Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast

Shanna Small joins Peg and Zoe to explain why her own personal growth required leaving the Ashtanga yoga community. In this episode, we also discuss the true meaning of tradition, why community is important, and how it can get in the way. There's even a bit on weightlifting in yoga -- if that's even yoga!Join Peg in person this fall at Yoga East in Kittery, Maine (Oct. 21-25) and The Breathing Space in Amsterdam (Nov. 4-8). Details for this, along with our online Yoga Mentorship, are on the website. Visit ashtangadispatch.comAlso, you can now find my essays on Substack for those more inspired to read: pegmulqueen.substack.com As always, thanks for listening!

Zoe DiPirro joins me (Peg Mulqueen) as co-host for this new season of the Ashtanga Dispatch podcast. In this first episode, the two openly question the more harmful aspects inherent within the Ashtanga yoga tradition, including a power imbalance that leaves little room for agency, autonomy, individual experience, and, in worst-case scenarios, leads to abuse.This series will be a process of re-examination, reflection, and dialogue -- and we’d love to hear from you. Share your personal thoughts and experiences by emailing me (Peg) at [email protected] or sending a message over Instagram: @unrulyascetic (Zoe) or @ashtangadispatchAlso, Meghan and I are now accepting applications to the fall session of our Yoga Mentorship, and we'd love to welcome you. You can find all that information on our website. Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

An incredibly important conversation examining the roots of abuse, ways of accountability, and what it means to be both a teacher and student of the Ashtanga yoga method with Sarah Nelson, Greg Nardi, Kino Macgregor, and Peg Mulqueen -- moderated by Melissa Matt. The first of an ongoing series of discussions hosted by Omstars. We appreciate you listening. And if you have any thoughts or comments, please feel free to email me (Peg Mulqueen) directly at [email protected]

What does it mean to be a woman practicing Ashtanga yoga? Join Monica, Genny, Tara, Katy and me as we discuss what can seem like a very masculine practice, from a female perspective. And if you enjoy this episode, then I invite you to join me over on Substack for a new 12-part series exploring the femine archetypes. We begin this month with The Queen. Visit https://pegmulqueen.substack.com to read up and join.

A maverick is someone who is unconventional and thinks for themselves and today's guests are certainly that. Harmony Slater, David Garrigues, and Ty Landrum are all part of the same Ashtanga yoga tradition, and yet, they look almost nothing alike. Each offer their own unique perspective and approach that is in ways, totally opposite. On one end there's David, a lover of form, and on the other, Harmony who embraces the form-less. And then there's Ty and his new Black Lotus Yoga which is both wildly different and not. Though there is one thing they all love and agree on: the color black. (Didn't see that one coming!) Anyway, get ready for a roller coaster of a conversation that was loads of fun (for me) and brilliantly insightful. The fall session of our Yoga Mentorship program begins August 2nd. The focus this session will be on presence and purpose. It's waking up to our own unique dharma, a life calling that is as much our duty as gift. Visit www.ashtangadispatch.com

In this episode of the Ashtanga Dispatch Podcast, David Keil, Jen René and Scott Johnson join me to explore the question of whether Ashtanga yoga is suitable for everyone, not just as teachers but as students, ourselves with our own challenges and needs. We talk about the importance of context, adaptation, and the need be critical thinkers. But like all great questions, this one only led us to even more, and especially this one: how can we become better teachers. Because for students, that's really what it comes down to -- how creative, flexible, and caring we are as teachers. Join our Yoga Mentorship: visit ashtangadispatch.com for details

In this heartfelt conversation, Mary Taylor, Richard Freeman, Tim Feldmann, and Kino MacGregor join Peg Mulqueen and reflect on the profound sense of loss within the Ashtanga Yoga community after the sudden passing of Sharath Jois. They explore themes of grief, connection, and the importance of practice in navigating uncertainty. The discussion delves into the essence of tradition in yoga, sharing personal stories and insights, highlighting the role of rituals and devotion in maintaining a sense of connection to the practice and each other. You can join Mary, Richard, Tim, and Kino along with many other prominent and inspiring teachers at this year's Ashtanga Yoga Confluence, May 1-4, in San Diego, California. You can find more information on the event itself as well as scholarships available here: https://www.ashtangayogaconfluence.com Thanks for listening. We hope you enjoyed.

In today's episode, Dr. Shyam Ranganathan, a scholar and teacher of Yoga Philosophy, discusses how to preserve one's autonomy through the practice and philosophy of Yoga. Learn more about Dr. Ranganathan by visiting his website at www.yogaphilosophy.com and check out his new book, Yoga -- Anticolonial Philosophy: An Action-Focused Guide to Practice. Also, we are currently accepting applications for our Fall Mentorship. Visit www.ashtangadispatch.com to learn more.

Meet one of my favorite yoga teachers, fellow word nerd, and an extrovert who also loves introverting -- Ross Rayburn. In today's episode, we talk about Ross's new book, Turning Inward, an inclusive, practical, if not somewhat unconventional, guide to developing a contemplative practice. You can find Ross's book, Turning Inward, on Spotify or order on Amazon. And if you're interested in more down-to-earth practical explanations of yoga philosophy, check out our online courses. Visit www.ashtangadispatch.com and click on The Path to learn more.

In today's episode, we take a little break from our usual interviews and conversations to bring you a story from Sumerian Mythology called The Descent of Inanna. It begins as, "From the Great Above, Inanna (goddess of light) opens her ear to the Great Below," and from there, journeys into the Underworld, into known and unknown terrors, to follow that call. And it's a story that beautifully illustrates our own quest for Self through yoga. Which is the theme of our upcoming course in April -- Patañjali's Yoga Sūtras: A Practical Guide. Please visit www.ashtangadispatch.com and click on The Path for more information. We hope you enjoy the story!