Kleshas: Overcoming the 5 Causes of Pain

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 that yoga is primarily about wellness or feeling good or happy all of the time.  There’s an idea that a good yogi detaches from all afflictions and masterfully transcends or stops negative impulses or reactive emotions.  

The models that populate yoga magazines and social media outlets are almost always shown to be strong, flexible, serene, happy, in control and at peace.  David points out how these depictions are misleading and at odds with what actually happens when one takes up a steady daily practice.  In fact, practice partly serves to help one raise up the darkness within, to face one’s shadow, and come into meaningful contact with one’s suffering.  

David discusses James Hillman’s idea that human growth and wisdom is only partly about overcoming darkness or reaching for the light or attaining to the high-pinnacled peak of spiritual ascendancy.   Soul, in contrast to spirit, is the other equally important part of the equation for self discovery, self mastery, and self knowledge.  Questing for soul involves traveling downward into the blue, dark, shadowy valleys of the psyche.  David speaks about Hillman's insistence that the soul actually gains insight and wisdom through encountering afflictions (desires, attachments, fears, anger, sadness, grief, abandonment, loneliness, jealousy, and other strong emotions) rather than merely attempting to disengage, cut, repress or otherwise get rid of these challenging states.  

David reads several poems from such Bhakti poets as: Mirabai, Tulsidas, Hafiz, and Kabir to illustrate how these yogis accepted, worked with, and transformed their darkness into creative works instead of rejecting or shunning such aspects of themselves.  Enjoy!

Myth of the Perfect Yogi

•	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 teachings in the Yoga Vashista that say, “A yogi should never make the least effort to get what doesn’t come to him/her/they without effort.” 
•	Exploration of the word wisdom. What does the Bhagadvad Gita mean when it says: “Wisdom is the goal of every action.”  
•	The importance of centering one’s practice around the foundational poses 
•	Interpretation of a passage from the Isha Upanishad on finding balance between devoting oneself to the material and spiritual aspects of one’s life.  
•	Recitation of a Kabir poem that that speaks to turning one’s attention to the mystery of it all.

How Many Asanas Are Enough?

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

Indriyas: Mastery Over the Senses

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?

Ask Me Anything, 4 Questions from Students

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 practice of asana, vinyasa, and pranayama. 

David reads from such sacred Hatha Yoga texts as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Geranda Samhita, and Prasna Upanishad to give examples how the kundalini language and schemata are inherently embedded in these texts. 

He also gives examples of how the 7 asana principles are a secret, disguised road map to kundalini awakening. The asana principles: 1) Samasthiti is every pose, 2)crouch and spring to transition 3) ground legs and arms 4) awaken spine 5) tap breath 6 ) seal in energy 7) play with opposites

Asana & Awakening Kundalini

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 prayers to the Jois family and the whole world wide Ashtanga community.

Here are my thoughts.

Sharath Jois

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 feels good” approach without discernment.
Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Vasistha, I delve into the messy nuances of navigating right action, creativity, and flexibility within a system. The discussion examines the limitations of rigid practices, such as strict adherence to Ashtanga’s set sequences, while emphasizing the importance of allowing for personalization and adaptability.
By addressing the harm of extremes—having no rules versus rigidly following them—I advocate for embracing complexity and balance in both yoga and teaching. Ultimately, yoga points us toward total freedom: the ability to respond spontaneously and skillfully to the moment, transcending outdated ideas and rigid structures. This conversation provides thoughtful insights for yoga practitioners, teachers, and anyone seeking to navigate life’s complexities with grace and wisdom.

Yoga, Rules And Freedom

In this heartfelt conversation, Mary Taylor, Richard Freeman, Tim Feldmann, and Kino MacGregor join Peg Mulqueen and reflect on the profound sense of loss within the Ashtanga Yoga community after the sudden passing of Sharath Jois. They explore themes of grief, connection, and the importance of practice in navigating uncertainty. The discussion delves into the essence of tradition in yoga, sharing personal stories and insights, highlighting the role of rituals and devotion in maintaining a sense of connection to the practice and each other. 

You can join Mary, Richard, Tim, and Kino along with many other prominent and inspiring teachers at this year's Ashtanga Yoga Confluence, May 1-4, in San Diego, California. You can find more information on the event itself as well as scholarships available here: https://www.ashtangayogaconfluence.com

Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoyed.



The Tradition that Connects Us with Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor, Kino MacGregor, and Tim Feldmann

In this episode of the Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast, David Keil, Jen René and Scott Johnson join me to explore the question of whether Ashtanga yoga is suitable for everyone, not just as teachers but as students, ourselves with our own challenges and needs.  We talk about the importance of context, adaptation, and the need be critical thinkers. But like all great questions, this one only led us to even more, and especially this one: how can we become better teachers. Because for students, that's really what it comes down to -- how creative, flexible, and caring we are as teachers.

Join our Yoga Mentorship: visit ashtangadispatch.com for details 

Is Ashtanga Right for Everyone? With David Keil, Scott Johnson, and Jen René

A maverick is someone who is unconventional and thinks for themselves and today's guests are certainly that. Harmony Slater, David Garrigues, and Ty Landrum are all part of the same Ashtanga yoga tradition, and yet, they look almost nothing alike. Each offer their own unique perspective and approach that is in ways, totally opposite. On one end there's David, a lover of form, and on the other, Harmony who embraces the form-less. And then there's Ty and his new Black Lotus Yoga which is both wildly different and not. Though there is one thing they all love and agree on: the color black. (Didn't see that one coming!) Anyway, get ready for a roller coaster of a conversation that was loads of fun (for me) and brilliantly insightful. 

The fall session of our Yoga Mentorship program begins August 2nd. The focus this session will be on presence and purpose. It's waking up to our own unique dharma, a life calling that is as much our duty as gift. Visit www.ashtangadispatch.com

Outside the Box with Maverick Teachers Harmony Slater, David Garrigues, and Ty Landrum

David Garrigues is an internationally recognized yoga teacher and creator of the Asana Kitchen, an acclaimed yoga instruction channel on YouTube. The goal of the Asana Kitchen podcast is to teach yoga philosophy and hatha yoga techniques that can be applied directly to the daily practice.

Kleshas: Overcoming the 5 Causes of Pain

David Garrigues Yoga Podcast

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