Anusara yoga – Yoga with heart and soul
Anusara yoga is a type of Hatha Yoga i.e. you hold the yoga poses for a few breaths as opposed to vinyasa yoga that moves and flows with the breath.
I like to think of Anusara yoga as yoga with heart and soul. Each class has a meaningful heart-theme that gives Anusara yoga a spiritual quality that is woven throughout the yoga sequence. This enables Anusara yoga students to connect with their physical practice on a deeper level. Anusara® means to flow with Grace. In this context, this is not a girl’s name or the expectation of being able to perform each yoga pose with balletic poise and beauty. Anusara aims to unite with the Divine. – the soul in the flow with the universe, following your heart.
Anusara yoga honours the non-dual Tantric philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism. Essentially, this means that everything in this world is an embodiment of Supreme Consciousness. Everything is Supreme Consciousness. Non-dual tantra is inclusive and embraces both Shiva and Shakta traditions. It looks at the intrinsic goodness in everyone, every thing and every situation. I find this life affirming, positive and inspiring. You can take this positivity off the yoga mat and apply it to ups and downs of life and the world outside. Embrace everything whether it is good or bad. Don’t run from life! This is definitely a glass half full type of feel-good yoga.
Anusara yoga is also characterised by its strong emphasis on correct alignment. Anusara yoga ’s unique methodology of alignment is known as the Universal Principles of AlignmentTM (UPAs). This brings integrity to a pose and increases body awareness. It makes you engage with the posture as opposed to just going through the motions and hanging out in the shape of the pose. Different options are offered and props are used where appropriate. Everyone can take part and practice safely to their own level and ability. It is very inclusive and accessible form of yoga.
An Anusara yoga class will start with an introduction to the heart-theme for the class and the appropriate UPA, singing the Anusara yoga invocation, pranayama (breathing exercises) warm up poses and a sequence incorporating the full range of standing and seated poses with appropriate rest poses, further pranayama, meditation and relaxation (savasana) and wraps up with concluding comments and a closing OM. An Anusara yoga class unites body, soul and mind and a student will leave the class feeling uplifted, challenged and rejuvenated. I love going to an Anusara yoga class because it gives me everything I am seeking from yoga in one experience. It ticks all the boxes!
Another wonderful quality of Anusara yoga is that it has a strong international community of yoga students and teachers. In fact, the Anusara School of Hatha Yoga is a non-profit teacher-led international organisation that teaches and promotes Anusara yoga.
If you’d like to find out more, please get in touch. I’d love to share this amazing heart-based form of yoga with you so you too can experience its life-enhancing benefits.
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