This was a really cool video and I agree with most of the points you mention in both of the "best" and "worst" categories. I thought it might be interesting to share my perspective. I used to practice ashtanga for about 7 years and then stopped for 5 years due to several reasons mentioned here. But I started again half a year ago because nothing ever worked as well for my mind as the tapas (discipline) of a long, extremely structured practice supposed to be done first thing in the morning most days of the week. The 5 years away from ashtanga have matured me a lot in regards to how I approach the practice now. I feel a lot of ashtangis could benefit from a leave and later return. I realize now for how my mind works, the practice is absolutely brilliant. I've also learned a ton about anatomy, strength and flexibility training and balancing the body and rehabbing injuries during those 5 years away (and am gonna be a physiotherapist in 2 years). So there's no danger in running into the same issues I used to during my first time as an ashtangi. Now, knowing a lot about physiology, the nervous system, the body's self cleansing mechanisms and how everything is interconnected, I recognize the true brilliance of the tristana method. Nothing can "hit" me the same way. My practice isn't about asana, but the asana is very needed for me to be able to practice all 8 limbs. Without it I have no focus, no discipline and way too much fatigue and brain fog. I have also found that training for 5 years (mostly calisthenics and some weightlifting) have changed the supplness of my body despite having a big focus on flexibility at all times. Restarting ashtanga has worked on making whole fascial lines supple again and has been able to rid tension through focused breathing. So I'm gonna keep practicing in a non-dogmatic, anatomy and physiology informed manner :) The way I currently do this is by hitting a long practice about 3 times per week and a short one (just suryas and sitting, or suryas, standing, sitting) 2-3x per week. 1-2x per week I add a short strength training sessions on those days I only have a short ashtanga practice, for a) working out what the asana doesn't target and b) to steer clear of injuries that could otherwise come up from repetitive asana practice (e.g. keep my whole legs, hips and glutes - and especially hamstrings) really strong. I have decided to go back to teaching ashtanga too with the same mindset and help offered.
I builded my self a shorter version of primary series - with a little warming up before and a pranayama/meditation afterwords - all in all 90 minutes - works perfect for me. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 For my older body, the whole thing was too tough and even frustrating ❤
Wow, it's good to see how others 'got out' of yoga - as defined by others or what is commercially available in a class. Yoga, true yoga, you are right is service to others, which you can do through a few select poses to keep the heart open and energy outward. My class yoga fully stopped while lying beside my cat as he was dying, realizing and counting how many hours I had wasted at a yoga studio instead of home with him....he who loved me and really mattered. I now have my own practice, named after him. Bodhi Yoga. The goal being seeing others, not myself.
Great point, and sorry for your loss. From my understanding, Yoga is ultimately a too, a vehicle, built to make us realize what is really important in life, what really matters. All those postures and techniques are meant just for that: expanding our knowledge and realizing the Truth. Once we’ve realized that, those postures and techniques have done their job, and eventually we don’t even need them anymore. That doesn’t mean we have stopped doing yoga. It’s still yoga what we’re doing.
Ashtanga is something I loved for many reasons, but as a trainer I also know that doing the exact same exercises in the same order every day isn't optimal. Even some of the original crew of teachers in the US and abroad admit to that and now recommend alternating first and second series, at least. Manju Jois often mixes up first and second series for his pupils for balance and variety. That's also why I always loved Bryan Kest and his approach. He took what he loved about ashtanga, having trained under Pattabhi Jois, and created endless variety within that general context. He opens it up, and that makes all the difference. But ashtanga asana series are amazing and have a lot to offer if you listen to your own body as well.
I’m so freakin enlightened. This ☝🏼 attitude is common. Narcissism(not necessarily NPD) is rampant in the community if we are all being honest about it.
