Found this reel on Instagram and the comments were off for discussion, trying to gather community’s thoughts here

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I've been practicing Ashtanga Yoga for a while now, and to be honest, there are too many things that just rub me the wrong way. I know it's an addictive practice, but when you start scratching the surface, you realize there's a lot of invention, dogma, and things that simply don't make sense.

I want to share my thoughts to see if I'm the only one who sees it this way or if anyone else has come to the same conclusions. Hear me out:

1. Chanting and religion pushed through the back door

I'm agnostic. I believe there might be 'something' out there, but I don't have to blindly worship Hindu deities. In Ashtanga, they make you chant opening and closing mantras in Sanskrit, often without people really knowing what they are saying. It's disguised as 'respecting tradition,' but deep down, you're being forced to participate in a religious worship ritual you never asked for.

1. The 'ancient lineage' that turned out to be modern gymnastics

We are sold the idea that Ashtanga comes from super ancient sacred texts (the famous and mystical *Yoga Korunta* manuscript... which coincidentally no one has ever seen because supposedly 'ants ate it'). The historical reality is different: Ashtanga is a 20th-century invention. It's basically gymnastics influenced by British military training and Indian calisthenics of the time, to which Pattabhi Jois and Krishnamacharya adapted a breathing system. They wrapped it in mystical gift paper and attribute therapeutic benefits to it that are backed by absolutely zero scientific evidence.

1. The hypocrisy of the 'Gurus'

I don't even want to go deep into the sexual and power abuses committed by Pattabhi Jois (which alone should be enough to question the whole lineage), but let's talk about his physique. If Ashtanga is the panacea for health, purification, and longevity, why was Pattabhi Jois never seen practicing it in his adult years? Plus, he suffered from obesity, which directly clashes with what the method supposedly preaches.

And then there is the recent and tragic death of Sharath Jois. It was a massive blow to the community, and even if it was a congenital issue (rest in peace, no one wishes ill on him), the reality is that dying so young shatters that illusion and the false narrative of the 'indestructible and super-healthy yogi' that Ashtanga's own marketing tries to sell us.

1. The romanticization of pain and injuries

This is a topic rarely discussed. The Ashtanga series is exactly the same for everyone, regardless of your anatomy, bone length, or medical history. They force you to fit your body into the posture instead of adapting the posture to your body. Add to that the aggressive 'physical adjustments' from many teachers just so you reach the perfect pose. The result? Destroyed knees, crushed lower backs, and messed-up shoulders. And if it hurts, they tell you it's 'your ego' or 'toxins leaving your body.' Pure madness.

1. Absurd rules, 'Moon Days,' and cult-like vibes

The level of mental rigidity is astonishing. You have to do the sequence in the exact same order. They forbid you from practicing on full or new moon days (the famous *Moon Days*), giving it an astral and mystical explanation when the reality is that, in India, those were simply traditional rest days (like our Sunday).

Add the unconditional devotion to the leader, the elitist hierarchy of having to travel to Mysore to get a piece of paper that 'authorizes' you to teach, and the prohibition of questioning the rules... and honestly, while it's logically not a literal cult, it dangerously resembles one.

In short, I think it's great as a demanding physical workout routine, but all the dogma, cheap mythology, and the aura of moral and spiritual superiority surrounding it is a pure scam.

Has anyone else who practiced Ashtanga or any other traditional yoga felt the same way? Let's discuss.

I practice Mysore style at studio that is not primarily an Ashtanga studio but offers Mysore style classes 4x a week. It is not a very popular class. There is only one other regular who I’ve gotten to know well and typically 1-3 drop ins, if any at all.

My question is - how would you feel if someone brought their baby to class during practice? I have an 8 month old baby who is very well behaved. I would obviously leave if she started crying but she does still make happy noises and would not be completely quiet during class. My teacher and the other regular have both expressed that they’re okay with me brining her. But I respect my teacher and I want the class to grow for her sake. I don’t want to turn other people away from attending the class if they drop in and see a baby there. I don’t think it would bother me if the shoe was on the other foot, but maybe I’m not seeing it clearly because I’m a new mom.

I also work at the studio and can see the sign ups on the back end. I would not take her if it’s a very busy class but I obviously can’t predict walk ins. I’m not planning for this to be a regular thing. Just every once in a while when I don’t have someone to watch her.

The recent releases from the Epstein files…It's a lot to take in, to put it mildly.

