Ashtanga Yoga Project

Making the Philosophy and Poses of Ashtanga Accessible for All

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shanna Small
  • Submissions
    • Blog Submissions
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Instruction
    • Workshops
    • Classes
    • BIPOC Mentorship
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shanna Small
  • Submissions
    • Blog Submissions
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Instruction
    • Workshops
    • Classes
    • BIPOC Mentorship
  • Teaching Ashtanga,  Uncategorized,  Yoga Philosophy,  Yoga Sutras

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: Don’t Start None, Won’t Be None

    December 19, 2016 / No Comments

    Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2:16: Suffering, that has not yet come, can be prevented. Defining the Sutra There are 3 types of Karma. Two of them are created from past actions. Because the deeds have already been done, the consequences are almost impossible to avoid.  It is kind of like someone confessing to a murder and not going to jail.  A technicality or in the yogi’s case, some tapas, makes it possible, but highly unlikely  The third is the Karma that we are currently creating. This is the Karma that we have the most control of. This is the place where we can take actions to prevent suffering. Modern Day…

    Read More
    Shanna Small

    You May Also Like

    Pose of the Week: Padmasana

    March 28, 2014

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: An Inconvenient Truth

    November 17, 2015

    Mantra of the Week: Stay in Your Lane

    October 14, 2017
  • Adventures in Mysore India,  Alignment and Injuries,  Ashtanga Adaptability,  Ashtanga Quotes,  Teaching Ashtanga,  Uncategorized,  Yoga Philosophy,  Yoga Sutras

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Life: What is Good and Evil To a Yogi?

    December 5, 2016 / No Comments

    Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2:14-The karmas bear fruits of pleasure and pain caused by merits and demerit. Defining the Sutra As long as you are attached to the outcome, you get back pleasurable or unpleasurable consequences according to how you feel about your actions. Modern Day Application This is not about old school right and wrong which is usually based on culture and environment. The Yogi does what is appropriate, not what is right.  Right and wrong attaches us to the play of opposites which is what Yoga is meant to break us away from. The nature of karma is not in the action that you perform. Karma means action,…

    Read More
    Shanna Small

    You May Also Like

    Can Rolfing Help Your Ashtanga Practice?

    February 17, 2014

    Strength and Grace: 10 Quotes From Female Greats of Ashtanga Yoga

    March 14, 2016

    March 24 Sharath Mysore Conference Notes

    April 29, 2014
  • Uncategorized,  Yoga Philosophy,  Yoga Sutras

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Life: The Yoga Only Works if We work

    September 26, 2016 / No Comments

    Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 2:11: When the Kleshas are full blown or manifest, they can be subdued through meditation.  Defining the Sutra: 5 Kleshas Ignorance (avidya) Ego (asmita) Attachment to Pleasure (raga) Aversion to Pain (dvesa) Fear of Death (abhinivesah)   When the Kleshas are taking over your life, meditate on them.  This does not necessarily mean sitting on a cushion with crossed legs with your eyes closed. It is referring to acknowledging them, noticing that they are a result of ignorance of the true self and getting yourself to a place where you can make a different choice. Modern Day Application: The Yoga Sutras constantly reiterates that change takes…

    Read More
    Shanna Small

    You May Also Like

    The Bait and Switch

    February 16, 2018

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: Yoga Was a Science Way Before It Became a Workout

    January 11, 2017

    Lets Make Yoga More “Average”

    March 16, 2015
  • Uncategorized,  Yoga Philosophy,  Yoga Sutras

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: You Complete Me

    August 16, 2016 / No Comments

    Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1:7  Attachment (Ragah)is that which follows identification with pleasure.   Defining the Sutra Attachment  is one of the most misunderstood concepts in Yoga.  Many have understood it to mean being unemotional, aloof and not eschewing the enjoyment of life. Many people ask themselves, “what about my children? A good parent should be attached to them, right?” Misunderstanding this concept causes many to throw the baby out with the bath water. “Well, if being spiritual means not having any feelings or not having pleasure then I am just going to do Yoga as a workout.” One of the best ways I have ever seen it explained was…

    Read More
    Shanna Small

    You May Also Like

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Life: The Yoga Only Works if We work

    September 26, 2016

    On the ish List: Yoga Body and the Ashtanga Teacher Training Program

    December 29, 2015

    Pose of the Week: Dhanurasana

    September 30, 2014
  • Alignment and Injuries,  Ashtanga Adaptability,  Teaching Ashtanga,  Uncategorized,  Yoga Philosophy,  Yoga Sutras

    Yoga Sutras for Modern Life: Touching Greatness and Then Losing It

    April 26, 2016 / 2 Comments

    Yoga Sutras 1:44-1:46-  Savichara and Nirvitarka Samadhis or like the two previous Samadhis, except more subtle. The objects can be so subtle that they are undefinable by words. All of these Samadhis are with seed, meaning that the person is still not free from conditioned thoughts and the states are not maintained. Defining the Sutra: If this does not make sense, please refer back to last weeks Sutra   Savichara and Nirvitarka Samadhis are still on objects but the objects can be as subtle as the mind field (chitta) or the ego or I-maker (ahamkara).   Being able to focus on something so subtle is no small feat. It is a…

    Read More
    Shanna Small

    You May Also Like

    Perfect Practice Makes Perfect?

    March 3, 2015

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: Primary Series W/ A Third Series Feel

    April 6, 2016

    Yoga Statistics and Faulty Logic

    March 3, 2018
  • Teaching Ashtanga,  Uncategorized,  Yoga Philosophy,  Yoga Sutras

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: Yoga, the Cure For Global Insanity?

