Yoga has never been just a practice on the mat for me. Breathing in the flow, exploring the boundaries of the body and freeing the mind… These are the things that excite me the most in my yoga journey.
I have been practicing Ashtanga Yoga for the last few years and it is still one of the cornerstones of my practice. Ashtanga teaches discipline, breath and following a certain order. It is an invaluable experience to delve into that structure, to have the body memorize the movements and develop a more internal awareness each time.
But I have always been a freedom-loving person. It was important to me to stay in the flow, to let my breath guide me, and to incorporate creativity into my practice. That's where Vinyasa came in.
My Encounter with Rocket Yoga and Being the First Person to Practice It in Türkiye :)
In 2023, an interview of mine about Rocket Yoga was published in Vogue Türkiye. This interview, which was published in April, was actually like the beginning of Rocket Yoga's journey in Türkiye. It was a great excitement and responsibility for me to be the first person to practice and introduce Rocket Yoga in Türkiye.
Rocket Yoga is a system that bends the rules of Ashtanga a bit, bringing it a more liberal and fun perspective. Jumps, hand balances, inversions... A flow that is shaped by the philosophy of “Everyone can fly!”, making the practice more dynamic.
Unlike Ashtanga, the Rocket series, although in a specific order, can be modified to suit the needs of the student. That is, it strays slightly from the rigid structure of traditional Ashtanga, but still retains its fundamentals.
Ashtanga Remix: Bringing the Two Together
Now with Ashtanga Remix at Lemon Tree Yoga I offer a flow that combines the roots of Ashtanga with the freedom of Rocket.
🔹 Strong and organized structure from Ashtanga
🔹 Rocket's liberal, dynamic and encouraging spirit
🔹 The fluidity of Vinyasa and the art of moving with the breath
In fact, my practice has always been a combination of all three: a strong foundation, a free flow, and the lightness of moving with the breath.
That's why Ashtanga Vinyasa is the style I identify with the most. Because there is a place in between: a space where discipline and freedom are in balance, where the body can express itself through the rhythm of the breath.
So Which One Is For You?
If you love structure and order, Ashtanga will draw you in.
If you want to fly, push your limits and be free, Rocket is for you.
If you want to go with the flow, follow your breath, and be creative, Vinyasa may be for you.
Or, like me, you can get inspired by all of them and create your own journey. Because yoga is actually about discovering the way that makes us feel the best.
You can experience exactly this at Lemon Tree Yoga. How about exploring your own practice freely?
💫 Hope to see you on Matthew. 🧘♀️✨
Isil Ulku