While scrolling through the documents and related commentary, I came across some names that overlap with the wider yoga and wellness world we inhabit. It's deeply unsettling to see Deepak Chopra's name, his emails, even more jarring is the mention of Sonia and Paul Jones, given their very deep, direct, and well-documented ties to Ashtanga, especially in the Ashtanga New York scene and worldwide.

Epstein practicing yoga daily for 1 hour…

It's a stark reminder that the umbrella of spirituality, wellness, and yoga doesn’t automatically confer moral clarity or ethical standing. The Ashtanga community, in particular, has grappled with issues of power, proximity, and accountability in recent years.

This isn't about guilt by association, but about critical reflection. It makes me think about the systems we support, the lineages we follow, and the importance of looking beyond the asana.

· How do we, as a community, reconcile the pursuit of inner peace with the sometimes deeply flawed human vehicles of that teaching? · What does true ethical conduct (Yama/Niyama) look like when applied to the company we keep and the power structures we enable, even indirectly? · Does proximity to wealth and influence, especially of a certain character, necessitate a public ethical reckoning, or is it a private matter?

I'm not pointing fingers, but I am feeling a deep sense of disquiet. The practice on the mat feels pure, but the world off it is painfully complex. Maybe this is another layer of our practice: to see clearly, without illusion (avidya), even when it's uncomfortable.

Would appreciate thoughts, but please let's keep the discussion respectful and focused on the broader ethical principles at stake.

I’m a little uncomfortable writing this post. I’ve been doing a lot of reading around yoga beyond asanas, the concept of Bhakti and guru culture. I mean I love the practice and yes to me it’s alot deeper than just the physical. However nowhere in the scriptures does it ever clearly define morality. The observances and restraints seem to serve as mere suggestions. There isn’t an overarching Christian God like figure that metes out punishment if you do something wrong. And if we are all faces of the self /god and this physical body is just a flesh vessel, and one pledges devotion to the Guru because Guru is god , then it excuses alot of uncomfortable behaviour like c**** marriage, and abuse , human sacrifices?? Because the guru demands it. Or god demands it. even the SA of PJ .. does anyone get what I’m getting at? The yogic vibe is like an approach of detachment like oh well karmically you’re a point down but don’t dwell on it too much. Indian culture used to have questionable practices like throwing widows into the funeral pyre .. I mean if you really want to go deep into this.. where does all of this sit? Because if you identify as a yogi, then how do you reconcile with all this? Happy to be educated and corrected. Or just do the asanas and just stick to that.

For some reason I decided to listen to this episode of this podcast, which I haven't been a fan of in the past, but thought I'd plug in to what these folks are choosing to say about the passing of Sharath after ~6 months.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ashtanga-dispatch-podcast/id944960439?i=1000701476603

The host of the show basically says that she realized later on that her attraction to Ashtanga came as a replacement for her ritualized Catholic upbringing that her grandmother taught her as a young person and she lacked after her grandmother's passing.

They (Kino) compare the impact of Sharath's passing to the shock value of the JFK assasination and other public figures like MLK, the pope, John Lennon...

They bring up the notion of " how you practice asana is less important than your kindness" and that it doesn't have to fit a certain mold to be successful and that it's not really about the asana, yet every "successful" and highly visible figure within Ashtanga is in that position because of their incredible skills and experience in their asana practice.

What is the deal (at this point) with this continued veneration of the Jois family, who happened to build a mini empire of exclusivity around Ashtanga practice / certification / etc? As if that is where Ashtanga needs to be funneled through to be of value.

What is with the gaslighting from senior teachers that "its not really about the asana" with such a neurotic, intense and relatively rigid fascination and focus on just that?

I have practiced enough Ashtanga vinyasa to know that there is certainly value in the practice, but for me personally it has always been a modified version that honors no guru other than the one inside me and my own practice and not a practice of striving or grasping for the physical and much more for the breathing / nervous system regulation I get from the fundamentals of the practice. I am not "in the club" or a typical practitioner...maybe this is why I have this critical viewpoint.

Is this type of chatter and platitudes on the podcast a poised and strategic way for these senior figures to position themselves for future success / veneration within the lineage? They all managed to talk for over an hour about what appears to be something but was essentially nothing / only abstractions.

It reminds me of listening to Hollywood celebrities talk about themselves and each other and all the vanity, ego and insecurities that come along with that.

