"This practice nurtures me and my own life so that I can then go and do something with that energy that is meaningful—at least that is my hope" - Lisa Schrempp
Many practitioners wonder about how long they can practice Ashtanga, and if it is meant for people middle-aged or older. My asana teachers have always advised me to practice as long as I can, and that is how I am going to practice Ashtanga Yoga. I am an Ayurvedic practitioner, and because of my studies I understand not to push beyond my limits. I practice in a way that enables me to still go out, teach, and spread Yoga for the rest of the day. I believe that this has been Guruji’s gift to me. This practice nurtures me and my own life so that I can then go and do something with that energy that is meaningful—at least that is my hope. If I am egotistically trying to hold onto what I could do when I was in my 20's, then I will not have the intelligence (and most likely the energy) that I need to live my life in a yogic way. So I am careful.
"I believe my practice is changing and getting stronger, but of course it depends on what one calls stronger. I think that wisdom is more enduring than youth." - Lisa Schrempp
I believe my practice is changing and getting stronger, but of course it depends on what one calls stronger. I think that wisdom is more enduring than youth. Youthful strength
is exciting and brilliant, but one who has endured and stuck to the practice has probably benefitted and transferred those benefits into many realms of his or her life. With wisdom, one has more ability to withstand psychological and emotional struggles. In addition, with years of practice I have learned how to use my inner faculties rather than my physical body when practicing and teaching. I have noticed that my lower back is less flexible than it used to be, but the bandhas are stronger. I also feel more able to gain more important aspects of the practice like kindness.
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Lisa Schrempp began her studies of yoga in 1985 with David Life and Sharon Gannon of Jivamukti Yoga and has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga since 1991. She made her first trip toMysore, India to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Jois in 1992. After several trips to Mysore, Lisa received Sri K Pattabhi Jois’ blessing to teach in 1997. In 1998, Lisa began anAshtanga program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There she taught daily until she relocated to Tucson, Arizona in 2002 and started to teach Ashtanga and Mysore practice. In 2012 she founded Ashtanga Yoga Tucson. Learn more about Lisa at her website Lisaschrempp.com