Adam discusses the pervasive issue of systemic abuse within the yoga community, particularly in Ashtanga yoga. He explores the impact of hierarchy and control, the role of language in perpetuating abuse, and the various forms of psychological and physical abuse that can occur in yoga spaces. Adam emphasizes the need for accountability among teachers, the importance of creating safe spaces for dialogue, and the necessity for change within the community to address discrimination and gaslighting. He concludes with a call to action for teachers and students alike to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment in yoga. www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga  "Language can mean different things to different people." Key Points ·      Systemic abuse exists in the yoga world, particularly in Ashtanga. ·      Hierarchy and control can lead to psychological and physical abuse. ·      Language used in yoga can have different meanings and implications. ·      Psychological abuse is often more prevalent than physical abuse. ·      Discrimination and ableism are significant issues in yoga spaces. ·      Teachers have a responsibility to create safe environments for students. ·      Gaslighting and denial are common responses from teachers when confronted with abuse. ·      There is a lack of accountability and transparency in yoga teaching. ·      Creating avenues for feedback is essential for improvement. ·      We must encourage open dialogue to address these issues.

Explore Beryl Bender’s journey into yoga, her experiences with Ashtanga, and the evolution of Power Yoga. Beryl shares her insights on the importance of mindfulness, the intersection of yoga and meditation, and the moral responsibilities of yogis in today's world. They discuss the challenges of aging in practice, the significance of teaching philosophy, and the need for activism in the yoga community. Beryl's optimistic outlook on life and her dedication to her practice shine through as she reflects on her past and future aspirations.  www.power-yoga.com | @berylbenderbirch Key Points ·      Beryl's early curiosity about life's big questions led her to yoga. ·      Her first yoga class was Kundalini yoga with Yogi Bhajan. ·      Beryl was inspired by Norman Allen's Ashtanga practice. ·      Power Yoga was created to make yoga accessible to athletes. ·      Beryl modified Ashtanga to suit the needs of her students. ·      The practice of yoga is about learning to pay attention. ·      Aging brings challenges, but Beryl remains optimistic and dedicated. ·      Activism and yoga are intertwined; yogis have a moral obligation to speak out. ·      Beryl emphasizes the importance of meditation in yoga practice. ·      She has no regrets and believes everything happens for a reason.

Ep 192 Adam Keen – The Breath: A Journey Through Yoga www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga  Adam Keen the profound significance of breath in yoga practice. He delves into various aspects of breathing, including the traditional ujjayi breath, the role of the diaphragm, and the concept of bandha. The conversation also covers the importance of vinyasa in creating rhythm and awareness in practice, as well as the distinctions between pranayama and modern breath work. Throughout the discussion, Adam emphasizes the need for personal experimentation and understanding in one's yoga journey, particularly regarding breath control and its impact on emotional and physical well-being.    ·        Breath is fundamental to life and spirituality. ·      Ujjayi breath has evolved from a heavier to a lighter practice. ·      The diaphragm is the primary muscle used in breathing. ·      Bandha helps in controlling breath and energy flow. ·      Vinyasa creates a rhythm that mirrors diaphragmatic movements. ·      Pranayama is more about breath control than rhythmic breathing. ·      Breath reflects emotional states and should not be forced into equality. ·      Yoga practice is an individual experiment. ·      Understanding the diaphragm enhances pranayama effectiveness. ·      Breath work can stimulate or calm the nervous system.

Ep 191 Ellen Johannesen – Buddhist Meditation and Christmas Retreat with Adam in Spain www.ashtanganepal.com  | @ashtanganepal Join the Christmas retreat with Ellen and Adam: www.keenonyoga.com/events/ashtanga-christmas-retreat Adam Keen and Ellen Johansson delve into the intricate relationship between meditation and asana practice. They explore Ellen's personal journey into meditation, the differences between yoga and Tibetan Buddhist practices, and the importance of compassion in meditation. The conversation emphasizes the integration of meditation into asana practice, the use of visualization techniques, and practical tips for starting meditation. Ellen shares insights on working with emotions during meditation and the connection between asana and meditation, ultimately encouraging listeners to cultivate a compassionate approach to their practice. Here is a link to the meditation method with free resources: https://sustainablecompassion.org/ Article on (the shortcomings of) mindfulness in relation to Buddhism: The myth of the present moment: https://www.academia.edu/8070322/The_Myth_of_the_Present_Moment  Key Points ·      Meditation can serve various purposes, including calming the mind and focusing. ·      The Tibetan view emphasizes our relational nature and interconnectedness. ·      Context in meditation practice is crucial for understanding and support. ·      Compassion is fundamental in Buddhist practices and should be integrated into meditation. ·      Visualization techniques can enhance meditation and deepen awareness. ·      Emotions should be acknowledged and worked with during meditation. ·      Setting intentions can transform the practice of asana and meditation. ·      The nervous system plays a significant role in both asana and meditation practices. ·      Meditation can help differentiate awareness from the content of thoughts. ·      Practical meditation can be easily integrated into daily life.

