Even for advanced practitioners, Ashtanga yoga is reckoned for some kind of mind-numbing challenge. Posing a formidable test equally that of stamina, flexibility, and will, Ashtanga yoga truly invites the yogi to break their own perceived limits and become something amazing.
But the level of challenge is not all there is to Ashtanga. Full of vim and vigor and having the potential of effective strength building, Ashtanga sequences engage the participant’s mind, body, and soul, helping them build a mainly self-led practice routine incorporating the dimensions of full body movement, breath, and psychical concentration. Though appreciated widely for the scope of self-lead, in Ashtanga, initiation takes a central place in the learning procedure and before the participants are ready to carry forward the tasks of this yoga, hands-on guidance from an experienced teacher is imperative.
That is why it can be really worth it to try out a specifically Ashtanga-style Yoga Retreat. Introduction to primary-level sets and sequences and follow-up tips provided at these retreats regarding Ashtanga will help you in the steps of furthering your learning. Retreats cost way less than any yoga teacher training course fees but provide general guidelines of Ashtanga learning all the same.
Here are five fascinating reasons why you must attend such a retreat—
Learning to Breathe and Glide through Tough Situations
Ashtanga in its perfect element is an intense breathing exercise. One breath through each movement, leading by breath. The desired bearing is held together by the means of deepening and shallowing, regulated breathing.
The asana lessons come with pranayamic advantages. Pranayama routines like Ujjayi or Bhramari are singularly integrated with the movement to bring about the maximization of desired physiological results. Calm to the central nervous system, stabilization of the heartbeat, and a freshly oxygenated and strengthened cardiovascular system is all part and parcel of the breathing advantages of Ashtanga Yoga.
The Repetition Makes Things Enjoyable and One Starts Finding Their Own Rhythm
Dedicated Ashtangis love to be on the repeat mode every time they come down on the mat. The postures are specified by the series you have currently taken up, and the sequencing remains the same in it.
The part to love about this is how nicely the sheer repetition of things brings out the best in us, a little differently every day. There is a perceivable growing awareness developing about the unpredictable balance and shifts involved in the sequence. More coordination is found between the body parts, and between the intent and the movement by each passing day. Also, by being repetitive you get to find a rhythm of flowing through the sequence which is unique and entirely of your own.
Beautiful Hands-On Adjustment and Alignments
Hands-on alignment is one such prerequisite that every yogi admits to feeling at different points of their practice. Ashtanga being a challenging yoga style, often gets attempters into a pickle or merely sets them incorrectly. On a retreat, you will get some always on the lookout for wrongful alignments and things will be made right smoothly with hands-on, intuitive contact-based adjustment-alignment by someone experienced.
Retreating at Heritage Ashtanga Yoga Places Gives One Necessary Exposure to Subtler Elements of the Discipline
O yes, you would be completely off the mark to think that just asana, breathing, and meditation settle the path of learning for Ashtanga disciples. The eight-limbed Ashtanga has several other aspects related to morals, ethics, and transcendence. All these subtle and metaphysical topics receive elaborate introductions at Ashtanga-specific retreats, thus completing your initiation in the discipline.