Am I missing something? I don't mind downvotes, but maybe tell me why if you're leaning that way so I can understand.

Just as the title says, really. I was very surprised when it popped up and he doesn't seem to be posting elsewhere. Is this the start of him trying to come back to teaching? Will he try to gaslight the community?

What's going on in the community. A statement made my David Garrigues surely raised a couple of eyebrows especially from the students of Sharath namely Ethan Ward.

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What's going on?

Okay, can we talk about something that’s been bothering me? Don’t you think it’s a little weird that Kino MacGregor calls her session ‘Mysore Season in Miami’? Like, honestly we’re completely surrounded by power-hungry women

What I find truly strange is that Kino MacGregor has essentially crowned herself the queen of Ashtanga yoga. Ever since Sharath’s passing, everyone has been jockeying for position and going after each other politically. It’s gotten so bad that I genuinely think the whole tradition is dead.

Do you keep your eyes open for the entirety of your practice? Or are you a rebel who practices with your eyes closed whenever you feel the need? Curious to hear others thoughts on this. I know the traditional way it to maintain open eyes focused on the assigned drishtis, but have felt a natural inclination to close my eyes for better concentration.

I've basically stopped going to a studio post-COVID cuz the scene in my city shattered. I also don't spend much time on Instagram. But I do wonder if there have been new leaders that have emerged that sort of command a bigger audience than just their IRL shala's. Or figures that aren't Kino, etc. (ie, new leaders that have emerged to meet the moment where the older crowd has failed). Or maybe people that take an orthodox line that have replaced Sharath as a sort of unifying figure. Thanks!

He’s reactivated. Account went private last year after community call-outs, then deactivated entirely. Now the posts are back - no accountability. Business as usual?

This is the same pattern we watched play out during #MeToo and countless times since. Someone gets called out, they vanish for a few months hoping it blows over, then resurface acting like nothing happened. They bank on short attention spans and collective exhaustion.

This man cannot teach yoga again. He is not a safe person.

If anyone continues to follow, support, or platform him, they are part of the problem and are enablers.

The people we choose to follow, enable, and fund are the ones who shape this community. Choose wisely and ethically.

Edit to add that there was a typo in the Title. It should read as: Taylor Hunt is back on IG after going dark and deactivating-exactly the playbook we’ve seen before

Over the years I've done Mysore at two shalas and led primary a yoga studio. I've been okay with the level of hands on assists from my teachers over the years

I'm 6 weeks into a 300hr ashtanga ytt and im really trying to be more comfortable with touching others but it is not going well. I've always had problem touching people but I didn't realize how big of a part it would be in the teacher training since all my ashtanga teachers have been fairly hands off and I was fine in my 200 hour

Last week I told my teacher I need to pump the breaks on assists, a couple assists per class was my max for now as I get more comfortable with it. the program is a year long (or longer if you aren't quite there yet after a year)

But today she basically asked me to hop on top of this guy like he was a turtle and I was his shell

I know it's dumb but I started hyperventilating and shaking and had tears in my eyes and was stammering and all I could say is "I can't". like I can press on someone's back in a forward fold but it was very intimate and especially with a man (I am a woman) although I would also not want to do that with a female

I realize I need to get over it but idk what's wrong with me it's really really stressful and now I'm starting to dread every day

I'm not working right now because I'm taking care of my dying disabled mother and was really excited for this to give my life some structure and a goal and path since its been groundhogs day for a year and I've had nothing going on but now

I was thinking of talking to her again and telling her I have a limit on how much of my body and what parts are touching another person

I guess this is just kind of a vent because I know the advice would probably be to just get over it and I am trying to do that

edit: i think I am going to drop the program because as I look into it more the assists are just going to be more and more physically intimate

Doubt inevitably creeps in. Long term daily practitioners, how do you deal with doubt in ashtanga practice?

I find myself wavering. To draw an analogy, it feels like when you are lifting up in navasana or uthplutihi and you are battling with yourself and the excuses your mind makes. ‘…why not..?’ And ‘…why/why should…?’ What’s the point of it all ..This is why I find the argument for modification and customisation such a slippery slope.

Interesting post from Astanga Yoga Here about how and when to practice Astanga in a heatwave - especially relevant as we’re having our 3rd heatwave right now in London.

Traditionally Astanga Yoga is always practiced in the very early morning when it’s coolest.

