This podcast discusses the delicate balance between following rules and embracing freedom in yoga and life. Using Ashtanga yoga as a focal point, I highlight the necessity of structure for safety, grace, and empowerment while also exploring the pitfalls of rigid rule-following. I challenge the idea that rules are inherently restrictive or harmful, and address the danger of adopting a “do what feels good” approach without discernment.
Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Vasistha, I delve into the messy nuances of navigating right action, creativity, and flexibility within a system. The discussion examines the limitations of rigid practices, such as strict adherence to Ashtanga’s set sequences, while emphasizing the importance of allowing for personalization and adaptability.
By addressing the harm of extremes—having no rules versus rigidly following them—I advocate for embracing complexity and balance in both yoga and teaching. Ultimately, yoga points us toward total freedom: the ability to respond spontaneously and skillfully to the moment, transcending outdated ideas and rigid structures. This conversation provides thoughtful insights for yoga practitioners, teachers, and anyone seeking to navigate life’s complexities with grace and wisdom.
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This podcast discusses the delicate balance between following rules and embracing freedom in yoga and life. Using Ashtanga yoga as a focal point, I highlight the necessity of structure for safety, grace, and empowerment while also exploring the pitfalls of rigid rule-following. I challenge the idea that rules are inherently restrictive or harmful, and address the danger of adopting a “do what feels good” approach without discernment.
Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Vasistha, I delve into the messy nuances of navigating right action, creativity, and flexibility within a system. The discussion examines the limitations of rigid practices, such as strict adherence to Ashtanga’s set sequences, while emphasizing the importance of allowing for personalization and adaptability.
By addressing the harm of extremes—having no rules versus rigidly following them—I advocate for embracing complexity and balance in both yoga and teaching. Ultimately, yoga points us toward total freedom: the ability to respond spontaneously and skillfully to the moment, transcending outdated ideas and rigid structures. This conversation provides thoughtful insights for yoga practitioners, teachers, and anyone seeking to navigate life’s complexities with grace and wisdom.
In this podcast I discuss the often misinterpreted Ashtanga saying: “Do your practice and all is coming”. I go into detail about the different important meanings of Abhyasa, the Sanskrit word for practice, and probe into how to derive optimal physical and spiritual benefits from your daily efforts.
TOPICS I DISCUSS INCLUDE:
*deliberate practice vs how just practicing a lot is not effective in developing skills or mastery.
*10 years as a possible minimum number of years to become fully established in an effective practice.
*how natural ability (talent or physical ability) doesn’t account for success in practice or in yoga
*the most important skill that can be taught by the teacher is HOW to practice, how to set manageable and appropriate goals, to identify steps in a progression, and to monitor the success or otherwise of the practice strategies.
*How at home practice is most successful if the teacher gives specific instructions about what needs to be worked on, how to do it, and what the results should be like.
*How systematic approaches yield better results than free practice.
*to the question “what to practice?” One answer is to repeat a difficult passage many times until mastery is achieved. This means learning to work on a series in shorter fragments (called fragmenting or chunking) rather than just doing an entire series all the way through with 5 breaths in each pose everyday.
*Concept of metacognition. The quality of practice can be gauged by the level of self regulation and ‘metacognition’. Self awareness includes not only technical knowledge of the poses but also of issues related to the learning itself, such as concentration, planning, monitoring, and evaluation. Self monitoring includes reflecting on what you are doing, how you’re doing it, and having the ingenuity to consider alternative approaches.
*Intensity in practice is related to the student’s personal interest in a particular pose or aspect of practice. Self initiative as a main driver of one’s practice is essential for motivation and enthusiasm. You determine what to focus on based on your interests and tastes; this is at least as important as following a prescribed syllabus or strictly following external rules because ‘that’s the way it's done’.
SPIRITUAL MEANINGS
*Discussion of the following spiritual meanings of the word practice in yoga:
1) Effort of the mind to remain in its unmodified condition of purity, or
2) Inculcation of a truth conveyed in the sacred writings by means of repeating the same word or the same passage.
SACRED TEXTS
*I cite two little exchanges between teacher and student that come from sacred texts (see below) and discuss possible connections between your daily practice and the spiritual teachings found in the texts.
Asana Kitchen Podcast
This podcast discusses the delicate balance between following rules and embracing freedom in yoga and life. Using Ashtanga yoga as a focal point, I highlight the necessity of structure for safety, grace, and empowerment while also exploring the pitfalls of rigid rule-following. I challenge the idea that rules are inherently restrictive or harmful, and address the danger of adopting a “do what feels good” approach without discernment.
Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Vasistha, I delve into the messy nuances of navigating right action, creativity, and flexibility within a system. The discussion examines the limitations of rigid practices, such as strict adherence to Ashtanga’s set sequences, while emphasizing the importance of allowing for personalization and adaptability.
By addressing the harm of extremes—having no rules versus rigidly following them—I advocate for embracing complexity and balance in both yoga and teaching. Ultimately, yoga points us toward total freedom: the ability to respond spontaneously and skillfully to the moment, transcending outdated ideas and rigid structures. This conversation provides thoughtful insights for yoga practitioners, teachers, and anyone seeking to navigate life’s complexities with grace and wisdom.
