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...

The Ashtanga yoga Primary Series is called ‘Yoga Chikitsa’ (meaning ‘yoga therapy’) because of the grounding, cleansing and strengthening...