for all 3, or $40 each!

Sign up: http://goo.gl/h68bHz or http://dimitrayoga.com/workshops

@jrene01 snapped this picture, and shared this caption: "All that he can do now is hug his blanky. Thanks #DG for schooling us.
#ashtangadispatch #ashtangabitchslapped"

A 5am Haiku:

Off to the shala,
A world away, but same-same.
A brisk morning scoot!

#ashtangapoetry #dcscooter

We're not in Mysore anymore.

Wanna take a #tourof2nd ?? @ashtangadispatch is sponsoring the curation of thoughts and images surrounding the second series of Ashtanga yoga-- called bum-bum-bum, "Intermediate Series.
Join @jrene01 and me @michaeljoelhall for a new posture every day in November!

Use #tourof2nd . . . And get posting!

4⃣ lucky winners a 🆓 copy of our 2nd series Dispatch!
. . .

These posture can be challenging, daunting, and incredibly informative to how we're doing on the mat and off. They also come with lots of stories, filled with animals, dieties, and adventure!
Come play. . . .

Follow and tag all 3⃣ for tips and ideas for practice. Our hope is to make 2nd series less of a challenge 💕 through our challenge! 🌟 share 🌟 follow 🌟 tag 🌟 and of course ... #practiceeverydamnday 🌟 . . . 📷 by @meghanreuck

Repost: A few highlights from yesterday's sold-out workshop at @littleriveryoga by @dcashtanga's own @michaeljoelhall! Get tall, dig deep! #ashtangayoga #dcashtanga #mindfulness #breathe #breath #mulabandha #twists #binds #yogalove #dcyoga #mysorestyle #mysoreasana #primaryseries #workshop #practice #deepen

November is creeping up.
Wanna make some shapes with me, @jrene01 , and @ashtangadispatch ??? Share your pic, your thoughts, and your perspective all this month.
The Ashtanga yoga method is so much more than the shapes we make with our bodies-- there's the community, the teachers, and a technique for fostering insight.
As Oscar Wilde said "life is too important to be taken seriously" -- so let's have some fun! -- Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter

"Trini & Tristhana"
#tourof2nd #day1

The Ashtanga yoga practice as taught by Jois is a moving meditation, and for there to be a meditation there must be an object upon which the meditator meditates.
The looking place, the breath patternings, and the observation of balance are three facets of a singular jewel, and this jewel is called "tristhana". The tristhana is the object of meditation for the Ashtanga yoga practice.
The third vinyasa of the surya namaskara is done on an inhalation, and my teacher cues it by saying "trini! -- head up!" during led class.
Vinyasa means "to place in a special way", and since we're doing a breath and movement practice, we call linked breath and movements "vinyasa"

Memorizing the vinyasa count lets the mind settle and drop into attention on the bodies relationship with gravity.
Having a looking place settles the senses. I look at my nose in this posture, as it keeps me from wrinkling my forehead. I'm scared botox will mess up my third eye, so this is the dristi for me! Ha! ---
Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd

The Ashtanga yoga practice as taught by Jois is a moving meditation, and for there to be a…

“Four to the Floor”
#tourof2nd #day2

In the early 2000’s, I was a young queer kid cutting his teeth dancing on boxes (shirtless). When that familiar 4/4 beat of a good house groove came on, everyone would book it to the dancedloor-- answering the siren’s call of “four to the floor!” This, you could say, was our mantra.
The Sanskrit word mantra consists of the root man- “to think”, or perhaps mamas as in “mind," and the suffix -tra, meaning “tools or instruments.” So, mantra is an instrument of thought.
Ashtanga yoga is a counted method, and keeping track of what that count is can be tricky. When I first started practicing alone, I could never remember if I had done both sides. Here’s a way to get started memorizing the count, and also make sure you get both sides: remember “four the floor”. Why? Because chatturanga dandasana, four limbed staff pose, is the fourth vinyasa of the Surya Namaskara A. In the Surya Namaskara B, it comes at 4, 8, and 12.
Notice that they’re all divisible by 4. If you can remember the mantra “four to the floor”, then you always know when to do Chatturanga Dandasana in the sun salutations.

