Chain of Regulation: Ashtanga Yoga’s Systems Approach

In the grand tapestry of the cosmos — or at least the knotted threads of our own minds during a jump forward into Kurmasana — we often forget the fundamental systems at play. Funny, isn’t it? We spend so much time contemplating our internal energies and cosmic vibrations, yet overlook the oversight mechanism that holds our practice — and by extension, our lives — together.

You see, dear Ashtangis, our beloved practice is a microcosm of a larger systemic dance. It is a set of interrelated feedback loops, much like any other complex system. Welcome to the world where bandhas aren’t just for physical alignment but are regulators ensuring we don’t unravel into a chaotic mess on our mats.

Ahhh, but it’s not just about the sweat and the stretch, is it? It’s also about how beautifully the system can break down when one loop overpowers the serenity in our breath or the inner drishti is replaced by the errant focus on a fellow yogi’s fancy new mat.

Systems thinking — it’s the ultimate guide to every rollercoaster of a vinyasa you flow through, a practice hidden beneath the simplicity of every sun salutation. To dive deeper into the systemic undercurrents of your practice, explore the Systems Thinking Approach for a delightful read.