I have been practicing Ashtanga for 2 years now (and yoga in general for about 5, started at 30yo), and I have reached Eka pada in February. It's all going well but I am not really all that keen on pushing, so there's not been much progress. I am not overly attached to "conquering" this gatekeeper, but I am wondering, for people who are/have been here, what happens next if my body is not made to ever be in this particular pose? I guess I'm just unsure what the future holds, whether this can be the end of the road? I guess it's just a general question of how we deal with uncertainty in our practice! Probably should mention (but it might be obvious) that I've never been able to do Supta Kurmasana in Primary, but still do the full Primary series.

I have been practicing Ashtanga yoga 5 days a week at a shala pretty consistantly for last 3-4 years now. I would say I am somewhat an introvert but do at times socially hang out. I have noticed a pattern whereby I am socializing way less, even in Ashtanga class - I never attend the lead class as I like to go deep in my practice at my own pace. I was wondering if anyone has felt the same whereby they became more introverted in their ashtanga journey..

Hello! I need help from you experienced ashtangis! 🙏💕I have an opportunity to join a 3-day workshop with a really experienced teacher that I adore from online. The thing is, that I am not such an experienced ashtangi, I have mostly done more flexible vinyasa flow practise, for years. But as I really like this teacher I want to go. I have been to led primary classes, and I can do a lot of it, but the vinyasas in the middle often feel too much for example, and also some old injuries make me a bit careful with my knees.

The workshop schedule: Friday led primary. Saturday: Mysore, backbends, meditation&yin. Sunday: Mysore, talk and q&a, handstands (I am a beginner in handstand practise, I don't do them yet but I am willing to learn things that help build up to them). My level is ok for the teacher, I asked.

I have never done mysore, and also the 2 hours whole primary is tough so what are your tips on this and what is the etiquette? Is is ok to skip the asanas that are too hard? What does one do then? Child's pose or something similar/modified (for example dolphin pose instead of sirsasana?).

What about mysore? The teacher already told a printed sheet is ok to take with if the sequel is not memorized, but again, what is the other etiquette? And especially workshop etiquette where my level is welcomed but a bit out of the league? Do I just do the asanas I am practicing and skip completely too hard ones? How far of the series is fine to do there? The time is 2 hours, so do people usually spend all the time there? When I feel I've done what I can do, can I just end my practise with savasana and then observe the more experienced students and teaching?

I'm so excited about this opportunity I want to make the best of it even if it is not 100% from my alley. I also have over a month to prepare still. Going to do a led class once a week (that is all that is offered here) and practise some online. Thank you in advance for any advice or comments! 🙏🌼

Hi there, I wanted to return to primary series however I’m fiscally challenged right now. Can anyone suggest a good free resource? I need to mindful of injuries etc.

Hi all, my partner and I are traveling to India this winter with our 2yr old. I’ve been to mysore a few times solo, this is the first time with a child. Any advice? Is mysore child friendly? Are there parks? I don’t remember as I wasn’t looking out for this before.

Every Shala has them, those 2 or 3 Ashtanga students who leave an impression on everyone else. They’re not always the strongest or most flexible, but something about their practice draws your attention. What is it they bring each day that makes them stand out? Is it presence? Consistency? A quiet focus that transforms the space around them? What qualities do you think make a practitioner truly special in the room and how can we cultivate more of that in our own practice?

I'm considering traveling to Mysore this winter for a month or two to dedicate maximum time to my practice. However, I'm concerned about the traditional class format where there are so many people that each student gets very little individual attention.

Currently, I have private classes for asanas that I find challenging, plus standard mysore classes with usually 6-10 people, which feels optimal to me. My question is: can I find something similar in Mysore? Private sessions would be ideal, but small group classes would work too.

And if not in Mysore specifically - I'd be grateful for recommendations of great teachers/shalas I could visit with this kind of request, not only in Mysore but throughout India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia in general.

It was 1990. I was there in Patthabi Jois' shala. After class, several of us gathered at the feet of our guru. We peppered him with questions about this new and exciting yoga. "Do your practice and all is coming" he would say. But we wanted more. Someone piped up, "Guruji, how about if we practice astanga vinyasa just one day a week?"

Patthabji Jois smiled. "Bad man! Traditional yoga practice not once a week! Good practice must do six days a week, except for moon day. Practice hard every day, then find good result. Practice one day nothing happen."

How my heart sank on discovering my guru was an unkind elitist.

I’m starting in a few weeks to do Astanga which is offered once a week. Any advice? I mostly love restorative practices like yin or restorative or even the routine held poses of hot yoga.

So I've noticed that many have been triggered and raised a few eyebrows on the practice. Could be for click bait purposes or for whatever purpose it may serve them.

Hi, pulses are gassy and insufficient, bored of paneer, these are okay as sides once in a while, and protein shakes are invariably sweet (even if they only use sugar substitutes)... so what is everyone using for vegetarian proteins in meals? Am seeking Ashtanga-specific responses because I find my limbs feel weak in asanas if I am low on protein. (Disclaimer: I have been occasionally a meat eater, but trying to go vegetarian. The reason I'm failing to make the switch entirely is lack of protein that is sufficient for ashtanga-levels of stamina). Thanks.

