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Illustrating the Principal of SAID in Ashtanga Yoga with Lat Pulldowns
Why do conversations about fitness get so weird when Ashtanga gets involved? Understanding how our bodies adapt to specific physical demands can significantly enhance our practice.
Teaching in the Face of Competition and Cooperation
In the world of yoga, and particularly within the Ashtanga community, there is often an unspoken undercurrent of competition. Whether it’s between teachers vying for students or different schools of yoga positioning themselves as superior, this competitive mindset can create division within a practice that is, at its core, meant to foster unity and growth. As teachers and practitioners, we must ask ourselves: Why do we see each other as competition rather than learning opportunities? How can we shift this dynamic to foster a more cooperative, supportive environment in the yoga community? In my years of teaching, I have noticed that this competitive spirit can often hinder both personal growth and the overall progression of the yoga community. Instead of viewing one another as rivals,…
Looking Back, Moving Forward
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go…
Video: Addressing Misconduct in Ashtanga Yoga
This is a video about Addressing Misconduct in Ashtanga yoga. If you’re looking for coaching, find me at michaeljoelhall.com/coaching
00:00 Addressing Power Imbalances in Ashtanga Yoga
00:20 The Need for Ethical Leadership
00:48 Prioritizing Safety and Trust
01:26 Creating a Culture of Transparency
01:47 Commitment to Ethical Evolution
01:59 Ensuring Respect and Accountability
02:16 The Future of Ashtanga Yoga
When is it Appropriate to Take Rest?
adapted from the DC Ashtanga Newsletter for April Ashtanga yoga is practiced six days a week. So, when is it okay to take a day off from yoga… and when should we reconsider canceling? Inertia is a funny thing. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest. Objects in motion, when in a straight path with nothing slowing them down, tend to stay in motion. With this little bit o’ physics, we can say that getting up and doing your practice can become its own perpetual motion machine, right? Yoga + Science = Win! (?) Not so fast. When is it appropriate to take off a day from practice? Saturday. Maybe do an oil bath. We have a six day a week practice, right? Saturday is a great…