Exercise to aid yoga practice?

This is Ashtanga Yoga Tech Support. Real questions from the yoga community, answered.

Our Response

Yes. Do your practice.

That's not a cop-out. That's the answer.

The Ashtanga primary series builds strength by repetition. You're already doing the work. The question is whether you're letting it work.

Here's what I mean: don't skip vinyasas. Don't phone them in. Those transitions between poses? That's where strength happens.

Can't hold chaturanga yet? Fine. Go to your knees. But go there with intention. Lower down slow. Feel your shoulders working. That's strength building in real time.

Three-legged dog? Stop trying to get your leg higher. Get your hips square first. Engage your standing leg. Then see where the lifted leg goes. Height comes from stability, not effort.

You want supplemental work? Sure. Planks. Side planks. Slow push-ups. But honestly? Six days a week of primary series will get you there faster than anything else.

Strength isn't a prerequisite for this practice. It's a side effect.

Keep showing up. The practice works if you let it.