coming soon . . .

new events. . . .

new people. . . .

new products.. .

Yes I did spend two months in India and now have been back on the Island for longer than that. It was an extraordinary time and I will share that with you as I integrate and fully digest the experience.

I am reading a book by Mukunda Stiles called Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy, thats what I am, an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist, I am finding it interesting. Often people ask what ‘kind’ of Yoga I am teaching, mostly because they want to talk about it with their friends, so I thought this would be a good forum to put my answer in print. Mukunda has a section on ‘The varieties of Yoga’ in his book and he explains this so well that I am going to be paraphrasing him, read the book if you want more explanation or please come and talk to me in person or call or email. .

With all these different forms of yoga being promoted it is difficult for a beginner when searching for a class. Some of the brand names come from creative teachers names like Sivananda, Iyengar, Kripalu and Bikram. Others are based on a method like Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, Jivamukti , Anusara,and Vjnana. All of these forms are varieties of Hatha Yoga, they all have wonderful health benefits.

Considered from an Ayurvedic perspective these major teaching styles would be viewed in light of their tendancy to balance a certain constitutional type, or Dosha, which refers to the fundamental elements or principles that govern the function of our bodies. The five elements are Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether and refer to the three Doshas, Kapha, Pitta and Vata.

Popular teaching styles promoted as Kripalu, Integral and Sivananda Yoga or Satyananda Yoga are similar in that they emphasize rhythmical breathing and mindful meditation while doing the asanas and are generally a preparation for the deeper practices of yoga, like meditation. They create a supple body and alert mind and appeal to students who want to relax and are looking to develop their own intuitive guidance. Those with a Vata constitution(Ether,Air) will be most drawn to these practices though they would also be beneficial for anyone wanting to balance the air/ether elements or just relax,change the pace of their lifestyle and manage stress.

Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga and Bikram Yoga emphasize fast paced practices that are vigorous and promote sweating as a form of purification. The practices develop lustrous skin tone, tremendous vitality and a passion for life awakens. It is ideal for those of a Pitta or fire constitution so long as they use their discrimination and do not get over heated.These methods of practising Yoga would be beneficial for anyone needing to add more fire to their lives, overcoming lethargy or depression. These styles build the most athletic body.

Iyengar Yoga and its off spring Anusara and Vjnana Yoga focus on physical alignment and develop physical and mental strength and stamina. Once the basics are learned the postures are held for longer periods of time, practitioners become strong with moderately developed physiques. The emphasis is on becoming firm and steadfast in the practice and faith and perseverance are developed.. These styles are most appealing to those with a Kapha constitution (water/earth) or those in need of more grounding and stability in their lives.

In Classical Yoga and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy the emphasis is on adapting the yoga to meet the individuals needs and therefore is often taught individually, though in a class situation the teacher would adapt the practice according to the changing seasons as well as the unique constitutions of the students. A Yoga Therapist is trained in a variety of ‘styles’ of practice so that they have the tools to adapt the Yoga to the individuals ever changing needs. The goal is to balance the Doshas(elements) rather than focus on any particular school of yoga. Basically that is what this book is about and it descibes well my own endeavours in teaching Yoga with an emphasis on Ayurvedic understanding, thank you Mukunda.

I will be back soon to share with you my experiences from India, please see the gallery for a few pictures, we will have a slideshow at the studio in August.

My gratitude as always for your support and presence,
In the Light

Sandra (Sannyasin Sagarmurti)

Hari Om Friends and Yogis!

We have been home for a few weeks now and enjoying being back on beautiful Vancouver Island. Our trip to the Ashram took us also to Nelson to visit good friends and then a slow meander up the Slocan Valley to Revelstoke, my old home town. It is refreshing to venture away from the usual and I certainly feel rested now and ready for the next season of classes. It is only the beginning of August but already time to make plans for the fall session.

With all of this time to reflect on changes that I would like to make in the program and in my personal life I have come up with a few thoughts that I would like to share. Each summer I undertake to immerse myself in a yoga program, either another teacher training or a retreat. This has been an essential part of my journey, especially as one teaching yoga. After an immersion in yoga like this the challenge is always to keep the practice and ideals alive in ones regular life. I know many of you face the same challenge. A weekly class gives us connection to others with similar ideals as well as a renewal to the practice, yet sometimes there still needs to be more.

Most teachers will recommend at least a three week stay yearly in a spiritual environment like an Ashram as a break from the distractions of everyday life and an opportunity to go deeper into the practice of yoga. What I realized for myself on this short summer excursion was that for me it is time to return to India. It has been almost five years since I have been there. This will affect the program here just a little. I will leave early in December and return early in January. My destination is Rikhia, at the Alakh Bara(place of sadhana) of Paramahansa Satyananda and the Festival called Sat Chandi Mahayagna, an uplifting, powerful and auspiciuos event with a tantric fire ceremony called Raj Sooya.. I will stay on at the Ashram after the event and be involved in further training in Kriya Yoga and Tattwa Shuddhi. If you are interested in knowing more about any of this please visit www.yogavision.net There is still apparently a little accomodation left at the Ashram, if anyone would like to join me, now is the time to make the commitment as it will be full soon. This is a very exciting opportunity!

The fall program this year will be one 12 week session beginning September 11 and ending November 29. I will teach five classes at the studio and four at Malaspina College. I am finding that with the interest in individual sessions increasing that 8 classes a week is plenty for me to take on. Nicole is still in Taiwan so Angelina has agreed to help me with one class at the College. The schedules are now out and around town or you can pick one up here at the studio. Hopefully soon my web maintenance person will be back from her holidays and the web site will be updated to reflect the new schedule. I will email out the details to all regular students soon.

Yoga Nidra will be offered as a full hour class, partnered with Parks and Recreation, to help me get the word out there about this amazing practice. My regular classes include a short version of Yoga Nidra at the end of each class, and that will continue, however the hour long offering will allow those interested, to explore and experience the practice in more depth.

The Fall Schedule at the Studio
Tuesday Level 2 5:30 – 6:45pm

Wednesday Level 1-2 9:30 – 10:45am
Introduction Level 1 5:30 -6:30pm
Yoga Nidra 7-8pm

Thursday Level 1-2 5:30-6:45pm

One more thing to mention for now is that the feedback I have received about not offering the Summer Immersion Program this year has been very interesting!. I also missed it! So thank you for your thoughts and I promise to bring it back to life next summer. With all your suggestions it will be better than ever so I thank you once again for your support and hope that you all enjoy the rest of the summer.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Namaste
Sandra