Yoga Styles

Anusara Yoga® is a heart based yoga system founded by John Friend in 1997. The philosophy combines the desire to find the optimal blueprint in your poses with the optimal opening in your heart. When we combine Alignment and Attitude the resulting Action is a powerful inner experience. These are the three A’s of Anusara.

I have been inspired by the Anusara style of Yoga and am dedicated to offering the benefits I have experienced from this unique form of Yoga to my students. I have completed a 300 hour Anusara Based training program and intend to continue my studies in this style with John Friend, with the goal to become a certified Anusara instructor. The standards are high and the road is long but I am dedicated with willpower and heart to meet them. It is important to note that the classes I currently offer are not certified Anusara Yoga® but Anusara – Inspired.

The Anusara – Inspired Yoga I teach is a Hatha Yoga that is dedicated to the main principle within the Anusara teachings, which is first Open To Grace. And works with the Universal principles of Alignment set out by the Anusara style.

Hatha yoga – all asana based yoga falls under the term Hatha Yoga. Hatha means willful or with force and indicates the discipline needed to work on the development of the postures. It also combines two Sanskrit words which mean Sun and Moon and represent the union of the Polarities found in nature and ourselves, a union of the masculine and feminine qualities of life.

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Yoga literally means union or to join with, it is a way of life, a spiritual and philosophical viewpoint that moves us towards union of the self with the Divine or greater whole. The practice of yoga as a way of life includes spiritual practices that support our self-awareness of the divine nature in all of life and ourselves.

Yoga is more than learning certain postures, Asanas, as they are known in Sanskrit. When we come to the yoga mat we have the opportunity to experience ourselves in a clear unobstructed way through the use of the Asanas.

The physical and spiritual commitment, focus and willpower, necessary to practice the Asanas on the mat leads to mindfulness off the mat, in other words in our lives. The Asanas align life force energy, known as prana, in the body, which energizes our inner awareness and offers us the possibility for greater self-awareness, and spiritual growth.

When we open our heart and set a strong intention towards inner and outer alignment of body and mind, we can look at our lives in a clear, non-judgmental way. We become strong and flexible, purified through asana, breath, meditation and philosophy in body, mind and spirit.

The continued practice of yoga leads to freedom in the body as well as the heart and spirit.

• Yoga is for anyone seeking a vibrant body, clear mind and peaceful heart.
  
  
• It is a great way to increase strength and flexibility with a balanced approach towards intentions and not goals. In yoga you always begin “where you are” and honor the limits of your body while exploring the edges that continuously expand, as you are consistent with your practice.
  
  
• Yoga allows for expansion of body, mind and spirit. We work from the inside out valuing our inner journey more than the outer execution of the postures; therefore it is appropriate for all levels of students.
  
  
• It is a perfect model for life outside of the yoga class. Every challenge we meet on the mat we meet in life. As we cultivate the inner tools to work with these challenges in our yoga, we become more skillful at working on these challenges in our lives!
  
  
• The practice of yoga purifies the body on all levels; the organs, glands and muscles are toned, oxygenated and cleansed, the breath purifies the energy channels and the nervous system is brought into balance.
  
  
• Mindful attention to the body increases mental clarity, focus and concentration.
  
  
• Yoga offers a much-needed relief from daily stresses and can be deeply relaxing and rejuvenating to the body, mind and spirit.
  
  
• Yoga offers an ancient art form for the exploration of the self and spiritual path. Many sages have walked this path and stood in these Asanas before us!