Ep 190 Adam Keen – A Deeper Look at the Yamas and Niyamas "The yamas look like monks' vows." "Yoga is a physical method of inner conflict resolution." www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga  Adam delves into the complexities of the yamas and niyamas, exploring their relevance in modern yoga practice. He emphasizes the importance of inner alignment through Hatha yoga before adhering to moral codes, suggesting that true ethical living arises from a clear inner state. Adam discusses the challenges of moral actions, the nuances of non-violence, and the concept of Dharma in contemporary society. He advocates for a deeper inquiry into the nature of goodness and authenticity, ultimately positioning yoga as a process of self-discovery and alignment rather than mere adherence to social morality. Key Points ·      Yoga is not just about following rules; it's about inner alignment. ·      Hatha yoga serves as a foundation for understanding the yamas and niyamas. ·      Moral actions are complex and often lead to unintended consequences. ·      Patanjali's yamas may be more suited for monastics than lay practitioners. ·      Non-violence is a nuanced concept that goes beyond physical actions. ·      Dharma is not fixed; it requires personal inquiry and reflection. ·      Authenticity is more important than simply appearing good to society. ·      The struggle with ethical living is part of the yoga journey. ·      Inner cleansing is essential for genuine ethical behavior. ·      Yoga encourages inquiry and challenges societal norms.

Ep 189 John Scott – The Journey of Self-Discovery  www.johnscottyoga.com | @johnscottyoga "Some of us need to be putting our leg behind our head daily for a long time to realize, okay I don't really need to put my leg behind my head anymore." John Scott discusses his journey from being known as John to becoming Jonny. He reflects on his passion for yoga and how it has shaped his life, the importance of mind control and reclaiming one's own sovereignty through yoga. He emphasizes the significance of posture, free breathing, and the counting method in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice. He also delves into the concept of drishti and the importance of seeing the God spark in oneself and others. Finally, he discusses the different stages of life and the process of letting go. In this conversation, John Scott discusses the importance of making choices from the soul and listening to one's inner voice. He emphasizes the need to let go of unnecessary attachments and beliefs, and to surrender to the wisdom within. John also shares his journey of self-discovery and the role of psychedelics in his transformation. He talks about the phases of his life and the evolution of his teaching style. He encourages practitioners to inquire and find their own answers, rather than relying on external sources. John emphasizes the importance of practicing for oneself and for the benefit of others.   Key Points ·      Passion is an important aspect of life and should be nurtured and pursued. ·      Yoga can help in reclaiming one's own mind and achieving sovereignty. ·      Posture, free breathing, and the counting method are essential in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice. ·      Drishti is about seeing the God spark in oneself and others. ·      The different stages of life, from athlete to renunciant, bring different responsibilities and perspectives. ·      Letting go is a process that can lead to inner peace and contentment. Make choices from the soul and listen to your inner voice. ·      Let go of unnecessary attachments and beliefs. ·      Surrender to the wisdom within and practice for yourself. ·      Inquire and find your own answers. ·      Practice for the benefit of others. ·      Be practical and flexible in your practice. ·      Embrace freedom and rebel against rigid rules. ·      Let go of guilt and focus on self-love. ·      Find inspiration in the presence of others. ·      Transition from being a teacher to being a mentor.

