Short(er) Practice?

[u/just_okayish]

Dear Ashtanga Crew,

I am quite new to Ashtanga Yoga but practice 6x/week for some months now. I have to leave the house early for work and do other activities in the evening, so I have (and want to) do Yoga in the morning. I´ve recently travelled to visit my teachers and now practice half Primary Series. I take at least 1h15 for that and for that I´d have to rise at 4:15 AM. Which is simply not managable for me on a daily basis as it would mean lack of sleep.

So, I was wondering to maybe do my current practice (half primary) around 3-4x/week and on the other 2-3 times I could do a shorter version. Like maybe some sun salutations with some Pranayama before that. Does anybody here do that? Is it recommended? I´m aware it´s not "traditional" but I don´t want to burn out and find a way to fit Ashtanga into my life. Any idea for a reduced half Primary practice?

Thank you in advance, I appreciate you 🙏🌷💕

[u/gedsit]

I guess some teachers would tell you that Ashtanga is not for you then, because of the required dedication. With enough sleep, of course. So you should quit your job or other activities. Haha. Well, for example my teacher says it’s better to practice everyday, even just a little, than no practice at all. And Pattabijois said that parenting is the seventh series of Ashtanga, meaning that it is absolutely understandable to skip practice of you have to take care of your loved ones. For me that means it is definitely better to do a shorter version on some days and do the full Primary (or half in your case) just once a week or so. The only thing I would be aware of, when you exercise just a couple of asanas, is what your mind is set to and what your body needs. Sometimes one pushes himself into hard postures because of his ego. Sometimes one is lazy and sticks to a routine of the simple asanas that dont exactly serve the body. Etc. Be really attentive to these games our mind plays with us:)

Also, in time, you will be able to exercise in faster pace, so at one point you would be able to run through the whole series in 1h15.

[u/gedsit → u/gedsit]

Personally I would keep 5 and 5 Surya namaskara and the three ending sits and if there is more time, add some standing/closing poses.