This was a really cool video and I agree with most of the points you mention in both of the "best" and "worst" categories. I thought it might be interesting to share my perspective. I used to practice ashtanga for about 7 years and then stopped for 5 years due to several reasons mentioned here. But I started again half a year ago because nothing ever worked as well for my mind as the tapas (discipline) of a long, extremely structured practice supposed to be done first thing in the morning most days of the week. The 5 years away from ashtanga have matured me a lot in regards to how I approach the practice now. I feel a lot of ashtangis could benefit from a leave and later return. I realize now for how my mind works, the practice is absolutely brilliant. I've also learned a ton about anatomy, strength and flexibility training and balancing the body and rehabbing injuries during those 5 years away (and am gonna be a physiotherapist in 2 years). So there's no danger in running into the same issues I used to during my first time as an ashtangi. Now, knowing a lot about physiology, the nervous system, the body's self cleansing mechanisms and how everything is interconnected, I recognize the true brilliance of the tristana method. Nothing can "hit" me the same way. My practice isn't about asana, but the asana is very needed for me to be able to practice all 8 limbs. Without it I have no focus, no discipline and way too much fatigue and brain fog. I have also found that training for 5 years (mostly calisthenics and some weightlifting) have changed the supplness of my body despite having a big focus on flexibility at all times. Restarting ashtanga has worked on making whole fascial lines supple again and has been able to rid tension through focused breathing. So I'm gonna keep practicing in a non-dogmatic, anatomy and physiology informed manner :) The way I currently do this is by hitting a long practice about 3 times per week and a short one (just suryas and sitting, or suryas, standing, sitting) 2-3x per week. 1-2x per week I add a short strength training sessions on those days I only have a short ashtanga practice, for a) working out what the asana doesn't target and b) to steer clear of injuries that could otherwise come up from repetitive asana practice (e.g. keep my whole legs, hips and glutes - and especially hamstrings) really strong. I have decided to go back to teaching ashtanga too with the same mindset and help offered.

Best video on Ashtanga ever. Thanks for not taking yourself so seriously ❤

Ashtanga is something I loved for many reasons, but as a trainer I also know that doing the exact same exercises in the same order every day isn't optimal. Even some of the original crew of teachers in the US and abroad admit to that and now recommend alternating first and second series, at least. Manju Jois often mixes up first and second series for his pupils for balance and variety. That's also why I always loved Bryan Kest and his approach. He took what he loved about ashtanga, having trained under Pattabhi Jois, and created endless variety within that general context. He opens it up, and that makes all the difference. But ashtanga asana series are amazing and have a lot to offer if you listen to your own body as well.

I builded my self a shorter version of primary series - with a little warming up before and a pranayama/meditation afterwords - all in all 90 minutes - works perfect for me. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 For my older body, the whole thing was too tough and even frustrating ❤

Thanks for posting this! I learned a lot and this helps me feel not so bad about my one-half-primary-a-week ashtanga practice.

Love your recommendations and humor! A refreshingly light and balanced viewpoint on what can sometimes be taken very rigid and seriously.

Hi Alessandro, it’s Yanni. Really glad I came across this video and seeing your journey. It’s very refreshing and of course, identity with many of the points you raised. Thank you for being apart of my journey and capturing me during my peak of my practice and being apart of my spiritual journey. I hope you and your family are well 😊

thanks for this video!!!!! and your honesty!!

I am starting soon , thanks for the video

This was fabulous info. So true.

Good job, brother. I like to watch what you doing 🙏🧘🏻🌏

Wow, it's good to see how others 'got out' of yoga - as defined by others or what is commercially available in a class. Yoga, true yoga, you are right is service to others, which you can do through a few select poses to keep the heart open and energy outward. My class yoga fully stopped while lying beside my cat as he was dying, realizing and counting how many hours I had wasted at a yoga studio instead of home with him....he who loved me and really mattered. I now have my own practice, named after him. Bodhi Yoga. The goal being seeing others, not myself.

Muy buen video, Ale! Recuerdo cuando te conocí en Goa hace 8 años en lo de Rolf, y ya veníamos hablando de estas cosas con respecto a la práctica. Te mando un gran abrazo desde Buenos Aires.

