Yoga
What is Yoga?
Yoga practice itself is a simple collection of techniques for observing what is in the present moment. These techniques lead to a pure attention to the subtleties, movements and forms of whatever is present, including one's own thoughts and freedom. The techniques of Yoga are merely ways of keeping the attention focused and present with whatever is occurring. They are based on connections between patterns of thought, the emotions, the breathing, the posture and the general physiology of the body. Through Yoga we can cultivate these feedback systems between the body, the breath, the senses and the thoughts. The body itself then becomes the ground for enlightenment. (Richard Freeman)
Yoga can be practiced in many ways. The most commonly understood way in the West is through physical postures, known as Asanas in sanskrit. A physical form of yoga is known as Hatha. There are many styles and traditions of Hatha yoga. At Balance, most of the classes follow the Kripalu and Ashtanga tradition. Kripalu is a compassionate form of yoga that takes into consideration different body types and structures. Kripalu also invites you to go into your body and explore the sensations associated with the postures. Often times, postures are held longer to observe the activity and sensations of the mind and body. Kirpalu is often considered to be "meditation in motion" with more and more practice. Both Amanda and Mike are trained in the Kripalu tradition. Ashtanga is more vigorous form of yoga that invites you to flow through postures quickly. In this way, Ashtanga can be more of a cardiovascular practice. In any case, many of the postures are the same but the manner in which the postures flow together and are practiced differ slightly. If you are unsure of what class is right for you, please feel free to contact our yoga coordinater Amanda for more information. Email or call.
We offer a 4-week Introduction to Yoga class and a drop-in Yoga Basics class.
Yoga Jargon
- Yama (ethical relationships, i.e. non-violence, truthfulness, not stealing, continence and the non-gripping of things and thoughts)
- Niyama (internal awareness, i.e. cleanliness, contentment, mystical burning, self study and surrender to God)
- Asana (posture)
- Pranayama (extension of the breath)* *
- Pratyahara (drawing back the senses)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyana (meditation)
- Samadhi (absorption)
- Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is designed to reveal the full depth of yoga. It is the systematic, step-by-step unfolding of awareness without neglecting weak areas or catering to strong ones. This approach, called Vinyasa, means sequential. It implies intelligent, balanced evolution and it produces remarkable strength, flexibility and clearness of mind. Out of the principle of Vinyasa, different progressive series of postures were created, based on using the movements of the Sun Salutation as links.
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