Richard Freeman talks about any mantra being a good mantra so long as it works. Eventually, if we repeat the mantra over and over enough, it has power but no meaning— it just devolves back into its root sounds, it seeds. These seeds are powerful. This is one of th reasons I enjoy the sanskrit count so very much. It gets out of languaging I’m familiar with and lets the breath-movement-count become a chimera, greater than the sum of its parts.

That being said,  perhaps the sanskrit is too obtuse or feels like cultural appropriation. Maybe its good to know that I use a great deal of mantras in my practice that come from popular culture and have also thoroughly lost there meaning... except in the way that they hone my focus.
So, when you can remember “four to the floor,” you might also want to remember that chatturanga is "light as a feather and stiff as a board"— and also that "tight is light.” --
Visit @ashtangadispatch & @jrene01 4 more.
#yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration
#gayyoga #ashtanga #menofyoga

"Updog & Infinity"
#tourof2nd
Beginning in samasthithi, I am a ray of light: infinite, interminable energy.
I begin the sun salutations by reaching to the sky, daring the energy to upwardly rise- then sealing it with the hands.

Containing the energy inwardly and plugging to the earth comes with the second position:  allowing the energy to move from sky to earth, and harnessing it in the middle, at the thorax and pelvis.

With the hands so strong, and the energy sealed into the body, the this vinyasa arrives with an inhalation to head up. Somehow now the legs are light, the hands are strong, and I begin to enter into relationship with gravity.  Over intellectualizing mass, strength and orbit hinder the sheer bliss of moving energy at will.

To arrive at the fourth vinyasa, my hands root into the earth, drawing the rest of me up from the ground. Defying gravity, there is an identification that this energy has no real beginning point and no real end, either. In chatturanga, I allow the body to become a tight vessel for compressing energy.
Here, I try to feel all of the domes of my body aligning and lifting— the dome at the arch of the foot, the pelvic floor, the heart, and the soft pallette. if I have skill in my action, all of those whirling circles will line up for one ephemeral, evanescent moment of exhalation, becoming strong as a staff (and yes, some wizards walk with gnarled staves). With all of this potential energy bottled up in the vessel of the flesh, I  take the fifth vinyasa into upward facing dog. Aha! It is here that I trust my heart to direct the energy up and over. No head in the way, here. The legs shoot energy back infinitely, and my heart beams ahead, perhaps even back up to the sky.
Finally, I find the center of the center, and I let it yoke me back into a contained position, sealing off the energy, and letting it whirl around as I recharge for five exalted exhalations. Then, I reverse course, returning to a singular pillar of light— even standing. A place from which anything is possible. -

Host: @jrene01
Sponsor: @ashtangadispatch

"Contentment and Sacrifice"
#tourof2nd

What are you willing to give up for practice?
The first thing that I did for the last time was marathon running. The recovery time was just too much. Then, it was the extracurricular american style flows. “I have enough to work on,” I thought.

At conference, on my first trip the KPJ Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, South India, I asked Sharath if I would have to give up sports. He said that at some point, if I wished to progress, I would.
So I did. I sacrificed the olympic lifting, the CrossFit, and the sprints to the fire of asceticism. I thought it would help my kapotasana. I thought it would make bakasana easier on my wrists.
Really, I thought I was sacrificing for practice. I spent three years begrudging the decision.

I was confused… I thought that success in asana was success in yoga.
But, contentment is the first of our niyamas, and I was certainly in a place of malcontent. Strong people are useful! And picking up heavy shit makes me happy. Putting it down does too. Racing, playing, jumping— I enjoyed all of them.
As it turns out, in the sacrificing of my own joy, to the benefit of no one, I was getting in my own way. Could I have sacrificed low quality fuel to the fire?
So I made a choice to make myself happy, and risk losing postures. Risk sliding backwards.