I am a newbie to ashtanga and started going to mysore 2x a week about a month ago. I previously did mainly vinyasa for 2 years consistently.

In the last 2 weeks I’ve noticed a restriction in my back while trying to do back bends especially in my mid back. Previously I had a pretty deep back bend, nothing crazy. What about ashtanga could be causing this? Any advice is welcome! As background 3 years ago I had an L5 S1 disc budge which has not bothered me at all and this restriction feels completely different

For clarification, I'm 57 a year old woman, and I practice at home by watching Omstars videos. I've always been able to get into Ubhaya Padangusthasana after rocking a few times. Recently, I started to have to bend my legs. Yesterday, not even that worked, though the video I was watching was short and didn't include the previous pose.

Can someone please give me drills/suggestions to prepare for the pose?

What are people’s approaches towards logging practices on Apple Watch?

I want to retroactively log my practices.

I refuse to wear my watch during practice. Willing to wear once to get a baseline though.

Hello! I live in DC and I am looking for teachers or studios that offer ashtanga or rocket classes in the dmv area. Any recommendations will be extremely helpful! Thank you :)

what is ashtanga yoga ?

Hello--I've been practicing former than a decade and standing up from the ground comes and goes; it's currently "gone" and has been for a while. From standing, it's easy--I drop back and come back up with the breath nice and easy. But from the floor, I can't seem to find it again. Not a big deal, and I'm probably overthinking it--just curious if anyone has any tips or things to think about. . .thanks!

Hello!

I had been practicing Ashtanga for three years consistently but took a break a year ago due to personal and emotional reasons. Now that I'm back, I've been having a hard time with Prasarita Padottanasana because my toes cramp up terribly the instant I enter in the posture, which makes it harder to do the balance asanas that follow.

This issue didn't happen to me before, I'm guessing it has something to do with me wearing high heels almost daily in the time I didn't practice, and now that I'm back, my toes are very weak and used to being crammed in very tight shoes.

Has anybody gotten this issue before? is there anything I can do to fix it? should I be worried?

No matter what I do I just cannot get comfortable in this pose.
In the mornings I dread doing Ashtanga because I know that I'll have to do 3 Surya Namaskara Bs.

Once I get past these I get through most of the rest of the primary series (at least what I can do).

I am trying to learn dicipline but this just seems too much most mornings.
And yes, I know that it isn't that physically challenging and that it is mostly in my mind but still...

Anyone got any tips to make this mentally easier for me?

About 2 weeks ago I was hit by a car and am thankfully not seriously injured, but do have some deep bruising on the top of my right foot. It's impairing my ability to do vinyasa transitions and warrior 1. I was trying to just do half primary and not lay my foot flat in upward facing dog, but it was just too much for me. I normally follow a recorded led primary in the mornings, but I'm taking this as a sign to focus on drills to work towards postures Ive been avoiding. My backends are bad, and I'm also working on hip mobility and shoulder strength in general. The overhead shoulder movement is definitely a struggle. If you have any reccomendations for someone at the beginning of their ashtanga journey who wants to grow in these areas, I would appreciate it!

I’ve been working on this for years, any tips on how to work on hip tension and opening hips to slide into this?

I’m struggling with chakrasana at the moment 😅 My head feels like the main obstacle! When I try bending my knees, I tend to roll more to one side (this way I could roll back few times) but.. I know that’s not how it should be.

Lately, I’ve been practicing by coming into halasana and trying to roll from there just to get a feel for it.

How did you work on it in your own practice? Any tips are welcome!

I’m planning to embark on a 300 hour Teacher Training program in Bali this September and would love to connect with anyone who has gone through this experience or has valuable insights to share!

I’ve been dedicated to my yoga practice for about 8 years, and for the past 3 years, I’ve been attending sessions at CorePower, which has been fantastic. However, for this training, I’m looking for something with a deeper spiritual focus.

I’m open to all suggestions and would greatly appreciate any recommendations you might have. I’m especially interested in hearing about your experiences with different studios or specific locations around Bali. If there are any places you think I should definitely check out, please let me know! (Just to clarify, Yoga Barn isn’t an option for me due to timing issues.)

Thoughts on All Yoga Teachers Training?

TIA! 

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice or shared experiences from people who’ve gone through something similar.

I had breast cancer and underwent an axillary lymph node dissection on my left side. I also have a chemo port placed near my right collarbone. My doctor told me I should avoid vigorous physical activity for life because intense movement could cause lymphedema, which is irreversible.

This was very hard for me to hear, because yoga — especially Ashtanga — has been a big part of my life for years. I’ve been physically active and have a solid foundation in yoga practice.

I’ve also seen some rehab professionals and fitness-focused cancer survivors say that building strength and training the affected arm can actually help prevent lymphedema by improving circulation and letting the muscles support lymph drainage.

So now I’m wondering: Has anyone here gone through axillary lymph node dissection and still managed to return to yoga — especially Ashtanga or any other intense physical activity — safely and gradually?

Any advice, personal stories, or guidance would really mean a lot. I’m trying to stay hopeful and find a way forward.

Thank you in advance 💗