ASHTANGA YOGA INTERMEDIATE SERIES DOWNLOAD
Adam learned Ashtanga yoga intermediate series in the modern ‘traditional’ way in Mysore with Sharathji. This meant that a posture had to be ‘completed’, and to quite a high standard, before the next was given. He completed Intermediate series and Advanced A with Sharathji by his fourth trip to Mysore, but many were ‘stuck’ on the same posture for up to ten years.
Read his story and thoughts below and download his Ashtanga yoga intermediate series chart.
For me, this worked okay, as a young and able student at the time. But, when I went back home to teach my own classes in London, I found that it didn’t. Because the average student, who is not a full-time yoga teacher, generally starts later in life and has many work-life commitments to juggle, will likely struggle with some or many of the postures in their ‘full’ form. What this effectively means then, is that these individuals, and this is probably most, are limited to working on Primary series forever.
This is detrimental in a number of ways. Most obviously, that it doesn’t allow the balance to the forward folds of Primary series, through attempting the many varied movements that Intermediate series provides. Which, I strongly believe can be accessed by everyone, if we as teachers and practitioners adapt the postures to suit our, unique bodies.
And this was the way it was originally taught in Mysore after all. When the early students arrived, they were taught a version of both Primary and Intermediate in their first three month stays. Now, this may be a little fast, but it does stand to indicate a precedent.
WHEN SHOULD I START ASHTANGA YOGA INTERMEDIATE SERIES?
If you’ve been practicing Primary for more than a year, you should definitely be moving on to the Ashtanga yoga Intermediate series. Done carefully, and with a good dose of pragmatism, these postures will inevitably develop, leading to not only developing others, but also those postures in Primary series that are still found challenging.
Of course, there’s no substitute for a good teacher here. Even so, as long as you’re not pushing yourself beyond what’s comfortable, adding Intermediate will be found extremely beneficial on your practice journey.
You can find more about me on my website www.keenonyoga.com drop by for an online Mysore some time, I would look forward to meeting you, or get in touch at info@keenonyoga.com or by DM on my socials.