Guess what? Practice, and all is coming. (but please don’t tell Sharath ;-)) Thanks to @nopantspartydude for the personal training and @humblebeastcf for a community whose motto is "train hard. Stay humble." And also @davidgarriguesyoga for helping me get back to the fundamentals, like #trikonasana --
Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #ashtangay #yogadudes #menofyoga

"Living Traditions"
#tourof2nd

I hear stories of this guy named Derick Ireland. He passed away a few years ago, but taught on the beaches of Goa and Greece. He wasn’t so much, on the surface, into the “spiritual” side of things. He wore ankle weights, practiced in less than a speedo, and sold a valid practice off the back of his own gorgeous aesthetic.  I’m told that Guruji had him bind his arms as you might see in an american flow style class. I imagine it was to accommodate his big ol’ biceps.
Funny, that. Remarkably, his legacy is such that he is remembered as a pioneer. He inspired practice in people who are now certified, and have legacies all their own. The John Scotts, The Petri’s, they all met a man who helped spark passion and practice.

Anyway. Bind your arm or leave your palm up. You do you.
--
❤️❤️❤️Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

“Monkey Paw”
#tourof2nd

@Pegmulqueen and I met when I was in my early twenties. She had a blog, and I wrote essays. I got shy.

Down the line, we were both @lululemon ambassadors and found ourselves in Vancouver the first ambassador’s summit. 
There, we connected, honestly and openly. She convinced me to do what my Iyengar teacher had told me to do: go practice Mysore. She held my hand for my first day. Really, she mentored me in a lot of ways.

The ambassador’s summit made me take hard looks at the commercialization of yoga. We were asked to goalset and brainstorm, and in the picture you see here, I’m wearing my shirt from the ambassadors summit. It says “I will be on the cover of Yoga Journal by May, 2013”

I wanted to be told I was pretty, to be told I was good enough. I wanted to be a celebrity. To have some “respected” publication tell me feed those needs.
Fuck that noise.

I got in. Instead of getting into the magazine because I was pretty, I got into the magazine because some dudes beat the shit out of me. I was hospitalized and needed money because my insurance lapsed while I was in India, and my community rallied around me. I had helped people, and then they helped me. It’s unbelievable to me to this day.
So @yogajournal wanted to do an article. Who should write that article, you might wonder? Duh. Peggy. She’s an incredible writer, as you may know.

But celebrity and adulation for aesthetic is as much a trap as wanting too much. Do you want to be known or do you want to do good? You can have it both ways, but if you ask for the former, you’ll not get the latter.
You couldn’t have told me that, then.
#Pasasana is called noose pose, and it will strangle you to death.

You better be willing to surrender your constructed beliefs of self and let the practice work its magic. What do you covet? It’s all a god damned trap.

Becareful what you ask for, you just might get it.

Maybe I want to be on the cover of @ashtangadispatch now 😉 --
Host: @jrene01
sponsor: @ashtangadispatch -
#yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"Weddings"
#tourof2nd
Saturday is a rest day for a lot of folks.. But I often take Sundays off. Today I have a wedding to attend-- there is nothing better than spending time with your very best friends. -- Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
Of course, you will substitute @ashtangadispatch for yourself above. But this way, you can just copy and paste at the end of your posts to make it easy.
I think this one is going to do really well, btw. 🙂

"A Plague of Locusts"
#tourof2nd
What if you had to hold this posture forever? What would you do?
Would you shift the dristi to stay fresh and curious? Would you just settle in and relax, letting it unfurl?

Is there a middle way? --- Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"Head and Heart Games"
#tourof2nd
#Dhanurasana , a posture which demands you cling for dear life and literally kick your heart open.
Bear in mind a few things when dragging your heart open, kicking and screaming. Perhaps the best advice comes from my folks on this subject:
Make like prom night and keep your knees closed while you're crackin' that heart. 😉

Don't underestimate the great load your shoulders will bear while you kick to infinity -- if you don't get strong and stable shoulders, the load will hurt you over time. Sounds an awful lot like love, eh?

