Dr. Ronald Steiner is a Sports Physician, Researcherwith focus on prevention and rehabilitation, and one of the most well-known practitioners of Ashtanga Yoga. Dr Ronald is one of the few yoga teachers authorized by the Indian masters Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and BNS Iyengar. AnAshtanga pioneer, Dr. Ronald Steiner is one of the few Yogis in the world who masters the third series of Ashtanga Yoga. Dr Ronald is the founder of AYI (Ashtanga Yoga Innovation) method that links YOGATHERAPY with traditional ASHTANGA YOGA & YOGA PHILOSOPHY, with the aim of bringing body and mind into a state of balance, keeping in mind the scientific parameters of fitness & limitations of each individual. The AYI Method bridges the gap between ancient tradition and progressive science, between applied anatomy and living philosophy, between precise technology and practical experience. Dr. Ronald Steiner combines traditional Ashtanga Yoga with progressive insights, especially from the field of medicine, movement science, and psychology, to create a new orientation toward aliveness. Connect with Dr Ronald Steiner here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.ronald.steiner/ Website: https://www.ashtangayoga.info/ Discussion Topics: Ques 1: How did yoga happen to you & how did you find your teachers? Ques 2: What is so special about Ashtangapractice that the world is crazy about this yoga form, where the community is so strong & feels like people from a different planet exuding strength, purpose & spirituality in a very reflective and powerful way? This is one keen question on my mind for long, what is so magnetic about the Ashtangapractice that all practitioners come across as very dedicated, strong & purposeful people talking more of spirituality than asanas in the Ashtanga practice? Ques 3: Based on your medical & traditional background in movement, what does the ashtanga practice stand for traditionally, scientifically medically & energetically? Ques 4: Being a sports physician and having practiced the yogic movement practice of maximum intensity, how do yousee Ashtanga practice from a scientific perspective? Ques 5: What is AYI Method & what is it designed to achieve? Ques 6: Where does Yoga Philosophy and subtle elements of Ashtanga practice like breath, mantras, counts, bandhasfit-in into the scientific understanding of Ashtanga practice? Ques 7: What is the take of Ashtangis about modifications in the practice? Ques 8: This is again a controversial question but a relevant one, lately there was a controversy ‘Why I Quit Ashtanga Practice’ circulating high in Ashtanga circles. Why now, after keeping the tradition alive for nearly a century, all of asudden this wave of quitting ashtanga spread out, while considering how powerful practice it is. More so when it can be modified to suit different individual types, there is always a choice, why quit? Ques 9: How come most Ashtangis visiting Mysore Ashtanga Yoga shala are able to develop such a strong practice and each Ashtagis practice looks the same…strong, flowing, dedicated & deeply involved with an exception that some people end up with injuries. I am sure not all students enter the shala with that strong with intense practice of difficult asanas, what’s the magic trick? Ques 10: Ashtanga practice also requires a lot of energy & rest, how are students able to cope up with the nutritional & lifestyle demands of the body to stay with the practice for long? Ques 11: I have another controversial question & think you are the best person to answer being a doctor & a yoga therapist. Generally, a doctor recommends yoga only as a side approach and not a source to reverse or heal health conditions. When people turn up to you for their health conditions, do you recommend yoga or medicine as first line of action?
