Just picked up david Swenson’s practice manual. Been practicing for several months with Rodney Yee’s Power and Yoga Burn. I mostly combine strength and flexibility in the Power to make it an hour workout which i do 5-6 times a week. I am an active 23 year old male (6’1’’ and 175 lbs). I plan on starting the Primary series. I can do mostly all of the arm balances on Rodney Yee’s video with the exception of one(can only get one leg off the ground). How was everyones first time at Ashtanga? Realistically, do you think I could complete the Primary series fully within a year or so? I realize that this is a lifetime practice and I am VERY ok with that! I just would like to make some good progress…Any thoughts, advice, comments, suggestions for +
Hello
The first time I did Ashtanga it felt like I’ve come home. I have been doing Ashtanga yoga for five years or so and all I can say is that it never gets any easier because you learn that you can always go a bit further and deeper into a pose. And once you have mastered the physical aspect of the poses you realise what the moving meditation is all about. Ashtanga yoga like any other form of yoga I’m sure is not something you can complete in a year’s time it is something that grows and grows bigger everytime. Good luck
ditto from me too- no such thing as ‘completing the primary series’. you will understand it more as you begin to practice regularly. you ALWAYS do the primary series, even if you’ve been doing it a million years.
i’ve been practicing a year now and i go through antsy spells. i just attempt the secondary series and that sends me back to primary where i belong (with a good laugh i might add)! however, i can say i’ve never felt discouraged, ever, i’m still learning, and still wanting to practice the primary series.
hey, great news though on the arm balances! good for you. should help you get through all those vinyasas! 
a thought, are you meditating, doing breathing practices, mantras, any of the inner practices?
to whom are you asking the question?
Tomorrow our class is attempting the third astanga series for the first time. If after that I am still around I’ll let you know how it went.
namaste
When starting out how often would you recommend working with the primary series? My concern is overworking the muscles/shoulder joints when starting out.
I’m using the David Swenson video series, short forms. 15 minutes doesn’t feel enough, 30 minutes feels about right for me at this point both in terms of challenging myself and fitting it in to my daily routine.
[quote=SLK;9975]
I’m using the David Swenson video series, short forms. 15 minutes doesn’t feel enough, 30 minutes feels about right for me at this point both in terms of challenging myself and fitting it in to my daily routine.[/quote]
If it feels right I would think it is right.
what’s wrong with doing the full form? i mean, you’re going to be doing it eventually you may as well start now? why delay the inevitable? plant the seeds so that they grow in time. jump in! carpe diem!
i try to do full ashtanga primary series 4 times x week and teach the series 2 x week. minus moon days and ladies holidays. right now, as a new teacher, i’m finding difficult to find the appropriate balance for me. my personal practice is suffering :(.
i spent 9 weeks doing full primary 6 x week. yes my shoulders hurt but they got stronger.
s