#160 Adarsh Williams - The Benefits of Ashtanga Yoga

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


Adarsh Williams shares his journey into yoga and how it helped
him overcome anxiety and insomnia. He started with self-taught
yoga practice using library books and later transitioned to
Ashtanga Yoga. Adarsh emphasizes that yoga is a tool that can be
applied in various ways and does not necessarily require a
spiritual context.


He also discusses his experiences with Pattabhi Jois and Sharath
Jois, highlighting their consistency and dedication to the
practice. In this conversation, Adarsh Williams discusses his
time with Sharath and the transition he went through after the
passing of Pattabhi Joyce. He reflects on Sharath's pressure to
fill his grandfather's shoes and how he has grown into his role
as a teacher.


Adarsh emphasizes the importance of tolerance and understanding
in the yoga community, as well as the need for a pragmatic
approach to the Ashtanga method. He shares his experience with
injuries and how he incorporates functional movement into his
teaching. Adarsh concludes by revealing his guilty pleasure of
being a professional wrestling fan and expressing his inspiration
from his yoga students.


In this conversation, we discussed the importance of effective
communication and explored various strategies to improve
communication skills. We covered topics such as building trust
and rapport, active listening and empathy, non-verbal
communication, managing conflict, cultural sensitivity and
diversity, and effective feedback.


These themes highlight the key aspects of communication that can
lead to successful interactions and relationships. By
implementing the strategies discussed, individuals can enhance
their communication skills and achieve better outcomes in
personal and professional settings.


Key Points


·      Yoga can be a powerful tool for
managing mental health issues such as anxiety and insomnia.


·      Self-taught yoga practice can be
effective, especially when combined with reading and learning
from various sources.


·      Ashtanga Yoga offers a structured
and efficient practice that can lead to physical and mental
transformation.


·      The guru-disciple relationship in
yoga can vary, and it is important to maintain a balanced
perspective and not idealize the teacher. Transition and growth
are natural processes in any practice or role.


·      Tolerance and understanding are
essential in the yoga community.


·      A pragmatic approach to the
Ashtanga method can benefit students of all levels and abilities.


·      Incorporating functional movement
can help prevent injuries and enhance the practice.


·      Finding inspiration in yoga
students and their dedication can motivate teachers to continue
their work. Effective communication is crucial for successful
interactions and relationships.


·      Building trust and rapport is
essential for effective communication.


·      Active listening and empathy help
in understanding others and fostering better communication.


·      Non-verbal communication plays a
significant role in conveying messages.


·      Managing conflict requires
effective communication and problem-solving skills.


·      Cultural sensitivity and
diversity awareness are important for inclusive communication.


·      Providing constructive feedback
is essential for personal and professional growth.