Hatha Yoga is “Forceful Yoga”. It is the Yoga of physical cultivation in order to achieve an Adamantine body, a strong and healthy body which is disease free and ageless. Such a body prepares the aspirant to receive the divine Grace of transcendental Self Realization.
Anuttara Hatha Yoga arranges the stock poses of Hatha Yoga into a logical order of pose and counterpose for maximum benefit and to avoid injury. The arrangement is based on the Sapta Krama or Seven Sequences. These are the beginning warmups and Kriyas, standing balancing poses, warriors and triangles, kneeling poses for spinal flexion, prone poses for back strength, sitting poses for hip opening and finally, various supine postures.
Our tradition starts centuries ago and is not limited to modern day styles named for specific instructors. Different variations are just that, mere variations. What we do emphasize is proper alignment and avoiding the confusion of fusing different styles within a pose. We may do a set of postures standing in Samasthiti and repeat the same sequence but standing in Tadasana instead. The effects are astonishing.
Our template is the Eight-Limbed path of Ashtanga as described in the Yoga Sutra. Our practice is not just Asana practice or yoga pose, but especially ethics or Yama and moral observances or Niyama. We explore different Pranayama techniques, Bandhas, Mudras and Bhava or attitude. We integrate them all within the practice not as separate philosophical constructs, but as essentials to the expression of each pose.
We emphasize proper alignment, with variation options, touch assists and if needed, props. The students will explore anatomy, physiology, history, philosophy and basic Sanskrit vocabulary and mantras.
We are certain that you will find your voice to confidently instruct a well-rounded and enjoyable Hatha Yoga class. If your goal is not to teach, but to deepen your practice, you will not find a better venue than this.