Lastly, use your head!... I played with the head position a bit to explore the movement of energy & muscular recruiting patterns. 😏 --- Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

“Sex Sells”

#tourof2nd

About three years ago, my dear friend @suenodevida_ecu me to do some nude modeling with her for an exhibit. This was done by Lamine http://LHARTEK.com in the renaissance style.

Kristen’s about 5’3, and I’m about 6’3. She’s full of fluidity and strength, and I thought we’d pair nicely together. I was intrigued at what the artist would create.
The exhibit went well. This #ustrasana is from that exhibit.

Don’t let the nudity fool you— I’m not selling sex, nor am I selling yoga: I’m selling art. I see very attractive people selling yoga products also.

When you see sexed up asana photos or fancy circus tricks, does it give you pause?
Ask yourself: what are they selling? Is it a branded practice of some kind designed to ensure that they make money from multilevel marketing?
Is it themselves? Do they need to sell themselves as a product to you?
Is it material? Do you like the cute shorts they’ve got for sale? (if so, buy them!) Is it their expertise?

Is it yoga? Are they using sex to sell yoga?
Yoga is not to be sold. Use sex to sell shorts, magazines, or (gasp) more sex. But don’t use sex to sell yoga, it doesn’t need it.
When do we begin to use use yoga to sell sex? Like fancy asana to sell celebrity?
When does it become pornography? The pimping out of yoga?
Is this healthy?
You are not a market nor a commodity!
That said, do support your local artist! And go make Art (digital self portraits!). Don’t create an environment of institutionalized prostitution amongst skilled laborers teaching mindfulness techniques, and be wary of their pimps.

Me, I’m selling magazines. And I believe in it's value. -- http://ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine
*5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01
##yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"Strength"
#tourof2nd
They are all strength poses. Strength on strength makes length.
Flexibility and no strength becomes breakable.
Strength and softness? Functional flexibility.
Cultivate tenacity, openness, and curiosity.
It will serve you well.
Don't be afraid to stand strong and push back-- Don't be a pushover.
While we're at it, don't be a dick, and be sure to leave space for mystery.
We're all infinitely strong and infinitely resilient. Perseverance, friends.
Sometimes you really do have to push! But remember to get out of your own way. 🌸--- Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"Not Correct"
#tourof2nd
#bakasana

Rolf poked me in the tummy and said "not strong" -- then I was to pike to handstand and land bakasana.
Because i needed strength.
It was prescriptive for me. I land the posture differently now, but things shifted.
Now I just like to play-- and I've been trying to give handstands back for a long time 😡 🏀🏈🏉🙈 Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"Behind the Scenes"
#tourof2nd
#bharadvajasana
Generally, these clips are not taken from my daily practice. I do them later, because setting up my camera is likely just me creating kleshas in my practice-- obstacles. Most often aversion, but sometimes craving.
The poses we like are as tricky as the poses we hate-- they both get in the way of the yoga happening. 😍=😟 Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"SOMEWHAT SERIOUS"
#tourof2nd
This posture is named for Matseyendrath who is said to have founded Hatha Yoga, so it is VERY auspicious.
That said, it's "ardha," meaning half... So really, it's only KINDA auspicious. 😌😋😇 Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"Ego"
#tourof2nd
#ekapadasirsasana
Put your leg behind your neck and pray it doesn't take your head off with it.
This posture is not without risk and for so many is an extreme challenge, with all its moving parts. Maybe this is the point?

Ahamkara, the I-maker, is born of buddhi, the intellect. This posture challenges the seat of intellect.
Avidya, aka Ignorance, is the biggest obstacle to yoga. With regards to this posture, I can spot two ways ignorance (and ultimately suffering) arise: misidentification of pain as pleasure and false identification of self as not self.
So! A) Don't hurt yourself, and B) Don't confuse your true nature with the tools of perception. You are so much more than this posture!

