Introduction to Anusara Yoga

In our Tuesday / Saturday classes we’ve started applying with more specificity the Anusara principles of alignment – this is sort of a “peek behind the curtain” of all the alignment efforts we’ve been doing in class for years; it’s just that I may not have been spelling them out quite as much in the past, but now we are looking and studying more closely.

Anusara is the main hatha yoga system that I have trained in, and it has a big influence in how I understand the body, alignment, and yoga. Over the next several weeks we will be looking into and learning each alignment principle of Anusara (of which there are 5), as a way to strengthen our foundational understanding – as well as to give you the power to find your most optimal alignment and vitality in any yoga pose. It’s always very good practice to visit and revisit the “basics”, even as we progress in our practice in ways that were previously unimaginable.

Anusara is a Sanskrit term derived from the root words, anu, meaning “with,” and sara, meaning “flow.” Therefore, anusara may be translated as “flowing with grace”, “entering the flow of divine grace” or “flowing with the heart”.

The Anusara system of alignment opens us up to a deeper question: What does alignment truly mean? in our bodies, in yoga postures, but also – in our lives. What does it mean to align with our own hearts, our own truth, and to live (flow) from that space?

These teachings correspond directly to what my teacher Swami Chetanananda explains to us that yoga is about: Contact, Alignment & Flow. We’ll explore this idea further down the line when we have a more complete understanding of the principles of alignment themselves.

There are 5 principles of ALIGNMENT, in Anusara. These are the 5 principles that we follow, in their specific sequence, to find ourselves in greater alignment physically, as well as to our hearts, in our lives:

1. Opening to Grace

2. Muscular Energy

3. Inner Spiral

4. Outer Spiral

5. Organic Energy

We will be exploring what each one of these means in class, and I will write more about each one here soon – I hope you will join us!

lots of love,
natasha

The Luxurious Practice.

Many years ago, when I was living in LA, fully immersed in studying yoga with my favorite teachers and teaching upwards of 17 classes per week, I would occasionally block off a chunk of time for a lengthy practice at home.

Once a week or so, I would clear out for myself about a 4 hour block, for what I called my “luxurious practice”. The name alluded to the fact that on most days my time by myself on my mat was limited or rushed - but on these long practice days I could really take my time to work on anything and everything I was craving, nice and slow, without any time pressure. It was so so fun and delicious!!

Our Saturday two hour class is meant to give us all a taste of that experience. This is a class that is NOT rushed. It’s meant to be exquisite, luxurious, dedicated, fully sensorial, and delicious.

Last week someone commented after class they felt they had received an acupuncture treatment, a massage, and a chiropractic adjustment all-in-one from the work we did on our mats that morning.

So that’s what we’re aiming for, to really get a full system treatment, to reset our bodies, minds and spirits, to breathe and move in a way that releases the deeply stored gunk we’ve accumulated from the hustle and busyness of life, and re-establish the easeful flow of our breath and Chi throughout our whole selves.

The class includes time for yoga, pranayama, meditation, chanting, and plenty of deep exploration within.

I hope you will join us sometime.

Maybe I will see you soon!? I’m so so happy to be back.

Love you all so much!
thank you for being in my life.
natasha.