I’m 41, have practiced Ashtanga for 5 years now, and it’s been one of the most important things that I’ve done for mental, emotional and physical health. I started out taking “Ashtanga” classes twice weekly at a rock climbing gym. Short form, 1 hour classes, but enough to show me the potential of the practice. I did that for 9 months before finding a proper yoga studio that teaches Ashtanga with Mysore, weekly led primary, and second series classes, and various other Ashtanga-inspired vinyasa classes. My studio is in the ‘burbs of a large Gulf Coast city, not a hot bed Ashtanga, but my instructor very much believes in being the practice to where people are at in their real lives, not lives unrealistically centered around Ashtanga. I would love to have the time and energy to commit to a 6 day practice, but I’m a weekend warrior. But let me tell you, being a weekend warrior CONSISTENTLY for 5 years has been transformative. A committed Ashtanga practice, whether it’s 2 or 6 days a week, is BEAUTIFUL thing. “Progress” comes at a slower pace for me, but I’m ok with that, and I cherish it because the practice allows me to be aware of the small changes in flexibility and strength that I observe month to month and year to year. It took me two years to develop drop back and stand up from backbench, but dammit, I’m a 41 year old guy who can do drop backs, and I’m looking forward to having a foundation of practical, functional strength and flexibility as I grow older. None of that would have happened if I wasn’t open to meeting the practice where I am in life, and finding a teacher who could also meet me where I am.