Asana Kitchen Podcast

This podcast discusses the delicate balance between following rules and embracing freedom in yoga and life. Using Ashtanga yoga as a focal point, I highlight the necessity of structure for safety, grace, and empowerment while also exploring the pitfalls of rigid rule-following. I challenge the idea that rules are inherently restrictive or harmful, and address the danger of adopting a “do what feel...

So sad that Sharath has departed so suddenly and so soon from this world. I’m thankful to have known him. I will remember him as a strong lineage holder, I will draw upon him for continued inspiration as a loving soul who carried on the torch of Ashtanga yoga with all his heart! The first and third photos were taken when I had the honor of hosting the family in Seattle in 2002. I offer my love and...

In this podcast, David defines the grand concept of Kundalini and how this main concept is associated with more familiar terms such as Prana, Shakti, Nadis, Shushumna, Mudra, Prana and Apana Vayu, as well as Mula, Uddiyana, and Jalandhara Bandhas. He outlines the classic tantric imagery that is ubiquitous to many of the sacred texts and discusses the relevance of this important schemata to the pra...

In this month's podcast David answers four questions from students: 1) How do I balance Yoga and Family obligations? 2) How did David start teaching and what were some struggles in the beginning? 3) Should Ashtanga evolve? 4) Why are there some postures and vinyasas I struggle to do without your (DG's) instruction?

Using Yoga Sutras 3:48 and 3:49, David breaks down the indriyas and discusses how to explore them on the mat.

• Analysis of the great yogi Krishnamacharya’s statement that not all asanas are meant to be done by everyone—each individual will have their own custom list of asanas based on such factors as: age, experience, aptitude, interest, work or family responsibilities. • Probing the question of how important it is in Ashtanga to keep doing more postures and more difficult series. • Thoughts about the te...

The podcast is meant to let people know that it's natural and essential to show up to one’s mat in any number of different physical and mental states. Dealing with one’s darkness is as much part of the process as reaching for the light. And so there’s no need to feel like a bad yogi when you find that you are not happy or not detached--all the of the time. David questions the heavily marketed idea...

Aparigraha by David Garrigues

All things Dristi, a Podcast is devoted gazing, an important aspect of Ashtanga/Hatha Yoga Technology. Themes include: **Summary of the 9 most common gazing points (right and left sides of Parsva Dristi constitute 9 points): 1) Angusthamadhye Dristi –Middle of the Thumb 2) Bhrumadhye Dristi—Between Eyebrows, Third Eye 3) Nasagre—Down the nose 4) Hastagrahe—Hand 5) Parsva—Side 6) Urdhva Dristi—Abov...

In this podcast, David Garrigues describes how to use his new book, Ashtanga Yoga Vinyasa: Movement,, Breath, and Posture. The book can be purchased on David's website or in your home country's Amazon. With his new book, Ashtanga Yoga Vinyasa: Movement, Breath and Posture in the Primary Series, David Garrigues has created a concise yet comprehensive technical manual on AshtangaYoga as well a mysti...

Kleshas: Overcoming the 5 Causes of Pain by David Garrigues

In this podcast you will hear some creative perspectives on the Yoga Sutras: -YS 1, 2 Yoga Citta Vrtti Niroda--Union arrives when the field of the mind is cleared of thoughts -YS 1,3 Tada Drastuh Svarupe Avastham--Then the yogi finds his own peculiar way of seeing the world in its sacred entirety *Classic and alternative definitions of each individual word of the above Sutras. *Discussion of the i...

Equanimity by David Garrigues

In this lively, informative podcast I discuss the connection between fitness and yoga. Topics include: 1)The idea that doing physical exercise is detrimental to or has nothing to do with yoga 2) The idea that pure movement or pure sport or pure physicality of any kind can reach up the spiritual. 3) The idea from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika that Hatha yoga (ie doing poses, breathing exercises, and ban...

You can’t become complacent about any aspect of your life if you want to remain at your best. It’s so easy to slip into habits in the routine things you do, like your diet, practice and the thoughts you think. It’s common to ignore signs of sickness and become complacent. In this podcast David discusses that when you finally face you’re in pain and you’re suffering that’s when you need to simplify...

In this Podcast you’ll find the following themes • I discuss the inspirational and insightful relationship that exists between Hatha yoga and Bhakti (Devotional) poetry. • I talk about the connections that I’ve made between my practice and poetry throughout my yoga journey from the beginning and all along the way up to the present. • I recite poems from my new book entitled: Ecstatic Discipline, 5...

In this Podcast I discuss the following positive facts about using props and modifying: 1) Props (modifying) helps you build strength and flexibility by enabling you to specifically target desirable actions, movements, or position 2) Props (modifying) help you better align your skeleton 3) Props (modifying) help you stay in poses longer with more ease 5) Props (modifying) help you work more safely...

In this podcast, David answers students questions. 2:20 - I've got a question about pranayama. I've done your Ashtanga Pranayama Sequence video course, and I just want to clarify things with the Jalandhara Bandha position?  5:42 - Practicing with scoliosis or disc problems. 13:44 - Dear david, i feel fear when I attempt backbends like Kapotasana and drop backs. Through practice it has gotten bette...

In this podcast I discuss the often misinterpreted Ashtanga saying: “Do your practice and all is coming”. I go into detail about the different important meanings of Abhyasa, the Sanskrit word for practice, and probe into how to derive optimal physical and spiritual benefits from your daily efforts. TOPICS I DISCUSS INCLUDE:
 *deliberate practice vs how just practicing a lot is not effective in dev...

In this podcast I speak how, in Ashtanga yoga, physical adjustments have been the exclusive means of correcting a pose whereas giving verbal cues or using props to adjust have been tabooed or discouraged. Experience has shown that significant harm or imbalance results from giving only physical adjustments and that is why I discuss the need for a new paradigm of adjustments that calls for the teach...

Join me and Peg Mulqueen as we discuss Yoga Sūtra 3.17: There is a natural confusion of words, meanings, and our own conceptual experience that arises when we superimpose one upon the other. But with perfect focus on distinguishing between the three, we learn the language of all beings. Basically - words matter. As does our experience, use, and interpretation. Words like discipline, tradition, mod...

Tapas or discipline is a central aspect of daily practice that each yogi must struggle to embrace and make peace with. In this podcast I discuss the value of older, harsher ideas of tapas and the evolving new paradigm of tapas. I argue that some of the old ways of interpreting or living the spiritual discipline, though too severe or extreme, must not be forgotten, and must serve to remind new yogi...

One of the greatest things in the world is to work to perfect a pose or anything you choose. By perfect I mean to be involved in a process of improving, tinkering, seeking to go further in any small or large way. Ideally this creative process can go on indefinitely or at least until you feel fully satisfied with your creation. However often we fail to accurately determine when enough is enough, we...

In this podcast I speak about pain and creativity as an unlikely pair of opposites, a closely connected duo that are fated to coexist within me and to play off of each other in an ongoing battle for supremacy. Though often not welcome, pain is a principal ally of creativity, a main motivator of positive action, an effective catalyst for inner revolution and evolution, and an ever-present, wise rem...

In this podcast David discusses Shraddha or Faith as a powerful but hard won ally that helps you to remain committed to a daily practice. Faith means belief in and commitment to the invisible spiritual dimension of your life. You cultivate faith one practice at a time by coming to your mat each day equal in times of plenty or challenge. You build a strong faith through trust in your self, your pra...