Core stability and integration are fundamental principles in yoga teachings, particularly within the lineage of Krishnamacharya and his renowned students, Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar. While these teachers developed their own distinct styles, they all emphasised...
The bandhas or muscle seals are an integral part of the Ashtanga Vinyasa practice. They form part of what Pattabhi Jois called the ‘breathing-movement system’. They complement the ‘chest breathing’ we use in Ashtanga. What are bandhas & how to apply them Bandhas...
As a young teenager I learned to do Yoga from a book. It suggested that one would stay ‘young and smart’ by pursuing this practice. This sounded appealing to me, so I followed it. Without my parents knowing, I tried the postures on a small rug in front of my bed at...
When a colourful butterfly glides by, you can’t help but stop to notice. As you do, you sink into the present moment, becoming aware of the life within you and around you. In this way, nature is a powerful teacher in helping to achieve mindfulness, both in your yoga...
Ashtanga Yoga consists of six series of postures, which greatly increase in difficulty. In my experience of teaching over the past 30 years, the majority of students won’t complete the first or Primary Series in this life-time. The first series already involves very...
It has been beautiful to watch a few students in the Mysore room embarking on the Intermediate Series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. This series requires a very different kind of energy and strength than the Primary Series. This is most likely because the Primary Series...
