What is Ashtanga Monkey Yoga?
In 2016, when Jocke reconnected with his "true" self, the rebel and the joker (archetypes), he started to use an alias, the Ashtanga Monkey. The name implies that he shouldn't be taken too seriously and that his approach to the practice is slightly different, even rebellious compared to the strict traditional approach he has been teaching for the past decade.
The practice of "Ashtanga Monkey Yoga" is basically very similar to the traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga they have been practicing over the years. The main difference is the approach. The base is the practice Guruji created for us and taught to many of his students all over the world. Jocke and Terje have also visited Guruji's school in India and have had the privilege to attend classes taught by him. It should probably be mentioned here that the Ashtanga Monkey Yoga School respect Gurujis work very much, like we respect what all our teachers have done to help us in our journeys in yoga and life. Thank you Guruji, thank you Lino Miele and big thanks to all of you who have inspired us with your work.
The sequences?
There are three sequences in Ashtanga Yoga. Primay, intermediate and advanced series, which has been divided into four different ones: A, B, C and D. When we talk about the traditional system, it's worth mentioning that "traditional sequence" has also been changed by Guruji himself during the years of teaching. Ashtanga Monkey Yoga has two series that are based on the first two series of Ashtanga Yoga and a third series which is a combination of first, second and third series of Ashtanga Yoga. The first series differs only slightly from the traditional series, the second monkey series is more clearly modified from the intermediate series of Ashtanga Yoga, to better suite the regular practitioners, and the third is a more playful series, which does not follow the structure of any of the traditional series.
The "Monkey Primary" is a modified practice where some of the more challenging asanas (postures) are skipped, allowing for some of the asanas from the end part of the sequence to be added also for the beginner practitioners. The monkey sequence also has fewer asanas compared to the traditional approach and this makes it possible to slow down the practice, and to have a proper practice in a shorter time. Jocke's own full primary monkey sequence only takes around 60-70 minutes to finish. With this rebellious new approach, one can do a proper practice in just 45 minutes. :)
The "Monkey Intermediate" is similarly a modified and slightly shortened practice. The biggest change is that in AMA we teach this modified sequence also to beginners. Yes, when done correctly, this is totally safe and very useful for all students. The primary sequence is mostly forward bendings and hip openers, with some rotations included. The intermediate sequence continues with many hip openings but has more strength elements and the very necessary back bends. When we teach Ashtanga Monkey Yoga we use both of these sequences (as separate practices) to give a balanced practice for all students.
The "Monkey advanced" does not have one set sequence. It can be built in different ways, but still following a systematic method. The sequence is built with themes like: standing poses, vinyasa, core, arm balancing, forward bending, rotations, hip opening, back bending and finishing poses. There is a specific method how it's built but each practitioner doing this sequence as their own practice, has the possibility to choose what poses they will use in the practice. Join Jocke's online classes to test out the sequence.
The above sequences, like mentioned are modified and/or shortened. For students who are more advanced, Terje and Jocke will add some of the more challenging asanas to their personal sequence and un-modify the modified asanas.
In 2016, when Jocke reconnected with his "true" self, the rebel and the joker (archetypes), he started to use an alias, the Ashtanga Monkey. The name implies that he shouldn't be taken too seriously and that his approach to the practice is slightly different, even rebellious compared to the strict traditional approach he has been teaching for the past decade.
The practice of "Ashtanga Monkey Yoga" is basically very similar to the traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga they have been practicing over the years. The main difference is the approach. The base is the practice Guruji created for us and taught to many of his students all over the world. Jocke and Terje have also visited Guruji's school in India and have had the privilege to attend classes taught by him. It should probably be mentioned here that the Ashtanga Monkey Yoga School respect Gurujis work very much, like we respect what all our teachers have done to help us in our journeys in yoga and life. Thank you Guruji, thank you Lino Miele and big thanks to all of you who have inspired us with your work.
The sequences?
There are three sequences in Ashtanga Yoga. Primay, intermediate and advanced series, which has been divided into four different ones: A, B, C and D. When we talk about the traditional system, it's worth mentioning that "traditional sequence" has also been changed by Guruji himself during the years of teaching. Ashtanga Monkey Yoga has two series that are based on the first two series of Ashtanga Yoga and a third series which is a combination of first, second and third series of Ashtanga Yoga. The first series differs only slightly from the traditional series, the second monkey series is more clearly modified from the intermediate series of Ashtanga Yoga, to better suite the regular practitioners, and the third is a more playful series, which does not follow the structure of any of the traditional series.
The "Monkey Primary" is a modified practice where some of the more challenging asanas (postures) are skipped, allowing for some of the asanas from the end part of the sequence to be added also for the beginner practitioners. The monkey sequence also has fewer asanas compared to the traditional approach and this makes it possible to slow down the practice, and to have a proper practice in a shorter time. Jocke's own full primary monkey sequence only takes around 60-70 minutes to finish. With this rebellious new approach, one can do a proper practice in just 45 minutes. :)
The "Monkey Intermediate" is similarly a modified and slightly shortened practice. The biggest change is that in AMA we teach this modified sequence also to beginners. Yes, when done correctly, this is totally safe and very useful for all students. The primary sequence is mostly forward bendings and hip openers, with some rotations included. The intermediate sequence continues with many hip openings but has more strength elements and the very necessary back bends. When we teach Ashtanga Monkey Yoga we use both of these sequences (as separate practices) to give a balanced practice for all students.
The "Monkey advanced" does not have one set sequence. It can be built in different ways, but still following a systematic method. The sequence is built with themes like: standing poses, vinyasa, core, arm balancing, forward bending, rotations, hip opening, back bending and finishing poses. There is a specific method how it's built but each practitioner doing this sequence as their own practice, has the possibility to choose what poses they will use in the practice. Join Jocke's online classes to test out the sequence.
The above sequences, like mentioned are modified and/or shortened. For students who are more advanced, Terje and Jocke will add some of the more challenging asanas to their personal sequence and un-modify the modified asanas.