Varieties of Students

Dear Ashtanga Yoga Practitioners,

It seems that the good old Ashtanga practice, akin to a hamster wheel, continues to spin in the vast, endless loop of tradition and vinyasa flow. Oh, the rhythms of the cosmos might be constantly orchestrating change, yet we revel in our set series, blissfully oblivious. Isn’t it charming how we diligently move from Surya Namaskar to Navasana, as if this particular sequence holds the universe’s secret to enlightenment?

As remarkable as it might seem, all this syncing of breath and movement doesn’t necessarily change the world outside your yoga mat. Indeed, the world outside might be on fire (metaphorically speaking), but hey, we’re solidly focused on perfecting that Utthita Trikonasana. Choose your existential dread with intention, whatever that might mean for you.

But fret not! The practice isn’t just about contorting your body into impossible shapes or perfecting that elusive bind. It’s a microscopic view into sustainable living and all those virtuous things we only talk about at dinner parties. Sure, the world might be a chaotic mess, but as aspiring yogis, staying perched amidst the chaos is a class act we can all strive toward.

If you wish to venture further into this glamorous world of systemic thinking (where the irony is not lost, of course), feel free to tiptoe via this link: Dive Deeper into the Labyrinth of Yoga and Sustainability.

In the end, remember: balance in yoga parallels balance in life, or so we like to believe. Keep flowing, keep breathing, and perhaps one day, amidst it all, we’ll see the change — or not, but at least our hamstrings will be enviable.

Namaste,

The Perpetual Cycle