I always think it is most important to follow your own pahtwyay. If that is Ashtanga then that is great. And if you decide to go on a different journey, than that is great to! There is no wrong or right, you have to follow what feels true to yourself. Dont get fooled by " there is only one true way"! Find your own and stick to it. I started with Asthanga and after following for 3 years I felt like I needed a change and so I did try Vinyassa. That was what really got me fired up. We are all different. There is no right or wrong. Follow you intuition. Good luck!
Thank you for this video. Really great 👌👏 I just start my ashtanga journey. My real journey. Yes I took a multistyle yoga teacher course and there was ashtanga but I didn't like. Too hard for me, for my level. I was sweating so much and was sore for days so I only did Ashtanga once a week and went to the other gentler classes (hatha/vinyasa) last year, I started a 108 days challenge (I have already done 365 days in hatha) to elevate my practice with more intensity and difficulty. This year, I decided to do the 108 days in Ashtanga. (6 days a week but on Sunday it's hard not to practice 🤣) I am on day 19/108. this practice is incredible ❤️ I fall in love with ashtanga 🤩
Thank you! I can understand when sometimes teachers take seriously spiritual principles, but taking extremely seriously what is the hand position in Prasarita Padottanasana C? A bit too much in my opinion
I’m happy tue video answered your questions. There are also some great people in the Ashtanga community, but it’s not always easy to realize it from outside
"culture and people around it" Yes well what the people create as the culture around yoga has certainly changed since the late 70's when i 1st practiced yoga with my Mother & Father.
Agree completely. After 6 years of Ashtanga I have stopped practising because of the injuries I was having. All injuries were blamed because I wasn’t practising 6 days a week 😂
Who taught you man, and why would you do yoga to extend that it injures you. I have a friend who fractured the bone in aerial yoga, he was self practising after the session and probably was exhausted. Never do such things. My own guru, she is doing ashtang at age of 70-72, and she is totally fine.
Rabbit holes, 10 minutes a day is all. Kindness to myself, for everyone who’s ever herd my name will be forgotten. Trading the race of providing for Yoga is tempting.
Thank you for this video :D I just re-started Yoga a few months ago, how I do it is I go for 3 practices a week, 1 Ashtanga, 1 Vinyasa Flow, and 1 Yin . In my head, it just makes sense like this, with 3 different styles :D
A good teacher is key ! The trick is, to know a little bit about how the body works to know when you find one ! But I guess instinct would work too, and your body will speak to you (in my opinion) For more advances movements or difficults poses or to prevent injuries, once in a while I'll go to a physician. And goes the same as for a yoga teacher.
This is a really helpful video. I’ve slowed down my practice and I’m not sure if Ashtanga is right for me. Your video gave a very balanced view of ashtanga so thank you 😊
Very beautifully explained everything and yes the person must choose the practise as per their body and dosha type . Ashtanga was originally designed for King and armyman to make them strong in battlefield. We should be practise other 7 limbs of Yoga rather than focusing on just one limb ( asana) . I have been practising for 7 years now and teaching since 5 years .
I like this "Originally designed for army to make them strong etc" My father was an Irish yogi man & he told me this too that the yogis designed the style when requested for the purpose of training the army. my father recently died at 85 & had trained in yoga & the art of self-mastery for more than half his life. I would assist him in teaching/guilding not yoga but detoxing the body in a 7 day course. He/we were invited to a prestigious Astanga yoga school to preform this practice of purification with the students of the school. During the week all the students continued their practice of Astanga as usual. At the end of the week all the class had advanced the practice greatly falling & folding into Asanas they had been pursuing for months & years. He explained to me that health & purification was key in yoga. I will never forget those days in the mountains with my Dad when he was 81 years. 🙏
I am a beginner but have noticed that a lot of people seem to take yoga and themselves way too seriously. And what's with the nobody ever expressing any emotion or being allowed to really acknowledge pain? I love your humor. ;)
Wonderful Alessandro. I practiced ashtanga deligently for a few years and did the impossible for my body type. Eventually circumstances changed and i could not spend dedicated hours on my practice so I downsized my practice, now im back to basics, a real hit to the ego haha Tried to teach my husband body builder ashtanga he tried but only loves downdog utkatasan and breathing. Long story short we now practice whatever suits... nice little routine we nitpicked 😂 great fun, but real massive hit for the ego to learn acceptance that sometimes change is needed, getting attached too much is ... well, attachment!
