r/ashtanga

Many new practitioners struggle with alignment, breathing, or consistency. What beginner mistakes should people avoid when starting yoga?

Hello everyone! I was wondering if the collective experience of everyone around here might be of help for a somewhat niche issue that has come up in my practice.

I have a very specific discomfort/instability on my right hip joint when balancing on that side in galavasana. I have been doing the asana for years, but lately it has been feeling very hard to find the correct position in order to be able to get into that side of the asana, combined with a tightening sensation very close to the sitting bone (maybe the insertion of the hamstring?). Besides that particular asana, it also kind of appears when walking big distances. Has anyone ever experienced anything similar? If yes, did you do anything particular to resolve it, besides not pushing that side for some time?

For context I have been practicing Ashtanga for around 12 years and have slowly built up my practice to the half point of Advanced A, with the help of my teacher, whom I unfortunately do not see very often. I am hypermobile, but have been lucky and sensible enough to not have had any serious injuries thus far (and would like to keep it that way!). I also have the support of a great chiropractor and a physiotherapist that I trust but I am not sure how I can explain this one, even to them, so I am hoping for some help from my fellow ashtangis in here! Thank you in advance!

Hey yoginis!! Do you practice during your period? I have endometriosis and a lot of pain, but i dont want to leave my practice for 2-3 days 🫠

Contemplating going on a week long retreat/workshop overseas with one of my favourite teachers later this year. Would be my first yoga retreat. Beginner, doing bit more than half primary. (Supta
Kurmasana). Seeking experiences on what it’s like, what you did on your downtime in between mysore and workshop, and whether it’s added to your practice. Not looking primarily to relax or have a holiday. Some of these places are pretty outside of town and require significant lengths of travel and time off work so want to get some idea if it’s ’worth it’.

Hey! I’ve been practicing Ashtanga for almost 20 years, but over the past year and a half it’s the only thing I practice and am doing it around 6x per week. Been a very rough year and is literally the only thing i look forward to.

Im into second series on kappotasana and a couple of weeks, maybe a month ago, I felt myself pull my scapula during this pose.

Im trying to work through it (of course, #ashtangis) y focusing on lengthening in my forward folds and back bends, breathing into the poses etc. my jump thru/back practice is very strong and i feel like the overuse of those upper back muscles will NOT let me keep on pushing through.

Over the past few days my output (arm strength on jump back) has been extremely week, and my jump through a have been painful, now my other scapula is literally burning.

I know what y’all are going to see- give it a break etc- but like i mentioned before, it’s getting me through a really low point in my life. If I do give it a break, wtf should i do instead. And if I don’t give it a break, what specifically should I focus on? 39F if that helps anything…

Contemplating going next year for the first time and also first time to India. Can anyone break down the logistics for me? Is it as straightforward as just booking the retreat buying my plane ticket and going? Will I need shots? Unlikely to have time to see much else outside of Goa so might for for 7-10 days. Please share your experiences, thank you!

Just as the title says, really. I was very surprised when it popped up and he doesn't seem to be posting elsewhere. Is this the start of him trying to come back to teaching? Will he try to gaslight the community?

Im reading Gregory Maehle’s Ashtanga Yoga Practice & Philosophy. In a section early on about stretching, he describes passive stretching and gives an example of forward folding and how the origin of the hamstring can be damaged. So, in very reductive terms, does this mean keeping the hamstrings and back of the legs active can help protect against yoga butt? What are some tips to keep the legs active without feeling you’re hyperextending the knee?

I have concerns about yoga teachers not converting the correct alignment through instructions which help in getting into and out of a posture. Instead of that, they correct you by applying pressure or pulling you - which gives you alignment only temporarily. I feel many teachers are not even aware of what is the correct alignment instruction and they are teachers just because they are able to attain the posture. I feel giving instructions regarding alignment would give proper knowledge to the practitioners to attain correct posture long term, even if progress is slower.

Hi reddit! I am looking for a new yoga mat after my Lululemon mat started to fall apart. I’ve been considering the Manduka Pro vs the Prolite. Main thing I am worried about is grip on the Prolite, and weight of the Pro.

I take a mix of Mysore and vinyasa classes, at studio and at home practice. Im not very sweaty but when I go to the occasional hot yoga class I am.

Please recommend between the two mats, or of any other mats that you enjoy.

Hi everyone!
I started doing yoga two years ago through YouTube and used to practise every day. A year later, I joined yoga classes, but couldn’t continue because of work and other commitments. Recently, I decided to do a 200-hour YTT. Right now, I’m learning Ashtanga five days a week and Hatha one day a week.
After my morning Ashtanga classes, I get extremely tired and often end up sleeping for a few hours afterwards. I’m wondering if this is normal?

Hello,

Purple Valley Goa announced their 2027 line up and I feel drawn to studying with both David and Jelena as well as Petri and Scott.

David and Jelena offers a classic two weeks retreat...
Petri and Scott's is a month long intensive...

There are different things about them that I like. It isn't easy to decide 😌 They are all pretty fantastic teachers.

Maybe those who studied with them could share their experiences so it will be easier for me to imagine what to expect.

As for me, I practice intermediate series.

Hi all, I've been advised by my PT to start yoga for general mobility and flexibility.

I love pilates, especially b the method/lia bartha if anyone is familiar, because she is constantly cueing for form and it makes the movements feel aligning and challenging the way they are supposed to!

Does anyone have recommendations for online yoga teachers with similar attention to detail and very specific cueing? Especially since I'm a beginner with very poor mobility, i want to make sure I'm moving correctly, putting my weight in the right part of my feet, engaging the right area of my core, etc. I've dabbled with a few of the popular youtube yoga teachers and it wasn't what I was looking for.

Thank you!!

I have a long term relationship with yoga, and have completed two yoga teacher trainings. I have discovered Ashtanga this year, and there is not an Ashtanga community where I live.

I am in between jobs, and interested in intentional living communities. Does anyone know if there are any intentional living communities that are centered around Ashtanga, holistic living, and permaculture in the us?

Hey everyone!

A bit of a context. I'm planning to go to r/Mysore in September for a few months. Given my current life situation (moved countries, still in between jobs etc) I thought that I might take this opportunity and learn something in India. I'm quite new to r/ashtanga and it's definitely something that I'd like to commit to. I've been to India many times before so this part doesn't overwhelm me. However, there seem to be an endless amount of places where to study. Could you recommend a shala where to start, please? Since I'm planning to stay for a few months - upto a year - I'd rather not spend a huge amount of money. Would r/KPJAY be a good option for a beginner and stay with her for 3 months and then move elsewhere? I've been hearing good things about r/Vijaykumar - any thoughts there? Btw I'm not interested in getting certified.

Please heeeeeelp 🤗

Does anyone have info on workshops/retreats scheduled in Central/South American countries? It's hard to find.. Any information will be appreciated. Many thanks!