Stop Stretching

When we are in pain, we can’t do anything in our lives. When we feel instability in our bodies, that instability ravages the mind. We can’t focus on anything else because all we can think about is how to get rid of this pain. Our body is the vehicle that we live in throughout our life. If you wear out your body, where are you going to live? So where do we go from here? The last episode of STOP Stretching is about YOU - you will hear some AMAZING testimonials from students who have trained in AYAMA with me. They are regular people who are just like YOU. They love Yoga and had originally understood yoga to be all about flexibility and stretching. After spending some time learning with me and experiencing the profound effects of AYAMA on the body, their understanding of yoga, and safe movement has completely transformed! I will share some deeper insight into how AYAMA fits perfectly with the yoga paradigm, and if you practice yoga correctly, what you can possibly achieve.  We will also wrap up the contents you have been learning over the past episodes and help you how you should practice yoga.  Yogi Aaron is the creator of AYAMA — Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™, has been teaching yoga for 30+ years, is a bestselling author, and owner and yoga director at Blue Osa Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica. A revolutionary at heart, he’s on a mission to get people back in touch with the true essence of yoga, flip the script on stretching, and help humanity live pain-free! Learn more about Yogi Aaron at yogiaaron.com [https://yogiaaron.com/] and keep learning with him on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and his Facebook Group — How to Live A Pain-Free Life with AYAMA. https://YogiAaron.com [https://yogiaaron.com/]  To begin a practice of Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™, go and access the 15-Day Free challenge [http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching] to begin the journey to becoming pain-free! http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching [http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching] Subscribe to Yogi Aaron’s AYAMA Classes on Youtube -https://youtube.com/c/YogiAaron [https://youtube.com/c/YogiAaron]     To see our full resource list as well as credits, please click here [https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/].  https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/ [https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/]

A lot of people think their yoga teacher can do no wrong — placing them on a pedestal and accepting behaviors that would never be allowed in other instances. But the truth is, many so-called yoga gurus have a dark side.  In this episode, I’ll shed light on the unfortunate abuse of power that runs rampant in the yoga world and what yoga students need to be aware of when choosing a yoga teacher to ensure they will be safe and respected on their mat. I’ll also share ways that yoga teachers can embody their authority without disempowering their students, how to approach hands-on adjustments, the problem with demonstrating yoga postures, and how everyone can get deeper into yoga the AYAMA way.   Yogi Aaron is the creator of AYAMA — Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™, has been teaching yoga for 30+ years, is a bestselling author, and owner and yoga director at Blue Osa Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica. A revolutionary at heart, he’s on a mission to get people back in touch with the true essence of yoga, flip the script on stretching, and help humanity live pain-free!   Learn more about Yogi Aaron at yogiaaron.com [https://yogiaaron.com/] and keep learning with him on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and his Facebook Group — How to Live A Pain-Free Life with AYAMA. https://YogiAaron.com [https://yogiaaron.com/]  To begin a practice of Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™, go and access the 15-Day Free challenge [http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching] to begin the journey to becoming pain-free! http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching [http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching] Subscribe to Yogi Aaron’s AYAMA Classes on Youtube -https://youtube.com/c/YogiAaron [https://youtube.com/c/YogiAaron]     To see our full resource list as well as credits, please click here [https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/].  https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/ [https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/]

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”   As we discussed in previous episodes, stretching is actually hurting your body. By passively lengthening your muscles, you are breaking the connection the brain has to that muscle, disrupting the neuromuscular connection. When you think about it, stretching is the exact opposite of enhancing or improving muscle function.   In terms of yoga postures, there are three poses at the top of the list that you should never do. But there is one (probably your favorite one) that is literally ruining your body. Why? Because you are overstretching. And once again, overstretching can cause you serious problems in the long term.    In this episode of STOP Stretching! you will gain a deeper understanding of why stretching is not good for you, what happens if the muscle is overstretched, and what yoga postures you should avoid to keep your body healthy in the long term. You will understand the reason behind the destruction of these asanas and how to modify them for good. I also introduce you to one of my favorite yoga poses and I show you the best resting asanas that will keep your muscles stable.    Yogi Aaron is the creator of AYAMA — Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™, has been teaching yoga for 30+ years, is a bestselling author, and owner and yoga director at Blue Osa Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica. A revolutionary at heart, he’s on a mission to get people back in touch with the true essence of yoga, flip the script on stretching, and help humanity live pain-free!   Learn more about Yogi Aaron at yogiaaron.com [https://yogiaaron.com/] and keep learning with him on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and his Facebook Group — How to Live A Pain-Free Life with AYAMA. https://YogiAaron.com [https://yogiaaron.com/]  To begin a practice of Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™, go and access the 15-Day Free challenge [http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching] to begin the journey to becoming pain-free! http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching [http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching] Subscribe to Yogi Aaron’s AYAMA Classes on Youtube - https://youtube.com/c/YogiAaron [https://www.youtube.com/c/YogiAaron?sub_confirmation=1]   Thank you to Greg Roskopf, The Founder of MAT. https://muscleactivation.com [https://muscleactivation.com/].   Thank you to Katie Burdick, our second MAT expert, madetomovekatie.wixsite.com/mysite [http://madetomovekatie.wixsite.com/mysite] To see our full resource list as well as credits, please click here [https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/].  https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/ [https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/]

