This podcast discusses the delicate balance between following rules and embracing freedom in yoga and life. Using Ashtanga yoga as a focal point, I highlight the necessity of structure for safety, grace, and empowerment while also exploring the pitfalls of rigid rule-following. I challenge the idea that rules are inherently restrictive or harmful, and address the danger of adopting a “do what feels good” approach without discernment.

Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Vasistha, I delve into the messy nuances of navigating right action, creativity, and flexibility within a system. The discussion examines the limitations of rigid practices, such as strict adherence to Ashtanga’s set sequences, while emphasizing the importance of allowing for personalization and adaptability.

By addressing the harm of extremes—having no rules versus rigidly following them—I advocate for embracing complexity and balance in both yoga and teaching. Ultimately, yoga points us toward total freedom: the ability to respond spontaneously and skillfully to the moment, transcending outdated ideas and rigid structures. This conversation provides thoughtful insights for yoga practitioners, teachers, and anyone seeking to navigate life’s complexities with grace and wisdom.

So sad that Sharath has departed so suddenly and so soon from this world. I’m thankful to have known him. I will remember him as a strong lineage holder, I will draw upon him for continued inspiration as a loving soul who carried on the torch of Ashtanga yoga with all his heart! The first and third photos were taken when I had the honor of hosting the family in Seattle in 2002. I offer my love and prayers to the Jois family and the whole world wide Ashtanga community.

Here are my thoughts.

In this podcast, David defines the grand concept of Kundalini and how this main concept is associated with more familiar terms such as Prana, Shakti, Nadis, Shushumna, Mudra, Prana and Apana Vayu, as well as Mula, Uddiyana, and Jalandhara Bandhas.

He outlines the classic tantric imagery that is ubiquitous to many of the sacred texts and discusses the relevance of this important schemata to the practice of asana, vinyasa, and pranayama.

David reads from such sacred Hatha Yoga texts as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Geranda Samhita, and Prasna Upanishad to give examples how the kundalini language and schemata are inherently embedded in these texts.

He also gives examples of how the 7 asana principles are a secret, disguised road map to kundalini awakening. The asana principles: 1) Samasthiti is every pose, 2)crouch and spring to transition 3) ground legs and arms 4) awaken spine 5) tap breath 6 ) seal in energy 7) play with opposites

In this month's podcast David answers four questions from students:

1) How do I balance Yoga and Family obligations?

2) How did David start teaching and what were some struggles in the beginning?

3) Should Ashtanga evolve?

4) Why are there some postures and vinyasas I struggle to do without your (DG's) instruction?

Using Yoga Sutras 3:48 and 3:49, David breaks down the indriyas and discusses how to explore them on the mat.

• Analysis of the great yogi Krishnamacharya’s statement that not all asanas are meant to be done by everyone—each individual will have their own custom list of asanas based on such factors as: age, experience, aptitude, interest, work or family responsibilities.

• Probing the question of how important it is in Ashtanga to keep doing more postures and more difficult series.

• Thoughts about the teachings in the Yoga Vashista that say, “A yogi should never make the least effort to get what doesn’t come to him/her/they without effort.”

• Exploration of the word wisdom. What does the Bhagadvad Gita mean when it says: “Wisdom is the goal of every action.”

• The importance of centering one’s practice around the foundational poses

• Interpretation of a passage from the Isha Upanishad on finding balance between devoting oneself to the material and spiritual aspects of one’s life.

• Recitation of a Kabir poem that that speaks to turning one’s attention to the mystery of it all.

The podcast is meant to let people know that it's natural and essential to show up to one’s mat in any number of different physical and mental states. Dealing with one’s darkness is as much part of the process as reaching for the light. And so there’s no need to feel like a bad yogi when you find that you are not happy or not detached--all the of the time.

David questions the heavily marketed idea that yoga is primarily about wellness or feeling good or happy all of the time. There’s an idea that a good yogi detaches from all afflictions and masterfully transcends or stops negative impulses or reactive emotions.

The models that populate yoga magazines and social media outlets are almost always shown to be strong, flexible, serene, happy, in control and at peace. David points out how these depictions are misleading and at odds with what actually happens when one takes up a steady daily practice. In fact, practice partly serves to help one raise up the darkness within, to face one’s shadow, and come into meaningful contact with one’s suffering.

