Understanding Ashtanga Yoga
After 10 years of immersing myself in Ashtanga yoga, I have come to realise that this ancient practice, though potent and transformative, is often misunderstood in the way it's approached.Â
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When we bring harshness, competition, and the relentless pushing of our physical and mental limits into the practice, we inadvertently cultivate a form of inner fire—known in Sanskrit as tapas. But while tapas is traditionally a tool to burn away impurities and lead to spiritual growth, if approached with aggression, it can instead build a fierce, overriding attitude that leads us not toward inner peace but to exhaustion.
The Intensity of the Ashtanga Series
The Ashtanga series, with its structured sequence and focus on the breath, can feel like a battlefield for the body and mind. For many of us, the temptation to push harder, go deeper into the postures, or compare ourselves to others becomes a natural part of the practice. This attitude of competition and self-imposed challenge may seem motivating at first, but it often sets us on a path toward creating more tension, both physically and mentally.
In this context, tapas becomes something that feeds the ego, driving us to go beyond our limits without listening to the signals our bodies are sending. Instead of nurturing growth, we risk creating imbalances—both physical (such as strain and injury) and mental (such as frustration and self-criticism). The fire that was meant to purify our minds and spirits becomes an overwhelming force that burns out rather than illuminates the way forward.
The Perils of Excessive Fire
When practiced with an overzealous mindset, Ashtanga yoga can lead to a build up of physical and mental heat that doesn't necessarily contribute to greater well-being. The tapas that burns intensely without awareness often becomes a destructive force rather than a purifying one. It can create a fierce, aggressive attitude that overshadows the subtler, more nurturing qualities of the practice—like patience, humility, and softness.
This approach can lead to burnout—physically in the form of overuse injuries, or mentally through exhaustion, stress, and frustration. Many of us, driven by a desire to "achieve" or "improve" at all costs, forget that yoga is not about pushing ourselves to the edge. It's about cultivating balance, and part of that balance is knowing when to slow down and allow the body and mind to rest.
Embracing Grace and Care
After years of pushing through and experiencing the consequences of that excess intensity, I have come to appreciate the importance of balancing Ashtanga with grace, compassion, and a sense of self-care. Rather than fighting our limitations or forcing ourselves into difficult postures, the practice becomes one of listening and adjusting. It's not about ignoring discomfort, but about honouring the signals of our bodies and hearts.
From Inner Fire to Graceful Balance.
In this approach, we replace harshness with softness, competition with cooperation, and pushing with patience. The body should be respected as a temple, not as an obstacle to be conquered. Through mindful awareness, we move from posture to posture with an attitude of gentleness—whether we are working through a challenging asana or meditating on the breath.
Rather than creating mental or physical fire that exhausts us, we cultivate a sense of lightness and fluidity, learning to move through both the asanas and the mental landscapes with much more grace. This feminine energy is not about being passive but about being receptive, understanding that sometimes the most profound breakthroughs come from allowing, not forcing.
Integrating Yoga into an Ordinary Life
One of the key realisations I have had after practicing Ashtanga for a decade is that the practice should not be divorced from the realities of everyday life. Yoga is not an abstract pursuit that exists only on the mat. For most people, daily life is filled with commitments, stress, and responsibilities that require an approach that blends effort with relaxation.
The intense mental and physical demands that Ashtanga can impose might work for some, but for the majority of us leading ordinary lives, it is essential to recognise that yoga is meant to enhance, not hinder, our ability to function. Practicing yoga with an awareness of our individual circumstances means applying the philosophy of balance and self-care rather than simply pushing through discomfort. It's about tailoring the practice to our own body’s needs, avoiding the extremes of overexertion and the pressures of comparison.
Conclusion: A Journey of Balance
After 10 years of practicing Ashtanga yoga, I now see that true mastery does not come from force or an iron will to push beyond what is comfortable. Rather, it arises from a balanced approach that honours both the fire of determination and the cooling balm of self-compassion. Yoga, at its core, is about creating harmony—within the body, the mind, and the spirit. When we approach the practice with grace, we learn not only to build strength but also to foster flexibility—both physically and mentally.
By shifting our approach from harshness to care, from competition to collaboration with ourselves, we can transform our practice into one that is both challenging and nurturing, leading to long-term growth, vitality, and peace.