Have you ever wondered where the “yoga is stretching” madness comes from? The history of yoga is complicated and extends back thousands of years. It started simply with the aim of unifying the body, mind, and spirit. Fast forward to today… and here we are: thinking that yoga is about stretching and flexibility, and that if you can’t touch your toes, you're not a “good yogi”.   In this episode of Stop Stretching! we dive deep into the history of yoga and uncover where, when, why and how this obsession with stretching came about. You will hear about the original yogis, the very first yoga posture, the rise of Hatha Yoga, and how yoga has evolved into an ‘exercise routine’ made up of fancy poses practiced by people wearing spandex.   After understanding yoga’s ancient roots and debunking our modern-day way of practicing, you’ll learn there are only 2 things you need to practice yoga — and they have nothing to do with stretching and flexibility!   Yogi Aaron is the creator of AYAMA — Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™, has been teaching yoga for 30+ years, is a bestselling author, and owner and yoga director at Blue Osa Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica. A revolutionary at heart, he’s on a mission to get people back in touch with the true essence of yoga, flip the script on stretching, and help humanity live pain-free!   Learn more about Yogi Aaron at yogiaaron.com [https://yogiaaron.com/] and keep learning with him on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and his Facebook Group — How to Live A Pain-Free Life with AYAMA. https://YogiAaron.com [https://yogiaaron.com/]    To begin a practice of Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™, go and access the 15-Day Free challenge [http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching] to begin the journey to becoming pain-free! http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching [http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching]   Subscribe to Yogi Aaron’s AYAMA Classes on Youtube - https://youtube.com/c/YogiAaron [https://youtube.com/c/YogiAaron] Thank you to Greg Roskopf, The Founder of MAT. https://muscleactivation.com [https://muscleactivation.com/].   Thank you to Katie Burdick, our second MAT expert, madetomovekatie.wixsite.com/mysite [http://madetomovekatie.wixsite.com/mysite] To see our full resource list as well as credits, please click here [https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/].  https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/ [https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/]

So here is the thing: when you have stability and a muscular system that is working properly, you will have less pain in your body and life.    Instead of stretching, what if we IMPROVE MUSCLE FUNCTION through muscular engagement? There’s this beautiful synergy between the way the body is moving and all of these postures. So again, like really flipping the script in terms of what we are actually focusing on.     We are no longer focusing on stretching, but instead, activating and stabilizing.    In this fourth episode, you will be introduced to a revolutionary way to eliminate your pain for good. You will learn about anatomy, the history, importance and benefits of AYAMA, and how this revolutionary approach can greatly impact your life. I will explain to you Muscle Activation Techniques and how my life would look without practicing AYAMA. And if you wonder where stretching fits into these and to whom this revolutionary practice is being recommended, this episode is here to answer all your questions.   Yogi Aaron is the creator of AYAMA — Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™ has been teaching yoga for 30+ years, is a bestselling author, and owner and yoga director at Blue Osa Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica. A revolutionary at heart, he’s on a mission to get people back in touch with the true essence of yoga, flip the script on stretching, and help humanity live pain-free!   Learn more about Yogi Aaron at yogiaaron.com [https://yogiaaron.com] and keep learning with him on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and his Facebook Group — How to Live A Pain-Free Life with AYAMA. https://YogiAaron.com [https://YogiAaron.com]   To begin a practice of Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™, go and access the 15-Day Free challenge [http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching] to begin the journey to becoming pain-free!http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching [http://smpl.ro/stop-stretching] Subscribe to Yogi Aaron’s AYAMA Classes on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/c/YogiAaron?sub_confirmation=1] -https://youtube.com/c/YogiAaron [https://www.youtube.com/c/YogiAaron?sub_confirmation=1]   Thank you to Katie Burdick who joined us in this interview today. Find out more information about Katie here.madetomovekatie.wixsite.com/mysite [http://madetomovekatie.wixsite.com/mysite]   To see our full resource list as well as credits, please click here [https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/].  https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/ [https://yogiaaron.com/stop-stretching-to-live-a-pain-free-life/]