Surya Namaskar Reference

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and challenging practice that demands strength, flexibility and endurance. As Ashtanga practitioners, we are often obsessed with achieving the perfect posture, but sometimes we forget the importance of flexibility and the role it plays in our practice. In this article, we will delve into the complex world of anatomy and physiology, and explore the hidden secrets of flexibility and stretching in Ashtanga yoga. We will cover what limits flexibility, the benefits of stretching, and the different types of stretching techniques that can be used to improve flexibility. What is Flexibility and What Limits It? Flexibility refers to the ability to move (without pain or restriction) through a joint’s range of motion. It is specific to a particular joint or set…

Are you an Ashtanga yoga practitioner looking to deepen your knowledge of energy in yoga? Look no further! In this post, we’ll cover the basics of prana, prana vayus, nadis, and how they relate to Hatha yoga. Let’s get started! What is Prana? Prana is the life force energy that flows within us. Think of it as the gas that fuels your car. We extract prana from various sources, including food, light, and love. According to yoga teacher Gregor Maehle, although there is only one prana, it is in different locations, flows in different nadis, and has different functions. These various types of prana are called by different names.  Prana Vayus Prana vayus are the movements or functions of prana. There are five prana vayus,…

There’s something odd about a Mysore room. No blaring playlists. No teacher on a headset shouting “FIND YOUR INNER FIRE!” Just a bunch of sweaty people breathing like Darth Vader and bending like origami — all in near silence. It looks calm. It’s not. Underneath that still surface? Pure chaos, transformation, and the occasional emotional meltdown masked as a backbend. And weirdest of all? When one person has a breakthrough — sticks a jump-back, drops into kapo, or finally breathes through their existential dread in supta kurmasana — it somehow lifts everyone. Welcome to the group project you didn’t know you signed up for: The Collective Energy Field™ — where your personal practice is apparently everybody’s business. I. The Science of Collective Energy (or, Why…

Attention all Ashtanga yogis! It’s time to dive into the world of chakras. Don’t know what they are? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we’re going to introduce you to the spinning wheels of life force energy that are believed to be found in the subtle body. Get ready to become familiar with the philosophy, function, and symbolism of the chakras. Let’s begin! What are Chakras? Chakras, derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “wheel,” are spinning centers of life force energy found in the subtle body. They are believed to be a “spinning sphere of bioenergetic activity emanating from the major nerve ganglia branching from the spinal column,” according to Anodea Judith in her book, Eastern Body, Western Mind. While some…