Don't suffer! ----👻💀👀--- Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"Snuggle"
#tourof2nd
#yoginidrasana
So very snug,
like a bug in a rug.
Legs, use 'em both
To get a hug.
Sleep yogi sleep
Nuzzle in deep
Ankles, pillows...
Don't be crude!
Tho this pose misconstrued
Could make a man
Be both lewd & rude.
##🌻🐓🙈🙊🌈 Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"One Wing at a Time"
#tittibhasana
in the primary series you hatch A chicken from the embryo of shoulder pressure. What if you could construct the wings of a firefly from the sails of your boat? 🐜🔥🐝
Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"Busy"
#tourof2nd
#pinchamayurasana

Forgive the delay, I've been busy getting ready for @davidgarriguesyoga Primary series intensive at @aysphiladelphia -- I've worked with David a few times a year for a bit now, and I am realizing just how much of an influence he has on me. I could not as for a better mentor.
He has so many considerations for every asana-- and yet also allows autonomy. I get a new perspective on how he works every time I study with him-- just so many layers and strategies. And fun 🙂 This time I'm a fly on the wall and a designated footholder. So much to learn.
This is feathered peacock pose-- with a little liberty taken. Maybe I'll gets big fancy feather for my quill to make the samyana portion exciting 😉 we were asked to make a few promises to ourselves this go round: the third & final? Enjoy yourself.
Yes sir. 🎉🎢
Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"Foundations"
#tourof2nd
#ardhasirsasana
aka: #halfbend
In the sacred text portion of today's intensive @davidgarriguesyoga told us the story of Siva's blue neck.
As a kind of poison was choking the earth, Siva came to action and took the poison from the sky and found himself in a pickle: he could not swallow the poison, nor could he spit it back out.
So he sat with it, the poison safely in his neck. From this, his color changed.
Have you heard the opening chant for the Ashtanga yoga practice? The halalas mentioned are the poisons for which practice is the answer.
In small ways, we learn to sit with things as they actually are, not rejecting, projecting, or justifying.
When that skill gets stronger, we up the ante. So, perhaps you can see what I'm getting at here? 💡💎🔦
Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

"Makara"
#tourof2nd
Makara is the name of my kayak. I love being out on the river, playing pirate.
Makara is a fierce sea-creature in Hindu mythology. The front half of this beast is a land based animal, often an elephant, crocodile, stag or deer. His hind part is depicted as an aquatic animal, in the form of a fish or seal tail. Sometimes, even a peacock tail is depicted.

#karandavasana might be a Himalayan goose, sure, but to me she is a chimera named Makara.
Picture the image of the body as a rickety ship, sailing across the sea of suffering to the oasis of true nature, called bliss. It, as @davidgarriguesyoga says, is unseaworthy-- takes in water-- may just sink.
But, if you fear so much you never start the trip, you're sure do die in the depths of the fear. So you sail-- and with enough faith and courage, you may just make it.
The alternative is that you die right where you are, and as @rupaulofficial says, "none of us are making it out alive." None of us are making it without takin' on some water, so you might as well sail.
For me, makara cum karanda has helped me to love the adventure, see the sacred geometries, and fall on my face many times. You just get back up. 🐥🔥💦🐋 Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities.
And visit @ashtangadispatch and @jrene01 for more practice ideas!
#yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter
#yogadudes #ashtangay #menofyoga

Dogs on my mat for years.

Repost: @jrene01 snapped this from the #DGinDC standing postures workshop. "Prioritize your foundations," @davidgarriguesyoga told me a few months ago. Thanks, Boss. #dcashtanga #ashtangadispatch #uthithaparsvokonasanab

Because of the yoga challenge, asana dominates my #bestnine2015 -- along with my authorization from #kpjayi , playing at @humblebeastcf and an engagement photo with my now former domestic partner. What I really love is a the different places the asanas are shot! #wmata - @kaliyogadc - @aysphiladelphia - @flowyogacenter