Thank you for this🙏🙏🏽🙏🏾🕉

I always think it is most important to follow your own pahtwyay. If that is Ashtanga then that is great. And if you decide to go on a different journey, than that is great to! There is no wrong or right, you have to follow what feels true to yourself. Dont get fooled by " there is only one true way"! Find your own and stick to it. I started with Asthanga and after following for 3 years I felt like I needed a change and so I did try Vinyassa. That was what really got me fired up. We are all different. There is no right or wrong. Follow you intuition. Good luck!

Cool content ! Thank you for creating this video

You are so right! Thank you

Bravo!!!! D’accordissimo su tutto 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

🔔 done! cant wait to watch, sometimes I wish experience was not so hard to get, but life is a long unexpected journey ❤

Such a beautifully video. Sharing your personal experience and knowledge makes it even more authentic. Love your content. Keep Sharing and Educating

Great video!

just watched the premiere guys and I really enjoyed it till the very end!!

Bravooo Alessandro!! Me acuerdo cuando ya hablabamos de esto hace unos años en Goa :) I also quit the strict rules of Ashtanga, i resonate so much which all of what u saying! I quit bec of all of that.. mainly bec is so no body diversity inclusion and bec my body was screaming for more feeling/sensing in whats happening NOW rather to do the same structured thing everyday .. I still practice YOGA (maybe some days ashtanga) in many ways

Grazie! Bel video, molto interessante e divertente!!! Condivido in pieno! Thanks

amazig video!!! greetings from argentina!

Thnx so much for putting these considerations into perspective -

Been practicing Ashtanga for last 7-month, but has always a doubt about the culture and people around it. This video answers my questions! thanks!

This is a really helpful video. I’ve slowed down my practice and I’m not sure if Ashtanga is right for me. Your video gave a very balanced view of ashtanga so thank you 😊

😍😍Very Beautiful 😍😍

Ah! Ah! Ah! Great video and sense of humour 😄 Respect for the practionners of Ashtanga 👍 From an Iyengar practitionner 🧘🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️

,a cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you…..

Agree completely. After 6 years of Ashtanga I have stopped practising because of the injuries I was having. All injuries were blamed because I wasn’t practising 6 days a week 😂

A good teacher is key ! The trick is, to know a little bit about how the body works to know when you find one ! But I guess instinct would work too, and your body will speak to you (in my opinion) For more advances movements or difficults poses or to prevent injuries, once in a while I'll go to a physician. And goes the same as for a yoga teacher.

Very beautifully explained everything and yes the person must choose the practise as per their body and dosha type . Ashtanga was originally designed for King and armyman to make them strong in battlefield. We should be practise other 7 limbs of Yoga rather than focusing on just one limb ( asana) . I have been practising for 7 years now and teaching since 5 years .

"Are you an Indian teenager?" Haha following, love your channel. Great points here.

Thank you for your original opinion) It is have something common with my own thoughts

Excellent video! Loved your sense of humour 😂

Thank you for this video :D I just re-started Yoga a few months ago, how I do it is I go for 3 practices a week, 1 Ashtanga, 1 Vinyasa Flow, and 1 Yin . In my head, it just makes sense like this, with 3 different styles :D

What a great video

Love your video and approach with the Ashtanga practice. I totally believe the same and if someone get offended? Oh well… go practice more!! 😂❤❤❤❤

Grande Anuragh!!!

Bravo, Alessandro! 🎉

Alessandro, this is brilliant 😂❤😊👍🏾👍🏾

🙏🙏🙏

Wonderful Alessandro. I practiced ashtanga deligently for a few years and did the impossible for my body type. Eventually circumstances changed and i could not spend dedicated hours on my practice so I downsized my practice, now im back to basics, a real hit to the ego haha Tried to teach my husband body builder ashtanga he tried but only loves downdog utkatasan and breathing. Long story short we now practice whatever suits... nice little routine we nitpicked 😂 great fun, but real massive hit for the ego to learn acceptance that sometimes change is needed, getting attached too much is ... well, attachment!

Wonderful video. Please share more such

Amazing bold and funny video. I really hope Ashtanga community don’t get offered, but they take it with humor 😅♥️💫

[04:07] Ashtanga is like a mirror. Repeating the same poses daily means you can see where you are with your body and your mind.

