Ashtanga Yoga Inside & Out: How to Get the Most from David Swenson’s Online Course

For many students around the world, David Swenson is a bridge between traditional Ashtanga and the modern yoga international community. His online course Ashtanga Yoga Inside & Out makes it possible to study with him from anywhere, whether you’re in a busy city apartment or a quiet home shala.

But how do you really get the most from this online course, beyond just pressing “play”?

Understand What the Course Is Designed to Do

Ashtanga Yoga Inside & Out isn’t just a follow-along class. David breaks down the Primary Series into small, approachable sections so you can truly understand the poses, transitions, and logic of the sequence. You’ll see where to modify, how to work with your own body, and how to make intelligent decisions about your yoga practice.

Think of it less like a single class and more like a toolkit: you return to specific lessons whenever you need clarity on a posture, vinyasa, or concept.

Combine Video Lessons with Self-Practice

One of the most effective ways to use the course is to alternate between:

• Study days – Watch David break down a group of poses, listen to his cues, and take mental (or written) notes.
• Practice days – Roll out your mat and work through what you’ve just learned, at your own pace.

This rhythm mirrors how many long-time practitioners in the yoga international community learn: observe, absorb, then embody. Over time, what you saw on screen becomes felt knowledge in your own body.

Use Modifications as a Strength, Not a Shortcut

David repeatedly emphasizes that the practice should fit you, not the other way around. When he offers alternatives or step-by-step progressions for challenging poses, treat them as smart strategies, not compromises.

By honoring where you are today, you build a yoga practice that can last for decades instead of weeks.

Create a Supportive Study “Ecosystem”

You’ll get even more from the course if you pair it with:

• A copy of Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual for visual reference of the Primary Series
• Posters or practice cards to quickly recall Sanskrit names and sequencing
• A simple journal to note which poses feel strong, which need patience, and what changes over time

These small supports help you stay consistent and make the material truly your own.

Stay Connected to the Global Community

Even though you’re practicing at home, you’re not alone. Thousands of students around the world are also studying Ashtanga through David’s work online and ashtanga.net, forming a quiet but powerful yoga international community. 

When motivation dips (and it will), remember: showing up, even for a short practice, is how Ashtanga really gets “inside & out” of your life.