Yoga
Patricia Kauffman
Yoga is defined as union Yoga is a discipline to still the agitations of one’s mind and body. Through the practice of yoga one can achieve the goal of self-realization or union with the Divine. Yoga enables the human being to reach inner peace and happiness.
When one practices using physical postures and specific breathing as the focus, this is referred to a Hatha Yoga. An asana (posture) performed in a classical and genuine way integrates Self-disciplline, mindfulness, mental focus, and devotion to God (limbs of the Ashtanga Yoga system). Hatha Yoga goes far beyond a mere physical exercise program. It goes straight to the heart and soul of the true practitioner. Hatha Yoga uses the inner power or force of love, action and knowledge to create a life of fulfilling discipline.
I have been practicing Hatha Yoga for 37 years. It really helped me greatly during my teen years because Hatha Yoga emphasizes honoring the body as a temple, AND awareness of mind; to choose the actions, words and thoughts that are in union with a higher purpose
a higher vision of life. Hatha Yoga reconnected me to the Divine force within and that awareness took me to India in 1978-79. It was there that I started my meditation practice under the supervision of my Beloved Guru, Swami Muktananda, and later his successor, Swami Gurumayi Chidvilasananda. It was there that the experience of Grace was tangible and deep. Going to India opened up a transformation in me from the inside out, an experience of devotion and love that powerfully awakened my soul.
It was in the 1990’s that I discovered Anusara Yoga, the style of Hatha Yoga that I love the most, practice, and now teach, becoming a certified instructor in 2005. The central philosophy of Anusara Yoga is based on the view that everything is Supreme Consciousness – nothing exists that is not Supreme Consciousness. The body and mind are honored as sacred vessels through which the divine radiance of Supreme Consciousness can shine. Anusara means “flowing with grace.” The highest intention of practicing Anusara Yoga is to align with the flow of grace, to awaken to the truth that our essential nature is part of this divine flow.
Anusara Yoga is a Hatha Yoga system of universal principles of alignment, which includes the three A’s: Attitude, Alignment, and Action.
These three A’s are the foundation of Anusara Yoga:
ATTITUDE
The power of the heart as the force behind every action or expression in an asana: the aspiration to reawaken to our divine nature and the celebration of life
Divine Will (Iccha): Heart
ALIGNMENT
The mindful awareness of how various parts of ourselves are integrated and interconnected.
Divine Knowledge (Jnana): Mind
ACTION
The natural flow of energy in the body, which provides both stability and joyful freedom
Freedom of Action (Kriya): Body
“When you perform all three A’s as fully as you can in an asana, you are optimizing your full physical and spiritual potential for the performance of that asana. Your spirit will pour joyfully through the body with total freedom.”
—
John Friend,
Founder of Anusara Yoga
He continues to say, “There are only 2 basic reasons for practicing Anusara Yoga: to celebrate the joyousness of your Divine nature, or to melt away any blocks preventing you from experiencing it.”
Namaste