Although I had my first encounter with yoga at the age of ten, I managed to visit various yoga studios for over 20 years without ever hearing about Ashtanga. However, that was about to change on a mundane day in Bremerhaven when I decided to explore what the city had to offer.

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I attended a yoga class in a park, oblivious to how profoundly those one and a half hours would alter my life. I had never before experienced such a profound movement that permeated every fiber of my being, such deep perspiration. My mind cleared, and it felt as though my body had been cleansed from the inside out. In that moment, I sensed something entirely new unfolding within me, something I hadn't anticipated. It was love at first sight. The following three days were spent barely able to move due to muscle soreness, engrossed in reading, watching videos online, and trying to comprehend how this style of yoga had eluded me thus far.

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Over the next year, I dedicated myself to extensive practice, reading, and learning about the method and its origins. Right from the start, it had numerous positive effects on my life: a completely new flexibility and inner strength were unfolding within me, I hadn't fallen ill for a year, and in my daily routines, after many years of working in the music industry, I managed to rediscover my passion for playing the flute.

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To this day, I remain captivated by the physical and mental state that I achieve through Ashtanga. The devotion and determination required in this practice make it an incredibly intimate and intense experience. Simultaneously, it fosters a strong sense of community among Ashtanga practitioners: it's like meeting fellow hikers on a mountain trail. Each person walks their own path at their own pace, yet everyone is on the same journey.

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Just as with music, it has become evident that I have found something for life in yoga. From my daily practice, I draw unparalleled balance, strength, and tranquility. At some point I mustered up all my courage and enrolled in a yoga teacher training program. Since June 2023, I have proudly been a certified Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teacher (RYS Yoga Alliance, YOMA Studio, Bremen).

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YOGA NERDISM - A DEEP DIVE!

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And for those who have been intrigued by this style, here is a more detailed taste.

 

Ashtanga yoga is a demanding and dynamic form of yoga that initiates powerful transformation in the body and soul. The practice follows a precisely structured flow, with the breath always initiating the movement. The gaze is fixed on specific focal points during the asanas, greatly aiding in directing attention inward. The combination of breath and movement creates a meditative flow that allows physical and mental tension to be released.

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Practitioners perform the same asanas (postures) every day, in a steady rhythm of breath, silently and from memory. This practice is akin to a Zen garden: by removing unnecessary elements, it enables calmness and deep concentration.

 

Ashtanga yoga has its roots in traditional yogic philosophy and is based on the eight-limbed path of yoga according to Patanjali.

The following verse from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras can help us understand the essence of the inititally demanding practice: 1.2: yogaścittavṛttinirodhaḥ.

"Yoga is the state in which the movements of the Citta [the thinking mind] dissolve into dynamic stillness." (Sriram)

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Calming the fluctuations of the thinking mind is a particular challenge in today's world. By combining mental focus and demanding physical exertion, Ashtanga Yoga is one of the most interesting ways to experience this tranquility. This verse also demonstrates that the asana practice is just one aspect of yoga. The path to dynamic stillness of the mind traverses through our bodies, but it does not end there.

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