Great as usual Allesandro! And no didn't offend;) Miss you

Hi Ale, I ve just subscribed to the channel and loved it. I wonder Why did you quit ash atanga practice?🤔

hi thank you that was an excellent summary. i am curious to know why you dont practice ashtanga any more?

One thing I can add here in 'STOP' doing using 8Anga. One should NOT stop it totally, Instead reduce it 2/3 times a week. If you do it daily than keeping aside FATIGUE(Which one can recover from by proper diet and rest), over the period of the time when this practice TURNs into Sadhana then the subtle body starts to push back . This PUSH BACK is very very common in SADHANA. It basically means Yoga or Any other Sadhana has started to reach to your SOUL/Atama which STIRRING up TAMAS (Inertia) which in turn wants you to STOP it.

TRUTH! I love that you posted this. :)

Rabbit holes, 10 minutes a day is all. Kindness to myself, for everyone who’s ever herd my name will be forgotten. Trading the race of providing for Yoga is tempting.

Hi! Thank you for the helpful video. What is the book shown at minute 5:41?

Such a nice video but the music is too loud and distracting! I really want to hear what you’re saying ❤

You didn’t offend, and said many truths. Yoga has helped my body a lot, and on occasion temporarily hurt it. Ashtanga works for me but is a practice that is like a wholesome food. While it is good for me, it’s best to enjoy with other exercise and balanced with what my body needs.

Why is the background music sooooo loud? Can't hear properly.

I learnt a lot of things thanks to your video, thank you Alessandro ! I do ashtanga (primary only !) from time to time, but the repetitive practice is too boring for me, I prefer to have a diversification in my yoga practices. One question please : did the lady (jumping back in chaturanga) really kicked a monkey ? ! This could be sent to FailArmy😃😃 Namaste from France 🙏

Everything in this video is relatable except that Ashtanga or any Yoga practice makes one selfish. It rather brings our diffused focus back to ourselves. From scattered to centered. And One can only give what one has, so yes, it is good to work upon oneself first before helping anyone else.

i wonder how he practices his Yoga today (not 2 -3 hrs) and which one ... his practice was so beautiful to watch

Hi Alessandro, thanks for this, presenting both sides with humour. Some may say all these videos showcasing advanced practice only promotes the egotistical side of ashtanga, I'm wondering if you agree and if so how you might feel about this in hindsight?

Realistic

Everyone who loves...or hates Ashtanga 😂 should watch this !

Such a great video! But be careful with the Ashtanga police! They are out to get you! 😂😂😂

Brilliant little video. I began practicing yoga when I was around 38 yrs of age with a body full of work injuries and I struggled to even walk but since I found myself a tuely amazing one to one teacher Iv never looked back and have so more ease in the body and wellbeing than ever before. Can I ask you please ; why did you quit Astanga yoga?

Hi, I used to practice mysore every morning and stopped. I have friends who are crazy about "wanting" to practice ashtanga and keep telling me ashtanga poses are so strong, blah. 1) I told them that there is nothing special about the ashtanga sequences. Those are not ashtanga poses, they are yoga poses. Ashtanga sequences put yoga poses into meaningful sequences. You can put those poses in a typical "vinyasa class" or "yoga class" and effect will be the same and will be hard (if teach right). 2) It is not about the sequences, it is about the people who goes to Ashtanga classes that makes people think ashtanga classes are hard. I have seen a lot of people cannot do most poses in the mysore classes. 3) Its much eash to teach mysore or led ashtanga classes. Like Bikam, it is a set sequence. Typical good "vinyasa yoga class", instructors need to create their own sequences. 4) I think practice Ashtanga is powerful because it encourage you to practice regularly, or everyday. It is very hard to do. Please comment on the above points and give me your opinion. Thank you.

Hey Great Video! Why did you stop doing ashtanga?

This video is kind of weird to me as I have been doing David Swenson “short form” Ashtanga videos for a few years now. He always emphasizes that the breath is the most important thing. In fact, most yoga classes I have ever taken, I have heard instructors say that it’s not about getting into poses but about breathing and listening to your body. I have had tremendous changes in strength and flexibility from practicing all kinds.