    April 13, 2016 / No Comments

    Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1:42-Savitarka Samadhi is when one is aware of the meditator, the object of meditation and the meaning ascribed to the object of meditation. Defining the Sutra Savitarka is seen as a lower form of Samadhi. Samadhi is the state where we are fully established in our own true nature. In Savitarka Samadhi, the meditator is aware of himself, the object and all of the stories and meanings that have been placed on that object by themselves and society.  So when the person meditates, the awareness goes back and forth between the 3 states. It is seen as a lower Samadhi because the stories or negative samskaras, are still…

    Read More
    Shanna Small

    You May Also Like

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: Laziness

    November 3, 2015

    Why Practicing with Saraswathi Jois Is So Awesome

    May 7, 2018

    Strength and Fluidity: An Interview with Authorized Teacher Day Christensen

    April 7, 2016
  • Adventures in Mysore India,  Ashtanga Adaptability,  Ashtanga Quotes,  Conference Notes,  Reblogs,  Teaching Ashtanga,  Uncategorized,  Yoga Philosophy,  Yoga Sutras

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: The Choice is Yours

    March 11, 2016 / No Comments

    Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1:39: Any inquiry of interest can calm the mind.   Defining the Sutra: Patanjali continues to list ways to keep the mind calm.  In this verse, he  states that anything that brings up positive feelings within you can be used to calm the mind. It is implied that this object or idea had to be pure or satvic. It can’t violate the other tenets of Yoga discussed in the Yoga Sutras or be harmful to others. Modern Day Application: Meditation is the act of being fully present or absorbed with someone or something. There are two schools of thought on this. Some believe that, if you are…

    Read More
    Shanna Small

    You May Also Like

    Check This Out: What’s Faith Got To Do With It?

    December 23, 2013

    Strength and Grace: 10 Quotes From Female Greats of Ashtanga Yoga

    March 14, 2016

    Ashtangis Are Human Too

    March 10, 2014
  • Ashtanga Adaptability,  Teaching Ashtanga,  Yoga Philosophy,  Yoga Sutras

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: Peaceful Sleep, Peaceful Mind

    February 29, 2016 / No Comments

    Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1:38 The mind can also be made steady by meditating on a dream or on dreamless sleep.   Defining the Sutra Patanjali continues to talk about techniques to steady the mind. One of these techniques is meditation on a  peaceful dream or on dreamless sleep. By meditating on the tranquility of a pleasant spiritually oriented dream or on the relaxed feeling of deep sleep, one can become relaxed.   Modern Day Application There is an ongoing belief, in the modern world, that yoga is not accessible to all.  Patanjali always disproves this by giving simple techniques for calming the mind. Everyone sleeps. Why not use it to further…

    Read More
    Shanna Small

    You May Also Like

    Conference Notes From Mysore: Practice Yoga 24 Hours a Day

    February 9, 2015

    Pose of the Week: Natarajasana

    September 27, 2015

    Does Your Yoga Teacher Really See You?

    March 28, 2015
  • Teaching Ashtanga,  Yoga Philosophy,  Yoga Sutras

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Life: Don’t Take It Personal

    February 27, 2016 / No Comments

    Yoga Sutra 1:37: By practicing non attachment, the mind gets stabilized and tranquil.   Defining the Sutra: This is a continuation of the list of actions Patanjali recommends for helping the yogi stay on the yogic path. There are two general interpretations of this verse. I chose this one because, when I looked at the verse in Sanskirt, it was missing some of the words often included in one of the interpretations. I am certainly aware that there are other texts commentators use to guide in the understanding of  the Yoga Sutras. I have not read those yet so I can’t really comment on that interpretation. So I went with the straight…

    Read More
    Shanna Small

    You May Also Like

    Yoga: The Cure for Phantom Life Syndrome

    March 30, 2018

    Yoga is not Religion

    December 22, 2017

    Ask the APP: Why Practice Ashtanga 6 Days a Week?

    July 7, 2015
  • Ashtanga Quotes,  Teaching Ashtanga,  Yoga Philosophy,  Yoga Sutras

    Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: The Yoga Is Within You

    February 20, 2016 / No Comments

    Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1:36: Or by focusing on the supreme blissful light within.   The yoga happens within you-Sharath Jois   Defining the Sutra Patanjali  continues to list ways to maintain calmness in the mind.  One of those ways is to focus on the place of peace within or the light of the heart. The light within the heart is the pure soul without a story or identity. It contains our purist potential and is the spark of the infinite energy contained within us all.   Modern Day Application Yoga is easy and hard at the same time. Throughout the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali lists many simple ways to maintain inner…

    Read More
    Shanna Small

    You May Also Like

    Ashtanga Fluffers Anonymous

    February 17, 2016

    Drop The Story: Why Did Sharath Change Mysore Policy?

    July 13, 2015

    Words of Wisdom For those on the Ashtanga Yoga Path

    July 2, 2015
12

Mailchimp Sign Up

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

View previous campaigns.

Products

  • Full BIPOC Mentorship $500.00
  • Zoom Consultation $15.00
  • BIPOC Mentorship $200.00

Recent Posts

  • Treat Me Like Your Headliner
  • Deconstructing Ashtanga, Reconstructing Me
  • Performative Love
  • Why I Am Not Interested in Your Virtual Ashtanga Course
  • True Community on Social Media

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

View previous campaigns.

Front Page Photos by Wanda Koch Photography

Archive

Products

  • Zoom Consultation $15.00
  • BIPOC Mentorship $200.00
  • Full BIPOC Mentorship $500.00

Stay up to date on my posts, workshops and classes

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

View previous campaigns.

Yoga For All

Recent Post

  • Treat Me Like Your Headliner November 30, 2020
Ashe Theme by Royal-Flush - 2021 ©