#161 Adarsh Williams Part Two: Teaching Ashtanga Yoga

ADARSH WILLIAMS (www.ashtangayogagroningen.nl | www.smartstretch.com | @ adarshw)

Adarsh Williams and Adam discuss various aspects of yoga practice, including its mental and physical benefits, the blending of yoga with fitness culture, and the importance of adapting the practice to individual bodies.

They also explore the significance of consistency and enthusiasm in teaching, as well as the role of community and history in the practice of Ashtanga yoga. In this conversation, Adam and Adarsh discuss various aspects of building a Mysore program, teaching yoga to different types of students, the importance of breath, the framework of Ashtanga Yoga, and the benefits of cold exposure.

They emphasise the need for teachers to meet students where they are and create a supportive community. They also highlight the significance of movement nutrition and breath hygiene for overall well-being. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the transformative power of tapas.

Key Points

• ·   Yoga was originally intended as a mental practice and a moving meditation, rather than solely a physical exercise.
• ·      Ashtanga yoga should be approached as a mental practice with functional movement, rather than a fix for physical ailments.
• ·      Adapting the lotus work in Ashtanga to individual bodies and incorporating functional movement can make the practice more accessible and beneficial.
• ·      Consistency and enthusiasm are key in yoga practice, and being a new teacher can bring a fresh perspective and energy to the practice.
• ·      The discipline and restraint of yoga practice can lead to transformative experiences and a deeper understanding of oneself. Building a Mysore program requires meeting students where they are and creating a supportive community.
• ·      Teachers should focus on movement nutrition and breath hygiene for overall well-being.
• ·      The framework of Ashtanga Yoga provides a structure for self-connection and growth.
• ·      Cold exposure, such as ice baths, can have curative properties and promote mental and physiological well-being.
• ·      Tapas, the practice of embracing discomfort, can lead to personal transformation.