Some information on Yoga and her style by Annalisa as part of our Cardio Kickboxing Vancouver program.
Yoga in addition to our Cardio Kickboxing Vancouver program
The practice of yoga is an art and science dedicated to creating union between body, mind and spirit. Its objective is to assist the practitioner in using the breath and body to foster an awareness of ourselves as individualized beings intimately connected to the unified whole of creation. In short it is about making balance and creating equanimity so as to live in peace, good health and harmony with the greater whole. This art of right living was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago and the foundations of yoga philosophy were written down in The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, approximately 200 AD. This sacred text describes the inner workings of the mind and provides an eight-step blueprint for controlling its restlessness so as to enjoying lasting peace.
The core of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra is an eight-limbed path that forms the structural framework for yoga practice. Upon practicing all eight limbs of the path it becomes self-evident that no one element is elevated over another in a hierarchical order. Each is part of a holistic focus which eventually brings completeness to the individual as they find their connectivity to the divine. Because we are all uniquely individual a person can emphasize one branch and then move on to another as they round out their understanding.
In brief the eight limbs, or steps to yoga, are as follows:
1.Yama : Universal morality
2. Niyama : Personal observances
3. Asanas : Body postures
4. Pranayama : Breathing exercises, and control of prana
5. Pratyahara : Control of the senses
6. Dharana : Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness
7. Dhyana Devotion, Meditation on the Divine
8. Samadhi : Union with the Divine
€¨ In the present century, Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar has made it possible for ordinary human beings to experience the wisdom of the yoga sutras. He finds the meaning of the sutras by practical search and regular practice. Iyengar Yoga has shown and taught how all the eight aspects of astanga yoga are integrated. His style of teaching yoga which is now being followed by certified teachers is known as “Iyengar Yoga”.
In addition to Iyengar Yoga (hatha) which includes variations of the well known 20th century styles. I am a student of Anusara yoga. A method designed by John Friend and founded in 1997. John Friend is a student of B.K.S Iyengar and so the eight limbs of patangaliâ are still considered a framework for the practice, only Anusara is also based upon the ancient Tantric philosophy that everything is life affirming, and a manifestation of the divine energy of creation. Tantrics believe life is a gift to be celebrated, not a problem to be solved. In taking this joyous approach to our practice and embodying the teachings of tantric philosophy in our physical postures, we become more acutely aware of ourselves, our intentions, our desires, on and off the mat (Dharana) The Anusara practice is also founded on(and well known for) the application of bio mechanical alignment principals (Universal Principals of Alignment) and The 3 As of Anusara which are
Attitude
Alignment
Action
These ideals not only set the body up in the safest physical form, but this practice also aligns the energetic body, allowing prana to flow naturally. Igniting the body’s innate intelligence and bringing the harmony of balanced action into the forefront of our practice.
When I practice, I am a philosopher.
When I teach, I am a scientist.
When I demonstrate, I am an artist.
-B.K.S Iyengar
We have added a yoga program to be included in our other programs in conjunction with our Kickboxing Vancouver program
Cardio Kickboxing Vancouver
