Worm can ensues:
I've often wondered why this yoga tradition seems to leave out certain groups of people. For example, you would never find ashtanga classes taught in hospitals. Instead you'd find Iyengar, Sivananda and Anusara, to mention just a few. That of course makes sense. The core principles of ashtanga involve heat, flow and constant movement through the series.
But surely the modifications often taught in ashtanga teachers workshops imply that the series as a whole can be modified without diminishing these things that make ashtanga uniquely ashtanga?
I keep reading various comments that one's yoga practice is NOT ashtanga unless it's like this and that and the other. And naturally I wouldn't expect to find someone in Mysore (a senior or disabled person) practicing a heavily modified "version" of ashtanga. But if modifed asanas are widely accepted as "versions" of the original asana being attempted, then why can't this also be true for an entire modification of the series, so that the nonathletic and otherwise chronically limited people can follow this tradition, develop a practice with the opening and closing prayers, an emphasis on the sequenced breathing and drishti and with Guruji as their guru?
None of the shalas with online class schedules offer classes such as what I'm attempting to describe. Mysore wouldn't be suitable for students such as these because of their severe limitations that might require blocks, straps and specialized attention. So why are these people being excluded from ashtanga? Why doesn't the system accomodate ALL interested practitioners? Granted many of these students might be more inclined to take Gentle Yoga classes in the tradition of Iyengar and others who specifically cater to these special needs. But shouldn't all systems of yoga have something to offer everyone? Why the exclusivity?
The core principles of ashtanga are truly awe inspiring. The memorized flow of each series combined with the breath and drishti can't be touched by other traditions. It's a shame that ashtanga classes created for seniors and others (and yes, I realize there are plenty of ashtangi "seniors;" I'm referring more to those who might not be able to stand through most of the standing asanas and who wouldn't be able to comfortably get down on their mats) ... would probably not be accepted as ashtanga by the ashtanga community present on this board.
As an ashtanga teacher, would you turn away someone who shows up to your class and can't get down on the mat? Or who needs so much assistance as to seriously distract you from being able to help others? What if they tell you that they have attended other yoga classes and based on careful research on the philosophy behind ashtanga, genuinely want to become an ashtangi? My guess is that they would be turned away.
Yet I can envision a yoga class that strictly follows ashtanga principles and honors this tradition ... and that is modified to the point of comfortably accomodating those who are chair bound or otherwise greatly restricted in their yogic abilities. A structured and memorized series based entirely on the primary series.
Your thoughts?
I've often wondered why this yoga tradition seems to leave out certain groups of people. For example, you would never find ashtanga classes taught in hospitals. Instead you'd find Iyengar, Sivananda and Anusara, to mention just a few. That of course makes sense. The core principles of ashtanga involve heat, flow and constant movement through the series.
But surely the modifications often taught in ashtanga teachers workshops imply that the series as a whole can be modified without diminishing these things that make ashtanga uniquely ashtanga?
I keep reading various comments that one's yoga practice is NOT ashtanga unless it's like this and that and the other. And naturally I wouldn't expect to find someone in Mysore (a senior or disabled person) practicing a heavily modified "version" of ashtanga. But if modifed asanas are widely accepted as "versions" of the original asana being attempted, then why can't this also be true for an entire modification of the series, so that the nonathletic and otherwise chronically limited people can follow this tradition, develop a practice with the opening and closing prayers, an emphasis on the sequenced breathing and drishti and with Guruji as their guru?
None of the shalas with online class schedules offer classes such as what I'm attempting to describe. Mysore wouldn't be suitable for students such as these because of their severe limitations that might require blocks, straps and specialized attention. So why are these people being excluded from ashtanga? Why doesn't the system accomodate ALL interested practitioners? Granted many of these students might be more inclined to take Gentle Yoga classes in the tradition of Iyengar and others who specifically cater to these special needs. But shouldn't all systems of yoga have something to offer everyone? Why the exclusivity?
The core principles of ashtanga are truly awe inspiring. The memorized flow of each series combined with the breath and drishti can't be touched by other traditions. It's a shame that ashtanga classes created for seniors and others (and yes, I realize there are plenty of ashtangi "seniors;" I'm referring more to those who might not be able to stand through most of the standing asanas and who wouldn't be able to comfortably get down on their mats) ... would probably not be accepted as ashtanga by the ashtanga community present on this board.
As an ashtanga teacher, would you turn away someone who shows up to your class and can't get down on the mat? Or who needs so much assistance as to seriously distract you from being able to help others? What if they tell you that they have attended other yoga classes and based on careful research on the philosophy behind ashtanga, genuinely want to become an ashtangi? My guess is that they would be turned away.
Yet I can envision a yoga class that strictly follows ashtanga principles and honors this tradition ... and that is modified to the point of comfortably accomodating those who are chair bound or otherwise greatly restricted in their yogic abilities. A structured and memorized series based entirely on the primary series.
Your thoughts?
