Ep 186 Adam Keen – Things I've Changed My Mind on About Teaching Ashtanga
Release Date: 08/17/2024
Ep 204 Adam Keen – The Power of Intentionality
Keen on Yoga Podcast
Ep 204 Adam Keen – The Power of Intentionality "Embrace things as they are." "We don't lack anything." Adam delves into the concept of intentionality within spiritual practice, particularly in the context of yoga. He emphasizes the importance of transforming mundane routines into meaningful rituals, the role of intentionality in achieving clarity and presence, and the balance between desire and appreciation. Adam discusses the necessity of faith, effort, and reflection in spiritual growth, as well as the courage required to face reality and embrace life as it is. He concludes with...
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Ep 203 Ramesh Bjonnes – The Intersection of Tantra and Vedic Traditions
Keen on Yoga Podcast
Ep 203 Ramesh Bjonnes – The Intersection of Tantra and Vedic Traditions "Everything has the possibility of yoga." | Ramesh Bjonnes is a Tantric scholar and author with a personal practice for over 50 years. He is the co-founder of the Prama Institute and the Director of the Prama Wellness Center. He lived and taught as a yogic monk for some years after studying in Nepal and India. He studied Ayurveda at California College of Ayurveda and is a certified yoga detox therapist from the Ananda Marga Wellness Center in Cebu, Philippines. He is the author of five books, including A Brief...
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Ep 202 Adam Keen – Exploring the Roots of Vinyasa
Keen on Yoga Podcast
Ep 202 Adam Keen – Exploring the Roots of Vinyasa "Vinyasa is the root of modern yoga." | Adam explores the foundational aspects of Vinyasa and its significance in modern yoga, tracing its roots back to Krishnamacharya. He discusses the evolution of yoga practices, the importance of breath and the diaphragm, and the contrast between ritual space and flow states in yoga. Adam emphasizes the need to understand the original intentions behind yoga practices and how they have transformed over time. Key Points · Vinyasa is essential to understanding modern...
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Ep 201 Prasad Rangnekar - Yoga and Strength, The Sacred Body: Weight Training as Sadhana
Keen on Yoga Podcast
| @ “You can’t demonstrate a calm mind, but you can demonstrate a strong body Key Topics · Blessing the dumb bells · Asana v yoga · Why is the yoga community against strength training · The shift from aerobics in the 90s · The circle from East to West and back · The history of body building in yoga · Vanity of body · Will asana get...
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Ep 200 Adam Keen – Reflections on 200 Episodes: A Journey Through Yoga
Keen on Yoga Podcast
Ep 200 Adam Keen – Reflections on 200 Episodes: A Journey Through Yoga | "I felt like I was coming home." In this reflective episode marking the 200th podcast, Adam shares his personal journey through yoga, mental health struggles, and the influence of Sharath and the Mysore tradition. He discusses the evolution of his practice, the challenges of teaching, and the balance between personal experience and traditional methods. The conversation highlights the importance of community, authority in practice, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery in yoga. Key Points Yoga...
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Ep 199 Adam Keen – In Memory of Sharath Jois: A Personal Reflection
Keen on Yoga Podcast
"It's a time for us all, very sad." | Adam reflects on the profound impact of Sharath Jois on his Ashtanga practice and the yoga community. He shares personal anecdotes from his experiences in Mysore, exploring the emotional complexities of practicing under Sharath's guidance, the challenges of teaching, and the legacy left behind. Adam navigates through feelings of admiration, disappointment, and unresolved emotions, ultimately expressing gratitude for the lessons learned and the community built around their shared practice. Key Points · ...
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Ep 198 Adam Keen – Surrendering to Your Yoga Teacher – Is it a Good Idea?
Keen on Yoga Podcast
"The rules are just the wrapping paper." | Adam discusses the complex themes of trust and surrender within the context of yoga practice, particularly Ashtanga. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal autonomy and critical thinking when engaging with teachers and the practice itself. Adam warns against the dangers of surrendering blindly to a teacher's authority and advocates for a more inclusive and supportive environment in yoga classes. He highlights the need for trust to be built incrementally and the significance of creating space for individual expression and...
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Ep 197 Daniel Simpson – Addiction in Yoga: Striving for More
Keen on Yoga Podcast
"Asana is beneficial, but context is everything." | Adam and Daniel explore the complexities of modern yoga practice, particularly the push for performance in asana and the confusion surrounding its original purpose. They discuss the emotional journey that practitioners undergo, the disconnect between asana and traditional yoga philosophy, and the addictive nature of striving for progress. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of understanding objectives in practice and the need for emotional awareness in yoga, ultimately advocating for a reframing of how yoga is taught and...
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Ep 196 Adam Keen – The Struggles of a Modern Yoga Teacher
Keen on Yoga Podcast
Ep 196 Adam Keen – The Struggles of a Modern Yoga Teacher | @adam_keen_ashtanga Adam explores the struggles faced by modern yoga teachers. He discusses the complexities of defining the role of a yoga teacher, the pressures and expectations from students, and the crisis of integrity that can arise in the profession. Adam emphasizes the importance of holding space for students and the emotional landscape of yoga practice, while also addressing the challenges of teaching in modern studios and the need for professionalism. He concludes by reflecting on the ambivalence of student expectations...
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Ep 195 Eddie Stern - From Ashtanga to Exploration
Keen on Yoga Podcast
Ep 195 Eddie Stern - From Ashtanga to Exploration | Eddie Stern discusses his evolving relationship with yoga, moving from a strict Ashtanga practice to a more holistic approach that incorporates various elements of yoga, spirituality, and personal well-being. He emphasizes the importance of community, the role of the temple in his spiritual life, and the need to adapt practices to suit individual needs. Eddie also reflects on the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern science, advocating for a personalized yoga experience that fosters growth and self-discovery Key Points ·...
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Adam reflects on his 25 years of teaching yoga and shares the things he has changed his mind on over the years. He emphasizes the importance of evolving and learning in yoga and how knowledge should change us. He discusses the concept of deepening a posture and how it is more about balancing forces in the body rather than pushing for a deeper shape. He also talks about his evolving understanding of Hatha yoga and the integration of movement, breath, and concentration.
Key Points
· Knowledge should change us and lead to personal growth and evolution.
· Deepening a posture is about balancing forces in the body, not just pushing for a deeper shape.
· Hatha yoga is a method of pressurizing the body to align and purify the energy of the spine.
· The integration of movement, breath, and concentration is essential in yoga practice. Adjustments in yoga can send the message that a person is not good enough and can lead to injury.
· Trust and touch are important in yoga practice, and being in proximity with others who provide supportive touch can open up the body.
· Breathing is the movement in yoga, and the diaphragm is the center of the body.
· Technique in yoga is important, but it should not overshadow the need for space, support, and encouragement in the practice.
· Anatomical variations should be taken into account in yoga practice, and individualized variations can be used instead of rigidly following a set sequence.
· Quality of practice is more important than the amount of time spent practicing.
· Rounding the back in forward folds can be beneficial, and internal rotation can be emphasized in twists.
· The second series backbends can be introduced early in the practice to provide a balanced approach.
· Personal discipline in yoga practice should be balanced with trust in oneself and the ability to listen to one's own needs.
"Yoga did... what medications didn't."
"Teaching back then was practicing with the class."
"I don't adjust anymore... I don't manhandle people."
"Adjustments, second thing, adjustments don't work."
"Being with people in proximity, if you trust them, if you feel their touch is endorsing, affirmative of your being, just opens up the body like nothing else."
"The body always wants to seek homeostasis. In everything, in its blood temperature, in the regulation of all its organs, it just wants to seek homeostasis naturally."