www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga  Adam explores the concept of emotions in the body in the context of yoga. He discusses the origins of yoga asana as a steady seat for meditation and the use of asana as an ascetic practice to hold the body still against the changing world. Adam explains how yoga, particularly Hatha Yoga, can help change neurological pathways and transform states of mind. He emphasizes the importance of balancing the active and passive aspects of ourselves and the role of the diaphragm in breathing techniques. Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lo   Key Points ·      Yoga asana can be used as a steady seat for meditation and as an ascetic practice to hold the body still against the changing world. ·      Hatha Yoga is a science of the body that uses the body to change the mind and affect neurological pathways. ·      Balancing the active and passive aspects of ourselves is important for emotional well-being. ·      Breathing techniques, particularly using the diaphragm, can stimulate the nervous system and affect states of mind.

www.davidgarrigues.com | @davidgarriguesyoga In this conversation, David Garrigues discusses his journey as a yoga teacher and the challenges he has faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of being authentic and real as a teacher, even if it means admitting to struggles and imperfections. David also talks about the need for structure and specificity in teaching, while also recognizing the importance of individual interpretation and exploration. He shares his love for Ashtanga Yoga and the joy it brings him, and how he has evolved his teaching style over the years.   Key Points ·      Being authentic and real as a yoga teacher is important, even if it means admitting to struggles and imperfections. ·      There is a need for structure and specificity in teaching, while also allowing for individual interpretation and exploration. ·      Finding joy in your practice and teaching is essential for staying motivated and connected to the practice. ·      Ashtanga Yoga can be a powerful modality for teaching and practicing yoga, but it is important to adapt it to the individual needs and abilities of students. Structure and repetition can be beneficial in a yoga practice, providing comfort and allowing for deeper exploration. ·      The existing sequences in Ashtanga yoga offer a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be thoroughly explored. ·      Anatomy and physicality are important aspects of the practice, as they provide a foundation for bandhas and breath control. ·      Engaging with the ritual of yoga can lead to self-discovery and a deeper understanding of oneself. ·      The interplay between movement and stillness, becoming and being, is a fundamental aspect of yoga. ·      Teaching yoga requires balancing the sharing of knowledge with empowering the student and avoiding the misuse of power. ·      The practice of yoga can be physically and mentally demanding, requiring rest and recovery. ·      Students and their dedication to the practice can be a great source of inspiration for teachers. ·      Generosity and the joy of giving are important qualities to cultivate in the practice and teaching of yoga.

www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga  Adam reflects on his 25 years of teaching yoga and shares the things he has changed his mind on over the years. He emphasizes the importance of evolving and learning in yoga and how knowledge should change us. He discusses the concept of deepening a posture and how it is more about balancing forces in the body rather than pushing for a deeper shape. He also talks about his evolving understanding of Hatha yoga and the integration of movement, breath, and concentration.  Key Points ·      Knowledge should change us and lead to personal growth and evolution. ·      Deepening a posture is about balancing forces in the body, not just pushing for a deeper shape. ·      Hatha yoga is a method of pressurizing the body to align and purify the energy of the spine. ·      The integration of movement, breath, and concentration is essential in yoga practice. Adjustments in yoga can send the message that a person is not good enough and can lead to injury. ·      Trust and touch are important in yoga practice, and being in proximity with others who provide supportive touch can open up the body. ·      Breathing is the movement in yoga, and the diaphragm is the center of the body. ·      Technique in yoga is important, but it should not overshadow the need for space, support, and encouragement in the practice. ·      Anatomical variations should be taken into account in yoga practice, and individualized variations can be used instead of rigidly following a set sequence. ·      Quality of practice is more important than the amount of time spent practicing. ·      Rounding the back in forward folds can be beneficial, and internal rotation can be emphasized in twists. ·      The second series backbends can be introduced early in the practice to provide a balanced approach. ·      Personal discipline in yoga practice should be balanced with trust in oneself and the ability to listen to one's own needs.   "Yoga did... what medications didn't." "Teaching back then was practicing with the class." "I don't adjust anymore... I don't manhandle people." "Adjustments, second thing, adjustments don't work." "Being with people in proximity, if you trust them, if you feel their touch is endorsing, affirmative of your being, just opens up the body like nothing else." "The body always wants to seek homeostasis. In everything, in its blood temperature, in the regulation of all its organs, it just wants to seek homeostasis naturally."

