Tech Times Roundup: February 23 – March 1, 2026
This week on Ashtanga Tech:
Pratyahara Practices
Introduction In developing this section, we reviewed all of the pratyahara teachings and practices listed in the expert sources. However, most sources were limited in their offering of practices and it was rare to find detailed support describing how to practice and teach them. Therefore, we think our research to bring this together may offer a particularly valuable contribution to your toolkit. We invite your thoughts and leads for additional resources. David Frawley) A key practice is fasting / taking breaks from sensory inputs via meditation, retreat or other.
Yoga’s Foundational Philosophies: Samkhya, Advaita Vedanta, Tantra
Samkhya is dualistic, teaching discrimination between purusha (spirit) and prakrti (substance). Some sources consider these different philosophies connected and complementary. For example: “The aspirant clears the mind through the practice of Yoga meditation as codified…
Breathing Foundations
Become clear on the fundamental cautions related to practicing pranayama and the associated implications and best practices for teaching about the breath.
Parsvottanasana
I place this pose after Ardha Chandrasana to create continuity in the sequence. Later in the practice, we rotate the pelvis further so that this type of pose fits naturally in a sequence that moves from the pelvis facing forward to turning the pelvis to face the front leg, to rotating into a twisting pose such as Parivrtta Trikonasana. Turning the pelvis changes the orientation of the muscle fibers in the back-leg gluteals and front-leg hip flexors, activating the muscle from every direction. This illustrates how designing your yoga practice to have continuity yet change awakens muscle groups efficiently, making the whole of the practice greater than the sum of its parts. The focal point of the stretch in Parsvottanasana is the front-leg hamstrings.
The Bhagavad Gita Introduction
Indeed, the Gita speaks of itself as a yoga-shastra, or yogic teaching, restating ancient truths. – Georg Feuerstein The Bhagavad Gita has been translated as the Lord’s Song, Song of the Spirit, the Song of…
Philosophy Intro
What is Yoga and Why Do We Do It? Foundational Philosophies Gain an understanding of key assumptions built into the foundational philosophies upon which various branches of yoga are based: Samkhya, Advaita Vedanta and Tantra.…
The Yoga Sutras Historical Context
PATANJALI — Codifier of The Yoga Sutras SANSKRIT — A sacred language designed to convey subtlety and communicate spiritual insights SUTRA — Summary of teachings About Patanjali Patanjali, who lived “somewhere around 250 BCE” codified…
Practicing Dharana
The Object of Contemplation In dharana, we choose an object of contemplation and then let go of everything that is not the object of meditation. The object of concentration can be virtually anything: an external physical object, an idea, or an internal aspect of self. Examples include the breath, a mantra, a quality one would like to develop (e.g. lovingkindness), a person, a chakra, or the Divine within. We are advised to choose the object of contemplation wisely as it will influence our consciousness.
End Range Conditioning
End-Range Conditioning (ERC) is a fundamental aspect of Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) that emphasizes strengthening and controlling movements at the end ranges of motion of a joint. These end ranges are often neglected in traditional training programs but are crucial for optimizing joint health, mobility, and overall movement quality. Key Principles of ERC: Strengthening End Ranges: ERC focuses on developing strength and control in the extreme ranges of motion of a joint, where individuals may typically experience limitations or weaknesses. By specifically targeting these end ranges, individuals can improve their capacity to generate force and stabilize the joint in these positions, thereby reducing the risk of injury and enhancing overall performance. Increasing Joint Resilience: Through targeted strength training at end ranges, ERC helps to improve the resilience of the joint tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joint capsules.
Uttitha Hasta Padangusthasana
Again we have several plots involved in the story of this pose balancing on one leg, intensely stretching the lifted leg, extending the back to maintain the body erect, and contracting the muscles of the arm to lift the foot. Even the action of the big toe that is being held is a subplot. Then there is the mental aspect of staying calm to maintain balance. This is aided by focusing on the breath the underlying story in all of the asanas. Balance the action of the person, which presses the ball of the foot into the floor, with the action of the tibialis posterior, which spreads the weight across the sole of the foot.
Meditation & Mindfulness Introduction
Have a foundational understanding of meditation from a yogic perspective.
Yoga Sutras Overview & Structure
The Yoga Sutras are a philosophy of yoga. The text is also called Yoga Darshana, translated as “Philosophy of Yoga.” Yoga Darshana has a deeper meaning: “to see the invisible” or “to see with spiritual insight.” In other words, it refers to seeing beyond sensory input and the conditioned mind. The Yoga Sutras describe human consciousness, how suffering happens, and how to cultivate inner happiness. They describe how to remove the “veil of darkness” and to be free.
Pratyahara Practices
Introduction In developing this section, we reviewed all of the pratyahara teachings and practices listed in the expert sources. However, most sources were limited in their offering of practices and it was rare to find detailed support describing how to practice and teach them. Therefore, we think our research to bring this together may offer a particularly valuable contribution to your toolkit. We invite your thoughts and leads for additional resources. David Frawley) A key practice is fasting / taking breaks from sensory inputs via meditation, retreat or other.
Koshas / Panchamayakosha Model: Introduction & Overview
Learn the kosha model and explore ways to apply and teach it.
Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana
ARDHA BADDHA PADMOTTANĀSANA (9 MOVEMENTS) 1EKAMInhale, right foot up, bind2DVEExhale, fold3TRINIInhale, look up, lengthen Exhale4CATVARIInhale, up5PANCAExhale, leg down6SATInhale, left foot up, bind7SAPTAExhale, fold8ASTAUInhale, look up, lengthen Exhale9NAVAInhale, up Exhale, Samasthiti
Yoga’s Foundational Philosophies: Samkhya, Advaita Vedanta, Tantra
Samkhya is dualistic, teaching discrimination between purusha (spirit) and prakrti (substance). Some sources consider these different philosophies connected and complementary. For example: “The aspirant clears the mind through the practice of Yoga meditation as codified…
Ashtanga Yoga / Eights Limbs of Yoga Introduction & Overview
Other branches or paths of yoga focus on other practices, such as chanting in Bhakti Yoga and service in Karma Yoga. The Eight Limbs of Yoga are yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and…
FRC Best Practices and Protocols
General Order Passive Stretching: Begin with passive stretching to gently lengthen the muscles and prepare them for movement. Holding each stretch for around 3 to 5 minutes allows for sufficient time to induce tissue relaxation and improve flexibility. Consider paring with CARs if you have specific mobility goals. Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs): Perform CARs for each joint, starting with the proximal joints and progressing towards the more distal joints. Work capsule first, then one joint, then multipoint.
Ashtanga Yoga / Eights Limbs of Yoga Introduction & Overview
Other branches or paths of yoga focus on other practices, such as chanting in Bhakti Yoga and service in Karma Yoga. The Eight Limbs of Yoga are yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and…
FRC Best Practices and Protocols
General Order Passive Stretching: Begin with passive stretching to gently lengthen the muscles and prepare them for movement. Holding each stretch for around 3 to 5 minutes allows for sufficient time to induce tissue relaxation and improve flexibility. Consider paring with CARs if you have specific mobility goals. Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs): Perform CARs for each joint, starting with the proximal joints and progressing towards the more distal joints. Work capsule first, then one joint, then multipoint.
