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Michael Joel Hall
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Michael Joel Hall

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The opposite of entropy is negentropy — think negative entropy. Negentropy re…

The opposite of entropy is negentropy — think negative entropy. Negentropy refers to order, structure, or organization within a system. While entropy represents disorder, randomness, and decay, negentropy is associated with the creation of order and complexity. In practical terms: – In living systems, negentropy is the process by which organisms maintain structure and order…

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Prana and the Bathtub: Systems Thinking for the Ashtanga Practitioner
Science and Tech

Prana and the Bathtub: Systems Thinking for the Ashtanga Practitioner

In our practice, we’re not just trying to keep the tub full. We’re learning to live in balance, where the ebb and flow of prana supports us as much as we support it. It’s not about avoiding leaks but recognizing that the small, subtle drains often compound our stress more than a single big crisis. The practice guides us in patching those leaks with awareness, restoring a harmonious flow where life feels less like a constant emergency and more like a nurturing partnership
In our practice, we’re not just trying to keep the tub full. We’re learning to live in balance, where the ebb and flow of prana supports us as much as we support it. It’s not about avoiding leaks but recognizing that the small, subtle drains often compound our stress more than a single big crisis. The practice guides us in patching those leaks with awareness, restoring a harmonious flow where life feels less like a constant emergency and more like a nurturing partnership.

The goal isn’t to always be on alert, like the little Dutch boy at the dam. Instead, we want to be more like the Indigenous stewards of land and water—understanding that the flow is only a problem when it’s out of balance. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful exchange, where prana nourishes us as much as we nourish it. This isn’t crisis management; it’s living in relationship.

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When the Well Runs Dry: Burnout, Imbalance, and the Practice of Awareness
Yoga Professionals

When the Well Runs Dry: Burnout, Imbalance, and the Practice of Awareness

A colleauge of mine feels overwhelemed and uninspired in their teaching, and feeling sore, sluggish, and resetful of their ashtanga practice . Sound familiar? I’ve sure as fuck been there. When the well is dry, it’s dry. No creativity, more irritation, and a creeping sense of burnout. Sure, our practice can help refill the cup, but one of its greatest gifts is its ability to alert us to imbalances before we hit empty. We might first notice it in outsized reactions to small annoyances—like my mom being more pissed at traffic than her own cancer. It’s a classic sign that something deeper is off, and it’s not just about the traffic. In our own system, when we’re flipping out over something inconsequential, it’s often because…

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Prax

Prax

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Aug 21, 2024

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Getting Great: Adaptive Resistance and Isokinetic Training: Optimizing Muscle Growth and Fat Loss
Science and Tech

Getting Great: Adaptive Resistance and Isokinetic Training: Optimizing Muscle Growth and Fat Loss

Ever wonder how that gym buddy of yours keeps sculpting their physique while juggling a dozen other life commitments? For this Ashtanga yoga practitioner, the secret sauce often lies in mixing the right ingredients of training modalities and intensities. I‘ve been particularly partial to adaptive resistance and isokinetic training as part of my routine. Adaptive resistance is like that diligent spotter who helps carry some weight when you’re battling through injuries, ensuring you keep making gains even when life throws curveballs—like a car sending me tumbling through the air. After injuries to my wrist, shoulder, ribs, and ankle, and a good amount of warrior poses on my mat, I am delighted to say that both weight training and Ashtanga yoga continued. Adaptive resistance was a…

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Aug 20, 2024

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Aug 15, 2024

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

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Here’s a fun one for main. Find what you need quickly— New AI Librarian at @a…

Here’s a fun one for main. Find what you need quickly— New AI Librarian at @ashtanga.tech Bodyweight transitions at the end of the month @theyoga.club You know. we’re busy. Sept: 6:30am led standing/mysore/morning quick start Functional Anatomy Weekend.

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Navigating Overtraining in Ashtanga Yoga: Signs, Solutions, and Self-Care
Science and Tech

Navigating Overtraining in Ashtanga Yoga: Signs, Solutions, and Self-Care

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? You dive headfirst into the wonderland of Ashtanga Yoga, blissfully aware of the transformative power of each pose—until one day, the thought of stepping onto your mat feels more like a chore than a joy. Overtraining can sneak up on even the most enthusiastic yogis, often disguised as the eager pursuit of progress. In a world that glorifies hustle, it’s essential to pause and acknowledge that our bodies need time to recover as much as they need movement. Just like a speedy sports car requires a pit stop, o too do we, lest we find ourselves stalling on the yoga highway. This article will dive into recognizing the early signs of overtraining, crafting a holistic plan for self-care, and…

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