www.yogaphilosophy.com | @yogaphilosophy_com | amazon books Dr. Shyam Ranganathan discusses explores the themes of yoga, anti-colonial philosophy, and action-focused guide to practice. He highlights the concept of the Linguistic Account of Thought (LAT) and how it has led to cultural filtering and colonialism. He also explains the difference between understanding and belief, emphasizing that action is about choice, not belief. Dr. Ranganathan challenges the Western appropriation of yoga and the secularization of Indian philosophy, advocating for a more nuanced and responsible approach to understanding other cultures.  Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com   Key Points ·      The Linguistic Account of Thought (LAT) has led to cultural filtering and colonialism, as it restricts understanding to what is culturally familiar. ·      Understanding and belief are distinct concepts, with understanding being an engaged event and belief being a passive state of existence. ·      It is possible to look at another culture without imposing one's own interpretive box, but it requires adopting a different method and being open to learning. ·      Action is about choice, not belief, and belief can hinder understanding and autonomy. ·      The Western appropriation of yoga and the secularization of Indian philosophy perpetuate white supremacy and overlook the rich philosophical traditions of South Asia. ·      There are four basic ethical theories, including virtue ethics, and sovereignty and autonomy are important in yoga practice. Yoga encompasses different ethical theories, including consequentialism, deontology, and bhakti yoga. ·      Consequentialism in yoga focuses on reducing suffering as the ultimate goal. ·      Deontology in yoga emphasizes mastering certain actions and fulfilling one's special obligations. ·      Bhakti yoga starts with devotion to the ideal of the right and leads to personal autonomy. ·      Yoga is a practice of devotion to Ishvara and helps individuals overcome trauma and internalized experiences.

The Importance of a Mature Understanding of Yoga www.paulgrilley.com | @paulandsuzeegrilley  Paul Grilley, known for his work in Yin Yoga, discusses his journey in yoga and the evolution of yoga in the West along with the secularization of yoga and the rise of power yoga in LA. Paul shares his realization that no matter how much he practiced, there were poses he would never be able to do, which led him to explore Yin Yoga. He mentions his encounter with Paulie Zink, who emphasized the importance of holding poses for a longer duration and his experience studying with David Williams.  Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com    Key Points     ·      Paul Grilley started his yoga journey with Hatha yoga and explored various styles, including Bikram and Ashtanga. ·      The secularization of yoga in the West was influenced by the popularity of dance aerobics and the desire for a more intense and dynamic workout. ·      Paul Grilley realized that no matter how much he practiced, there were poses he would never be able to do, which led him to explore Yin Yoga. ·      Yin Yoga emphasizes holding poses for a longer duration and provides a different approach to yoga practice. ·      Paul Grilley's encounter with Paulie Zink further reinforced the importance of Yin Yoga and its benefits for the body and martial arts. David Williams and Polly Zink were influential teachers for Paul Grilley due to their generosity and lack of a guru mentality. ·      Yin Yoga originated from Paul's study with Polly Zink, who referred to it as Taoist Yoga. ·      The concept of fascia and its role in stretching is important in understanding the body's response to yoga practice. ·      Individual variations in skeletal structure can impact range of motion and flexibility. ·      Paul emphasizes the harmonization of energy flow in the body as a key aspect of yoga practice. The breath is a tool to become aware of the movement of prana in the body during pranayama and bandhas. ·      The ultimate goal is to achieve pratyahara, a state where one is physiologically deaf, blind, and unaware of the physical body. ·      Pratyahara allows for conscious experiences detached from the body and leads to true mystical and spiritual experiences. ·      Understanding the movement of prana and achieving pratyahara requires a mature understanding and practice of yoga.

www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga Adam explores the concept of pushing in yoga and why we feel the need to push ourselves in our practice. He discusses the influence of modern capitalism and societal pressure to compete and achieve, as well as the cultural belief that suffering and pushing ourselves will lead to purification and progress. Adam emphasizes the importance of letting go of the guilt associated with pushing and highlights the limitations and drawbacks of pushing too hard.  Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  Key Points ·      Pushing in yoga is influenced by modern capitalism and societal pressure to compete and achieve. ·      The belief that suffering and pushing ourselves will lead to purification and progress is deeply ingrained in Western culture. ·      Letting go of the guilt associated with pushing is important for a more balanced and sustainable practice. ·      Embracing a more subtle and technique-focused approach can lead to deeper experiences and a sense of satisfaction in the practice.

