The New Wave of Yoga: A Fresh Voice in Ashtanga's Evolving Journey
Ashtanga Yoga, with its rigorous sequences and disciplined practice, traces its roots back to the lineage of Krishnamacharya and the Mysore Palace. Deeply embedded in the spiritual soil of India, many great teachers and key figures in our current yoga culture have origins that root back to the Ashtanga Yoga tradition.
Our guest today, Sam Silversides, has enjoyed the benefit of eating the fruit from these great trees, and is now growing his own roots as he passes along the knowledge of yoga to students in different parts of the world.
Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, often hailed as "The Father of Modern Yoga," played a pivotal role in shaping what would become not just the modern style of Ashtanga Yoga, but every dynamic style of yoga that’s evolved from these roots. Krishnamacharya combined his scholarly knowledge of ancient texts with practical experience to develop a systematized approach that became known as “Vinyasa.” This was a method of linking breath and movement together.
Krishnamacharya's teaching also emphasized the importance of a personalized practice, adapting your teachings to the needs of the individual, something that became known as the “Mysore Method.”
Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, affectionately called “Guruji” by his students, was one of Krishnamacharya’s most devoted students, studying with him for twenty-five years, and further developed what is now known globally as “Ashtanga (Vinyasa) Yoga.”
The Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute was established in Mysore, India, where he taught this dynamic style of yoga that came to be known for its set series of postures performed in sequential order, each series more challenging than the last. This practice emphasizes the vinyasa system, synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process that produces intense internal heat and a purifying sweat that is believed to detoxify muscles and organs.
Today, we’re connecting with Sam Silversides, a young teacher carrying the legacy of the practice to the next generation. He shares with us how this powerful practice shaped his journey.
Sam Silversides has been a student of Yoga since 2010. After 5 years of practice he met Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor, began the inner journey of deepening his experience of yoga, completing multiple advanced trainings with them in Boulder, Vienna, and Berlin. Sam also deepened his practice learning from and assisting his friend and mentor, Ty Landrum, at various international intensives and trainings.
Over the past decade Sam’s taught Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga classes and workshops around the world to diverse groups of students. He’s a sincere seeker of truth and honoured to carry the Yoga tradition forward to the next generation. Sam greatly enjoys the teacher-student exchange, whichever side of it he happens to be on.
Throughout his life, yoga practice has kept him humble and grounded. He believes any keen and earnest seeker can reach the zenith that yoga has to offer and is honoured to help any student on their journey.
Key Takeaways:
Yoga as a Lifelong Practice: Sam shares his insights on how yoga is more than just physical postures; it’s a comprehensive approach to wellbeing that encompasses mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Adapting Tradition: Hear how Sam balances the traditional aspects of Ashtanga Yoga with the needs of modern practitioners, promoting a flexible and inclusive practice environment.
Join us in this riveting discussion that bridges the gap between the rich traditions of Ashtanga Yoga and the contemporary practices of today. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or brand new to the discipline, Sam’s experiences and insights are sure to inform and inspire!
June 16, 2024
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