#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.