I can relate but on many points but most probably you just do what is best for you right now... we always have to listen to our bodies, that is more important than the ego
Muy buen video, Ale! Recuerdo cuando te conocí en Goa hace 8 años en lo de Rolf, y ya veníamos hablando de estas cosas con respecto a la práctica. Te mando un gran abrazo desde Buenos Aires.
Hi Alessandro, it’s Yanni. Really glad I came across this video and seeing your journey. It’s very refreshing and of course, identity with many of the points you raised. Thank you for being apart of my journey and capturing me during my peak of my practice and being apart of my spiritual journey. I hope you and your family are well 😊
Hi, I used to practice mysore every morning and stopped. I have friends who are crazy about "wanting" to practice ashtanga and keep telling me ashtanga poses are so strong, blah. 1) I told them that there is nothing special about the ashtanga sequences. Those are not ashtanga poses, they are yoga poses. Ashtanga sequences put yoga poses into meaningful sequences. You can put those poses in a typical "vinyasa class" or "yoga class" and effect will be the same and will be hard (if teach right). 2) It is not about the sequences, it is about the people who goes to Ashtanga classes that makes people think ashtanga classes are hard. I have seen a lot of people cannot do most poses in the mysore classes. 3) Its much eash to teach mysore or led ashtanga classes. Like Bikam, it is a set sequence. Typical good "vinyasa yoga class", instructors need to create their own sequences. 4) I think practice Ashtanga is powerful because it encourage you to practice regularly, or everyday. It is very hard to do. Please comment on the above points and give me your opinion. Thank you.
Hi, I agree on mostly every point. What I have been finding conforming in Mysore shalas, is that you pretty much know what you get and especially if you are traveling you just show up in a shala in the morning (if they accept drop ins) and find something you know already, like comfort food. With vinyasa, it depends so much on the teacher. It can be an amazing class or quite the opposite. That said, people should never tell what you have to do. Every discipline is just a tool and it’s perfect for us as long as it serves us. When we don’t feel the call anymore, better move to something else that we are more passionate about. I’ve seen too many people doing ashtanga because they have to do it. It has to be a joy to practice, not a suffering
One thing I can add here in 'STOP' doing using 8Anga. One should NOT stop it totally, Instead reduce it 2/3 times a week. If you do it daily than keeping aside FATIGUE(Which one can recover from by proper diet and rest), over the period of the time when this practice TURNs into Sadhana then the subtle body starts to push back . This PUSH BACK is very very common in SADHANA. It basically means Yoga or Any other Sadhana has started to reach to your SOUL/Atama which STIRRING up TAMAS (Inertia) which in turn wants you to STOP it.
Grazie! ho fatto questo video perché mi sembra che la gente è sempre o 100% contro o 100% a ciecamente a favore… ma la verità sta sempre un po’ nel mezzo
Wow what a refreshing perspective! Being relatively new to Ashtanga (practicing on/off for about a year in India), and coming from a physiotherapy exercise perspective, I feel that it's irresponsible to encourage primary series amongst the general population without first addressing imbalances and issuing preparatory exercises. It literally exacerbated my existing injuries and I was forced to stop at one stage to rethink my progression strategy. I'm almost ashamed to say I was paying $180usd a month for this privelege! As you have correctly pointed out, we are not 10 year old children who are learning this for exhibition purposes, but fully grown adults with different expectations for physicality! I honestly feel that Krishnamacharya and his other famous proteges Iyengar, Desikachar have much more sensible approaches to the same system, utilising props, adding asanas where necessary and taking them away where inappropriate. One size fits all is a truly lazy and unimaginative approach not fit for the 21st century!
