Ashtanga Yoga: Discipline, Breath, and a Sense of Humour

Why I Love Ashtanga Yoga

My relationship with Ashtanga yoga goes back over 30 years, and I can honestly say it’s the longest relationship of my life. Of course, it hasn’t been linear. Life happened—moving from London to rural Devon, raising a family—so my practice wasn’t always consistent. But I never let go of it. Instead, I adapted, keeping up with my practice in a way that suited each stage of life.

After I lost my teacher due to the move, I kept going on my own and sought out people to practice with. The turning point came during the Covid lockdown when online classes became more accessible. That’s when my old love for Ashtanga was rekindled in full swing.

So, why do I love Ashtanga so much? Here are my four biggest reasons.

1. Ashtanga Provides Endless Challenges

You start with the primary series and gradually learn more postures, moving into their deeper, full versions. Just when you think you've mastered something, there’s always another challenge ahead. I love that! 

2. The Fixed Sequences Make It a Self-Sufficient Practice

Ashtanga follows a set sequence of postures, designed to be practised as a self-led routine. Once you’ve learned the sequence, you can practice alone at home, with friends, or in a Mysore-style, Self-Practice class, where you receive guidance and adjustments from a teacher while moving at your own pace. This structure makes it a deeply personal and independent practice.

3. The Breath-Movement Connection

Many have written about the power of linking breath to movement, but it still feels like a mystery to me. No matter how jumbled my mind feels when I begin, something shifts as I move with my breath. By the time I reach savasana, my mind is calm, and I experience a profound tranquillity.

4. The Sense of Humour in the Practice

Behind the intense, sweaty practice and the sound of Ujjayi breath, there’s an underlying sense of humour. It’s as if to say, ‘Don’t take the asanas too seriously. It’s only the physical body!’ David Swenson often says, Can’t do it? Don’t worry, be happy! That light-hearted approach is something I deeply appreciate.

The Drawbacks of Ashtanga Yoga

Of course, no practice is perfect. Here are a couple of the common drawbacks I’ve encountered.

1. Injury

The biggest one is probably the injury. I think this is mostly down to the attitude of the practitioner getting too impatient or competitive, perhaps with oneself. Some teachers may also push students too hard. It’s important to remember that your teacher doesn’t know your body. It’s your practice, and you’re in charge, not your teacher.

I must say this attitude has become easier with age and experience. I have now accepted I will never achieve certain postures, or don’t even want to achieve them. There are so many postures to explore. Try, have fun, and have a good go at it by all means, but why do you insist on one which does serve you?

2. The Monotony

Not many people admit this, but Ashtanga can be monotonous. Of course. You repeat the same sequence day after day. But that’s also where its magic lies. There is value in practising the same postures and you will definitely see the difference in your practice  It’s like swimming, running, or playing an musical instrument—improvement requires discipline, and sometimes that means pushing through the boredom.

That said, what you find monotonous today might not feel that way forever. I used to find sun salutations dull and repetitive—now, I love them! Your body discovers new layers within the same postures, and your relationship with them changes over time.

And nothing is stopping you from exploring other styles of yoga. I occasionally try different practices, but I always come back to Ashtanga.

So these are my personal thoughts on Ashtanga yoga, the biggest love of my life after my children. If you’ve practised Ashtanga, what has your experience been like? Do you love it, struggle with it, or both? I’d love to hear your thoughts!