Video: Ashtanga Vinyasa Inspired Power Yoga and Breathwork

Michael Joel Hall offers a different approach to Ashtanga Yoga grounded in humanist values, personal agency, and inclusivity, rather than dogma or hierarchy. Inspired by Dr. Anastasia Somerville Wong’s work on non-religious pastoral support, Hall emphasizes creating a supportive community that encourages critical thinking, personal experience, and mutual care. Hall outlines signs of high-pressure, cult-like communities, such as suppression of critical thought, encouragement of self-doubt, prevalence of magical thinking, authoritarian leadership, non-accountability, excessive and intrusive rules, and financial and sexual exploitation. He contrasts these with healthy community traits like open discussion, personal autonomy, and ethical integrity. Hall’s philosophy aims to decentralize power, foster critical thinking, and honor each practitioner’s unique journey.

00:00 Introduction and Setup
01:44 Critical Thought in Healthy Groups
04:20 Encouraging Self-Esteem
05:42 Magical Thinking in Cults
07:26 Reason and Evidence-Based Approach
07:56 Charismatic Leaders and Special Knowledge
10:38 Authoritarian Leadership
11:46 Accountable vs. Authoritarian Leaders
13:11 Leaders Above the Law
14:25 Draconian and Intrusive Rules
17:08 Censorship and Control of Information
18:23 Elitism and Inner Circles
19:31 Threats to Those Who Leave
19:48 Financial and Physical Penalties
20:28 Respect vs. Shunning
21:33 Slander and Vilification of Outsiders
21:45 Us vs. Them Mentality in Yoga Communities
22:26 Spotting Negative Group Dynamics
23:13 Isolation from Outside Relationships
24:20 Group Identity vs. Individual Identity
26:05 Secrecy and Elitism in Groups
26:51 Negative Group Rituals and Punishment
27:23 Transparency vs. Secrecy
27:34 Mind-Altering Practices and Conformity
28:22 Managing Expectations and Consent
29:38 Shame, Guilt, and Fear in Group Control
30:31 Supportive vs. Controlling Environments
30:51 Obsessive Loyalty and Critical Thinking
32:30 Recruitment and Growth Obsession
33:55 Genuine Community vs. Aggressive Recruitment
34:55 Love Bombing and Idealistic Goals
36:42 Financial Exploitation in Groups
39:16 Punitive Punishment and Abuse
41:56 Sexual Exploitation in High-Pressure Groups
44:03 Gender Equality vs. Gender Control
45:29 Gossip and Community Safety
46:15 Normalization of Deception
46:40 Justifying Bad Behavior for Group’s Sake
47:03 Real Integrity and Ethical Standards
47:17 Values and Honesty in Tough Times
47:27 Maintaining High Ethical Standards

Subjectivity vs. Objectivity in Ashtanga Yoga Practice

In this video, Michael Joel Hall discusses the important balance between subjectivity and objectivity in Ashtanga yoga practice. He explores how personal experience and objective observation impact our practice and progress. Michael emphasizes the need to balance inner experiences with feedback from teachers, historical standards, and self-reviews. The video highlights the significance of having worthy mentors and using feedback constructively to enhance practice and self-awareness.

00:00 Introduction to Subjectivity vs. Objectivity in Ashtanga Yoga
00:52 Balancing Personal Experience and Objective Observation
01:39 The Role of Feedback and Blind Spots
02:12 Trust and the Inner Compass
03:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this video, Michael Joel Hall discusses the importance of integrating all eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga, rather than focusing solely on the physical practice of asanas. He addresses the potential pitfalls of modern practices, such as the risk of turning yoga into just another workout, the impact of social media on the practice, and the ethical dilemmas faced in a performance-driven culture. Hall advocates for a more comprehensive approach that includes elements like meditation, ethical study, and understanding of foundational texts to truly cultivate a holistic yoga practice.
00:00 Introduction to Modern Ashtanga Yoga
00:08 Criticism and Holistic Approach
00:44 Ethical Dilemmas in Social Media
01:18 Integrating All Eight Limbs
01:31 Conclusion

The Art of Assisting in Ashtanga Yoga: Beyond Physical Adjustments

In this video, Michael Joel Hall, a seasoned Ashtanga Yoga teacher based in Washington DC, delves into the nuanced art and responsibility of assisting in yoga practice. Hall emphasizes that assisting is not about fixing students but about supporting their personal practice through presence and understanding. Drawing on systems thinking and yoga philosophy, he discusses the significance of verbal, visual, and physical assists, the importance of consent and trauma awareness, and the spiritual dimension of assisting within the framework of the eight limbs of yoga. The key message is to support the students’ exploration and self-organization rather than imposing corrections, advocating for a holistic approach that respects individual needs and fosters mutual growth.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:08 The Art and Responsibility of Assisting
01:04 Purpose of Assisting in Ashtanga Yoga
01:48 Supporting an Intelligent System
03:21 Spiritual Practice of Assisting
05:50 Types of Assists: Verbal, Visual, Physical
08:17 Consent, Touch, and Trauma Awareness
10:27 Feedback Loops in Assisting
12:36 Adaptation and Individualization

In this video, Michael Joel Hall discusses the transformative power of consistent effort in yoga practice, particularly during the early morning sessions in the Mysore room. Hall emphasizes the significance of facing challenges, not as obstacles, but as vital components of personal growth. He outlines three layers of transformation—physical, mental, and energetic—each contributing to overall change. The power of collective practice is highlighted, showing how individual breakthroughs can positively impact the entire community. Hall concludes by offering practical approaches to foster transformation, such as morning practice, community support, patient persistence, and mindful observation, while encouraging practitioners to embrace their unique journey.

00:00 Introduction: The Quiet Power of Practice
00:32 Embracing Darkness as a Teacher
01:05 The Three Layers of Transformation
01:58 The Power of Collective Practice
03:14 Practical Approaches to Transformation

In this video, Michael Joel Hall explores the concept of self-awareness through the practice of yoga. He discusses how physical patterns observed during yoga can mirror deeper mental models affecting our life experiences. Hall encourages understanding not just what we do, but why we do it, by relating the approach to challenging yoga postures with how we handle life’s challenges. He outlines how beliefs manifest in actions and outcomes, and emphasizes the transformative power of awareness. Practical tools such as morning check-ins, pattern journaling, body scans, and mindful transitions are suggested to deepen self-awareness. Hall also highlights the importance of community in accelerating growth and understanding our broader impact on the world. The video invites viewers to start their own journey of self-observation and build a foundation of awareness for personal transformation.

00:00 Introduction to Self-Awareness
00:24 The Mirror of Practice
00:48 Breaking Down Mental Models
01:23 Practical Steps for Self-Awareness
02:37 Tools and Community Support