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Yoga with Milan |
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What is or is not Yoga? Yoga isn’t just another exercise…it’s a lifestyle. It’s about making the right choices in everything: exercise, meditation, food and drink, relationships, work, and family. And as much as it is about making the right choices, it is even more about forgiving yourself when you don’t make the right choices. Yoga is about understanding ourselves as we are, and yes, approving of ourselves as we are, and then trying to make ourselves just a little bit better. Tuck in the tail bone, lengthen yourself from the crown, one more inhale, open up the heart and allow yourself to experience the greatest journey of all….life. Your companion is yoga.
About Viniyoga I’ve been trained as a Hatha Yoga teacher…that great umbrella that embraces all that is yoga. My focus was primarily in the Viniyoga style, a fluid, accommodating style which starts with the breath and ends with the breath. It flows from one asana to the next, the muscles are coaxed towards each asana with several repetitions before a calming hold. Therapeutic in nature, this is one style anyone can achieve to perfection, for the perfection of each pose lies within your own individual body. While it’s possible no two people will look same in their asana, the benefit received will be in equal measure to each that surrenders to the integrity of the pose.
Some History of Viniyoga Viniyoga was made popular by Sri T. Krishnamacharya in the 1970’s. His style of yoga was based on the premise that yoga needed to change according to each individual and his or her needs. His students, B.K.S. Iyengar and Sri Pattabhi Jois, both famous in their own right, have established other styles of yoga popular in the west. Iyengar developed the ‘Iyengar’ style of yoga, with its emphasis on precision. Pattabhi Jois started ‘Ashtanga’ yoga, with its emphasis on dynamic movements and strength building. Krishnamacharya viewed all of the above as components to a complete yoga approach, rather than stand alone aspects to form an entire practice. Desikachar, Krishnamacharya’s son, has continued his father’s teachings.
About Kundalini Yoga With breath, movement and repetition as the stronghold of my own practice, Kundalini yoga was the natural progression of my practice. Kundalini yoga places emphasis on awakening the ‘Kundalini,’ which is imagined as a sleeping coiled serpent at the base of the spine. Once awakened, it is believed that you shall be aligned with the universe in spirit, mind and body. On a less esoteric note, its lively, achievable movements and rapid breath work bring energy to the body and calmness to the mind in a manner that only the kriyas (sets of ‘exercises’) of Kundalini yoga are designed to do. Kundalini yoga clears out the toxins from the body and mind, leaving you with a bright outlook and the energy to complete whatever goals you set for yourself.
Come share the world of yoga – make your practice work for you.
Namaste,
Milan |
