We support your Ashtanga yoga as a lifestyle with the Keen on Yoga blog. Adam and our network of colleagues, peers and friends provide content to help with challenges and struggles you may encounter along the way. All branches of practice are covered, including asana, yoga philosophy and healthy eating.
Our aim is that by sharing this journey of practice from many angles and perspectives and combined years of experience, we can lend a hand in not only guiding but inspiring, enriching and supporting your process.
If there is any subject you would like to ask us to write about or have a contributor suggest, contact us at info@keenonyoga.com
Introduction to The History of Ashtanga Yoga in The West
Introduction to the History of Ashtanga Yoga in The West This is a preliminary sketch of the history of Ashtanga Yoga as it evolved over...
Nancy Gilgoff Ashtanga Yoga As It Was
Nancy Gilgoff Ashtanga Yoga As It Was This is a direct repost of Nancy's article. I have already covered a lot of this in blog...
Yoga and Ayurveda
Yoga and Ayurveda There's always been an intermingling of ideas between yoga and Ayurveda. So much so that Ayurveda has often been called the 'sister...
The Meaning of Tristana
The Meaning of Tristana Tristana translates to three places. The term was first coined by Pattabhi Jois to describe the techniques involved in his method...
The 5 Kleshas – Obstacles to Yoga
The 5 Kleshas It's good to know well our enemy. Or, put another way, along the spiritual path it's extremely helpful to have some understanding...
The Purusharthas
The purusharthas are Artha, Dharma, Karma, and Moksa. These are the four pillars of Vedic life. In other words, the useful objects of our aims...
Recommended yoga books
Adam is often asked for his recommended yoga books. The list below will help to give you a broader perspective of yoga, including the Ashtanga...
Glossary of yoga terms
This is a list of yoga terms that come up in yoga philosophy texts and discussions that you may not be familiar with. If you...
timeline of important yoga texts
Below is a timeline of important yoga texts having an emphasis on hatha yoga. 1800-1000 BCE RG Veda There are four Vedas; Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda,...
Ten Most Important Yoga Sutras
This is a list of the most important Yoga Sutras in our opinion. It is a good place to start if you are a beginner...
The Original Ashtanga Yoga Sequence
The original Ashtanga yoga sequence of Ashtanga yoga differs from how students learn the 'traditional sequence' today. When the first western students arrived in Mysore...
What is Samsara?
What is Samsara? The term samsara, literally turning, refers to a never-ending chain of cause and effect that we are subject to. One circumstance exerting...
Ashtanga Teachers By Arrival Date In Mysore
We created the chronology below after interviewing so many Ashtanga teachers and hearing about their early experiences in Mysore. The reason for this is to...
What is Dharma?
What is Dharma? Dharma is at the very centre of yoga philosophy. When thinking about the very foundation, what brings all the diverse viewpoints and...
Yoga Philosophy for Beginners
This is a short introduction to yoga philosophy for beginners. Where should we start, what should we read? What is the essence of the method...
When Should I Start Intermediate Series?
When should I start intermediate series is a question that often comes up pretty early in Ashtanga practice. The second series was originally taught to...
Trying to Keep Yoga Simple – by Ross Stambaugh
This post was written by Ross Stambaugh aka Ashtanga Yoga Ross. I’ve written below three little sayings that have helped me keep my yoga practice...
Ashtanga Yoga Breathing – Is It Ujjayi Breath?
The Breathing in Ashtanga Yoga - Is it ujjayi? An incredibly common question to hear from students is what is the correct breathing in ashtanga...
Can you learn Ashtanga Yoga Online?
With lockdown looming, I remember that last week in the London studio where I had taught for over ten years. As most of the shops...
Peg Mulqueen – Guilt and Shame: The Poisons of Practice
This post is authored by Peg Mulqueen and is available in full on her website Ashtanga Dispatch. She wrote it in response to the recent...
SANTINA GIARDINA-CHARD – The Square of Life: The Feeling is The Secret
Saturday 11th December | 8.00am UK | 7.00pm Sydney 2 hours | Recording available Creating clarity on the Ideal State of Being, based on the teachings of...
The Myth of Progress in Yoga
We all want to see visible, quantifiable progress in yoga practice. This is the predominent question regarding our yoga practice; am I getting better or...
No Better Teacher Than Direct Experience – Marque Garaux Ashtanga
Guest Post by Marque Garaux of Great Lakes Ashtanga Yoga This past week I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Adam Keen for his...
Devotion in Yoga
Devotion in yoga is often mistaken as part of the process of yoga or how we reach it. Whilst there is some grain of truth...
Can Yoga Make You Less Flexible in Life?
I have come across many people over my years of teaching Ashtanga Yoga, who have either told me, or, otherwise it’s been noticeable, that they...
The Yoga Teacher-Student Relationship
Is it really such a big deal, after all? Can’t we be adults about it like any normal relationship, apply our regular ‘boundaries’ and operate...
Emotions in Asanas
It is assumed in the yoga process that we are trying to escape from our emotions. However, this may be the end result, that we...
Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga
The eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga literally translated means 8 limbed yoga ashto = eight and anga = limb. This structure has its origins in...
Is Ashtanga Yoga Hard?
"Is Ashtanga Yoga Hard?" I am asked this question often and it's asked a most common internet search. Well, as always, it depends on what...
The Yoga Sutras on Practice
It is often assumed when we get into yoga that or development in practice is about increasing our ‘specialness’. Indeed, it’s hard to view it...