“Self centered” yea, I was recently told by family “all you spend your time doing is yoga”. Although I know this isn’t true it definitely hit hard..

6th series is not a myth, very possible if you know certain mental techniques

I mostly practice BKS Iyengar's approach - so fulfilling, but I tried Ashtanga and loved it, until I busted my toe on the jump back into chataranga dandasana. I have yet to find anyone to explain how to stay safe on that, but I'll try asking my Iyengar teacher.

sacred art John Scott is a Legend ....too bad one of his female students whom I went for classes down here in Chadstone around Melbourne city Victoria Australia was a total egotistic Bully....

I just don’t like the chant before and after the practice. Feels cult like. But everything else I like. I do need to be aware of how doing the same postures will affect me and add different movements throughout the day

I have a question here... I'm 36 years old and have prior experience in practice of hatha yoga... I always have a strong love for ashtanga...am I too old for it... can I practice and become an expert if I put in the effort..

I am a beginner but have noticed that a lot of people seem to take yoga and themselves way too seriously. And what's with the nobody ever expressing any emotion or being allowed to really acknowledge pain? I love your humor. ;)

I want to start ashtanga but I can’t do (a lot of the poses) should I be doing something to get these poses down before starting a dedicated ashtanga practice or should I dive straight in and start?

Did you say because Indian teenagers were "poor" or "bored"? @6:25

Why did you stopped?

I wish you wouldn’t have the music on-it was very difficult to hear what you Said !

I am an ashtanga practioner, and a happy one too hopefully not that egocentric 😂…don’t blame it on this style though, I needed the good of it and i am enjoying it gratefully!! I recommend not to quit and to be kind with the body as everyone has unique features!! Have a great practice to you!! Namaste

You STOPPED ashtanga? How? Why? 😭

🤣🤣🤣🙏🏼❣️

Does Ashtanga yoga help to lose weight?

Ashtanga is physically challenging and is not inclusive for all body types. Many Ashtangis are type A personalities who are innately motivated to achieve, and this is why the community while they have good intentions, also have a cultish air of striving and perfectionism. If you have ankle injury that has not healed, you may want to stay away from Ashtanga as it strains your ankles especially with the lotus based poses. Also asanas are just ONE out of 8 limbs of yoga. Practicing yoga isn’t just for the mat, and it is not just a fitness workout, but a spiritual path of knowing your inner consciousness. Meditation, focus, mindful slow living, ethics observances, breath control and sensory controls are all part of practicing yoga. Ashtanga focused way too much on the Asanas. But I admit that it’s a great physical feeling after doing a full 90 min primary set.

This video can save many people becoming Goat -me me me

You are wrong, yoga is about giving, not me me me.... Yama is the first step, which says dont hurt or deceive others, i suggest you to turn the pages once again

I’m sorry Alessandro, this is not meant to be attacking your work, which is absolutely stunning, but I didn’t find that friendliness in the Ashtanga word, that you are talking about. I’ve been looking for a personal teacher for months, most of them , they don’t even reply to you. During my 300 hours teacher training I’ve met Ashtangis with a judging and denigrating attitude, all the contrary of being kind. I’ve heard teachers in that training mentioning “how many Instagram followers “ these people has, and if this is what Ashtanga is reduced to, I find it really sad. Last but not least, the only mentor I could find turned out to have sexual interests , and my heart is really broken now, questioning if I should really put effort in this path that’s been corrupted and in which I only find pain. I will go on by myself and as a positive person I will keep believing I’ll find a good teacher sooner or later, but you are making me feel like spreading the real truth behind this. Anyway, I love your explanations on how it works “technically”, and your stunning pictures. All the best to you and your wife.

I don't under why people call it Ashtanga(8 Limbs) yoga when they only practice only one of a limb?

😂😂👌

🤣🤣🤣🙏🏼

It’s funny jois did not really practice when he was 60 ! I bet my money he had injury. Also his daughter a good teacher did not practice. I don’t do all those twisted asana. I follow what keeps me strong and healthy. It’s great but they push too hard.

More Only Fans than yoga

Good luck with that😂

1% theory, 99% percent practice: because all the theory was eaten by ants.

This is not Ashtanga. This is just Pranayama+ Asanas....there are 8 limbs to ashtanga...Poor Patanjali...

Great video!!