Many people think meditation begins only when we sit in silence. But in the Ashtanga tradition, meditation and movement are not separate When we stand in Samasthiti, establish steady breath, soften the gaze through drishti, engage the bandhas, and observe the movements of the mind, the practice has already turned inward. The posture is no longer something to perform. It becomes a seat for observation Each inhale and exhale anchors the attention. Each movement becomes an opportunity to return...

We always begin class with a few moments in samasthiti - arriving, letting the day fall away before we step into practice. And I invite everyone to turn their attention to the breath. To breathe into the back ribs and the side ribs. But why? When the breath moves three-dimensionally, the diaphragm works fully, the ribs gain mobility, and the spine finds space. But more importantly, the nervous system settles. Shallow, upper-chest breathing is often a sign the body is in alert mode - tight,...

Many of us older Ashtangis, including those in midlife and beyond who attend my classes, are noticing just how powerful Ashtanga is for building strength. Here’s how… 1. Bone Health Your bones can strengthen at any age - you just need the right kind of load. All Ashtanga’s postures gradually guide your joints toward their ‘end range’, making the surrounding muscles work harder. When muscles work hard, they pull on bones and signal the bones to strengthen. Standing postures, balances, and...