www.mrjamesnestor.com | @mrjamesnestor James Nestor, author of 'The Breath, The New Science of a Lost Art,' discusses the importance of breath and the prevalence of breathing dysfunction in society. He shares his personal journey of discovering the power of breath to improve his own health. Nestor explains the concept of bad breathing and the impact it can have on overall health. He also delves into the role of carbon dioxide in breathing and the benefits of proper breathing techniques.  Key Points   ·      Breathing dysfunction is prevalent in society, leading to various health issues. ·      Proper breathing techniques, such as nasal breathing and diaphragmatic breathing, can improve overall health. ·      Carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in breathing and can be used therapeutically. ·      Jaw structure has a significant impact on breathing, and industrialized foods have contributed to narrower airways. ·      Fresh air is essential for good health, and poor air quality can have detrimental effects. ·      Teaching proper breathing techniques in yoga and exercise practices is crucial for optimal health.

Adam discusses the difference between physical assistance and physical adjustments in yoga. He explains that physical assistance is essential for developing a yoga practice, while physical adjustments can be harmful and lead to injuries. Adam emphasizes the importance of endorsement, alignment, and breathing in physical assistance.  Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  Key Points ·      Physical assistance is essential for developing a yoga practice. ·      Physical adjustments can be harmful and lead to injuries. ·      Endorsement, alignment, and breathing are key aspects of physical assistance. ·      Adjustments should be approached with caution and consideration of the potential risks and consequences. ·      A slow and steady approach to yoga practice is recommended. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Physical Assistance vs Physical Adjustments 13:31 The Importance of Self-Practice in Yoga 16:50 Endorsement: Supporting the Natural Shape of the Body 20:38 Alignment: Connecting the Body Together 25:49 Giving a Taste of Something: Holding in a Strength Thing 28:40 Cautions and Considerations for Adjusting Students in Yoga 34:03 Conclusion: Balancing Risk and Long-Term Well-Being

The conversation explores the concept of movement in yoga and its relationship to daily life. Peter argues that yoga should focus on improving overall movement patterns and functionality rather than specific asanas. He emphasizes the importance of sensory feedback and learning through repetition, like how children learn to move. Peter also introduces the idea of the neurological fallacy, which challenges the reductionist view of the body and emphasizes the interconnectedness of the whole system.  www.peterblackaby.co.uk   KEEN ON YOGA 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com    Key Points ·      Yoga should focus on improving overall movement patterns and functionality in daily life. ·      Sensory feedback and repetition are key to learning and improving movement. ·      The neurological fallacy challenges the reductionist view of the body and emphasizes the interconnectedness of the whole system. ·      Yoga should disrupt unwanted patterns and enhance desired patterns of movement. Challenging oneself is important for personal growth and avoiding stagnation. ·      Curiosity and exploration are key to maintaining a sense of wonder and engagement with the world. ·      Finding a balance between pushing oneself and being mindful of one's limits is crucial for overall well-being. ·      The role of the teacher is to guide students in becoming more aware of their bodies and their responses to discomfort. ·      Posture can be seen as a representation of one's history and patterns of movement. ·      The goal of yoga is to alleviate suffering and promote well-being. ·      Paying attention to discomfort and finding ways to make it more comfortable is essential for personal growth. ·      There are differing perspectives on the concept of emotions and desires being stored in the body. Our emotions are constructed based on our historical responses and the meaning we have given to them. ·      Paying attention to our responses to the world can help us adapt and change our emotional states. ·      Yoga is a practice of attentive noticing rather than therapy. ·      Understanding death can be liberating and allow us to fully live our lives. ·      Yoga texts offer valuable insights, but it's important to critically examine and cherry-pick the ideas that resonate with us.

Gary Kraftsow shares his background and experiences studying with Kṛṣṇamācārya & Deśikācar. He discusses the teachings he received and the impact they had on his life. He also talks about the relationship between Kṛṣṇamācārya & Deśikācar and their teaching methods. Kraftsow explains the concepts of Viniyoga and Vinyasa and how they are applied in yoga practice.  www.viniyoga.com | @americanviniyogainstitute Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  Key Points Gary Kraftsow studied with Krishnamacharya and Desikachar and shares his experiences and the impact they had on his life. Krishnamacharya and Desikachar were both revered teachers who adapted and made yoga practices relevant for practitioners. Viniyoga is the adaptation of yoga practices to suit the needs of the practitioner and apply them appropriately. Vinyasa refers to the sequence and order in which postures are placed in a yoga practice. The teachings of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar emphasized the transformation of the body and the practitioner's highest potential. Adapt postures to suit individual needs and functional benefits. The breath is essential in linking the mind and body during yoga practice. Yoga is an integrated practice that includes yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, and meditation. Release valves are compensating mechanisms that occur when the body cannot stabilize a certain part. Find a sustainable yoga practice that supports overall well-being and prepares for the end of life.

