Ashtanga Yoga: the magic of repetition and progression. Let's dive into how this natural inclination towards repetition can supercharge your Ashtanga Yoga practice.
Ashtanga Yoga Full Primary Series
The Rhythm of Repetition
Ashtanga Yoga is all about flowing through a set sequence of postures, known as asanas. You might think, "Aiyoh, every day the same poses, won’t it get boring?" But here's the thing—repetition is where the power lies. Just like how our favourite nasi lemak stall perfects their sambal over the years, repeating the same sequence in Ashtanga helps you refine your practice. Your body starts to remember the movements, your mind becomes more focused, and your breath aligns beautifully with each pose.
Think of it like learning to ride a bicycle. The first few tries, you're wobbly, maybe even falling into a longkang (hopefully not too deep!). But with each attempt, you get better. Your muscles remember the balance, your reflexes sharpen, and before you know it, you're cycling around your neighbourhood like a pro. The same goes for Ashtanga. Repetition helps ingrain the practice into your very being, making each movement more natural and fluid.
The Power of Progression
Now, let’s talk about progression. Ashtanga Yoga isn’t just about doing the same thing over and over. It's also about moving forward, step by step. In Ashtanga, we follow a series of sequences, starting with the Primary Series and advancing through Intermediate and Advanced Series as we grow stronger and more flexible.
Learning each pose in Ashtanga is a journey in itself. You don’t learn the entire series in one class. It takes months, sometimes even years, to learn and complete all the poses - and the journey is worth every of your effort. Imagine you’re hiking up Mount Kinabalu. You don’t just lompat to the peak in one go, betul tak? You take it one step at a time, resting at checkpoints, acclimating to the altitude, and pushing forward when you're ready. Similarly, in Ashtanga, each time you master a pose, you’re preparing yourself for the next challenge. It's a journey, not a sprint.
Take our local cuisine as another example. Making the perfect bowl of laksa requires patience and progression—each step, from boiling the broth to balancing the spices, is crucial. Similarly, Ashtanga teaches us patience and the beauty of gradual progress.
So, next time you roll out your mat, embrace the repetition. Feel the familiarity of each pose and notice the subtle improvements. Celebrate the small victories and remember that each step forward, no matter how tiny, is progress.
Last but not least—Ashtanga Yoga is never a boring practice, no matter how often you do it. Commit to a month (minimum three times a week) to practice Ashtanga and you will understand why.
Happy practicing, and remember, like mastering the art of making teh tarik, becoming proficient in Ashtanga Yoga is all about consistency and dedication.
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