Is Ashtanga The Most Misunderstood Yoga Practice? #Yoga #Ashtanga #AshtangaYoga

By Allen Barkus


Is Ashtanga Yoga

misunderstood? When the word Ashtanga is introduced to yoga most people only picture in their minds people doing a very physically challenging practice, more like gymnastics. 

 I've actually taught Ashtanga to all types of people 15-85 including with/recovering from different types of cancer, obese (one person lost 70 pounds in 8 months, no other lifestyle changes), recovering from injuries and surgeries,children and even a woman with emphysema and COPD. Yes I've also taught athletes including a teen at the University of Pennsylvania, a baseball player and a marathon runner.

I teach the traditional practice as taught by Manju Jois, who brought Ashtanga/vinyasa yoga to America in 1975 along with his father. Since 2004 he has been my exclusive teacher for advanced studies into the intermediate practice. The greatest influence Manju has had on me is what the practice in intended for, healing of both the mind and body.

What is Ashtanga Yoga? Ashtanga Yoga is an ancient system of healing in the Hindu tradition: Asta=Eight

Anga=Limbs

Yoga=Union

"The Eight Limbs of Yoga"

The author of the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali, described yoga as eight limbs of a tree: Yama, ethical disciplines; Niyama, self observation; Asana, posture; Pranayama, breath control; sense withdraw; Dharma, meditation; and Samadi, a state of joy and peace. Therefore possibly one of the greatest misconceptions of yoga is that it is purely a physical practice.

The physical practice was first recorded by the sage Vamana Rishi in the Yoga Korunta, taught to Pattabhi Jois by T Krishnamacharya. This system links the asanas with vinyasas (connecting movements), with pranayama (breath), drishti (visual focal points) and bandas (internal energy locks)

By Allen Barkus. Allen has been practicing Ashtanga yoga since 1998 and teaching since 2004. His initial teacher training was with David Swenson and has been the student of Manju Jois since 2004. Manju, along with his father, introduced Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga to America in 1975. His studies focus on Healing Therapy. He is available in Philadelphia for private lessons and clinics and travels around the world teaching clinics. www.AshtangabyAllen.com

Yoga And Ego, Two Things That Do Not Mix. #Yoga

In the past several years we've experienced the downfall of important 'modern' yoga leaders including John Friend who originated the Anusara yoga practice and Bikram Choudhry and his hot yoga practice. While no one can take away the fact that these people have introduced and inspired many people to practice yoga, it is most important to understand that ego and yoga just do not mix.

Yoga and social media has become an interesting trend in recent years, something you will have to make your own personal judgement on. In some cases good instruction comes along with the pretty poses and in other cases it appears to just to be about gaining influence and making money.

While yoga can be a physical practice, is is really about healing and focusing inward. When ego becomes involved we start focusing outward;  caring too much about how we look, teachers seeking to control and not guide students, injuries, and even sexual abuse.

A good teacher is your guide to developing a personal practice unique to your needs, both physical and emotional. I've personally taught Ashtanga yoga Healing Therapy to people 13-85 who are athletes and with serious physical problems including cancer, obesity (now slim and fit) spinal surgery, arthritis (adult and children), emotional issues, and even someone with  late stage emphysema. Therefore perceptions by most people of what Ashtanga is as a purely physical practice are wrong. 


By Allen Barkus. Allen has been practicing Ashtanga yoga since 1998 and teaching since 2004. His initial teacher training was with David Swenson and has been the student of Manju Jois since 2004. Manju, along with his father, introduced Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga to America in 1975. His studies focus on Healing Therapy. He is available in Philadelphia for private lessons and clinics and travels around the world teaching clinics. www.AshtangabyAllen.com

Private Traditional Ashtanga Yoga Lessons In Philadelphia In Home Or Office, Clinics And Teacher Trainings Worldwide. By Allen Barkus #Yoga #Ashtanga #AshtangaYoga #BestInPhilly #BestInPhillyYoga

https://www.ashtangabyallen.com/

One of the greatest misconceptions of yoga is that it is meant purely for fitness. The actual purpose of yoga is for healing both mind and body and, yes, in the process one can become very fit. I, Allen Barkus,  the publisher of the Travelore Report, was introduced to yoga in 1998 and became a teacher in 2004. My exclusive teacher since 2004 years is Manju Jois, whom along with his father introduced traditional
Ashtanga yoga healing therapy to the U.S. in 1975. While Ashtanga has become known for being the most
difficult physical practice to master, more senior teachers focus on the healing aspects of the practice. In one
case I helped a 31 year old man lose 70 pounds in 8 months, along with also healing a serious breathing problem and a back problem; all with just yoga and no other life changes. From a healing perspective I've also worked with others including those recovering from cancer and others types of surgeries, with people including a child with arthritis and with a woman whom had emphysema. On the fitness side I've worked with athletes at the University of Pennsylvania, a baseball player, and people training for events including marathons. I also teach teachers.

On my world travels I've many times been asked about doing yoga healing clinics for hotels, resorts, and cruise lines and  am now scheduling clinics and wellness programs. I am also consulting with properties on creating wellness programs as profit centers and how to market those programs, utilizing my many successful years of experience in the advertising and marketing business.

 My philosophy is to focus on the individual needs of my students rather than on size fits all, teaching Mysore style, guiding them on developing a personal practice suited to their healing and physical needs. I think it is also important to note that healing includes emotional.

For more details you are welcome to contact me at a.barkus-tbc@att.net or at www.ashtangabyallen.com.


Appreciating positive feedback from my recent Ashtanga Yoga Healing Therapy Clinic in Philadelphia's Main Line attended by people ranging in ages from 20's through 70's, with all body types and different physical issues. Most of the people attending had no yoga experience and a few were very experienced including a woman whom has been practicing and teaching for 30 years. 

"Dear Allen,

Just wanted to thank you for the fantastic yoga session you taught and led yesterday. You were wonderful the way you explained everything fully and were patient and receptive to novices (like ME!!).

Everyone felt so terrific after the class. I was totally energized--even after I stood on my feet cooking for 3 1/2 hours!!

Thank you for sharing your expertise with us!!
Best Always,
Andy"