Ashtanga*Ashtanga

Happy Birthday, Guruji!

Did you know that Pattabhi Jois turned 93 last Saturday, July 26? Congrats, Guruji! Here's a video of him talking about the Ashtanga method (quite a few years ago!).

Meet the New Ashtangi: Michelle Schreiber

I took my first Ashtanga star class with Sharon at Yoga Yoga a mere six weeks ago, after my friend Peggy had raved about it. It has already transformed my life. Let me preface this by saying that yoga and "natural living" are not new to me. I am an Acupuncturist with a regular "sitting" meditation practice, and I have taken yoga classes (mostly Hatha Flow) sporadically for years in Austin and Washington DC.

My lifestyle lends itself to constant transformation and recognition of sacredness in the world. In a very short time, the Ashtanga practice has amped up that recognition dramatically! I relate to it like a marriage... meeting the same form/routine everyday, similar to meeting with the same partner everyday, but never getting bored because each day brings new challenges, new growth, and a renewed love for life.

Sharon tells us that regular practice will bring magic, and she is right on. I must add that I feel quite fortunate to have such a wonderful and dedicated teacher to learn from and practice with. I look forward to someday having the ability to complete the entire first form!

Get More Enjoyment From Your Practice

Here's a tip from Rusty on how to enjoy your Ashtanga practice even more:

Enjoy Your Natural Strengths!

Part of the genius of this practice is the enormous variety of postures. Each of us has different strengths and weaknesses. Typically, we dwell on what we can't do. I encourage you to celebrate and seek fuller expression of those postures that come more easily to you. I believe it will strengthen the will and patience you will need to address the more challenging aspects of this practice.

New Event: David Williams is Coming to Yoga Yoga!

David Williams: Ashtanga Yoga For Life
November 13-16, at Yoga Yoga Westgate

We are excited and honored to welcome David Williams to Yoga Yoga this Fall! David was the first Westerner to be taught the complete Ashtanga Yoga system directly from Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. David is responsible for teaching many of today's leading teachers and practitioners of Ashtanga Yoga, including David Swenson, Doug Swenson, Danny Paradise, Bryan Kest, Jonny Kest, Tracy Rich, Chuck Miller, and Maty Ezraty.

Click here for more information.

In David's words:

From over 30 years of observing thousands of people practicing Yoga, I have realized that those who continue are the ones who are able to figure out how to make it enjoyable. They look forward to their daily practice and nothing can keep them from finding the time to do it. It becomes one of the most pleasant parts of their day. It is my goal to do everything I can to inspire you to establish your yoga practice not just for the few days we are together, but for the rest of your life.
Click here to read all of David's letter to students.

This event will definitely sell out! Register soon!

Meet the Ashtangi: Heidi Armstrong Smith

I was a professional mountain bike racer when I had a spectacular crash. What followed was two surgeries, paralysis of my quadriceps, and a veritable yard sale of cartilage and bone scattered about in my knee. My left quad went from powerful and exceptionally muscled to a useless twig.

My physical therapist, Doug Kelsey, called me Atrophena (we had to find some way of laughing at the situation!). For the next two years I used crutches or a cane to walk. I lost my ability to balance and my proprioception (like sensory perception and awareness) in my left leg. I would close my eyes and Kelsey would hold my leg up, then I'd tell him it was pointing down. I had no sense of where my leg was in space.

During my rehabilitation I was working at Dell. When I reached the point that I could support my own body weight, I started taking yoga classes at work. Sapphire was my first yoga teacher, and she was just amazing-such a kind and passionate spirit, always encouraging me and helping me find modifications to work with my knee. Slowly, I regained my balance, and some awareness of what my body was doing in space. But that first experience with yoga didn't seem touch my spirit. I was still a warrior athlete determined to get back to racing my mountain bike.

Click here to read the rest of Heidi's awesome story!

Why Would Anyone Do Ashtanga??

A perspective by Rusty Nelson

Ashtanga. It is the same series of postures every time. There is no background music. Visible progress in postures is measured in micro-millimeters a month, and that's if you're really pushing it. It's not like running, where you sign up for a race, run it, then know exactly how you ranked. I am told that a few celebrities do Ashtanga, but if that were why you practiced, you would have moved on to the next fad already.

It is not a quick way to lose weight or build six pack abs, in fact, it isn't a quick way to do anything at all. Just check out late night television, there are a multitude of products designed for those goals, and unlike Ashtanga, they often have a money back guarantee.

Our days are full of instant gratification, multitasking, money back guarantees and quick sound bites, and Ashtanga is just the opposite. Why would anyone subject themselves to such a practice? And pay for it, no less?!

For the past few months, I have had the privilege of hearing some great answers to that question, through the fabulous stories that have been shared in this newsletter. We all have a story of how this practice has changed our lives. I want to encourage you to share yours. Just so you know I am not asking you to do anything I haven't done, click here to see that story I shared last year.

To share your story, please write to ashtanga@yogayoga.com.