Everything in this video is relatable except that Ashtanga or any Yoga practice makes one selfish. It rather brings our diffused focus back to ourselves. From scattered to centered. And One can only give what one has, so yes, it is good to work upon oneself first before helping anyone else.
I’m happy practicing yoga didn’t make you selfish. Me neither! But believe me, this happens to many people. I’m sure it’s not a “fault” of practicing yoga of course, it’s because those people are already selfish and take their yoga practice as an excuse to become even more selfish. I was just suggesting that if in the ashtanga community there was more discussion about to how be of some help in the world, rather than how to improve a backbend and have a “floating practice” it would be a very yogic intention, in my opinion
It helped me raiging focus on my life, see it in broader perspective and also, these days I understand to prioritise. Yoga may be magnifies what you already are. I was highly devoted student once, lost the focus, but since I started practising yoga, I can now focus on my academics better.
And yes, never help others in terms of yoga practice, if one is not qualified. Or cannot commit or both. My new guru is a good listener and knows what to teach me, and how much.
This video is kind of weird to me as I have been doing David Swenson “short form” Ashtanga videos for a few years now. He always emphasizes that the breath is the most important thing. In fact, most yoga classes I have ever taken, I have heard instructors say that it’s not about getting into poses but about breathing and listening to your body. I have had tremendous changes in strength and flexibility from practicing all kinds.
Bravooo Alessandro!! Me acuerdo cuando ya hablabamos de esto hace unos años en Goa :) I also quit the strict rules of Ashtanga, i resonate so much which all of what u saying! I quit bec of all of that.. mainly bec is so no body diversity inclusion and bec my body was screaming for more feeling/sensing in whats happening NOW rather to do the same structured thing everyday .. I still practice YOGA (maybe some days ashtanga) in many ways
I resonate so much with what you wrote in this message. And yes, I remember! Actually it was in Goa that I realized that keeping a daily ashtanga practice was feeling limiting in many ways for me
Brilliant little video. I began practicing yoga when I was around 38 yrs of age with a body full of work injuries and I struggled to even walk but since I found myself a tuely amazing one to one teacher Iv never looked back and have so more ease in the body and wellbeing than ever before. Can I ask you please ; why did you quit Astanga yoga?
you're right! it's all about the teacher, as I'm saying in this video... in my case, at a certain point I started being less attracted by asana... yoga for me at the moment is more meditation and breathwork. and I stay fit hiking and going to the gym... and yes, still doing some self practice ashtanga, but I don't call it ashtanga because it's probably too modified to be called like that hahaha
@@sigis-mondi I had a similar experience; I practiced and taught yoga for 20+ years, and something felt missing. I discovered Advaita Vedanta & it was perfect for me. I've somehow integrated best yoga practices into my life w my studies! Om Alessandro! Thxs for you're honesty & charming, funny video! 🙏 🙏 🕉 🕉 📿📿 🌟 🌟
@@saraswati1386 thanks for your comment. I think that after 20 years of practice you have enough to experience to understand what practice you really need and do what is really meaningful to you
sacred art John Scott is a Legend ....too bad one of his female students whom I went for classes down here in Chadstone around Melbourne city Victoria Australia was a total egotistic Bully....
I mostly practice BKS Iyengar's approach - so fulfilling, but I tried Ashtanga and loved it, until I busted my toe on the jump back into chataranga dandasana. I have yet to find anyone to explain how to stay safe on that, but I'll try asking my Iyengar teacher.
I just don’t like the chant before and after the practice. Feels cult like. But everything else I like. I do need to be aware of how doing the same postures will affect me and add different movements throughout the day
@@sigis-mondi This is a good clarification to have. I used to do yoga a few nights a week in my mid-20's, but stopped going when I realized the teacher was making adjustments that were putting me in danger and weren't really tailored to me as an individual body (I don't think she had a lot of experience dealing with 95 kg men). Now, over a decade later, I'm realizing that now is the time to get back into some kind of mobility practice before things really start going into decline. A friend recommended a nearby Ashtanga center, but having gained a good 20 kg since I last practiced, I'm especially cautious about making sure I understand what to look for with teachers so that I can start where I am and improve safely. Thanks for the video!
