How to start practicing Ashtanga Yoga

Sara Matic
Jul 3
4 min read

Find a good Teacher.

I am so tempted to stop there and say, "Boom! Blog post DONE"... but I won't ☻

So you've decided to venture into the unknown, leap into the void and join our little cult.

Well, I'm excited for you!

Starting Ashtanga Yoga is more accessible now than ever before - endless choice of online classes, hundreds of teachers worldwide and more Yoga studios than I can count. While this does mean that learning the Ashtanga practice is within close reach, it also brings about quite a bit of confusion. No need to panic; I will shed some light for you, my future Yogi friend.

'Should I practice online or in person? How many times a week? What if I'm not flexible? Does it hurt? Are Ashtanga people weird? Do I have to be spiritual?' - These are only some of the questions we have all asked ourselves in the beginning. Don't worry, you're not alone in any of your doubts or judgments. Many people feel intimidated to start their Yoga practice and the online Yoga representation doesn't really help either.

To get started you're going to need 3 things - yourself, a good teacher and a willingness to learn.

Let's start with the first and most important part - yourself. Your venture into Ashtanga Yoga is exactly that - your venture. You decide when and where you would like to start, and the best time to start is when you feel drawn to it; when that little voice inside your head goes - "Hm, what's that? That looks interesting. I wonder if I could do that? Once that little voice has spoken, don't hold yourself back - go for it! To start practicing Ashtanga Yoga you do not have to be of a certain age, it doesn't matter if you are able to touch your toes and you don't have to be strong or flexible. The method is made to accommodate and support you in whatever phase you find yourself in. We do not compete, perform, push or grind so you don't need to be 'prepared' to start practicing. You do not need to be at a certain level in your body. OK?! Ok. I'm glad we cleared that up. Let's not have to go there again.

The second and just as important part of starting your Ashtanga practice - finding a good teacher. While there are many books out there that teach the method well (a few recommendations at the bottom), learning certain elements will require a good teacher.

How to find a good Ashtanga Yoga teacher?

Unfortunately for you, me and the entire world out there, the requirements for becoming an Ashtanga Yoga teacher are often diminished, and the Ashtanga Yoga system is more often than not, exploited. So how do you recognise a good teacher in this hot mess? Well...

Be curious, ask questions. Do not go into this blindly. Open your eyes, do your research and get informed. Your scepticism is more than welcome here.
Ask for a recommendation. Do you know someone that already does Ashtanga? We're a relatively tight community and chances are even your international friends might have a nearby Ashtanga teacher to recommend. But! still make sure to discern for yourself. Just because your best friend likes the teacher, doesn't mean you have to too.
Ashtanga Yoga is experiential - look for a teacher that practices what they teach and teaches what they practice; a teacher who not only talks the talk, but more importantly, walks the walk. Be wary of 'intuitive' teachers who 'tweak' the method according to their personal preferences. Even more so be wary of teachers who talk badly about the method yet still decide to 'sell' it. Look for a genuine teacher with experience and perhaps someone who shares the same values as you do.
Find a teacher that will guide you outside of your comfort zone. Don't look for a cuddly teddy bear that feeds you compliments and cradles you; you're looking for growth! Find a teacher that recognises your blindspots and gives you guidance as you manoeuvre through challenges.

Once you find a teacher that works for you, make a commitment. Stick to that teacher and learn from them. Avoid 'collecting' teachers and workshops; it's not a Pokemon contest, you don't have to catch them all. Over time, building a relationship with one teacher will give you as much as the practice itself - trust me on this one.

Now, if you don't have a teacher that teaches within your reach, online is definitely not a bad choice. If you ask me (since you're here I'm guessing you are asking me) I recommend starting with my teacher (of course) via her online platform larugayoga.online

And finally, that third and most difficult part of starting your Ashtanga Yoga practice - the willingness to learn. Ashtanga is a 'think for yourself' type of method which makes most people feel quite uncomfortable at first. It asks of you to make a commitment to yourself and hold yourself accountable. So - decide how many times a week you can practice (typically beginners start with 3 times a week), choose a realistic time schedule that matches your work / obligations and stick to it. This part is entirely up to you. No one else can do this for you. Be responsible and show up for yourself.

Until next time...

oṃ śrī gurubhyo namaḥ

ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः।

'I bow with reverence to the glorious and revered teachers'

Book recommendations:

Yoga Mala - Phattabi Jois
Ashtanga Yoga - Sharat Jois
Light on Yoga - Iyengar (this is not a book about the Ashtanga Yoga method but it is a fantastic book by BKS Iyengar that wonderfully explains the 8 limbs of Yoga)

Listening to: ♪ My Way - Tanner Ross & Slow Hands

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