21 Reasons Why I practice Ashtanga Yoga

1. In my first encounter with yoga, I was given a copy of Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series by Kino Mcgregor DVD to just "try it out".

2. I'm used to regimentation in my younger days, so the fixed sequences of Ashtanga Yoga were naturally a good fit.

3. I need to be challenged physically and Ashtanga Yoga is one of the most physically demanding styles of yoga that also requires a great amount of discipline and commitment.

4. There's something special about Sri K. Pattabhi Jois I find that made me gravitate towards him and develop interest in what he taught.

5. I find chanting the opening mantra and closing mantra before and after practice incredibly grounding, humbling and feels right in initiating and ending my yoga / spiritual practice.

6. Ashtanga yoga was there during the darkest period of my life and was instrumental in my journey of recovery.

7. It makes me sweat like nothing else on earth.

8. It gives good health benefits, maintains proper functioning of the internal organs, and is also the most effective way for losing fat, in my personal experience. It made me lean and gave me abs without doing a single sit-up. Mind-blown.

9. It takes care of my emotional well-being; it makes me feel better regardless of how am I feeling.

10. It makes me comfortable with myself.

11. It makes me seek inwardly for happiness and balance, instead of craving for satisfaction and desires in the external world that we have no control of, that is temporary and can sometimes be painful.

12. It makes me content with what I am and what I have-- all these things which are immaterial, immeasurable and cannot be taken away from me.

13. It makes me self-sufficient for I don't necessarily need to immerse myself in the complicated web of human and social relationships and I can be alone if I want to (it's both a good and bad thing). But I'm generally happier this way.

14. As an athlete who trains and desires pushing to my limits, I realise there is something profoundly indomitable in yoga. It taught me to respect my body and not everything can be achieved by sheer force or will. Yoga intrigued me.

15. For self-transformation physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

16. To depend on myself. Not every time and everyone can help you. Ashtanga yoga taught me to help myself. And sometimes, becoming too independent (not necessary a good thing either).

17. It teaches me solid work ethics and provides me with the opportunity to work hard, 2 hours every day, 6 days a week, before the day begins.

18. I feel the affinity for this lineage and system of yoga.

19. It makes me feel deserving and worthy of myself.

20. It reminds me that all is okay, even if it is not; that I am enough, even if I may not be.

21. Ashtanga yoga is home.