Ashtanga Yoga: How a Persistent Practice Transforms Every Area of Your Life
Discover how the disciplined, systematic approach of Ashtanga Yoga — practised consistently over time — builds not just physical strength and flexibility, but the mental fortitude, focus, and resilience that elevate every corner of your life.
Why Motivation Fails: The Power of Systems
Every New Year begins the same way: new goals, fresh motivation, a sense that this year will be different. And yet, weeks or months later, many of us find ourselves right back where we started, and quietly ask, “What’s wrong with me?” The truth is uncomfortable but freeing: most people don’t fail because …
Why Wellness Needs Systems That Understand People, Not Just Serve Them
The wellness industry needs a paradigm shift Three years ago, I thought the biggest hurdles in yoga and wellness were things like consistency, business models, and team dynamics. But over time, I began to see a deeper truth as I sat surrounded by teachers, students, and studio owners, some burned out, some drifting, …
Yoga as a Lifestyle Choice: A Gentle Path to Lasting Health
If you’ve ever been drawn to something without a clear reason, you already understand something essential. Every decision begins with emotion. Whether it's what you eat, how you move, or how you care for yourself, it’s the feeling underneath that guides the choice. Yoga understands this. Instead of asking you to force, restrict, …
The Hidden Power of Your Pinkie Finger: Unlocking the Kinetic Chain for Arm Strength
There are subtle secrets hidden within the body that, once uncovered, can dramatically change how we move and perform. One of those secrets? The connection between your pinkie finger and your kinetic chain, a link that can unlock surprising arm strength and endurance. The Pinkie and the Kinetic Chain In movement science, a …
Unlocking secrets of Bandhas, Ujjayi Breath, and Kinetic Chains
Yoga is more than just movement—it's an intricate system of energy control that connects breath, muscle engagement, and awareness. At the heart of this system are Bandhas (energy locks) and Ujjayi breath, working in harmony to create stability, refine movement, and awaken deeper states of presence. Understanding Kinetic Chains and Bandhas Our bodies …
The Breath – Your Gateway to Ashtanga Yoga
Close your eyes for a moment. Take a deep, steady inhale—feel the air filling your lungs, expanding your ribs. Now exhale slowly, releasing everything you don’t need. That breath? It’s more powerful than you think. It’s the key to unlocking deeper focus, effortless movement, and a practice that feels like pure flow. Why …
Alternative Vinyasa for accessibility
Sharing some vinyasa alternatives which is accessible for those who have knee injuries and those recovering from knee surgery like myself. These alternatives are also good if we need to preserve energy as we are building our practice. Also a good alternative in times when wrists and shoulders need a bit rest to …
Community talk with Sonam Dawa – Jun 23rd
Meditation, Mindfulness and Meditation objects A special thanks to Sonam who today gave us a talk on the topic of Meditation, mindfulness and Meditation objects in the daily life. and a thanks to everyone joining us from the yoga shala 🙂 https://youtu.be/bTY146nbYAk?si=wNCfIH2QRe4egwBB The Dalai Lama has praised Geshe Lharampas, the highest-degree holders in …
Buddhist Philosophy talk with Sonam Dawa
Exciting News from The Yoga Nest! Join us for a special talk with Sonam on June 23rd as he shares insights on Tibetan Buddhism philosophy. The Dalai Lama has praised Geshe Lharampas, the highest-degree holders in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, as precious gems. These scholars dedicate around 20 years to deeply understand and effectively convey …
DIY Yoga Mat Spray: Keep Your Mat Clean and Fresh Naturally
Making your own yoga mat spray is easy, cost-effective, and allows you to use natural ingredients. Here’s a simple guide to creating your own refreshing yoga mat spray. DIY Yoga Mat Spray Why Use a Yoga Mat Spray? A yoga mat spray helps: Disinfect: Eliminate bacteria and germs. Deodorize: Remove unpleasant odors. Refresh: …
The Essence of Space in Ashtanga Yoga and Beyond
In the practice of Ashtanga Yoga, the concept of 'space' transcends the physical confines of a room—it delves into the profound moments between our inhalation and exhalation. This space, though seemingly minor, plays a pivotal role in enhancing our practice, enabling us to harness the full potential of our movements and transitions between …
How yoga build a growth mindset and why I’m getting on the mat every day?
In the work space i often meet the question, what make me get on the mat practicing every morning and my response is "It prepare me for the day to come and to make better decisions". Most of the time I do not get to elaborate much on what I actually mean, I …
What is a Boutique Yoga Studio and why is it becoming a trend?
First thing first, what is a Boutique Yoga Studio? The term boutique has it origin from France and refer to a small store which specialize their offering and personalize their service, often with focus on high-end and -or uniqueness. Over time the term has been adopted in businesses beyond retail, most recognize the …
Yoga Sutra text 1.9
śabda-jñānānupātī vastu-śūnyo vikalpaḥ śabda, words; jñāna, knowledge; anupātī, resulting from, followed in sequence; vastu, actual object; śūnyaḥ, devoid of; vikalpaḥ, conceptualization, fancy, imagination; here, figurative language Translation: Imagination consists of the usage of words that are devoid of an actual object. (Edward F. Bryant, The Yoga Sutra of Pantajalin, A new Edition, translation, …
Yoga sutra text 1.8
1.8. viparyayo mithyā-jñānam atad-rūpa-pratiṣṭham viparyayaḥ, error; mithyā, false; jñānam, knowledge; atad, not that, incorrect; rūpa, form; pratiṣṭham, established in Translation: Error is false knowledge stemming from the incorrect apprehension [of something]. (Edward F. Bryant, The Yoga Sutra of Pantajalin, A new Edition, translation, and commentary) The concept of viparyaya, or error, as the …
Yoga Sutra text 1.7
1.7 pratyakṣānumānāgamāḥ pramāṇāni pratyakṣa, sense perception anumāna, inference, logic āgamāḥ, testimony, verbal communication pramāṇāni, epistemology Translation: Right knowledge consists of sense perception, logic, and verbal testimony. (Edward F. Bryant, The Yoga Sutra of Pantajalin, A new Edition, translation, and commentary). In Yoga Sutra 1.7, Patanjali outlines pramāṇa as the first of the five …
Linguistics in the Ashtanga Yoga Space
By Asbjørn Bjaanes 14.03.2022 Introduction This paper discusses how students in the Ashtanga yoga space take inn and process information / instructions, how a teachers and students may use this understanding to facilitate more effective learning. There is an assumption student with a visual learning strategy as their primary, do have more difficulties …
Yoga Sutra 1.6
1.6 pramāṇa-viparyaya-vikalpa-nidrā-smṛtayaḥ pramāṇa, epistemology, source of right knowledge; viparyaya, error; vikalpa, imagination, fancy; nidrā, sleep; smṛtayaḥ, memory [These five vṛttis are] right knowledge, error, imagination, sleep, and memory. (Edward F. Bryant, The Yoga Sutra of Pantajalin, A new Edition, translation, and commentary). The ancient wisdom of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras offers profound insights into …
Yoga sutra text 1.5
1.5. vṛttayaḥ pañcatayyaḥ kliṣṭākliṣṭāḥ vṛttayaḥ, the changing states of mind pañcatayyaḥ, fivefold; kliṣṭa, detrimental, harmful, damaging, afflicted; akliṣṭāḥ, nondetrimental, unafflicted Transtation: There are five kinds of changing states of the mind, and they are either detrimental or nondetrimental [to the practice of yoga]. (Edward F. Bryant, The Yoga Sutra of Pantajalin, A new Edition, …