I learnt a lot of things thanks to your video, thank you Alessandro ! I do ashtanga (primary only !) from time to time, but the repetitive practice is too boring for me, I prefer to have a diversification in my yoga practices. One question please : did the lady (jumping back in chaturanga) really kicked a monkey ? ! This could be sent to FailArmy😃😃 Namaste from France 🙏
she kicked it not on purpose... if you ever been to India you would have experience how monkey can be everywhere... once a monkey stole my lens from my backpack and I traded back with a banana hahaha
I have a question here... I'm 36 years old and have prior experience in practice of hatha yoga... I always have a strong love for ashtanga...am I too old for it... can I practice and become an expert if I put in the effort..
Nobody is too old for something. Everything is relative. I started Ashtanga when I was 32 years old and I have been practicing for more than 10 years doing primary and half intermediate. Then I decided to stop because I was feeling the repetitive movements were not doing any good to my body, but I know practitioners in their 50s, 60s, 70s and even 80s with a daily ashtanga practice. We are all different! Do what your body suggest you to do. Your body knows it better
Hi! I started ashtanga when I was 40 (hatha in 34). And I don't know the better practice. March 2014 & November 2015 with Sharath in old shala were the best and magic experience in my life!
I am an ashtanga practioner, and a happy one too hopefully not that egocentric 😂…don’t blame it on this style though, I needed the good of it and i am enjoying it gratefully!! I recommend not to quit and to be kind with the body as everyone has unique features!! Have a great practice to you!! Namaste
I’m sorry Alessandro, this is not meant to be attacking your work, which is absolutely stunning, but I didn’t find that friendliness in the Ashtanga word, that you are talking about. I’ve been looking for a personal teacher for months, most of them , they don’t even reply to you. During my 300 hours teacher training I’ve met Ashtangis with a judging and denigrating attitude, all the contrary of being kind. I’ve heard teachers in that training mentioning “how many Instagram followers “ these people has, and if this is what Ashtanga is reduced to, I find it really sad. Last but not least, the only mentor I could find turned out to have sexual interests , and my heart is really broken now, questioning if I should really put effort in this path that’s been corrupted and in which I only find pain. I will go on by myself and as a positive person I will keep believing I’ll find a good teacher sooner or later, but you are making me feel like spreading the real truth behind this. Anyway, I love your explanations on how it works “technically”, and your stunning pictures. All the best to you and your wife.
I’m so sorry to hear that and the bad experiences you had with these teachers. If you want, feel free to reach out privately and I can suggest you some teachers who are totally trustable.
It is healthy to question if you feel the path is corrupted and only brings pain. Maybe you should trust your instincts! Not that many people stay with ashtanga long term. Personally i don't buy into any of the dogma and 30-60mins practice is good enough for me. Best of luck!
@@adrianq1240 thank you for sharing your thought🙏🏻personally, I love a strong and long practice, it fits with the hyper-active side of me, makes me feel good and humbles me down. So, I am going on with it everyday and will keep working to improve. But for sure I am deciding that I won't be part of the "corrupted" side of it and that I don't necessarily need to be recognised/authorised by a system I clearly don't trust anymore. I'll be coherent on my own and I feel this is sacred to Me.. nothing else matters 🤗 All the best for your path ☺️🙏🏻
Hi Alessandro, thanks for this, presenting both sides with humour. Some may say all these videos showcasing advanced practice only promotes the egotistical side of ashtanga, I'm wondering if you agree and if so how you might feel about this in hindsight?
