Yoga - Philosophy & Practice

ASHTANGA YOGA
Based on the traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system taught by Sri K Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India. Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is an ancient and powerful practice that promotes self practice. The different series combine specific sequences of postures (asana) with the breath.

There are three very important elements to the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga...UJJAYI (breathing style) BANDHA (locks) DRSHTI (gazing point). This approach produces internal heat, purifying the physical body and the nervous system. The result is a strong, graceful body and a clear, focused mind.

As you delve into each posture and allow the posture to reveal its essence to you, you become increasingly more Heart centered and grounded in your own Beingness at the same time. Flowing from posture to posture without being attached to any of them reminds us of the impermanence of Physical Universe. The less we identify with the external, the more we become established in who we really are.

The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) is therapeutic in nature, encouraging the body to release its toxins and tightness (mainly muscular skeletal). The different postures in this series also purifies and tones the internal organs. The spine is invited to become supple again through the backbends and this prepares you for more advanced backbends to come. The Second Series (Nadi Shodhana) is purifying to the nervous system. Your body becomes lighter and stronger at the same time. The Advanced Series continue to build on strength and grace. The different sequences challenge the body into various positions that affect Prana in ways that we don't usually in 'normal' circumstances. This then invites the layers of samskara to be exposed and handled or confronted with Kindness, Compassion and Understanding.

The process known as yoga (deconstruction of mental conditioning) leads to the state also known as Yoga (union/harmony of all opposing forces .. Prana and Apana, Shiva and Shakti). Yoga also means to have absolute knowledge of Purusha, the individual self becomes merged with the Universal Self. In this state of awareness, one becomes established in the awareness that discerns between that which is impermanent and that which is lasting. Instead of identifying with things transitory and other causes of suffering, one becomes identified with their own Self. This discernment allows us to live Life fully and joyfully.
Yoga consists of eight limbs/branches:-

yama (ethical conduct) - how we relate to others
niyama (observances) – how we relate to ourselves
asana (posture) – how we relate to our body
pranayama (breath extension) – how we relate to our breath
pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) – how we relate to our sense organs
dharana (concentration) – how we relate to our mind
dhyana (meditation) – moving beyond the mind
samadhi (meditative absorption) – communion

OTHER TOOLS

To facilitate your practice, we explore the Mind and its contents (limiting beliefs, conflicting thoughts, supressed memories) thereby deepening your practice by increasing Awareness, Balance and Compassion.

We have the tools and the science to address and treat past injury/trauma (body/mind) especially if these issues reveal themselves as obstacles in your practice. Guidelines are given for those who wish to go deeper into the science and practice of Yoga, especially for the more subtle aspects.
What are you searching for? You are It. Practice from this knowingness. You are already perfect, an expression of the Divine.

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudacyate Purnasya Purnamadayah Purnamevavashishyate