What can you expect from one of my classes? You won’t get an ashtanga class because I’m not authorised or trained to teach it. What I am trained to teach is a variety of yoga techniques found in hatha yoga. Why do I not teach Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga? Simply because the training requirements do not allow me to work in my job full time, whereas the Mandala Yoga Ashram course does, and the Mandala course includes a wider range of yoga practises. What did I gain from Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga? Apart from healing and personal transformation, I learnt how to focus and use the breath as a tool for practising postures, but also as feedback to feel where my limits are. Transforming asana practice into a meditative activity with focus and awareness was another benefit. So although I am not practising Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga at the moment, it has influenced my personal yoga style and educated me on power of yoga practice to improve ones personal life.
Postures are a gateway to grand vistas of being and as such in class we use asana’s (postures) to help us see the wider vista of existence. At least that is my aim. It’s important to recognise the body is an element of our make up, and that we need to work with the body. There are various ways of working with the body, most help heal the body/mind/emotions, but can also be used to bring more sattvic states of being that are healthy for daily life.
“Scientific research has proved that asanas prevent disease, promote health and have curative abilities, therefore many professionals use them to manage psycho-somatic stresses and diseases.
Asanas work on both the body and the mind. These are not separate entities although there is a tendency to think and act as though they are. The gross form of the mind is the body and the subtle form of the body is the mind. Practising asanas integrates and harmonises the two.”
Taken from; www.yogavision.net
The combination of breath with body awareness helps to develop understanding and control of who we are. From this seed, or starting point we explore our bodies, minds and emotions. Exploration provides the basis to develop these same areas, like an adventurer who develops their character through adventures and the resulting expriences, so in yoga we develop who we are (all facets).