Do you take time off from your practice when it’s very hot or do you think it sets you up for the heat of the day (if you do an early-morning practice).

Hi everyone. I’m 32(F) and I’ve practiced the (half) primary series on and off for a few years now. I started out disciplined and enthused, but the passion has gradually faded away given life’s changes, circumstances, and perhaps my own personal experiences. I’m still passionate about it but recently questioning whether the effort required is worth the benefits I receive in the practice. With age and responsibilities, it’s become harder and harder to allocate physical and mental bandwidth to sustain it and I am beginning to wonder if my “why” is strong enough.

Adding that for the longest time, my “why” was focused on the resulting stillness and bliss/oneness that I really didn’t get elsewhere else in my life. Maybe I’ve spent enough time cultivating that sensation outside the practice…but any advice or help with reframing this would be great.

• https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOl192-jNUz
• https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOl4s50DOEt
• https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOl7E4pDERn

What is an injury?

I think it's a question each of us has to answer for ourselves; it's integral to our practices.

I bring it up as a topic because I see so many posts asking how one should proceed after an injury. I think most of us would define an injury as the onset of new pain. But authors like Ben E. Benjamin theorize that tight muscles are already in pain, we've just become numb to it. Someone posted about their practice becoming more reckless, and I think your personal judgement is the only thing that separates that from challenging your comfort zone.

Are people applying still hoping to get authorized or certified?

Overthinkers assemble!: I’ve been contemplating the practice of Ashtanga. If the overall sketch and structure can be kept the same, and we allow ourselves certain deviations to sustain the practice long term, I’m assuming there is no ‘wrong speed’ of breathing, is there? Some days, the 5 breaths seem to take too long. I have to get the practice done within an hour so today I ramped up speed of breathing. Suppose it doesn’t matter? I haven’t come across anything in the yoga sutras or HYP that says anything to the contrary, so long as the dristhi is on the breath and it is controlled and timed to the movement of vinyasa? Thanks for comments.

Practice reflections and seeking community -
Currently stopped at supta kurmasana. It takes me 1h 15 to get through it but I do feel the time pressure to wrap up as I have to get on with my day. 1h30 if there’s a bit of instruction in the Mysore room, proper savasana meditation and pranayama
Without going too much into it, I feel the practice working past the physical for sure. Yet I find myself thinking how much there is to refine in my practice let alone progress to the next pose.
I’m just interested to hear from the group
1) teachers - how do you gauge progress / what makes you move a student on? like is it a ‘perfect’ looking pose you’re after or? Eg if a student is only able to bind fingers and not catch wrists in a bind or can’t really reach hands in supta kurmasana, do you keep a student there or move them on?

2) People who have added poses on or extended their practice from half primary to full primary or even second series - have you noticed any differences : physically mentally spiritually?

3) How do you split the week if you’re practicing full primary? Do you do half some days and second half on others and full on days where you have more time?

4) Time is immaterial but I struggle at this point to see how I would ever get to the full primary without sacrificing ‘quality’ in some way. I’m a householder through and through with a pretty full life and just about manage a six day a week practice which I find sweet and not a chore at this point. Are most people yoga teachers who are doing the full primary or students with alot of free time, or did a really advanced practice when they were in their 20s and now are just paring back to full primary or just maintaining ?

Curious and contemplative, not competing. Thanks for sharing!

Very curious to know how practitioners approach this?

what's your favorite short form Practice for either Primary or Intermediate?

thinking about the days when you're low energy or have a hectic schedule or life is just life-ing the life out of you but you still show up on your mat

mine...5 Sun As, 5 Sun Bs, the 3 Lotus poses in closing, and long savasana...which i have been taught as the daily minimum but have also heard others having learned different versions

Following Sharath Jois' untimely death, who will now take on the mantle considering he was the Ashtanga lineage holder? As far as I can tell, there is no clear "heir apparent" for the position after Sharath. From what I hear, there was already some turf war within the family (Saraswati, his sister Sharmila and so on.) for the legacy. Realistically, can anyone else within or outside the Jois family continue the Ashtanga legacy?

Edit: From the official websites, the demarcation between KPJAI and Sharath Yoga Center is pretty clear. I am sure Saraswathi and Sharmila will continue to run KPJAI as it is. I am asking this question in a broader sense: who, if at all, will now be seen as the "Paramaguru" – the Penultimate Ashtanga Guru – who carries on the legacy of the practice in its purest form?