www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga Adam explores the topic of community in the context of yoga, specifically Ashtanga yoga. He discusses the importance of community and belonging, as well as the challenges and drawbacks that can arise within a community. Adam also touches on the role of the teacher, the need for autonomy within a community, and the balance between a firm center and expanding edges. He emphasizes the importance of open discussion and the preservation of individuality within a collective. Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  Key Points  Community is essential in yoga, providing a sense of belonging and support. However, communities can have drawbacks, such as strict rules and a lack of autonomy. The role of the teacher is important in creating a healthy community dynamic. Balancing a firm center with expanding edges allows for growth and dialogue within a community. Preserving individuality and autonomy is crucial within a collective. Open discussion and the ability to question and express doubts are essential in a community. The modern yoga center can play a role in fostering inclusivity and community. Community should extend beyond the yoga class and into daily life. The concept of sangha, or community, has always been important in spiritual practices.

www.rodneyyeeyoga.com/ | @rodneyyeeyoga   Rodney Yee is an American yoga instructor who rose to prominence in the mid-1990s when he was featured on the cover of Yoga Journal magazine and starred in some of the first-ever yoga instructional videos and DVDs with Gaiam/Living Arts. After his interview with Oprah in 1999, both Yee personally and yoga were catapulted into the mainstream spotlight. Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com   Key Points From dance to yoga Starting with Iyengar yoga Working with Richard Rosen There was no such thing as a yoga career in those days The need to study yoga Creating Gaiam yoga videos On Oprah in 1999 Sold a million videos the day after Fulfilling the map of your skin Being in a place where there is no you Yoga and self reflection The pyramid of yoga Giving a touch of the yoga landscape Even in a bad asana class something else happens Staying relevant in yoga teaching Questing for meaning Teaching this new generation It was easy for us to out do our parents I’m inspired by anyone who is enquiring deeply

Adam discusses the concept of short forms in Ashtanga Yoga. He explains that while the traditional practice involves doing the entire series every day, it is not always practical or beneficial.  Key Points Short forms in Ashtanga Yoga can be a sensible approach when time, energy, or inspiration are limited. Variation in practice is important to prevent stagnation and maintain enthusiasm. Short forms should still incorporate the principles of posture, counter posture, building, and vinyasa. Grounding and ending the practice with a focus on the parasympathetic nervous system is essential. Practitioners should listen to their bodies and make adjustments to their practice as needed.

Daniela Bevilacqua, a research associate at the University of SOAS in London, speaks about the Hatha Yoga tradition, the past lack of research and the recent surge of interest in the subject.  https://www.yogicstudies.com/ys-103 | @dhanya_83 Key Points ·      Hatha Yoga texts have been overlooked in the past, with more focus on the philosophical side of yoga. ·      The recent surge of interest in Hatha Yoga is due to scholars and practitioners addressing the textual sources with a different curiosity. ·      Tapas (austerities) and Hatha Yoga are closely connected, with tapas being a form of inner heat produced through austerities. ·      Sadhus practice extreme body modifications for various reasons, including spiritual devotion, burning karma, and the well-being of society. ·      Further research is needed to explore the historical development of Hatha Yoga and its connection to tapas. Sadhus claim to possess various supernatural powers, such as mind reading and walking on leaves. ·      Teachings and initiations within the sadhu community are often reserved for Indians and not foreigners. ·      Certain sadhu groups have a militant nature and have historically been involved in mercenary activities. ·      Female sadhus face challenges in a patriarchal society and often have to fight against societal norms and expectations. Women from educated, middle-class families are slowly gaining positions in Sadhu society. ·      Being fluent in Hindi and an outsider helped Daniela connect with the Sadhus and gain their trust. ·      Hatha Yoga in the Sadhu society has different layers of meaning, including tapas and manipulation of the subtle body. ·      Modern technology, such as smartphones and social media, has impacted the lives of Sadhus. ·      Daniela formed friendships with some Sadhus and continues to stay in touch with them.