Video: Yoga with MJH
This is an introduction to the Functional Ashtanga Yoga Training Program
This is an introduction to the Functional Ashtanga Yoga Training Program
In every Mysore room, behind every counted vinyasa, and underneath every cue to “fold forward,” there’s an unspoken question humming through the breath and bodies: How do we honor the roots of yoga while making it relevant and accessible in today’s world? This isn’t just a philosophical musing for teachers and practitioners alike — it’s a daily decision. Every adjustment, every modification (or refusal to give one), every moment of silence or explanation is a subtle vote: for the past, the present, and the future of yoga. We live in a time where preserving sacred tradition and dismantling oppressive systems are happening simultaneously — sometimes uncomfortably so. That tension is real, and if you’re feeling it, you’re not alone. The Value of Tradition Let’s start…
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,…
My first full day in India fell on a new moon. One of my favorite things about following a lunar cycle is the tiny bit of joy I get turning my iphone’s little green “alarm” switch from it’s perpetual “on” to it’s quiet white off. There is a visceral unraveling of inverted anticipation. Prone to waking up a few moments before my alarm, this very rarely happens on a moonday. My body just *knows* what the deal is. My loving partner Michael is generally pretty glad that we ashtangi’s take no practice on this day. Before he’s jealous he can’t stay in bed with me, he’s firstly tickled to not have to hear the synthed out buzzer. I cuddled with a travelpillow and cardigan and…
I couldn’t have been more frustrated. More people in India have mobile phones than running water– and yet, here we were stopped in front of Sandesh the Prince — another palace cum hotel, not a one of us with an address or telephone number for Sandhya’s. Did I mention that this was a group of people who, in general, didn’t much care for groups of people? Figuratively and literally, we’d been down this road before. A week prior, we had ended up at Sandesh, our driver having misheard our request for Sandhya’s. This time, we had made SURE that the driver knew where we were going, asking repeatedly and determinedly if he knew that we meant the yellow house near the park. You know, the…
Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga is a powerful practice that has been gaining in popularity in the yoga world for many years now. Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic, flowing and meditative practice that cultivates strength, flexibility and concentration. In fact, it is an excellent way to build strength and increase flexibility, while also calming the mind and the body. In this blog post, we will take a look at the basics of Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga, to help you get a better understanding of what this type of practice entails. We’ll also explore how it differs from other types of yoga, and how it can be beneficial to anyone looking to improve their physical and mental health. So, without further ado, let’s dive into…
The eight basic rules for causal inference from Peder M. Isager’s blog provide an excellent framework for understanding how causal relationships emerge and interact with observable data. These rules resonate with core principles in both systems thinking and Ashtanga Yoga. Let’s explore this connection. 1. Independent Variables are Not Correlated In systems thinking, an independent variable can be seen as an external input or a system component that does not directly influence other parts. This rule aligns with the yogic principle of detachment (Vairagya) where actions devoid of expectations (causal independence) do not entangle one in their outcomes. 2. Causal Influence Creates Correlation This mirrors the idea in systems thinking that feedback loops (positive or negative) generate observable patterns. In yoga, cause-effect chains are understood…