“Yoga shows you the way and expects you to make your own discoveries. Yoga teaches us to experience spirituality for ourselves.”
Dating back to 3000 BCE, Yoga has weaved through thousands of years on this planet as a map to guide us through the human experience. It offers direct personal experiences with asana (postures), meditation, breathwork, ethics, self-care, service to the world, concepts of consciousness, and views on personal development.
Asana
A balance of physical strength and surrender cultivated by the moment to moment movement aligned with the breath. Asana is the 3rd limb of Patañjali 8 limbs of yoga in his collection of yogic principals named Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. The first two limbs are focused on ethical principals called Yamas and personal conduct called Niyamas. A traditional practioner would not even allowed to step on a mat until they were disciplined in Yamas and Niyamas. In the Hindu philosophy each stage prepares us for the next.
For me the 8 limbs are a facilitator towards all truth in our experience. Like a lighthouse shining into the foggy abyss, the 8 limbs allow me to See and shows the way to the natural state of bliss, Samadhi.
Below are descriptions of the styles of Asana I offer in private single or group classes :
Yin
As a counter to yang, yin practices longer holds focusing on a release in the connective tissues of the hips and shoulders. It is much different from the Yang practices in that Yin is seemingly passive with most of the postures not far off the ground however, your concentration will be challenged while holding postures from one to 20 minutes.
Hatha
this practice has a slow and steady pace with 5 breaths per posture. Hatha bridges between both yin and yang.
Vinyasa
Synching breathe with movement to flow and exercise the muscles, breathe and concentration, Vinyasa is a powerful practice. As a form of Yang, vinyasa generates heat in the body and will move lots of energy.