David discusses James Hillman’s idea that human growth and wisdom is only partly about overcoming darkness or reaching for the light or attaining to the high-pinnacled peak of spiritual ascendancy. Soul, in contrast to spirit, is the other equally important part of the equation for self discovery, self mastery, and self knowledge. Questing for soul involves traveling downward into the blue, dark, shadowy valleys of the psyche. David speaks about Hillman's insistence that the soul actually gains insight and wisdom through encountering afflictions (desires, attachments, fears, anger, sadness, grief, abandonment, loneliness, jealousy, and other strong emotions) rather than merely attempting to disengage, cut, repress or otherwise get rid of these challenging states.

David reads several poems from such Bhakti poets as: Mirabai, Tulsidas, Hafiz, and Kabir to illustrate how these yogis accepted, worked with, and transformed their darkness into creative works instead of rejecting or shunning such aspects of themselves. Enjoy!

Aparigraha by David Garrigues

All things Dristi, a Podcast is devoted gazing, an important aspect of Ashtanga/Hatha Yoga Technology. Themes include:

**Summary of the 9 most common gazing points (right and left sides of Parsva Dristi constitute 9 points):

1) Angusthamadhye Dristi –Middle of the Thumb

2) Bhrumadhye Dristi—Between Eyebrows, Third Eye

3) Nasagre—Down the nose

4) Hastagrahe—Hand

5) Parsva—Side

6) Urdhva Dristi—Above, Up, Rising

7) Nabhi Chakra—Magical Navel Circle

8) Padayoragre—feet

*Discussion of the physical science of Dristi

** The wisdom of considering the overall mechanics of your positioning instead of thinking only of focusing your eyes in specific direction or on a chosen part of your body.

**Meet the challenge of maintaining an aligned spinal column and a sound head position as you work with the gazing point for each asana.

**Practice as though the act of gazing originates at the base of your spine and therefore gazing comes from your center.

**The merits of alternating between 3 basic head positions in each pose: 1) Head up 2) 2) Head level 3) Head down (Jalandhara Bandha-esque) in each pose. This means instead of taking each gazing point too literally, you use different head positions and looking places in order to better use your senses to perceive your body’s position in space.

*Alternate definitions of Dristi to give a more symbolic, psychological, and spiritual interpretation of the technology. Definitions of Dristi and branching discussions include:

**Vision, view, notion, theory, attitude, point of view—related having your vision or notion about the pose you are making and also extending your visions and notions to other aspects of your life.

**Seeing with the mental eye, knowing, knowledge, intellect, wisdom---related to the confidence and boldness in expressing your pose or transition and also extends the knowledge or wisdom or intuition that you bring to larger, more meaningful choices that you make beyond your mat

**Regard, consideration, care—Besides where you look, Dristi is about how you look-- the quality and care of your attention, the intention behind your effort, the depth and penetrative aspect of what you see or focus on

**Discussion of the highest definition of Dristi using the Jain definition that says Dristi is simply “the right application of Faith”—also Dristi-gazing—seves to help you drive away wrong faith or wrong perception with right faith or right perception

In this podcast, David Garrigues describes how to use his new book, Ashtanga Yoga Vinyasa: Movement,, Breath, and Posture.

The book can be purchased on David's website or in your home country's Amazon.

With his new book, Ashtanga Yoga Vinyasa: Movement, Breath and Posture in the Primary Series, David Garrigues has created a concise yet comprehensive technical manual on AshtangaYoga as well a mystical, poetic treatise on the greater subject of yoga. An instant Hatha Yoga classic, this offering is sure to be a trusted companion for present and future generations of yoga lovers.

The book provides the reader with an unprecedented, easy-to-follow breakdown of every single vinyasa (and pose) of the Primary Series. The instructions are bullet-points that contain skillfully articulated directions for doing the transitions and poses along with unique, potent cues on such essential Hatha yoga themes as pranayama (controlling the breath), vinyasa (transitions), mudra, (energetic seals/gestures), bandha (energetic locks), drsti (gazing points), meditation, philosophy, Indian folklore, the five elements, and more.

This book is an unprecedented road map to the art of yoga, it shares the teachings of Ashtanga in ways that promote physical, psychological, and spiritual growth.