Hi Adrian. Thanks for your comment. It’s not easy to answer. Showing the asana is the obvious and most easy thing to do of course. Also, we have to admit that asana is 99% of what ashtanga is about so, then of course through asana some people are able to do the inner work, and it becomes a sort of meditation in movement, other just stay on the superficial level. Check out a video I’ve done of Ty LANDRUM some years ago, called the Flow of Breath, or another one called Just practice Ashtanga Yoga. You see a lot of advanced asana, but I don’t think they give a narcissistic / egotistical message. So long story short, is very subjective. I’ve listened to podcasts or interviews of some yogis than I found more much egotistical than some asana videos 😂
@@sigis-mondi thanks Alessandro. Your flow of breath video with Ty is amazing, i admit I'm responsible for many of those views. It inspired me to practice and I've joined several of Ty's online workshops. So i am indeed thankful for your videos but also thankful i gave up quite early on the traditional ashtanga path and just evolved my own way of practice
Ashtanga is physically challenging and is not inclusive for all body types. Many Ashtangis are type A personalities who are innately motivated to achieve, and this is why the community while they have good intentions, also have a cultish air of striving and perfectionism. If you have ankle injury that has not healed, you may want to stay away from Ashtanga as it strains your ankles especially with the lotus based poses. Also asanas are just ONE out of 8 limbs of yoga. Practicing yoga isn’t just for the mat, and it is not just a fitness workout, but a spiritual path of knowing your inner consciousness. Meditation, focus, mindful slow living, ethics observances, breath control and sensory controls are all part of practicing yoga. Ashtanga focused way too much on the Asanas. But I admit that it’s a great physical feeling after doing a full 90 min primary set.
Actually, yoga is meant to conform to the body, not the other way around. Poses can be modified or if necessary skipped and substituted. That's how Manju Jois has taught Ashtanga asana for decades.
You are wrong, yoga is about giving, not me me me.... Yama is the first step, which says dont hurt or deceive others, i suggest you to turn the pages once again
It’s funny jois did not really practice when he was 60 ! I bet my money he had injury. Also his daughter a good teacher did not practice. I don’t do all those twisted asana. I follow what keeps me strong and healthy. It’s great but they push too hard.
Yes, Jois had an injury, I believe from riding a scooter or motorbike. He shifted into mostly pranayama and meditations after that. His older son, Manju, is a fabulous teacher. He isn't as rigid about sequencing and he encourages students to mix primary and secondary series for balance.
@@katashley1031 there something wrong about that explanation. Yoga cures bad backs and other problems. I can’t buy the scooter story. His other son has a really bad back too. Too many twist I am saying. Your nerves in your back and neck get compress too much. Ashtanga especially series’ two will mess one up . I been practicing over 40 years.
I want to start ashtanga but I can’t do (a lot of the poses) should I be doing something to get these poses down before starting a dedicated ashtanga practice or should I dive straight in and start?
There’s not a right answer. I personally started doing ashtanga as a total beginner but maybe it would have been wiser to do some other style of yoga before (maybe hatha) so I could at least practice some of the poses holding them more than 5 breaths (or 1 breath only as upward facing dog)
Actually, ashtanga is meant to be learned just one pose at a time, at your one unique pace of progress. Are you able to do sun salutations? If so, that's all you need to start. But look up a video on here by the late Maty Ezraty. She shares some beautiful insight after decades of practice and it's a great listen. Also, Manju Jois teaches a bit differently than Sharath. Manju is Pattabhi Jois's son, and he was really why ashtanga came to the west. He teaches a bit differently, sometimes having students skip, replace or modify postures that might not be right for their unique body. And he sometimes adds second series postures for balancing forward bends and backward bends. Long story short, I believe anyone can do ashtanga, as it is meant to wrap itself around you, not the other way around. 😊
@@sigis-mondi thank you! I began my love for all types of yoga at 16. I'm 53 now and love supporting people just coming to the mat. And I love your channel! Such a positive, lovely place.
Sharath is a money grabbing freak who doesn’t do much yoga. He has an elevator in his house .getting authorized is a big grift. Ashtanga yoga is wonderful and should be free or donation based.
